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Vol 61 No 46 4 D.C. Councilmember Robert White, Democratic candidate for District delegate, announces plans to dispatch residents to canvass on behalf of congressional allies running in midterm races. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

August 27 - September 2, 2026

Capture the Moment Page 33

Kay Family & OAG Reach Agreement in Settlement Dispute

Six Years Later, Neighborhood Officials, Local Clergy Reflect on Deon Kay’s Police-Involved Death By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Senior Staff Writer

Defend DC: D.C. Councilmember Robert White to Take Statehood Fight on the Road

Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson Stands Up for D.C. in His Own Congressional Race By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Through what’s dubbed Defend DC, White plans to dispatch District residents to other congressional districts As Democrats fight for control of the U.S. House, D.C. to canvass on behalf of Democratic allies running in midCouncilmember Robert White is entering a new phase of his term races. Their victories, he noted, could potentially D.C. delegate campaign, this time looking outside of the Belt- shift power in the U.S. House while strengthening the way to amass support for D.C. statehood. DEFEND DC Page 9

The March on Washington Starts in the Pews Message to Clergy for 63rd Anniversary: ‘We Are Called Again’

By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor With thousands expected at Lincoln Memorial Aug. 28, a fight for democracy is poised to take over the very grounds where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once shared his dream with America. Led by the National Action Network (NAN) and Drum Major Institute, the 2026 March on Washington: Defend the Vote stands to emulate the mission of 63 years ago, when a quarter

MARCH Page 34

5 The National Action Network (NAN) and the Drum Major Institute are hosting a revival of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Aug. 28, featuring clergy, civil rights leaders, and activists like NAN founder, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and Martin Luther King III, both pictured center at the 60th anniversary of the march in 2023. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

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With the six-year anniversary of Deon Kay’s police-involved death on the horizon, the Kay family has finalized a settlement agreement with D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, thus ending what’s been described as a months-long disagreement about a suitable dollar amount. For Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Dascha Cleckley, this development provides some sort of closure, not only for the Kay family, but Congress Heights residents.

“It doesn't even make the community feel safe, but at least it acknowledges the fact that there was a wrong,” said Cleckley, who’s in her fourth year as a representative of Single-Member District 8C03. “So many times, things happen in the community,...and it's swept up under the rug, so I think that’s a move in the right direction.” Years after Kay’s death, as federal law enforcement officers and National Guard troops walk the streets of Congress Heights alongside D.C. police officers, and activists fight the launch of a new

DEON KAY Page 31

In D.C., Better Asthma Care May Start at Home

Local Experts Look Beyond the Clinic to Help Washingtonians Breathe Easier By Mya Trujillo WI Multimedia Reporter Various conditions in Washington already make breathing difficult for many, but in a city that is disproportionately affected by asthma, with rates higher than national averages, those factors become even more hazardous. Luckily, medical institutions and researchers in the nation’s capital are working diligently to advance sustain- 5 IMPACT D.C., one of the city’s leaders in treating able, multifaceted asthma pediatric asthma, turns 25 years old in fall 2026. The intervention clinic prioritizes education to empower families care.

ASTHMA Page 15

and children with asthma across Washington. (Courtesy Photo/IMPACT D.C. Asthma Clinic, Instagram)

AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 1

WILL YOU BE THE NEXT D.C. SPELLING BEE WINNER?

45th annual spelling bee Open to 3rd - 8th grade students enrolled in D.C. public, charter, private, parochial or home schools.

Registration opens August 18, 2026

National Enrollment for schools opens at spellingbee.com Contact your school coordinator or call The Washington Informer at (202) 561-4100 Sponsorship opportunities are available – email: rburke@washingtoiinformer.com. For our Prince George’s County Bee, please contact Doug Hayes pgspellingbee@gmail.com 2 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

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wi hot topics

RICHARD ELLIOTT, WI CONTRIBUTING REPORTER; BRENDA C. SILER, WI CONTRIBUTING WRITER; STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER

Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Greenbelt FBI Headquarters

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

PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes

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

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

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration can’t cancel existing plans to relocate the FBI’s new headquarters to Greenbelt, the latest development in a conflict over the future of America’s largest investigative agency. District Court Judge Theodore Chuang ruled that the potential move violated the Administrative Procedure Act and would cause “irreparable injury” to Maryland and Prince George’s County Maryland Democratic members of the U.S. House and Senate, including Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, said the road to getting Greenbelt selected for the new FBI headquarters was not easy. “For years, Team Maryland has fought to bring the men and women of the FBI a headquarters that meets their mission and their needs,” the Maryland federal leaders wrote in a joint statement. “After a years-long, competitive, and transparent process, Greenbelt, Maryland, was selected as

Montgomery County Wants to Hear From Residents About Healthcare Concerns Deadline to Respond is Aug. 31

Montgomery County, Maryland residents who are African-American, Black, or Caribbean can now respond to the annual State of Black Health Survey by Aug. 31. The survey is available in the following languages: English, French, Haitian Creole, Amharic, and Spanish. "We want to hear about the experiences, challenges, and priorities that will help shape future health programs, services, and community initiatives for African American, African and Caribbean residents of Montgomery County," said Frederick Hawkins, African American community liaison and outreach manager in

the Office of Community Partnerships. Conducted by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the survey will also evaluate health care disparities to inform improvements and extend lives. “Health disparities reflect long-standing inequities in access to care, nutrition, housing, transportation, education, and economic opportunity,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We want to meet people where they are, build trust in the community, and connect residents with information and services.” WI

Michael Jackson Would Have Turned 68. His Music is Filling the Room Again Las Vegas turns up the music to celebrate Michael Jackson’s birthday. The lights go out, the theater goes dark, and then that unmistakable voice fills the room, even before the song begins. Suddenly, Michael Jackson feels larger than life once more.

5 The cast of Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson ONE” performing at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. (Courtesy Photo/“Michael Jackson ONE”)

4 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

the site for that new headquarters, based on its merits – including its ability to provide a secure space for the Bureau while ensuring the cost-effective use of taxpayer dollars.” The Maryland Democratic congressional leaders also celebrated Chuang’s decision, calling it a “step forward for the rule of law.” “The Trump administration had no grounds to ignore this selection, or redirect even one penny that Congress specifically appropriated for construction of the competitively selected site,” they wrote. “We’re glad to see the Court acknowledge this fact, ruling that the Trump administration’s actions are unlawful and void.” Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown (D), who has sued the Trump administration on behalf of the state several times, also praised the ruling. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

His image appears above the Las Vegas stage while dancers perform moves inspired by him, acrobats spin through the air, and his decades-old music fills a theater designed for it. Now, 64 drones fly overhead, and nine new LED panels light up the room with images. Jackson died 17 years ago. He would have turned 68 on Aug. 29. At Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, the Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil are planning a birthday celebration at a special time: Michael Jackson is having another big year. The biographical film “Michael,” directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring the late artist’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, has made over $1 billion worldwide. It is now the highest-grossing biopic and music biopic ever, and the biggest film in Lionsgate’s history. The movie opened in late April with $97 million in the U.S. and $217 million worldwide, making it the largest global debut for a musical biopic. Alana Clapp, general manager of “Michael Jackson

JACKSON Page 27

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First Impression Staffing to Pay $400,000 After D.C. Alleges Hundreds of Workers Were Denied Paid Sick Leave By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer More than 600 District workers allegedly went for years without the paid sick leave guaranteed under D.C. law while working as concierges and frontdesk staff at office buildings across the city. Now, Maryland-based First Impression Staffing LLC has agreed to pay nearly $400,000 to resolve an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced Wednesday that the staffing company will pay more than $250,000 to former employees who allegedly never received the paid sick leave they earned, provide retroactive paid sick leave to current workers, and pay nearly $150,000 in civil penalties to the District. “We will not allow companies to illegally boost profits and undercut their law-abiding competitors by cheating their workers out of legally required paid sick and safe leave,” Schwalb said. The settlement resolves allegations that First Impression Staffing violat-

ed the District’s Sick and Safe Leave Act and other labor laws between July 2022 and June 2025. The company, headquartered in Clarksville, Maryland, provides concierge, receptionist, and front desk personnel at commercial properties throughout Washington and other states. According to the attorney general’s investigation, the company failed to provide paid sick leave to more than 600 District employees over a threeyear period, despite operating as a large employer under D.C. law. “So many people have to go to work sick (in a restaurant, hospital, airport, etc) because they can’t afford to miss the pay,” Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 2B04 Madison Crum wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. District law requires employers with at least 100 employees to provide workers with one hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 37 hours worked, allowing employees to earn up to seven paid sick days each year. Those protections apply to both fulltime and part-time employees, and

AROUND THE REGION

workers may use the leave after 90 days of employment. The law also requires employers to maintain records of accrued leave, prohibits retaliation against employees who use sick leave, and limits the circumstances under which employers may require medical documentation. In addition to alleging the company failed to provide earned paid leave, investigators said First Impression Staffing did not give new employees written notices explaining their rate of

pay and the basis for that pay, another requirement under District law. Although the company agreed to the settlement, it denied the allegations contained in the attorney general’s investigation, according to the agreement. Under the settlement, First Impression Staffing will pay $250,927 to more than 400 former employees who no longer work for the company. Current employees will receive retroactive credit equal to seven days of paid sick leave for each of the past three calendar years they worked for the company. The agreement also requires the company to overhaul its employment practices. First Impression Staffing must notify all current and future employees of their paid sick leave rights,

maintain accurate records of leave accrued and used, refrain from retaliating against workers who request or use paid leave, and provide required wage notices to new hires. Six months after the agreement takes effect, the company must submit to an audit by the attorney general’s office demonstrating compliance with the District’s paid sick leave law. The audit will include the company’s sick leave policy, proof that employees received the required notices and leave credits, and payroll records documenting accrued and used sick leave. In addition to worker compensation, the company will pay $149,072 in civil penalties to the District. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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100 5 District Attorney General Brian Schwalb says First Impression Staffing LLC will pay nearly $400,000 to resolve an investigation, after more than 600 District workers allegedly went for years without the paid sick leave guaranteed under D.C. law. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

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Aug. 27

1949 – A concert by famed singer and civil rights activist Paul Robeson in Peekskill, New York, is called off when concertgoers are attacked by locals screaming racist and antisemitic slurs. Robeson is lynched in effigy and a cross is set ablaze during the riot, which resulted in more than a dozen people being seriously injured. 1963 – Famed author, scholar and NAACP co-founder W. E. B. Du Bois dies in Accra, Ghana, at 95. 1975 – Haile Selassie, former emperor of Ethiopia, dies in Addis Ababa at 83. 2008 – Barack Obama officially receives the Democratic presidential nomination at the DNC convention, becoming the party's first African American nominee.

Aug. 28

1955 – Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American boy, is lynched in Mississippi at the age of 14 after he was accused of flirting with a white woman. 1963 – Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington. 1968 – Rev. Channing E. Philips of Washington, D.C., becomes the first African American to be nominated for president by a major national party.

Aug. 29

1920 – Jazz saxophone virtuoso Charlie "Bird" Parker is born in Kansas City, Kansas. 1958 – Michael Jackson, the legendary "King of Pop," is born in Gary, Indiana. 1962 – Malvin Goode becomes the first African American television news commentator when he begins broadcasting on ABC as a United Nations correspondent.

6 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

AUG. 27 - SEPT. 2, 2026

SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

Michael Jackson (right)

Aug. 30

1966 – Constance Baker Motley becomes the first African American woman federal judge when she is appointed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. 1967 – Thurgood Marshall is confirmed by the Senate as the first-ever Black Supreme Court justice. 1980 – Guion Bluford, a former NASA astronaut, becomes the first African American in space.

Aug. 31

1935 – Former Black Panther Eldridge Cleaver, author of "Soul on Ice," is born in Wabbaseka, Arkansas. 1935 – Hall of Fame baseball player Frank Robinson, who was also the first-ever African American hired to manage a Major League Baseball team, is born in Beaumont, Texas. 1962 – The nation of Trinidad and Tobago declares its independence from the United Kingdom.

Sept. 1

1904 – George C. Poage becomes the first African American to win a medal in the Olympic Games by taking the bronze in the 200-yard and 400-yard hurdles. 1979 – Hazel Johnson-Brown becomes the U.S. Army's first Black female general when she assumed command of the Army Nurse Corps.

Sept. 2

1946 – Grammy-winning singer and musician Billy Preston is born in Houston. 1958 – African American inventor Frederick M. Jones is issued a patent for a control device for the internal combustion engine. 1965 – Boxing great Lennox Lewis is born in London. WI

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“Some would say the time to have marched in Washington would have been before they gutted [the Voting Rights Act of 1965], before they passed the massive, deadly, ugly, destructive [One Big Beautiful Bill Act]. But now, what we need is not to march on Washington, but to march to the polls.”

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D.C. Residents Carry $102,400 in Debt as Homeowners Increasingly Turn to Equity for Cash

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District residents carry more than $100,000 in debt on average, nearly $40,000 more than the typical American. Yet for those who own homes, years of accumulated equity can provide another source of money when household budgets are strained. That financial cushion, however, is not shared equally. Mortgages account for more than three-quarters of household debt in D.C., while residents collectively carry billions of dollars in credit card balances. Black residents are also less likely than white residents to own homes, leaving fewer with access to the equity that homeowners can tap when expenses mount. In 2025, the average District resident with a credit score owed $102,400 in household debt, according to data from USAFacts and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This is $39,200 more than the average American. Still, after adjusting for inflation, District residents’ debt dropped by $3,900 from the year before. Most of what D.C. residents owe is tied to housing. In 2025, mortgage debt made up about 76.3% of all household debt in the District. Credit card debt is also a major burden. According to WalletHub’s 2025 analysis, Washington households had an average of $14,565 in credit card debt, placing the District 64th out of

5 The District’s homeownership rate is 23.8 percentage points below the national rate, according to an Urban Institute analysis. (WI File Photo/Anthony Tilghman)

180 cities. Altogether, Washington households owed about $4.68 billion on their credit cards. Americans across the country are struggling with more expensive consumer debt. Household debt reached $18.8 trillion during the first quarter of 2026, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Mortgage balances accounted for $13.19 trillion, while credit card balances stood at $1.25 trillion. Home equity line of credit balances increased by another $12 billion to $446 billion, continuing a trend that began in 2022. “Aggregate household debt levels rose slightly, with modest increases in most debt types offsetting a seasonal decline in credit card balances,” said Daniel Mangrum, a research economist at the New York Fed. “Delinquency transition rates were mostly steady, while student loan delinquencies are returning to pre-pandemic levels.” However, another analysis shows that the financial strain is much greater for millions of individual borrowers than the overall numbers suggest. The Century Foundation and Protect Borrowers estimated that approximately 111 million Americans, roughly half of all credit cardholders, cannot pay their balances in full each month. About 68 million people are considered “debt-stressed,” meaning they use at least 30% of their available credit. More than 27 million cardholders cannot afford to pay more than the minimum due. The analysis estimated that a debt-stressed borrower making only minimum payments would

spend an average of $251 a month, more than $3,000 a year, while continuing to accumulate interest on most of the remaining balance. Black borrowers are feeling this pressure even more. Black debt-stressed cardholders owed an average of $9,469 at the end of 2025. Their average balances had increased by 31% since 2018, faster than those of any other racial group studied. Twenty-eight percent of Black debt-stressed borrowers were making only minimum payments, while their median credit utilization had climbed to 80.8%. The report said the disparities are connected to longstanding differences in income, wealth and access to credit. According to the analysis, the median Black household wealth is $24,520, compared with $250,400 for white households. “The racial wealth gap is real. At the luxury senior highrise I work at there are 450 seniors who live here,” wrote social media user Alan Holmes on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There are less than 10 Black American residents. Black boomers have the most wealth… of all Black Americans but even they don’t have anywhere near the White boomer.”

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DC DEBT Page 39

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DEFEND DC from Page 1 District’s defense against Republican interference in local affairs. “The reality is that Republicans right now are in a posture where they are beating up on D.C. for purely political purposes, either to appease the president or to appease their base because they are not getting things done nationally,” White told The Informer. “So if we're going to stop that, the most important thing we do is build a defense by building a Democratic majority in Congress, which is why my strategy on that is so important and vital to the future of our city.” White officially launched Defend DC on Aug. 24 during a rally at Freedom Plaza, across the street from the John A. Wilson Building, where he currently serves as an at-large council member, and blocks away from the U.S. Capitol. With dozens of Defend DC coalition members behind him, White also announced the DC51 Leadership PAC, which, should he win in November, would work to strengthen national partnerships, defend Home Rule, and advance the fight for D.C. statehood. These efforts come amid congressional Republicans’ introduction of more than 130 bills, amendments and riders targeting District autonomy and governance. This fall, the U.S. Senate will likely explore a bill passed by the U.S. House that mandates congressional approval for changes to the local tax code. Another House bill, introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) would restore the death penalty in the District, if passed. In the more than 60 days leading up to the Nov. 3 general election, Defend DC coalition members will make the case for their candidates during visits to certain congressional districts. While plans for New Jersey and Pennsylvania have yet to be announced, Defend DC will spend Labor Day weekend in Virginia's 5th congressional district, where former U.S. Rep. Tom Periello is attempting to unseat Rep. John McGuire, a Republican whose legislation to make the Trump administration’s D.C. Safe & Beautiful Task Force permanent passed the U.S. House earlier this year. “I believe in building very strong coalitions and allies and not going it alone. We are doing it now, and I see things coming together in a really, really exciting way,” White told The Informer. “This is an incredibly important time historically. I don't believe we

have ever had a window for statehood like the one we have now, and it will take a lot of work for us to seize this moment, but I'm up for it.”

From Memphis to D.C.: Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson Stands Up for D.C. Statehood

In a 2021 Roll Call op-ed, Perriello, then serving as executive director of Open Society-U.S., acknowledged the “deficit of democracy imposed on our nation’s capital.” The Informer unsuccessfully attempted to gather comment from Perriello’s campaign to further ascertain his stance on D.C. home rule and statehood. In the south, White has at least one ally in Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson, a Democratic candidate for Tennessee's 9th congressional district seat in the U.S. House. “We should all be concerned about what's happening to D.C. because that is becoming the place where Trump's authoritarian desires are being more actualized in the day-to-day,” Pearson told The Informer. “D.C. is both a guiding light for people who are trying to reclaim their authority and power from a system that's been designed against them, but it is also shining a light on the worst impulses that we are seeing from this government against American citizens.” As Pearson recounted, he attempted to connect with White earlier in the summer with the help of Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Howard Garrett. Though that meeting never materialized, Pearson continued to espouse his support for D.C. home rule, most recently in an Instagram post demanding that the National Guard leave the District and Memphis, and instead help residents of Gary, Indiana currently living without electricity. For Pearson, D.C. residents deserve a level of representation and legislative autonomy that’s on par with their contribution to the federal budget. “Our nation was founded, and it's on you all's license tags, on this concept of ‘no taxation without representation,’” Pearson told The Informer, “but because those people are Black or of color, folks don't feel like the community deserves representation. It's the same thing I feel about Puerto Rico. It just isn't fair.” On Aug. 6, Pearson defeated London Lamar, M. LaTroy Alexan-

AROUND THE REGION

dria-Williams, and Jim Torino in the Democratic primary for Tennessee's 9th congressional district. Pearson’s platform centers on increasing the minimum wage to $25 per hour, passing Medicare-for-All legislation, stopping the proliferation of data centers in urban and rural communities, and, above all, attacking what he calls a system designed against the working class. As Garrett, campaign consultant Rachael Payton, and others gel plans together for a Pearson campaign phone bank party in D.C. on Sept. 2, Pearson stands opposed to those who he said are sacrificing the needs of the working class people of color to stroke President Donald J. Trump’s ego. “The capitulation of the entire political party to be subservient to the president of the United States is horrible for our Republicans,” Pearson said. “Right now, we have a unitary executive because the people in power are yielding their authority over to the president and allowing him to do whatever he wants, which is ultimately destroying the lives and the communities of already marginalized groups, particularly Black and brown folks in

5 In the lead-up to his D.C.-based phone banking event, Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson, a candidate for the state’s 9th district seat in the U.S. House, expressed support for D.C. home rule and statehood. (Courtesy Photo/Committee to Elect Justin J. Pearson)

poor communities. I don't think that's sustainable, and I believe we deserve better than that.” Aliyah McNeely, at-large committeewoman for the D.C. Democratic Party said she's participating in the Pearson phone bank party out of regard for national unity.

“It brings people together around shared values and a common purpose, even when they live in different cities or localities,” said McNeely, a phone bank party co-host. “As D.C.residents, we know that our fight for statehood and full representation is connected to

DEFEND DC Page 11

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The only Indoor garden that grows 30 plants in just 2 sq ft. Scott Kratz, president and CEO of Building Bridges Across The River in Southeast, sends cheers to a few Washington Commander cheerleaders and other vendors participating in the annual Back-to-School Festival, where more than 2,000 students received backpacks, school supplies, free haircuts and braids, shoes, and community resources on the campus of THEARC Sunday, Aug. 22. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

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Women’s Capacity Architect & Strategist Natalie Solomon reads The Washington Informer. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

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ary spending…They think of us as being just a federal enclave instead of 700,000 residents who are fighting to have the same rights that they have.” Even with the rights reserved to the states, Carmel Henry says that those living in other U.S. cities aren’t immune to what she described as the Trump administration’s overreach. With the D.C. branch of the NAACP gearing up for “March on Washington 2026: Defend the Vote,” Henry sought to make that message clear. “When the federal government is permitted to disregard the will of the people, we all should be concerned with this dangerous, dangerous form of government,” said Henry, president of the NAACP’s D.C. branch. “Today, the power is exercised in the District. Tomorrow, it may be your community. We must act to ensure that members of Congress are held accountable.” As the DC Democrats also identify key races essential to the mission of Defend DC, DC Democrats Chair Charles Wilson gave a warning to congressional Republicans who’ve actively meddled in the District’s affairs. “We will mobilize our voters, our volunteers to make calls, to knock on doors, to raise resources and help elect Democrats who will stand with D.C. and defend our democracy,” Wilson said on Aug. 24. “Our message is very simple. If you attack D.C.'s democracy, we will organize. If you threaten D.C.'s home rule, we will mobilize. And if you refuse to stand up for D.C., we will help elect people who will.” WI

’S

make the D.C. Safe & Beautiful Task Force a permanent fixture. In making his point, he evoked the name of Julian Bailey, a Black man shot and killed by a U.S. marshal in February. He also spoke about the 16,000 arrests that have taken place over the last year. “These actions are not about safety. This is about intimidating our community,” said Jackson, Free DC’s midterm action director. “We have to invest in [the] public, invest in violence prevention, invest in stronger schools, invest in employment, invest in services, hold police accountable, invest in jobs and housing, not just militarize our streets and make our city a stage of political theater.” That afternoon, White also had supporters in: D.C. Shadow Senators Ankit Jain and Paul Strauss; D.C. Shadow Representative Dr. Oye Owolewa; D.C. State Board of Education Reps. Brandon Best (Ward 6) and Eboni-Rose Thompson (Ward 7); D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson; and D.C. Council members Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2); Wendell Felder (D-Ward 7), and Elissa Silverman (IAt large). Mendelson called Defend DC a matter of setting the record straight with voters in other congressional districts. “Most of the citizens of the United States of America…misunderstand what the situation is with the District of Columbia,” Mendelson said. “They think that we're fully funded by federal money. We are not…The District's budget is like 1% federal discretion-

White's rally came more than a month after he spoke at the DC Democrats’ unity brunch about what he called Trump's assembly of military forces to extend his stay in the Oval Office. White has since, as recounted to The Informer, spoken before the National Conference of State Legislatures and maintained contact with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (DNY), Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md. 5), Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va. 11) and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). “What we see in D.C. is a president who tried to overthrow a democratic election the last time he was supposed to leave office,” White told The Informer. “But last time he did it, he brought up a ragtag bunch of people from around the nation. This time, he will have more than 5,000 armed troops in the District of Columbia.” On Aug. 24, those standing next to White during the launch event for Defend DC represented: Free DC; DC Democrats; DC Statehood PAC; DC Vote Action; the D.C. chapter of the NAACP; National Action Network Greater DC Chapter; DC for Democracy; Capital Stonewall Democrats; DC Latino Caucus, and DC Young Democrats. Greg Jackson, speaking on behalf of Free DC, decried McGuire’s efforts to

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

5 D.C. Democratic Party At-large Committeewoman Aliyah McNeely says one of the reasons she supports Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson, including his most recent congressional bid, is his advocacy for D.C. statehood. (Courtesy Photo)

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the broader political landscape.” Pearson, McNeely said, could be a critical partner in advancing D.C. statehood and stemming Republican intrusion. “Supporting candidates like Rep. Justin J. Pearson, who has been vocal about D.C. statehood, helps us build relationships and coalitions beyond the District,” said McNeely, a longtime Pearson supporter. In recent days, McNeely has taken to social media to galvanize support for Sept. 2, an effort that will involve other D.C.-based organizers, all of whom McNeely said understand the importance of securing political reinforcement miles away from their locality. “As a D.C. resident, I know that our politics are never just local, they are national,” McNeely said. “What happens in elections across the country can directly impact us here at home, which is why we have to stay engaged and pay attention beyond the boundaries of the District.”

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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Superintendent Shawn Joseph Shares Plans, Goals for the Future of PGCPS

By Micha Green and Richard Elliottt WI Managing Editor and WI Contributing Writer

As the 2026-2027 school year officially kicked off for students on Aug. 24, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph has a

major goal in mind: growth. “We have an acceleration imperative,” Joseph told The Washington Informer, “and that's why it's really important that we don't waste any time, be real clear about what we're doing in reading and mathematics, because our goal is to accelerate learning and put things in place to be able to do that.”

12 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

3 Prince George’s County Public Schools students are starting off the school year with new changes, including an additional five minutes in the school day, in accordance with Maryland standards. (WI File Photo/Anthony Tilghman)

With this year’s strategic plan, “Forward by Design,”Joseph hopes to achieve his growth goals through new programming and changes that align with state standards. “We're starting with a new behavioral management program we're excited about. All 29 schools and Prince George's County will be working with seven mindsets. We're going to be teaching kids seven mindsets for them to live out their

wildest dreams,” Joseph said. “So we're looking forward to seeing that implementation this year.” In addition, the superintendent has big plans for helping students and staff use artificial intelligence (AI). “At the high school level, we're going to be rolling out Gemini in the use of AI technology starting in January. So we'll take the first semester to really teach kids about the ethics of AI and modeling for it, then we're going to be rolling out new technology for teachers to be able to use,” he said. “But come January of this year, at the high school level, and at the high school level only, I'm going to give kids access to generative AI technologies. That's if they'll use it appropriately.” As these new programs in Prince George’s rollout, students and faculty will also have a slightly extended school day. “We are adding five minutes to the bell schedule to be in compliance with Maryland state law,” the superintendent said. “That won't have a huge impact on the day-to-day. Buses are still going to leave and come on time. It's tagged on to the end of the day.” Further, while student achievement is at the heart of Joseph’s goals, he also hopes to strengthen PGCPS educators. “This year we're going back to the basics we're calling it. So we're really focusing our professional development on the science of reading and helping students improve mathematics. Teachers are going to get what's called the teaching and learning framework, really being more prescriptive and focused on what should be happening in reading and mathematics,” the PGCPS

leader explained. “There's intentional focus and we spend a lot of time thinking through that, looking at research and best practices and working to implement.” Students from all 25 PGCPS high schools will also have access to dual enrollment at Prince George’s Community College, Bowie State University and University of Maryland Global Campus. The superintendent is also working with county and federal leaders, Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Employ Prince George’s, to ensure the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities. Further, he is collaborating with Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy as the area prepares for a lot of potential growth opportunities for residents. “We want to make sure they’re workforce ready because our county executive has been really focused on expanding an economic opportunity. You know, we have the sphere coming, we have some quantum labs emerging and we have a lot of federal opportunities within Prince George's County,” Joseph said. “We just want our kids prepared to be able to go directly into those high paying jobs.” With 200 schools across the county and a bevy of plans and new initiatives, Joseph said PGCPS faculty and staff have been working hard and preparing to welcome students so they not only grow this year, but thrive throughout their academic career and beyond. “Now it's time to execute,” the superintendent told The Informer. “[We’re] looking forward to getting this year started, so people can really see what it looks like when a school district is serious about improvement in making access and opportunity for all children possible.” WI

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

BUSINESS Behind the Moments: Black Women MBA Symposium

3 Gathering With Purpose Women from across the Washington metropolitan area gather for the DC Chapter of the National Black MBA Association’s 2026 Women’s Symposium on Aug. 22, creating a space centered on connection, encouragement, and empowerment. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

3 Designing Life With Intention With the theme “MastHERpiece: Designing a Life with Intention,” the symposium encourages women to take a purposeful approach to their careers, relationships, health, leadership and personal goals. (Shevry Lassiter/ The Washington Informer)

5 A Community of Women Held in College Park, Maryland, the gathering encourages attendees to exchange ideas and create connections that can extend well beyond the symposium, both personally and professionally. (Shevry Lassiter/ The Washington Informer) 4 Conversations That Inspire Through dynamic conversations and interactive sessions, attendees explore ways to navigate life’s demands while remaining intentional about their growth and well-being at the DC Chapter of the National Black MBA Association’s 2026 Women’s Symposium. (Shevry Lassiter/ The Washington Informer)

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5 Investing in One Another The power of knowledge and women supporting women centers events like the National Black MBA Association local chapter’s symposium, held at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Maryland on Aug. 22. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

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NATIONAL

3 As defense lawyers seek a new trial for 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony, Texas District Judge John Roach Jr. is no longer overseeing the case. Visiting Judge Sid Harle removed Roach from the case after making public comments post the trial. (Courtesy Photo)

Judge Ousted from Karmelo Anthony Case Ahead of New Trial Showdown

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The judge who oversaw Karmelo

Anthony’s murder trial, sentenced him to 35 years in prison, and later discussed the case on television, will not decide if the teen gets a new trial.

14 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

On Aug. 19, Visiting Judge Sid Harle removed Texas District Judge John Roach Jr. from Anthony’s case. He agreed with defense lawyers who said Roach’s public comments after the trial raised a fair question: Could a judge who publicly defended the proceedings now fairly decide if something went wrong? “Today’s ruling answers a fundamental question: whether a reasonable, fully informed observer would see Judge Roach’s conduct and believe that he could fairly and impartially consider a motion for [a] new trial,” Anthony’s legal team said after the ruling. The decision does not overturn Anthony’s conviction, erase his 35-year sentence, or grant him a new trial. Instead, it means a different judge will hear Anthony’s request for a new trial when his lawyers return to court on Thursday. Anthony, now 19, was convicted on June 9 for the stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. The incident started with an argument under a tent at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, on April 2, 2025. The two teenagers went to different schools and did not know each other. Anthony entered the Memorial High School team tent during the rain at the meet. After someone told him to leave, an argument broke out, and Anthony stabbed Metcalf once in the chest. Metcalf died at the hospital. Anthony admitted to the stabbing but said he acted in self-defense because he feared for his safety. Prosecutors argued it was murder. The jury agreed with the prosecutors and rejected both the self-defense claim and the option of convicting Anthony of manslaughter instead. However, events after the trial led to a new dispute. Two days after Anthony was sen-

tenced, Roach gave an on-camera interview with WFAA. According to Anthony’s attorneys, the judge talked about the jury’s verdict, the fairness of the trial, and his own rulings in the case. This concerned the defense for another reason. Since being put in place in July 2025, a gag order restricted what people directly involved in the case could say in public. The judge later made additional comments. On June 17, Roach posted a letter addressed to “members of the Collin County Family” on the county court website, thanking everyone involved in the trial. “Each of you contributed to ensuring the process was conducted fairly, safely, and with the dignity our citizens deserve,” Roach wrote. Two days later, Anthony’s attorneys said Roach spoke publicly about the importance of transparency, even though news organizations had complained about limits on access to the trial. For Anthony’s lawyers, the issue was clear. They planned to argue in court that Anthony’s trial was not fair, but the judge deciding that question had already told the public the process was fair. They requested that Roach be removed from the case. Harle, who came from San Antonio to hear the recusal request, agreed. The issue was not whether Roach thought he could ignore his earlier statements. The real question was how the situation would appear to someone outside the case who knew all the facts. Harle decided there was enough reason to doubt whether Roach could seem impartial while reviewing a trial he had already discussed publicly. “We appreciate the judge for traveling from San Antonio to hear this

matter objectively,” Anthony’s attorneys said. “We believe for the facts and reasons addressed in the motion and applicable law that the judge was correct in granting the motion to recuse.” The murder case has attracted national attention since the day Metcalf was killed. Metcalf was white, and Anthony is Black. The case quickly became part of a heated racial debate online, with people taking sides, raising money, making threats, and using the deaths and prosecution of the two teenagers for political purposes. Inside the courtroom, though, the jury had to decide whether Anthony reasonably believed he needed to use deadly force when he stabbed Metcalf. They decided he did not. Now, Anthony’s lawyers are asking whether the trial itself was fair. Their motion for a new trial raises issues about courtroom and media access, jury instructions, and the circumstances around Anthony’s decision not to testify. The Aug. 19 ruling only means that Roach will not be the one to decide on these arguments, and Anthony’s lawyers must now convince a different judge that something happened during his trial that is serious enough to justify a new trial before another jury. A Texas judge denied that motion on Saturday, Aug. 22. “We look forward to Karmelo’s opportunity to present on the motion for new trial tomorrow before what we believe will be a neutral and impartial judge,” said Anthony’s legal team ahead of the most recent ruling. “We will work to ensure Karmelo receives every protection and every measure of due process guaranteed to him under the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the State of Texas.” WI

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

HEALTH ASTHMA from Page 1

step closer to necessary resources like pest control services. Phoenix has worked with committees in Washington to help improve programs that address housing issues like the Healthy Housing Program, which offers home inspections and environmental assessments for families with asthmatic children. If the family is renting, the program’s first responders help provide landlords with information about any existing housing code violations. The program also informs the Department of Buildings about these households and tries to develop solutions for the families and their residences. IMPACT D.C. also prioritizes the improvement of home environments for the sake of families with respiratory issues. “If you are genetically at risk, meaning you have a family histo-

According to the Centers for When Outdoor Air Disease Control and Prevention Pollution Follows (CDC), approximately 8% of You Home adults and 7% of children in the Many outdoor factors exacerbate United States have asthma. Per symptoms. For example, Washingthe D.C. Asthma Coalition’s webton’s position as a low-lying delta site, adult asthma rates range from city, significant precipitation, and 11.6% to 18.1%, and children’s the air masses it receives from the rates range from 8.1% to 9.7%. 5 Janet Phoenix, an assistant research professor at George Washington University Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic D.C. Health Matters reports that and chair of the D.C. Asthma Coalition, considers it important for the community Ocean contribute to high humidity, Black children in the area make up to work together to make the environment safe for young children to live and breathe. which can cause excess pollen in the 32.1% of pediatric cases, as com(Courtesy Photo) ASTHMA Page 16 air during early winter and through pared to their white counterparts the spring, worsening allergies and who make up 20.5% of cases. breathing conditions. High con“We all have to work together centrations of ozone pollution can to make the environment safe for cause throat irritation, and inhaling young children,” Janet Phoenix, this pollutant can constrict airway an assistant research professor at smooth muscle, leading to wheezGeorge Washington University ing and shortness of breath. (GWU) and chair for the D.C. The air quality outside can diAsthma Coalition, told The Inrectly affect the air indoors through former. “Some of that means workinfiltration and natural ventilation. ing on policies... [and] some of Infiltration occurs when outdoor it is trying to make sure there are air flows inside buildings through resources available for families who cracks and openings in floors, ceilare trying to address asthma triggers ings, walls, and around windows in their home environments.” Let’s create a personalized care plan for you or your loved one. and doors. Natural ventilation is Celebrating its 25th anniversary when open windows and doors Central Care Services LLC in the fall, IMPACT D.C. Asthma bring air inside from the outdoors. Clinic has been one of the city’s beaHigh humidity flowing indoors break from caregiving duties Since 2015, Central Care Services LLC has helped oldcons in pediatric asthma response. can lead to contaminants like pests, er adults live safely and independently with dignity. Described as the heart of Children’s dust mites, mold and bacteria, Who We Serve We provide reliable, compassionate non-medical National Hospital’s treatment for which can worsen respiratory con• Elderly individuals, seniors, caregivers, and families the chronic lung disease, IMPACT support for seniors, caregivers, and families facing ditions. • Fixed-income or low-income clients who may D.C. focuses on clinical and edurising costs, fixed incomes, and limited access to care. “We have a lot of families who cational intervention for children not qualify for other public services are living in housing that’s older, who frequently visit the emergency • Temporary assistance for those needing Services Include and low-income rental housing in department (ED). extra support • Personal care, grooming assistance, partial particular that may have hazards The clinic’s professionals’ dedicabathing, dressing, and medication reminders that are aggravating the asthma,” tion to ensuring the city’s children Ready to Get Started? • Companion care, friendly conversation, Phoenix told The Informer. “If you live long, healthy lives has resulted Call Central Care Services LLC today to discuss a peractivities, mail, and phone assistance have a stock of housing that’s poorin a 50% decline in ED visits for its sonalized care plan for you or your loved one. • Housekeeping, laundry, organizing, and ly maintained, then you’re going to patients in the six months followhave more children living in that decluttering for a safer home ing their initial visit. housing who experience respiratory Central Care Services LLC | P.O. Box 41041 • Errands and transportation, including groceries, “[IMPACT D.C.] is an intervensymptoms.” Washington, DC 20018 prescriptions, dining out, and doctor’s tion; it’s not like a clinic where we Throughout her research and appointments see patients over and over,” Dr. Shilwork on lead exposure and pediatWebsite: • End-of-life coaching and compassionate pa Patel, IMPACT D.C.’s Medical ric respiratory health, Phoenix has https://centralcareservicesllc.com family support Director, told The Informer. “They pushed for a prioritization of home Email: info@centralcareservicesllc.com come in when they have poor convisits, deeming them necessary, Phone: 202-636-3801 | Fax: 1-866-636-2655 Support For Caregivers trol, and we send them back to… especially for children who have • Get organized and build a dependable whoever’s managing their asthma, been recently hospitalized or who support network and [we’re] there to empower famifrequent EDs. Through these home lies and patients so they have all the • Schedule personal time and take a needed visits, vulnerable residents are one information they need so they can better take care of their asthma.” WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 15

Compassionate Care For Seniors & Caregivers

OUR

EARTH

ASTHMA from Page 15 ry of asthma, and then you’re born into a home that has certain allergens [like] dust mites or cockroaches, then you’re more prone to getting asthma later in life,” Patel told The Informer, “so it’s kind of this vicious cycle.” One of the many ways the intervention program supports its patients is by helping ensure housing codes are enforced across the city, accomplished by giving families a letter to send to their landlords outlining any violations. IMPACT D.C. also developed the Healthy Housing Map in 2022 in collaboration with the Child Health Advocacy Institute, Children’s Law Center and Yachad, a

local home remediation program. The map identifies multi-family buildings in the city that have high rates of pediatric asthma-related ED visits and unhealthy indoor conditions. “I think that’s a great policy solution from a larger solution to say, ‘Let’s look at those buildings,’” Patel told The Informer. “Data can be very powerful in terms of telling a story and fixing a problem at a [population] health level.”

Switching from Gas to Electric Could Save You

While poor indoor air quality can be detrimental to children’s respiratory health, it can also be dangerous for adults, even if they

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3 An air tester sits next to a gas stove while turned on in December 2022. Anytime D.C. resident Katherine Leiden uses her stove, oven or fireplace, she says waves of noxious gas infiltrate her home and invade her senses, which led her to switch to electric appliances. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

are active and relatively healthy. Ward 1 resident Katherine Leiden became aware of this in her own home. Leiden, 37, moved to Washington almost 15 years ago and lives in an English basement apartment in a row home. She is a fitness instructor, often does cardio and prides herself on being very in tune with her body. When Leiden moved into her apartment, it had a gas range stove and oven and a gas fireplace that lacked a protective glass barrier. “After living here for a couple of years, I felt like my breathing was really impacted [and] I was having trouble breathing,” Leiden told The Informer. “Then I started to get nosebleeds– the inside of my nose was raw– and they wouldn’t go away. That’s never happened to me in my entire life.” A 2022 article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health attributed 12.7% of childhood asthma cases in the U.S. can be attributed to gas stoves. These appliances are fueled by natural gas that is primarily composed of methane and propane, and when combusted, they generate pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide that are harmful to respiratory systems. Anytime Leiden would use her stove, oven or fireplace, waves of noxious gas would infiltrate her home and invade her senses. One day, a representative from the Sierra Club visited her home and tested her appliances’ nitrogen dioxide ranges. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the maximum level for this pollutant indoors is 100 parts per billion (ppb). Her oven and stove

“After living here for a couple of years, I felt like my breathing was really impacted [and] I was having trouble breathing,” Leiden told The Informer. “Then I started to get nosebleeds– the inside of my nose was raw– and they wouldn’t go away. That’s never happened to me in my entire life.”

measured at 250 ppb, and while at standstill, her fireplace measured at the 100 ppb threshold. “I completely closed the valve and switched the fireplace off, and it was after I did that that I noticed my breathing improved and the nosebleeds stopped,” the Ward 1 resident told The Informer. “Eventually, I did get the oven replaced… [to] an electric one, and I have no further issues.” Before she switched to electric appliances, which took two years after the initial testing to convince her landlords to help her do so, Leiden primarily relied on cooking with her microwave and a crockpot. She limited her stove use to approximately once every two months and only used her oven twice in those two years. Leiden hopes that city officials or utility companies can start persuading landlords to make those changes in their properties because a tenant’s health should be non-negotiable. “If that prioritization were high

enough, it might encourage cities to… figure out how to logically redistribute money in a way that you could prioritize issues like greener housing [and] switching to renewable sources,” she told The Informer. With the work IMPACT D.C. and research from experts like Phoenix are doing to help at-risk families improve the air quality inside their homes, cities like Washington move closer to a surefire way that guarantees its residents can easily breathe indoors. “When we're thinking about asthma and the disparities and inequities that we see in asthma nationally and in Washington, D.C., I think we can be a model for the nation,” Patel told The Informer. “I think we can kind of take what we've done, continue to broaden and expand… care locally… and take it to other cities in the country and learn from them to improve us, and also share our story with them.” WI

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Our Parks Are Going to the Dogs — And We’re Here for It Thennie Freeman Director, DC Department of Parks and Recreation If you know me, you know I am a dog person. As a proud dog parent and a Ward 7 resident, I know the joy our four-legged friends bring into our lives. They’re companions, family members, walking buddies—and often the reason we meet new neighbors. At DPR, we currently have 20 designated dog parks across the District, giving residents in every ward safe, dedicated spaces where their dogs can run, play and socialize off leash. These spaces are more than fenced-in areas for dogs. They’re gathering places for people, too. Dog parks often become small communities within our larger ones. You see neighbors chatting while their dogs play. You meet someone who learns your dog’s name before they learn yours. You swap recommendations, share stories and sometimes make friendships simply because your dogs introduced you. That sense of community is important to us at DPR. We’re especially excited about expanding opportunities for dog owners east of the river. In 2024, Texas Avenue Dog Park opened in Ward 7 as the District’s first official dog park east of the Anacostia River. The park includes separate areas for large and small dogs, along with seating, shade and grills that give dog parents a place to gather and enjoy the space together. And in July, we reopened Kingsman Dog Park in Ward 6 near RFK following a full renovation. For me, the Texas Avenue opening was personal. As a Ward 7 resident and dog parent, I was proud to see a neighborhood amenity created for residents and their pets. It was another reminder that our investments should reflect the people—and pets—who live in our communities. And we’re continuing that work. As we improve and reopen dog-friendly spaces across the District, our goal is to make sure residents have safe, accessible places to exercise and socialize with their pets. We want our parks to be places where everyone can enjoy the out-

5 DPR Director Thennie Freeman with a visitor to a dog park.

doors, including our four-legged family members. But with that opportunity comes responsibility. Designated dog parks allow dogs to run free while also protecting the experience of other park users. There are important rules every dog owner should know: dogs must be leashed in all public spaces—sidewalks, streets and parks— unless they are inside a designated off-leash dog park. Dogs are not permitted in children’s play areas or on DPR athletic fields, even when leashed. Violations can result in fines ranging from $250 to $500, and failing to pick up after your dog carries a $100 fine. These rules aren’t about keeping dogs out, they’re about keeping parks safe, clean and welcoming for everyone.

And please—pick up after your dog. Pet waste is more than an eyesore. It can spread bacteria and parasites, attract rats, damage grass and pollute waterways. Always carry waste bags and dispose of them properly. These simple actions help keep our parks cleaner and safer for everyone. Responsible dog ownership also means remembering that not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Even friendly, well-trained dogs can behave unpredictably. Keeping dogs leashed where required and using designated dog parks for off-leash play helps prevent conflicts and ensures everyone can enjoy our public spaces. There’s another way we’re celebrating our canine companions: Doggie Day Swim. As summer winds down, we’re excited to give dogs a chance to enjoy some pool time of their own at participating DPR pools. It’s a fun way for our four-legged residents to cool off, get some exercise and splash around while their humans cheer them on. It's taking place on Saturday, September 12 at four pools. (https:// doggiedayswimdc.splashthat.com/0 At DPR, we talk a lot about creating recreation opportunities for everyone. That includes our youngest residents, our seniors, working adults, families—and yes, our dogs. Our parks belong to all of us. So grab the leash, bring the waste bags and find a DPR dog park near you. Let your dog make a new friend. Let yourself meet a new neighbor. Take a walk. Sit in the shade. Enjoy your community. Because when we create spaces where people and their pets can gather, play and connect, we’re doing more than building dog parks. We’re building community—one wagging tail at a time.

5 One of the newly renovated Dog Parks.

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By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer For generations, the 5,525-mile line separating the United States and Canada has been remarkable for what was not there. No armies staring each other down. No walls dividing two suspicious nations. No expectation that the neighbor on the other side might suddenly become an economic enemy. Now, the border remains peaceful, but the relationship across it is anything but. A trade fight between two of the world’s closest allies has escalated into something far more personal and potentially more costly, with President Donald Trump imposing 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian goods, and Prime Minister Mark Carney promising to respond “dollar for dollar” beginning Sept. 8. And while the battle is being waged from Washington to Ottawa, its bill will not stop at the Canadian border. “We’re gonna be affected big,” one D.C. resident told Reuters in a televised interview. “You see it in the market. You see the groceries are going up. The farmers are catching it. You know, he came and flipped the whole system around.” It can travel all the way to a grocery cart in Southeast, D.C., a restaurant invoice on U Street, a construction estimate in Ward 7, or the monthly budget of a District resident already wondering why a paycheck seems to buy less than it did before. Another resident worries about what could come next. “Things are already rising,” said the Washingtonian, who asked to remain anonymous for [...]. “There’s already inflation and all that kind of stuff. So, I don’t really want like there to be other price hikes.”

A Border Without Guards, A Trade War Without Winners

For many, an international trade war becomes a neighborhood story. Tariffs are collected from American importers bringing foreign goods into the country. Businesses must then decide whether to absorb those additional costs, squeeze suppliers, or pass some of the expenses to customers. With a 50% tariff, the numbers only rise. The latest duties cover about 5% of Canada’s annual exports to the United States, but the list extends deeply into everyday commerce. Affected products include agricultural goods, honey, clothing, furniture, cosmetics, jewelry, cameras, fabric, cement, and even hockey sticks. Economists and trade specialists warn that higher import costs tend to work their way through businesses and eventually into household prices. For the District, which does not have the factories or border crossings likely to absorb the most immediate blow, the danger is still real. “We have to remember…the integration of the corporate classes of our two economies has been achieved at the expense of working-class people in both of our countries. And to the incredible, staggering enrichment

5 With President Donald Trump imposing 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian goods, a trade fight between the U.S. and Canada is projected to affect American residents in a major way. (Courtesy Photo/White House, Daniel Torok)

of the wealthiest people and corporations in our economy,” Avi Lewis, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), told Democracy Now on Monday. “It’s going to hurt Canadian workers, it’s going to hurt American workers.” For instance, Canadian lumber and building materials can become more expensive for contractors. Imported food and consumer products can become more costly for retailers, while restaurants and small businesses face higher wholesale expenses. Another burst of uncertainty can make planning harder for businesses already juggling wages, rent, borrowing costs, and customers watching every dollar. The United States and Canada sold each other roughly $880 billion worth of goods and services last year. Nearly 330,000 people and about $2 billion in goods normally cross their border each day. Canada sent 72% of its goods exports to the United States last year. Carney has accused Washington of turning economic integration into a weapon and said Canada had been “attacked.” His government walked away from negotiations after concluding that American demands went too far, including proposed restrictions that would affect Canada’s ability to make trade agreements with other countries. “We’re going to hit back,” the prime minister said. A response is expected by Sept. 8, with Canada preparing matching tariffs and protections involving industries including steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper and electronics. However, Trump administration officials insist Canada helped bring the confrontation upon itself. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Washington had offered tariff relief in sensitive Canadian sectors but ultimately decided it had endured enough pushback from Canada. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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MJT-TV Excel Broadcasting Academy discusses Innovative Summer Youth Program on WJLA - TV (ABC) "Good Morning DC. By: Sloane Holder (Media Acquisition Assistant, MJTTV Excel/Columbia University student) MJT-TV Excel Broadcasting Academy was recognized by WJLA- TV-7 (ABC) as the top student-educational media program in the DMV. MJT-TV appeared on the Good Morning DC broadcast to discuss the academy and the importance of creating spaces for youth to grow and learn the media industry. The MJT-TV Excel Broadcasting Academy brought two matriculating students on the show to speak about their experiences with the host Roxanne Strouk. MJT-TV Excel Broadcasting Academy is a company that trains DC Area high school students to work in the media and communication industry. Founded by William Maurice Johnson and William Marshall Jr. in 2010, students learn how to use cameras, light, sound, audio, write scripts, co-produce, and direct entire town halls. The topics include voting, financial literacy, and mental health. “Students run everything. They develop topics for poems and commercials with segments on the effects, causes, and solutions,” Mr. Johnson stated, when asked about the reasoning for creating the special program. “This is one of the many issues that MJT-TV Excel confronts, getting young people out of sheltered uninspiring environments, it changes their whole sense of economics and they understand that they can be in professional careers that they enjoy," he said. “A unique program like MJTTV Excel prepares DC youth students to flourish and excel, especially once you put them in the middle of the broadcast industry. You are truly building their confidence and skills so they can become leaders in the field,” Mr. Marshall said. Micheala Steknee, (a rising First-year at Northwestern University student) and Isaiah Fields,

EDUCATION Back to School in the District

5 MJT-TV Excel Academy students gather on the set with host Roxanne Strouk, WJLA Erica Bloom, Myra Deloatch, Shaleyah McDowell, William Maurice Johnson, William Marshall Jr., Sloane Holder, and Dajia Tucker. 4 Erica Bloom (center) welcome's (from left) Myra Deloatch, Shaleyah McDowell, William Maurice Johnson, William Marshall Jr.

(a rising third year at George Mason University student), both spoke about their experience with the Academy. Micheala has been with the program for 8 weeks, she was assigned by the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program and Isaiah has been with the program for 4 years, starting as a student at McKinley Tech High School. During the interview with the host Roxanne Strouk, the teens discussed the importance of having a program that allows them to experience various careers in the media. “My favorite part of MJT is the people I got to work with and building a community. It is really something special and something that deserves to be seen,” Micheala reflected on her time with the program. “Being given a chance to have all these new industry experiences

20 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

and go to a television broadcast is something I would have never imagined myself doing–even in 10 weeks,” Micheala stated. “Memory of a lifetime,” Isaiah said when reflecting on this MJTTV Excel experience. MJT-TV Excel invited two special guests to meet the students. Department of Employment Services Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program community based liaison, Myra Deloatch and the Office of Deputy Mayor for Education–Office of Out-of-School Learn 24 Program Public Affairs Associate Shaleyah McDowell, a native Washingtonian. The invited guests expressed their appreciation for the program and want to continue to support this program and all the youth of DC. “Being able to witness and be a part of change for the youth, it is a full circle moment. I enjoy now being the person responsible for highlighting these types of programs that make a great effort for the youth,” McDowell said. As she illuminated her excitement, she continued, “I am looking forward to continuing to inspire and be a part of great change for the city,” she said.

5 Students at Maya Angelou Public Charter High School in Northeast head back to school with the rest of the District on Aug. 24, welcomed with smiles, hugs and enthusiasm from faculty and staff. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)

5 Assistant Principal Peter Smith welcomes a scholar with a handshake as Maya Angelou Public Charter High School students kick off the first day of school. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)

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Family Caregivers Provide $1.64 Billion in Unpaid Care Each Year in Washington, DC Submitted by AARP DC Family caregivers in Washington, DC provide an estimated $1.64 billion worth of unpaid care each year, according to a new report from AARP that highlights the central role caregivers play in the District’s long-term care system. The report, Valuing the Invaluable 2026, finds that approximately 89,000 District residents provide care for adults—often older parents, spouses, neighbors, or other loved ones—contributing a total of 66 million hours of care annually. If this work were compensated at market rates, it would be valued at $24.75 per hour. Much of this caregiving allows older adults to remain in their homes and communities, reducing the need for expensive institutional care. Without family caregivers, more District residents would likely rely on nursing homes or other facilities, leading to significantly higher costs for public programs and taxpayers. “Family caregivers are a major economic force that fill critical gaps in our health care system,” said Louis Davis, Jr., AARP DC State Director. While their contributions now exceed $1.64 billion each year, he noted that caregivers often face serious challenges related to their own health, finances, and overall wellbeing. The report shows that caregiving has become increasingly demanding as chronic illnesses rise and more medical care shifts into home settings. On average, family caregivers spend 27 hours per week providing care. More than half—57 percent—provide what the report classifies as highintensity care, which includes handson assistance with daily activities such as bathing and dressing, as well as more complex medical tasks like wound care and administering injections. The findings in the District reflect broader national trends. Across the United States, an estimated 59 million adults provide care to other adults, delivering nearly 49.5 billion hours of care each year. Nationally, the economic value of family caregiving is estimated at $1.01 trillion annually—a figure that exceeds total Medicaid spending and nearly doubles all outofpocket health care spending. In response to these challenges, AARP DC has focused its advocacy efforts on policies aimed at supporting caregivers, including protecting paid family leave, securing funding for respite services and memory care programs, and advancing the proposed Credit for Caring Act, which would provide tax relief to family caregivers. AARP also offers resources to help caregivers navigate the complex landscape of services and support available in the District, connecting families with programs designed to ease the financial and emotional strain of caregiving. To find out more, visit www. aarp.org/caregiving.

Why this matters: Without family caregivers, many more District residents would rely on expensive institutional care, driving significantly higher costs for taxpayers and public programs. “Family caregivers are a major economic force that fill critical gaps in our health care system,” said Louis Davis, Jr., AARP DC State Director. “The economic value they provide now exceeds $1.64 billion annually, yet this care often comes at significant cost to caregivers’ health and financial security, and well-being. AARP is elevating this important issue and fighting to save family caregivers time and money.”

Get the caregiving help you need, when you need it. AARP is here to help you take care of what matters most. Get answers, connect with other family caregivers and find local resources. To learn more, visit aarp.org/caregiving.

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AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 21

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EDITORIAL 71 Years Later

Mississippi Still Has Work to Do in Confronting the Legacy of Emmett Till Seventy-one years ago this month, a 14-year-old Black boy named Emmett Till was kidnapped, tortured, and brutally murdered in Money, Mississippi. His body was later recovered from the Tallahatchie River. The killing on Aug. 28, 1955, was not the literal beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, but it became one of its defining catalysts — forcing a nation to confront the horrific reality of racial terror and the injustice embedded in American society. Much of that awakening stemmed from the courage of Till's mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Refusing an undertaker's offer to make her son's body presentable, she insisted on an open-casket funeral, held at a church on Chicago’s South Side, so America could see what had been done to her child. More than 50,000 people viewed Emmett's mutilated body, and photographs published by the Black Press— particularly Jet magazine and the Chicago Defender— carried the horror far beyond Mississippi or the Windy City. The Black Press understood what was at stake: If America could see the evidence of what happened to Emmett Till, perhaps it could

no longer look away. Yet the story of Till's murder did not end in 1955. Consider the memorial at Graball Landing, near the Tallahatchie River, where his body is believed to have been recovered. The first marker was stolen and thrown into the river. Replacement markers were repeatedly vandalized, including one riddled with hundreds of bullet holes. Another was shot up just a month after installation. In 2019, a fourth marker was installed— this time protected by bulletproof steel and security cameras. The fact that a memorial to a murdered 14-year-old Black child requires a bulletproof case is a sobering commentary on how far we still have to go. And then there is Mississippi today. Just days ago, Tasia Fortune, a 29-year-old Black mother of four, was found hanging from a tree behind an abandoned home in Jackson. Authorities have not yet determined the cause or manner of her death, and the investigation remains ongoing. Her mother insists her daughter did not take her own life. Given Mississippi's painful history, the circumstances demand

a thorough, transparent investigation— not assumptions, silence or indifference. The lesson of Emmett Till is not merely to remember. It is to remain vigilant. Seventy-one years later, America must ensure that racial justice is not merely commemorated in museums, memorials, and speeches, but also defended in the present. Till-Mobley— a mourning, brave and determined mother— told the world to look. We should never stop looking. WI

The fact that a memorial to a murdered 14-year-old Black child requires a bulletproof case is a sobering commentary on how far we still have to go.

who agreed that the concrete behemoth on Pennsylvania Avenue has long lived its usefulness, cannot be adequately protected from outside forces and has literally begun to fall apart, the president still clings to his dreams. The problem, however, is that Trump’s dream has become a nightmare for thousands of hardworking Americans who have waited patiently some 15 years for the economic boon that would occur in Prince George’s County. Lest we forget, in 2011, after it was determined by the GSA that repairing the Hoover Building was neither economically nor technically feasible, Congress directed the GSA to identify a site in the

“Loved this news; sorry I missed the event, I definitely would have been in line. Costco is my neighborhood go to store and I am happy to hear they are supporting this launch. Great reporting; wish the article had been longer, but I understand. I love this paper.” Patricia Bedford (In reference to the article: “Actor Morris Chestnut Brings Sable Bourbon to D.C.”)

As Congress Refuses to Stand Firm on its Decision to Build the Next FBI Headquarters in Greenbelt, Those Who Walk Near the Hoover Building Should Beware of Falling Debris On Monday, Aug. 17, a federal district judge in Maryland overturned the Trump administration’s plans to build the next FBI headquarters in the District – a decision that makes Greenbelt the most likely candidate for the agency’s next home. But that hasn’t stopped the president from using lawsuits, intimidation, and anything else available in his toolbox to ensure that he has his way, again. Continuing with an agenda that was first laid out during his first term in office, the president wants to keep the FBI’s headquarters in D.C. in the J. Edgar Hoover Building, or at least close by. Despite reports from experts

TO THE EDITOR

D.C. area for a new consolidated headquarters building. In 2017, Congress chose Greenbelt from the GSA’s short list of three potential locations and approved funding for the project. However, during Trump’s first term, the entire project was stalled by the FBI, GSA, and the president – supported by excuse after excuse – and further fueled by disgruntled legislators in Virginia who disliked being eliminated as the chosen location. Adding insult to injury, on July 1, 2025, the FBI and GSA announced that the new headquarters would be in the Reagan Building, just blocks away from its current location, and not in Greenbelt, Maryland.

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“Well done, Maryland. Keep fighting!” (In reference to the article: “Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Greenbelt FBI Headquarters.”)

Since then, with billions of dollars at stake and an estimated 7,500 jobs put on hold, Congress has once again failed to do its job. They have refused to stand up for what’s right and to maintain their independence, as the Constitution directs them, from the executive branch of government. The Trump administration says it will appeal the judge’s decision – an expected response given this current political cycle. But it’s taxpayers and hardworking Americans who stand as the real losers. In a statement, Maryland Attor-

ney General Anthony Brown said, “the Court has cleared the path back to Greenbelt. This victory is about more than a building. It is about ensuring that when Congress makes a decision, the federal government cannot simply ignore it because they do not like the outcome.” In a perfect world, Brown might be correct. But don’t count on it. Perhaps justice will prevail when a new president takes office. But for now, Americans who can least afford it have no other choice, it seems, but to wait. WI

AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 23

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

Charlene Crowell

Black America's Financially Fragile Retirees

Across succeeding generations, nearly every worker has been urged to "save" for retirement. However, yesteryear's gold watch and pensions that came with health care benefits or even added stock options are today nearly extinct. Instead, the emergence of varying 401(k) retirement plans has lifted many employer legacy costs by shifting the

brunt of that financial responsibility to workers. Even worse, many low-wage workers have no employer-sponsored retirement plan. For Black America, this shifting financial burden brings a new level of financial stress, worsened by the cumulative effects of life-long wealth inequality. "The Reality of Racial Economic Inequality for Black Retirees," a recent policy brief from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, analyzes the harsh cyclical realities affecting multiple generations. "[B]lack Americans are more likely

to experience retirement as financially fragile, with less choice and less protection against illness, disability, or rising costs," states the brief. "The cumulative effects of these inequalities have developed into a multi-generational cycle of low wealth for African Americans and ongoing racial wealth/ economic inequality." Black households have only about 61% of the median household income of whites. In 2025, median weekly earnings for full-time Black workers were $986, compared with $1,231 for white workers. These income gaps

Guest Columnist

We Have Walked This Road Before

Some roads have a way of remembering your footsteps. I grew up in Plaquemine, Louisiana, in an America where segregation did not bother to hide. Black people knew which doors we could enter, which schools our children could attend, where we could sit and how carefully we had to carry ourselves when the law had already decided that our freedom mattered less than

somebody else's comfort. Long before I knew the legal language of the First Amendment, I knew what happened when fear was given a badge, a Bible verse taken out of context and the power to write laws. That is why I sat back in my chair after reading an Aug. 6 Dallas Morning News article, "Ban hijabs and halal foods? Texas Republicans offer early blueprint of plan to 'stop Islam.'" The reporting described proposals discussed by Texas Republican lawmakers and activists at a True Texas Project conference: ban halal food, forbid hijabs

Guest Columnist

leave less room to save, make it harder to absorb financial shocks, and reduce the likelihood that Black workers can build meaningful retirement balances, according to the Joint Center. Citing a 2024 Federal Reserve report, the Joint Center notes that among workers, only 26% of Blacks said their retirement savings were on track, compared with 41% of whites. Additionally, 68% of white working adults had a tax-preferred retirement account, with 52% of Black workers having the same. Further, Black workers ages 51 to 64 are the least likely among all racial

and ethnic groups to hold retirement accounts. When they do, their median balance is well below that of similarly aged white adults at every income level. Social Security benefits are a clear depiction of the lifelong racial income disparities Blacks and other people of color experience. Benefit levels are determined by a formula that factors in the number of years worked and each worker's 35 highest-paying years of income to determine monthly payments. The median monthly Social Securi-

not always introduce itself with a fire hose or a police dog. It often arrived first as a speech, a warning, a campaign promise or a law written to protect people from neighbors they had been taught to fear. The faces and targets change, but fear tells the same old story: Your neighbor is your enemy. Their freedom threatens yours. Take away their rights today, and you will be safer tomorrow. Black America has heard that sermon before, and we know it is a lie. As a Christian minister, I believe with all my heart that Jesus Christ is the

Savior of the world. But Jesus never told His followers to use government power to make it impossible for another person to practice their faith. When a lawyer asked, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus answered with a story. He made the Samaritan, the man respectable religious people distrusted, the one who crossed the road, treated the wounded man and paid for his care. Jesus did not ask whether the two men worshiped alike. He asked who showed mercy. Then He said, "Go and do likewise."

CROWELL Page 41

Rev. Peter Johnson

in public schools, redefine Islam as a political ideology instead of a religion, and require school lessons emphasizing what they called Islam's "violence and political domination." I finished the article and thought, Lord, we have walked this road before. Those of us who have lived a few years recognize the sound of it. We remember when Black families entering a neighborhood were said to threaten somebody else's "way of life." We remember when equal schools, voting rights and a seat at a lunch counter were called dangerous ideas. Jim Crow did

JOHNSON Page 41

Dr. Annette Robinson

57,000 Empty Apartments and Not a Word of Apology

Every indicator in New York City's housing market is pointing in the wrong direction. Rents are at historic highs. Foreclosure notices are climbing in Black and brown neighborhoods that never fully recovered from the last crisis. Deed theft, the predatory stripping of generational wealth from families who built their equity over decades, continues to

devastate communities from Brownsville to Jamaica. On top of all these factors, there were more than 57,000 rent-stabilized apartments sitting completely empty as of April 2025. That number grew by 8,000 units in a single year, with the sharpest increases hitting Brooklyn and Queens hardest. Brooklyn and Queens. My neighborhoods. Your neighborhoods. You would think that news of 57,000 empty affordable apartments in the middle of a housing emergency would produce outrage, emergency

24 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

hearings, and demands for accountability. Instead, New Yorkers got a collective shrug from opinion leaders. Read that again: 57,000 families could be housed in those apartments. Households currently paying market rent, doubled up, couch-surfing, or one missed paycheck away from the street could have relief. And silence from the city's housing leadership, activists, and coalitions. In my experience as chair of the Subcommittee on Affordable Housing in the Assembly, that is not advocacy. That is surrender.

These are the same voices, the same institutions, the same political class that successfully lobbied to effectively ban short-term rentals in New York City through Local Law 18. At its peak, Airbnb had roughly 20,000 listings in New York City, nearly a third the number of apartments currently sitting vacant and padlocked in the rent-stabilized system. The campaign against those listings was relentless, loud, and wrapped in the language of affordability and housing justice. Where is that energy now? Where are the press conferences

about landlords warehousing stabilized units while families sleep in shelters? Where is the legislation with teeth? Where is the outrage that was apparently plentiful when a Black homeowner in Bed Stuy wanted to rent out her spare bedroom to make ends meet? Because that is exactly who Local Law 18 hit hardest. Not the corporate bad actors. Not the hedge funds. The struggling homeowner, disproportionately Black, disproportionately in Brooklyn and Queens, who used their

ROBINSON Page 41

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

Marc H. Morial

The Path Toward Liberty Is Being Lit and Led by Black Women

"If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going; if there's shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going." – Harriet Tubman There is no group in America today for whom this quote resonates more than Black women.

On Jan. 20, 2025, as the first Black woman to serve as vice president ended her last day in office, the White House issued an executive order terminating diversity, equity and inclusion offices and related contracts across the government. Two words that made the administration's list of banned words, "Black" and "women," created a ripple effect in hiring and job losses across the economy that disproportionately affected Black women. The total loss? 251,000 between January and August

2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and findings from our 2026 State of Black America Report. In response, Black women aren't cowering away; they're fighting back. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms, former mayor of Atlanta and senior adviser to President Biden, is polling slightly ahead of her opponent for the keys to the governor's mansion this fall. During her mayoral term, she was a friend of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, helped our affiliate expand opportunity across the city, and partnered with us to improve educational

Guest Columnist

outcomes for our children. In Illinois, Juliana Stratton is running for the Senate to defeat poverty by creating economic opportunities and to defend democracy by committing to passing voting rights legislation. And in Florida, Angie Nixon won this week's Senate primary by pledging to center people over corporate profits and a vision for a universal jobs program. These women are but a handful of examples of what today's movement toward freedom and access to the American Dream looks like.

In the wake of historic job losses, Black women have pivoted to become a new face of entrepreneurship in this country. And those businesses are a real economic engine. According to the 2025 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Businesses report, Black women-owned businesses in the U.S. number more than 2 million and employ more than 647,000 people. History has shown Black America that opportunity and influence have never been given to us. And what

MORIAL Page 42

Ben Jealous

American Men Have Been In Crisis for Generations. A Remedy from 1879 Offers Hope

I understood the depth of it first at a friend's 21st birthday party in college. Somebody raised a glass to celebrate him. Then another raised his and, before it reached his shoulder, tipped it. He poured libations for the ones who did not make it. Shot, or sent away, before the rest of us got to college. In a room of nothing but young

Black and Latino men, we all joined in. A Latino friend from childhood, hiding from his own gang the last time I saw him. My best friend, Black, locked up for taking sunglasses from a Goodwill. A Filipino buddy shot dead that summer over a drug deal, folks said. Splash. Splash. Splash. Then a friend lifted his glass and toasted the plain fact that one more of us had lived to 21. That cut me like a knife. In the richest country on earth we were congrat-

ulating a Black man for breathing past his birthday. That grief runs deep in our community. But it floats on deeper American water. Not long after, my mind raced through every young man I knew who was suffering or gone. Among them, white friends whose father killed himself when we were teenagers, after the plant let him go. Last week I promised you numbers on the crisis facing our nation's men. Here are a few. Start with work. About 7 million

Guest Columnist

Who Speaks for the Target Boycott?

"What you about to witness is my thoughts. Just my thoughts, man — right or wrong. Just by what I was feelin' at the time" — Jay-Z Not long ago, I found myself asking a different question.

Can Shawn Carter live?

I wasn't asking whether Jay-Z

could still sell out stadiums or build another billion-dollar business. I was asking whether a Black man could reach extraordinary success without every business decision becoming a referendum on whether he's still "for the culture." That question stayed with me after I wrote about the 30th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt. Part of that conversation centered on Target. The exclusive Reasonable Doubt vinyl release through Target reignited criticism already surrounding the retailer's retreat from diversity, equity and

American men between 25 and 54 are neither working nor looking for a job. More than 1 in 10. Every recovery of the last fifty years has left that share higher. Then violence, which wears two extreme faces. In 2023 Black men were murdered, usually by other Black men, at roughly 8 times the rate of white men. Meanwhile white men killed themselves at nearly twice the rate of Black men. Then prison. America locks up more of its people than almost any nation on earth. Here is what nobody

says. Count white Americans alone and they are still locked up at several times the rate of Canada, Germany or Japan. This is a national problem, far bigger than any one community. And yet we stay a house divided. Divide and conquer is the oldest game in America. The British brought it here to keep the king rich. The Revolution should have killed it. It did not, because it works just as well at helping the rich get richer.

who, if anyone, could declare it over. Those questions deserve reporting. Target announced it was ending several long-standing diversity initiatives, including its three-year diversity goals and the Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) program. The company also announced changes affecting supplier initiatives and participation in outside diversity-focused evaluations, describing the decision as part of a broader business strategy responding to a changing political and business environment. Reuters and the Associated Press reported that

Target had joined a growing list of major corporations reassessing diversity initiatives amid shifting political and legal pressures, placing the retailer alongside Walmart, Amazon and Meta. The reaction was immediate. Outside Target's Minneapolis headquarters, consumers, community leaders and civil rights advocates challenged the company's decision. Demonstrations began within days as questions surfaced about wheth-

JEALOUS Page 42

James Farr

inclusion commitments. The record wasn't the issue. The symbolism was. I left that column still thinking. Not because I had the answer. Because I wasn't convinced we were asking the right questions. This column isn't about Jay-Z. It's about what happened after one of America's largest retailers announced changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on Jan. 24, 2025. It's about the boycott movement that followed, the people who organized it and the competing public narratives about who started it, who led it and

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FARR Page 42

AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 25

LIFESTYLE Washington Informer Weekend Checklist WASHINGTON INFORMER'S

Things To Do, DMV! By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor This last weekend of August, dive into some local happenings, including moments to practice patience, enjoy global cuisine, and paint under the stars of the nation’s capital. Plus, there’s a complimentary exploration of Negro League History and can’t-miss scholastic giveaways. From entertainment to educational opportunities, there’s always something happening in the DMV to keep your spirit –– and social life –– lit. Check out the Washington Informer Calendar to stay in the loop.

Thursday, Aug. 27

Sip and Paint: D.C. Under the Stars 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | $45.00 AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design, 1735 New York Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20006 Unwind, get creative, and explore the artistic side of Washing-

ton, D.C. architecture at this guided Sip & Paint experience at the AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design. Inspired by the iconic skyline of the nation’s capital and the swirling colors of "Starry Night," participants will create their own architectural masterpiece with step-by-step painting instruction. No experience is necessary. All painting supplies will be provided, along with drinks and light refreshments. Join fellow art and architecture enthusiasts and create your own D.C.-inspired masterpiece in an evening of creativity, conversation, and inspiration. The Power of Patience: Overcoming Anger from the Inside Out 7:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | $12.00 Kadampa Meditation Center DC, 1200 Canal St SW, Washington, D.C., 20024 Whether triggered by difficult people, stress, disappointment, or

5 The Negro League East/West All-Star Vintage Baseball Game (pictured in 2025) returns to Prince George's Stadium on Aug. 29, honoring the rich Black history of America’s favorite pastime. Presented by the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame, the annual family-friendly event will include the 10th Anniversary Auto Showcase Benefit and feature players in period throwback uniforms. (WI File Photo)

the challenges of daily life, these states of mind rob peace, damage relationships, and leave people feeling exhausted and unsettled. Although anger may sometimes feel powerful or justified, Buddha taught that it never actually solves any problems—and instead becomes the main source of unhappiness. In this practical five-week series based on the teachings of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, participants will explore Buddhist methods for understanding anger at its root and transforming it into compassion, acceptance, and genuine inner peace. Through guided meditation and practical advice for daily life, everyone can learn to keep a peaceful heart no matter what challenges arise. Meetings take place every Thursday through Sept. 10. During the Aug. 27 session, “Patience Is Real Strength,” discover how patience protects the mind and enhances resilience in difficult times.

Friday, Aug. 28

Seven Black Minutes: Summer’s End 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. | $23.18 Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20009

5 A woman serves Caribbean cuisine at the H Street Festival in 2021. Residents can get another taste of global experiences at the 10th Annual Around the World Cultural Food Festival, returning to Alexandria, Virginia, on Aug. 29. (WI File Photo)

26 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

The nation’s capital is home to some of the most talented comedians from around the country, and this event proves they’re still here

and committed to the bit. Food, drinks, and amazing music will set the stage for the personalities sure to have folks reeling with laughter, including: Mys Brown Sugga, Eddie Liles, Gwynn Factor, Maria Sanchez, Randy Syphax, Lyric Marie, and King Tink. Hosted by Anthony Oakes, the event will also feature a Black culture trivia contest and a bestdressed contest with a $100 prize. Brush up on Black history and pop culture, and come ready to laugh.

Saturday, Aug. 29

Around the World Cultural Food Festival 11 a.m. | Free Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 A decade of global flavors, culture, and community—bigger than ever in 2026. Oronoco Bay Park transforms into a global destination of food, music, and culture on Aug. 29, as the Around the World Cultural Food Festival brings the best of international cuisine, live performances, and cultural experiences all in one vibrant waterfront setting. Event explorations include: handcrafted goods, art, and jewelry from global artists; two beer gardens featuring local and international craft beers; eating authentic

dishes across continents; live entertainment and cultural performances; and family-friendly fun, plus so much more. This isn’t just a food festival; it’s a passport to the world. 2026 Negro League East/West All-Star Vintage Baseball Game Noon | Free M-NCPPC Parks & Recreation | Prince George’s Stadium, 4101 Crain Highway, Bowie, MD 20716 Enjoy complimentary admission to a celebration of the rich history of African American baseball, also known as the Negro League East/ West Vintage Baseball Game Celebration and 10th Anniversary Auto Showcase Benefit. Presented by the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame, this annual family-friendly event commemorates the historic 1933 Negro League East-West All-Star Game, honoring the athletes, teams, and communities that helped shape America’s pastime. The celebration also marks 17 years of preserving Negro League history through education, community engagement, and vintage baseball, and will feature players wearing period throwback uniforms. In addition to the game, attendees can enjoy the 10th Anniversary Auto Showcase Benefit featuring antique, classic, vintage, American, import-

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THINGS TO DO from Page 26 ed, two-wheel, three-wheel, and four-wheel vehicles. Free parking included. Seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sunday, Aug. 30

Game Day @ Anthem Row 2 - 6 p.m. | Free registration required Anthem Row, 700 K St NW, Washington, D.C., 20001 Step right up! The games are set. The tables are waiting. The challenge is yours.

LIFESTYLE

On Sunday, Aug. 30, the streets in Northwest transform into the city's biggest game room as Words Beats & Life, in collaboration with the DowntownDC BID, presents the Inaugural Downtown Game Day. Gather family, rally friends, and represent your neighborhood in a roundup of competitions, including Scrabble, Checkers, Chess, Hip-hop Trivia, Jenga, Uno, Spades, Dominoes, Mahjong and/or video games. Whether a seasoned strategist, a casual competitor, or just looking for a great afternoon in the city, there's a seat at the table for you. Choose your battles. Test your skills. Show the District what you’ve got. WI

JACKSON from Page 4 ONE,” thinks the movie’s success is bringing longtime Jackson fans back with new excitement and introducing him to a new generation who never saw him perform. “We’re seeing such a wonderful movement right now with Michael Jackson and old fans that are coming together to celebrate his legacy and his stature in pop culture,” Clapp told The Informer. “I think a lot of that is obviously driven by the success of the biopic that’s come out recently.” That energy is making this year’s birthday celebration feel different. “We’re lucky enough in Las Vegas to have a show that can continue to celebrate everything that he has done as a performer and as an entertainer in today’s world,” Clapp said.

A One-Time Birthday Surprise

The Aug. 29 celebration begins at 12:30 p.m. with the sixth annual fan reception in the lobby of the “Michael Jackson ONE” Theater for ticketholders to either the 6:30 p.m. or 9 p.m. show. At 2 p.m., the theater opens to everyone. A question-and-answer session with special guests chosen by Jackson’s Estate starts at 2:30 p.m., followed by a surprise that Clapp is keeping secret. “The Q&A portion will culminate with a performance, a unique, onetime-only special performance by the cast of ‘Michael Jackson ONE,’ where you will only be able to see it this one time,” she said. Organizers plan to live stream the Q&A for fans worldwide. Michael Bush, Jackson’s longtime costume designer, will hold his annual book sign-

5 Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson ONE” is celebrating the King of Pop on what would have been his 68th birthday on Aug. 29. (Courtesy Photo)

ing near the “Michael Jackson ONE” Boutique, followed by pre-show meetand-greets with Estate representatives, special guests and members of the show’s creative team. Cupcakes will be served, too. After all, it is Michael Jackson’s birthday. “The cast and crew have worked incredibly hard on bringing something new and fun and different than anything that you’ve seen on our stages before,” Clapp said.

Michael Without an Impersonator

The celebration centers on a show facing a clear challenge: its star can’t step onto the stage. Cirque doesn’t try to solve this by hiring an impersonator. For Clapp, this is key to what makes “Michael Jackson ONE” special. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

The Phillips Collection Juried Exhibition NOW ON VIEW The exhibition is organized by The Phillips Collection and curated by Tie Jojima, Curator of Global Contemporary Art, The Phillips Collection, and Tsedaye Makonnen, Guest Curator. Made possible through the generous support of Akio Tagawa. With critical support from the Carolyn Alper Fund for Contemporary Art, the Frauke de Looper Trust, and the Marion F. Goldin Charitable Fund.

PhillipsCollection.org 1600 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC (Dupont Circle)

Support The Washington Informer as we Celebrate 61 Years.

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wi book review "Every Inch a Lady: My Amazing Journey from Dear Harlem to Haute Couture & Beyond" By Audrey Smaltz with Alina Mitchell, foreword by Michael Kors c.2026, Amistad $27.99 / 256 pages Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Snaps, zippers, buttons, ties. Toss that garment on, pull it up, wrap it around, you know what you like and how to wear it. The color is perfect for your skin tone, the fabric enhances your form. Yep, you always look your best and, as in the new book "Every Inch a Lady" by Audrey Smaltz (with Alina Mitchell), that best is fabulous. "Born, bred, toasted, buttered, jellied, and honeyed in Harlem" in 1937, Audrey Smaltz was a force to be reckoned with almost from the time she could walk. Her parents imbued confidence in her, they nurtured her creativity and sent her to charm school, but they never allowed her to create a stir. "That," says Smaltz, "is not what ladies did." By the time she was a teenager, Smaltz was modeling for New York City designers. Shortly thereafter, she started working for a married man with whom she had an affair, and whom she loved very much. She broke up with him, attended college, worked a series of jobs that taught her about fashion and jobs that didn't seem to fit her. An ill-fated marriage took her to Chicago where she ultimately landed a position that sent her to work in Ebony magazine's New York office. Working at Ebony was a career-changer, in a way. Smaltz was able to travel the world and learn more about fashion, but she didn't exactly get along with her boss. Finally, seizing an opportunity, Smaltz decided to launch her own company, Audrey Smaltz, Inc., a "fashion production business," but she couldn't get any designers to take a chance on her. Undaunted, she reorganized, rebranded, hit the streets, and knocked on doors until she finally found one client, which led to many others. Through it all, her personal life was a whirlwind. She dated "more men than you can shake a book at," settling down occasionally, briefly. Fashion had always been her first love, but she accidentally found real love, "the love of a woman," at a leadership course … There's an old saying that writers need to add lots of "color" into their stories. Read a little of "Every Inch a Lady," and you'll notice immediately that author Audrey Smaltz (with Alina Mitchell) quite literally takes that to heart by mentioning nearly every color of the spectrum here. Hmm. That oddity aside, Smaltz is a wonderfully lively storyteller, speaking with the energy of a woman much younger to the heart of anyone who loves fashion. That glee extends to collectors of vintage clothing, who will be delighted to read about the industry long ago and the way things worked then. Smaltz says she experienced racism, which is not unusual for pre-civil rights America, but doors were surprisingly closed for other reasons that will astound anyone who's savvy about the fashion industry, even today. There's quite a bit of name-dropping in this book but most of it belongs in the anecdotes, so you likely won't mind. If you're a fashionista, too, find "Every Inch a Lady," and snap it up. WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE AUG. 27 - SEPT. 2, 2026

ARIES An offer you almost dismissed turns out to be worth a second look by midweek. A short trip or errand takes longer than planned, but you'll be glad you went anyway. Tuesday brings a comment that stings briefly, then teaches you something useful once the sting fades. Money you'd forgotten about shows up before Sunday, and it covers exactly what you needed it to. A friend asks for advice you're not sure you're qualified to give, but give it anyway. Lucky Numbers: 14, 28, 63 TAURUS You'll catch yourself repeating advice you once ignored, and this time it actually lands. A neighbor or coworker surprises you with generosity you didn't ask for and can't quite explain. Wednesday's plans fall apart, then reassemble into something you like better. Watch your temper around a small frustration Friday; it isn't really about what it looks like. A household chore you've been dreading turns out simpler once you finally start it. Lucky Numbers: 3, 26, 41 GEMINI Something you said in passing gets repeated back to you this week, slightly different and somehow better. A phone call you keep postponing turns out easier than the version you rehearsed. Midweek brings an unexpected compliment about your work, not your personality, and it means more than usual. Saturday's plans double-book themselves; pick the one that actually excites you. An old text thread resurfaces and reminds you of a promise you'd quietly forgotten. Lucky Numbers: 18, 37, 52 CANCER An old argument resurfaces this week in a much gentler form, and you'll finally get to say what you meant the first time. A small kitchen disaster turns into a story you'll tell for months. Someone close asks for space rather than company, and giving it strengthens things more than staying would have. Sunday slows down just when you need it to. Lucky Numbers: 6, 23, 57 LEO Your instincts about a stranger prove right within a day or two, so trust the read next time. A task you kept avoiding takes far less effort than you built it up to be. Wednesday tests your temper over something small and forgettable, but you'll handle it better than expected. A compliment from a child or younger relative catches you completely off guard. Lucky Numbers: 9, 31, 64 VIRGO You'll fix something before anyone notices it was broken, and that quiet competence gets rewarded later than you'd expect. A friend's offhand remark about your habits actually helps once the irritation wears off. Thursday brings a small financial win you didn't see coming. Your closet or car needs real attention this week, not a quick patch-job. A conversation you've rehearsed in your head goes nothing like the version you imagined, and that's fine. Lucky Numbers: 13, 29, 48 LIBRA A choice you've been putting off gets made for you this week, and it's actually a relief. Dinner with someone you rarely see runs long in the best way. A friend's silence says more than their words would have. Tuesday's plans shift twice, landing somewhere better than where they started. Revisit an old idea midweek; it holds up far better than you remembered. Lucky Numbers: 8, 34, 60 SCORPIO A minor mechanical annoyance eats up more of your week than it deserves to, so deal with it early. Turning someone down this week costs less than you braced for. A backhanded remark lands midweek; let it roll off rather than engaging with it. Something in your care, whether a plant, a pet, or a project, needs closer attention than it's been getting. Lucky Numbers: 16, 39, 65 SAGITTARIUS A detour, literal or otherwise, puts you somewhere far more interesting than your original plan. You'll spend more time in motion than usual this week, and it suits you fine. Saturday's schedule has one obligation too many; drop it before it drops something more important instead. A childhood memory surfaces without warning and shapes your whole afternoon. Lucky Numbers: 1, 20, 62 CAPRICORN A deadline moves up without notice, and you'll find yourself more ready than expected. You'll fix something yourself rather than call in help, and it holds. Praise from someone senior lands harder than you'll admit out loud. Sunday's errands wrap up early, leaving room for something better than the plan you had. Lucky Numbers: 10, 33, 58 AQUARIUS A trick or shortcut someone teaches you sticks around longer than expected. An invitation catches you off guard this week; say yes before you talk yourself out of it. What looks like a disagreement over facts is actually about something else entirely, and naming that helps. Someone younger says something that reframes an old assumption you'd stopped questioning. Lucky Numbers: 7, 25, 67 PISCES A song or sound shifts your mood more than once this week, and you'll notice it happening as it happens. Tidying one overlooked corner of your space improves everything around it, oddly enough. An old conversation resurfaces midweek and reads completely differently now. A stranger's small kindness outlasts the moment it happened in, staying with you longer than expected. Sunday brings a quiet realization about someone you've underestimated for a while. Lucky Numbers: 5, 22, 56

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AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 29

2026 SEPT 2–6, 2026 | LABOR DAY WEEKEND | WASHINGTON, DC

BUY TICKETS NOW! DCJAZZFEST.ORG DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER QUARTET "WE EXIST!" • JOSHUA REDMAN QUARTET • KURT ELLING & YELLOWJACKETS CELEBRATE WEATHER REPORT • KES • CORY HENRY & THE FUNK APOSTLES • NATE SMITH • DONALD HARRISON • EMMET COHEN: MILES AND TRANE AT 100 FEAT. TIVON PENNICOTT, JEREMY PELT, YASUSHI NAKAMURA AND JOE FARNSWORTH • EMMET COHEN TRIO • BILL FRISELL TRIO FEAT. THOMAS MORGAN & RUDY ROYSTON • DANILO PÉREZ TRIO: PANAMONK FEAT. BEN STREET & ADAM CRUZ • ETIENNE CHARLES & CREOLE SOUL • JANELLE GILL WITH SPECIAL GUEST AMINA CLAUDINE MYERS • MS. LISA FISCHER • ORRIN EVANS TRIO MICHELE ROSEWOMAN AND QUINTESSENCE • NASAR ABADEY AND SUPERNOVA • BRANDON WOODY'S UPENDO • AFRICAN RHYTHMS ALUMNI QUINTET: RANDY WESTON CENTENNIAL • CHELSEY GREEN • JASON MARSALIS • CHRISTIE DASHIELL • JAZZDC ALLSTARS DIRECTED BY PAUL CARR • CHUCK BROWN BAND • BEN WILLIAMS BAND • ISAIAH COLLIER “COLLIER PLAYS COLTRANE” BUTCHER BROWN • EKEP NKWELLE • ALFRED YUN • ALLYN JOHNSON TRIO • B3 SUMMIT VOL.2 WITH CHARLES COVINGTON, MIKE LEDONNE, LENNY ROBINSON, AND DAVE MANLEY • CHARLES RAHMAT WOODS • CORCORAN HOLT QUINTET DAN MURRAY • DOMAS ŽEROMSKAS • ELSA NILSSONBAND OF PULSES • FELIX CONTRERAS AND GRUPO TEMPRANILLO FRAN VIELMA & VENEZUELAN JAZZ COLLECTIVE • HANNAH MARKS • HEIDI MARTIN ENSEMBLE • JOE BROTHERTON JOSÉ ANDRÉ QUARTET • JOSÉ LUIZ MARTINS • KENNY RITTENHOUSE • LAURA ANGLADE • LUKE STEWART'S SILT TRIO MARSHALL KEYS AND SOULFUL PATH • NEXT JAZZ LEGACY • PUREUM JIN & THE EMPRESS • RICARDO TOSCANO • SAKOBI SHACARA ROGERS • SHAREL CASSITY • SON CUBANO SUBTERRANEO • TOMMY CECIL TRIO • DC JAZZPRIX FINALS: AMINA SCOTT QUINTET, BOKANI DYER TRIO, JAMES FERNANDO TRIO, LUTHER S. ALLISON & POIESIS ARTIST LINEUP SUBJECT TO CHANGE

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5 Clergypeople and activists gather at the site of the 2020 Deon Kay police-involved shooting to announce the finalized settlement that Kay’s family reached with D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. (Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr./The Washington Informer)

DEON KAY from Page 1 Department of Homeland Security headquarters, Cleckley says that tensions have increased. “It's worse, because now you have a whole bunch of people that are trained for combat that are in the neighborhood and looking at the community members as if they're insurgents,” Cleckley told The Informer. “It doesn't help that you have the president…working against the community boldly saying that he doesn't care [and] boldly showing that he doesn't care.” In September of 2020, well before President Donald J. Trump launched the D.C. Safe & Beautiful Task Force, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Officer Alexander Alvarez shot and killed Kay in the parking lot of an apartment building located on the 200 block of Orange Street SE. Redacted body camera footage showed Kay, who was sitting in a car, running away upon officers’ arrival to the scene. During the chase, Alvarez intercepted Kay’s path and shot him in the chest. Seconds later, after Kay fell to the ground, Alvarez can be heard frantically looking for a gun that officers later said they found 98 feet away from Kay. Following Kay’s death, family members, residents, and activists gathered along Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE in demand of justice. “There were a lot of community members that reached out to me,” Cleckley recounted. “They wanted to send me the video and send me information regarding that.” Cleckley, a Gen Xer and daughter of the Rev. Wanda Cleckley, grew up on Mellon Street SE, just two streets over from what commu-

nity members now call Deon’s Lot. As a youngster, she and her mother served food in the park at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Malcolm X Avenue SE, not far from where Rev. Cleckley often preached to her congregation. During those days, Cleckley said, police officers had a posture much more congenial than what Black residents currently experience. “They have switched up the dynamic of the police department, where you have a bunch of police officers that have no idea who the community is and don't care,” Cleckley said. “They don’t look like us, they don't think like us. They have no idea what's going on in the community, therefore there’s no trust. With that, there is an abuse of power because you’re not trained to be empathetic, you’re trained to kill.”

Delving into Negotiations around the Final Settlement

Though Alvarez never received criminal charges in Kay’s death, a civil jury awarded the Kay family $655,000 last year. Schwalb’s office appealed the judgement shortly after, sparking calls among activists, including those affiliated with Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, for the attorney general to reverse course. Sources familiar with the situation said that Schwalb and Kay’s family agreed an amount less than what the jury awarded but greater than what Schwalb is allowed to approve on his own. Per the source, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser okayed the agreement. For the attorney general’s office, the outcome met the needs of both parties.

"We appealed because we believed the trial court made significant errors that affected the outcome of the case,” said Gabriel Shoglow-Rubenstein, a D.C. Office of the Attorney General

(OAG) spokesperson. “Though no dollar amount can ever bring back Mr. Kay, this agreement provides a significant monetary payment to his family in addition to vacating the original judgment.” Yaida Ford, the Kay family’s attorney, had a slightly different take. “She gave the green light, but it came at a cost,” Ford said about Bowser. “That's the bittersweet thing about all of this. While she agreed to give more to end the use of taxpayer money in the case, we still couldn't get the full judgment because [Schwalb] had an appeal filed.” As Ford recounted, Bowser became involved in negotiations during the latter part of July, after Ford reached out to the mayor. The final amount, Ford said, shows that the Bowser was willing to go well beyond what Schwalb agreed to during negotiations.

“Mayor Bowser hasn't been a friend or a foe to the trial lawyers because she supports $500,000 caps on any lawsuit against the city,” Ford told The Informer. “In this case, the fact that we could appeal to a higher power who agreed with us was a relief, but it wasn't a guarantee. I really didn't know that that would happen, but I think that it says that the executive has more fiscal judgment than the attorney general does.” Bowser declined to speak about the OAG’s settlement with the Kay family, nor did she weigh in on the taxpayer dollars used to appeal the original judgement. However, when it came to her alleged dealings with Ford, Bowser kept it short. “I don’t talk to attorneys,” she told The Informer. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

September Foreclosure Prevention Webinars

The number of foreclosures is increasing nationwide. You don’t have to be a statistic. The earlier you take action, the better your chances are of avoiding foreclosure. The non-profit Housing Counseling Services will be conducting free Foreclosure Prevention webinars on the following Wednesdays in September 2026 at 12 PM. Learn valuable information from HUD certified housing counselors about options for people who are having difficulty paying their mortgage, condo fees or property taxes. You may participate in the webinars by internet, telephone, or in person. Registration is required at https:// housingetc.org. In the meantime, if you have questions, you may call the Foreclosure Prevention hotline at 202265-2255. • September 2 • September 9 • September 16 • September 23 • September 30 Housing Counseling Services, Inc. (HCS) is a HUD approved nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that provides comprehensive housing counseling, training and advocacy for low- and moderate-income tenants, homebuyers, and homeowners. Our goal is to build sustainable communities through informed housing consumers. HCS is funded by the DC Department of Housing and Community Development; DC Department of Health HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration; DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking; DC Housing Finance Agency; US Department of Housing and Urban Development; US Department of Veterans Affairs; DC Department of Human Services; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; The Greater Washington Community Foundation; JP Morgan Chase Foundation; The Share Fund; The Joshua Fund; Capital One Bank; Truist Mortgage; DC Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships; DC Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs; and your generous donations. Housing Counseling Services, Inc. (HCS) 2410 17th St., Suite 100, NW, Washington, DC 20009 HCS General Information: 202-667-7006 Fair Housing – It’s Your Right https://housingetc.org

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AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 31

SPORTS

3 Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron looks to make a play against Olivia Miles of the Lynx during the team's 94-84 loss at CareFirst Arena on Friday, Aug. 21. (Jonae Guest/The Washington Informer)

Annual Negro League All Star Game to Celebrate Legacy, Honor Women By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter The Negro League Legends Hall of Fame (NLLHOF) is gearing up for the Annual Negro League East-West All Star baseball game on Aug. 29 at Prince George’s Stadium, which is set to be a free engaging faceoff and opportunity to pay homage to those who paved the way in what is often called America’s favorite pastime. “We are looking forward to an exciting family day at the ball park. America's game of baseball, a salute to the Negro Leagues celebrating the ball players who played for the love the game,” NLLHOF founder Dwayne Renal Sims told The Informer. This year, the historian Phil Dixon and researcher Will Clark will salute the women who played, managed, and held ownership in Negro League teams including Effa Manley, who co-owned the Newark Eagles. “My vision was to present a free family historical event and highlight a tradition from small towns to the big cities, when the town would come out to see and root for their home team,” Sims explained. A noted historian of both the Colored League and the Negro Leagues, Sims points out that the MLB All Star baseball game took strong inspiration from the Negro League All Star game originally organized by Rube Foster. The event, celebrating 17 years of preserving African American baseball history, will also include the 10th Anniversary Auto Showcase Benefit featuring antique, classic, vintage, American, imported, twowheel, three-wheel, and four-wheel vehicles. Bowie Mayor Michael Esteve

Mystics Secure Playoff Berth with 105-100 Victory Over Portland

By Skylar Nelson WI Contributing Writer

is proud of the opportunity to celebrate the Negro Leagues in his hometown. “This is a unique opportunity to celebrate the enduring legacy, resilience, and skill of trailblazing athletes who forever changed the game of baseball and American history,” said Esteve while attending the season opener for the Bowie Baysox. “We look forward to partnering with the Hall of Fame to honor these legends and to welcome visitors from across the region to experience this special event.” Del. Denise Roberts (D-District 25) is also excited to honor the legacy of the Negro Leagues this August. “The Negro Leagues were not just baseball. They were Black excellence, Black ownership, and Black community in the face of a system that said you do not belong here. Bringing that legacy to Baysox Stadium right here in Prince George’s County is not just a game,” said Roberts. “It is a celebration of everything our community has always been capable of when we invest in ourselves. I could not be more proud to have this moment happen right here at home.” WI

32 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

The Washington Mystics secured their playoff berth on Sunday with a 105-100 victory over the Portland Fire at Moda Center. This marks the team's first playoff appearance since 2023. “I’m elated for our entire organization… I think it’s important to say it’s a clear step forward,” said Washington Mystics Head Coach Sydney Johnson. “We started the season wanting to ascend and really build on year one. And geez, to make the playoffs in year two with the youth of this group is absolutely amazing.” The Mystics last won a postseason series in 2019, when they also captured their first WNBA championship. Washington made history with this win, setting a franchise record of 40 points in a single quarter, while also recording its highest-scoring regulation game of the season. Center Shakira Austin led the way with a career-high of 31 points and 10 rebounds.

“I was just really intentional about understanding that we’re very prepared for what we’re gonna see out there,” Austin said after the thrilling victory. “There were no surprises. Shout out to our coaches for prepping us. So it was just about continuing to make the right reads every possession… Every quarter we got a little more comfortable.” Forward Kiki Iriafen added 18 points and 10 rebounds for another double-double, demonstrating what Austin lauded as resilience and efficiency that helped the team settle into a flow by the fourth quarter. Guard Sonia Citron finished the night with 14 points to add to the outstanding victory, while making WNBA history by reaching 85 points in the clutch this season. This marked the most clutch points recorded by a player in a single season in league history. Portland made it a close game with back-to-back three-pointers from guard Carla Leite, cutting the deficit to three and making it a 103-100 game in the fourth. Nail-biting moments continued to build between both teams until

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the final seconds. But it was the Fire who ended up committing the foul coming out of a timeout in the fourth, sending guard Georgia Amoore to the free-throw line. Amoore made both of her free throws extending Washington’s lead to 105-100. As the clock ran out, Portland missed their last shot. Coupled with Chicago Sky’s 113-90 loss to the Indiana Fever early Sunday, the Mystics’ playoff-clinching victory was sealed. “I think we all know we’ve lost it a little on the defensive end, a little on just our togetherness on offense with protecting the ball. But this is when teams gel,” Austin said. “We want to be able to start peaking now, and I think we’ve figured out our identity to win.” The Washington Mystics will continue their six-game road slate, now turning their attention to the Phoenix Mercury for a Tuesday night matchup on Aug. 25. Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. “Now it’s just about continuing to put that same formula out,” the Mystics center continued, “every single game.” WI

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CAPTURE the moment

Washington, D.C., celebrated five decades of go-go music while honoring the birthday and legacy of Chuck Brown, widely known as the “Godfather of Go-Go.” Featuring master of ceremonies DJ Flexx, and DJ Kool on the turntable, the celebration took over the Fort Dupont Summer Stage in Southeast on Aug. 22, including performances by Junkyard Band, Backyard Band, Experience Unlimited (E.U.), Major League, and A-Team with the Go-Go All-Stars. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

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AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 33

RELIGION MARCH from Page 1 of a million people charged the National Mall to repurpose a nation. More than an anniversary, conveners march for a future where freedom’s no longer a ballot issue; and much like in 1963, the call is on faith leaders to show up and sow out. “On Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, we return to the Lincoln Memorial to defend the vote, protect equal opportunity, and demand economic dignity for our people,” said the Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, chair of the NAN Board of Directors. “In every season of struggle, from the abolition movement to the marches of the 1960s, it was the people of faith who turned belief into action and filled the streets with hope. We are called again.” In partnership with Martin Luther King III and his wife, Arndrea Waters King –– leaders of the Drum Major Institute –– the Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, is convening laborers, clergy, youth or-

ganizers, and community leaders for a profound movement rooted in remembrance and action-forward. What Sharpton calls “a bullet in the heart of the voting rights movement,” the renewed demonstration comes amid urgent threats to voting rights, affordability for everyday people, and equal opportunity at the hands of regressive legislation, including the Supreme Court’s recent decision to gut Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. “We stand on the same ground because the work is not finished. The right to vote, the very foundation of our power, is being chipped away in statehouse after statehouse,” read the faith leader’s press statement. “When the vote is weakened, every other right grows fragile with it. That is why we march. That is what we mean when we say Defend the Vote.” Aug. 28, 1963, came with a 10-point list of demands that spanned fair wages and workforce treatment, comprehensive civil rights legislation, desegregation, equity, and more, some of which

34 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

5 Thousands are set to return to the Lincoln Memorial for the 63rd anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Friday, Aug. 28. (WI File Photo/Shedrick Pelt)

are not far from the three-pronged cause driving Friday’s demonstration. Coupled with GOP-led suppression tactics like the Safeguard Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) and efforts to minimize African American representation in Congress, Sharpton says the reality is King's dream was not an admirable memory; it was “an assignment to complete.” “I am asking you to be a part of history. Not a witness to it. A part of it,” read the faith leader’s plea. “The men and women who marched in 1963 were not waiting for a better moment. They made the moment. They walked into the heart of the nation and told the truth about freedom, about justice, and about the promise this country still owes its people.” During the Civil Rights era, Black churches proved to be the backbone of civic engagement, often serving as meeting points for rallies, shelter, planning and training from pulpit to protest for many movement leaders. Not to mention, some of the most prominent names in social justice were faith leaders as much as civic activists––or just passionate 20-somethings unafraid “to do the daggone thing,” said Community of Hope A.M.E. lead pastor, the Rev. Tony Lee. “They just saw there was a need in the world, and they went for it,” Lee told The Informer before reflecting on the value of living traditions. “I think it's important for us to let younger generations have a good sense of history and understand, in some ways, they don't have to wait their turn. They just need to snatch the platform, snatch their moment, and move.” For him, that looks like collabora-

During the Civil Rights era, Black churches proved to be the backbone of civic engagement, often serving as meeting points for rallies, shelter, planning and training from pulpit to protest for many movement leaders. tions with trusted advisor and public policy strategist, the Rev. Dr Barbara Williams-Skinner, to tackle election protection ahead of the November midterms, including serving as a Virginia coordinator for Poll Chaplain/ Peacekeepers Training. Additionally, Lee beamed as one of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) church pastors taking part in the Rev. Harry L. Seawright’s voter campaign for the Second Episcopal District. As for where he’d like to see more from the church, the faith leader cited utilizing digital platforms to campaign on a large scale, along with underscoring the impact of mobilizations like the 2026 March on Washington, which he told The Informer back in July he plans to attend. Other than that, the role of the Black Church is what it has always been: “to be relevant and right in the middle of it all.” “Elections have consequences,” Lee continued, “and it's our job as faith communities and as pastors to help make sure that our communities are better.”

Some of Friday’s participating partners includes organizations with local headquarters, such as the: American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), the Faith in Action Fund and its National Network, plus the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which is headquartered in Baltimore. Additionally, the Working Families Party, National Urban League (NUL), Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., People Power United, Vote. org, and multiple houses of worship, to name a few, have confirmed participation, along with guest speakers Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) and New York House Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D)––all rallied for Washington to “hear a voice that cannot be ignored,” Sharpton said. Meanwhile, NAN Chairman Richardson’s one charge to faith leaders across the nation is to march with the spirit of the Black Church, what he considers the “conscience of America.” “I am asking every house of worship to make this a moment of witness. Announce it from your pulpit… Bring your congregation. Stand with us on that sacred ground,” Richardson stated. “The same God who carried our ancestors will go before us still. Let us march together, and let the church rise once more.” WI

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the religion corner

RELIGION

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

The Cost of Excellence: The Tragedy of Dr. Jason Arday

Oh, my dear Washington Informer family, my heart is heavy this week. For 20 years, we have shared this sacred space in The Religion Corner, leaning on the Word of God. Today, I must speak from my soul. What we are witnessing across the world feels entirely surreal, as if an invisible hand is trying to turn back the clock of racial progress by more than 150 years. We see it in the tragic death of the first Black Cambridge professor, Jason Arday, whose history-making story was weaponized against him through unproven plagiarism allegations at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. And we see it right here in the United States, in the murder mysteries occurring down south in the state of Mississippi. I tremble for the future of our grandchildren, wondering if they must inherit the same hatred and malice our ancestors bled to overcome. Scripture reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." We cannot sit in despair. We must look at the truth, hold it up to God's light, and stand up to fight. A gentle soul has been crushed by global malice. Many of you know how deeply I care about individuals with autism. It is a cause profoundly personal to me, woven into my daily prayers because of my own beautiful grandson. When I look at him, I see the pure love, unique genius, and divine purpose God places inside special-needs children. So when news reached me about Jason Arday, it made me feel some kind of way. Arday was a precious, gentle soul diagnosed with autism and global devel-

opment delay. He did not speak until he was 11 and could not read or write until he was 18. Yet, through God's grace, he became a certified genius. In 2023, he made history as the youngest Black professor ever appointed at the prestigious University of Cambridge in the U.K. Those who knew him described him as an exceptionally loving, kind and deeply caring human being who used his platform to open doors for others. Yet the enemy saw his light. A hyper-aggressive media campaign in London unleashed 249 hostile articles in just 22 days, followed by 181 more after he resigned, weaponizing unproven allegations to tear down this brilliant Black man. They used him to attack diversity, executing a public trial that his family says became too heavy for his gentle spirit to bear. On Aug. 14, 2026, he was found dead in his home. Whatever the truth of the allegations, this situation could have been handled in a better way. This cruel hatred in London sounds achingly akin to what we face in America. We must remember Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart." We lift Arday's family in prayer and vow to protect our neurodivergent trailblazers so they never stand alone. Terror in the soil and institutional eviction are where this all began. While our scholars face psychological warfare abroad, our families in the American South confront terrifying physical echoes of a dark past. The sudden deaths of young Black residents in Mississippi have left me on my knees crying out for justice. Tasia Fortune, 29, was found hanging from a tree in Jackson; authorities have not ruled her death suspicious, but her family rejects the idea that it was self-inflicted. Trey Reed, 21, a student at Delta State University, was found hanging from a tree on campus. Nolan Xavier Wells, 18, vanished during a boat excursion and was found dead off Horn Island, with autopsy findings not yet made public. The horrific imagery of a hanging

tree strikes deep, systemic trauma into our communities. This happens at the exact same time corporate and educational boards are completely erasing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Statistics show that Black women hold less than 5% of corporate leadership roles, yet represent the highest percentage of diversity administrators laid off or forced out. They are stripping away the safety nets protecting Black women in hostile workplaces, effectively evicting us from tables we fought for decades to sit at. Our call to action begins with James 2:17: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." We are approaching the end of an era if we do not act right now. We cannot let our children face this venom: • Vote with Unprecedented Numbers: Mobilize our churches, get our vans moving, and march to the polls in record numbers to crush voter suppression. • Fund Campaigns Like Never Before: Invest financial capital into democratic campaigns and PACs that explicitly pledge to protect voting rights, appoint fair judges, and codify workplace protections. • Build Defense Networks: Our churches must establish legal and psychological defense funds to wrap our arms around our scholars and executives so they never face media smear campaigns unprotected. • Demand Federal Justice: Flood the Department of Justice with demands to intervene in these Mississippi death investigations. We will not allow local jurisdictions to sweep the deaths of our children under the rug. Let us stand firm, protect our babies, support our brilliant minds, and vote like our lives depend on it, because it does. This column is dedicated to the memory of Jason Arday, a loving soul who made history as the youngest Black professor ever appointed at the University of Cambridge in the U.K. WI

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AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 35

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

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Joel R. Limerick Pastor

Rev. Dr. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor

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

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

Service and Times In Person Worship: Sunday @ 9:30 A.M. Streaming: Sunday @ 9:30 A.M. www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org Prayer & Study: Wednesday @ 12 Noon and 7:00 P.M.

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

www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ

Blessed Word

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

Reverend William Young IV Pastor

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

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

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

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

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423 Service and Times Sunday Church School : 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:10 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00 PM Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00 PM Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10 AM themcbc.org

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

Campbell AME Church

1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005

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

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

Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor

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

Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Rev. Terrance M. McKinley Senior Pastor

Adams Inspirational A.M.E. Church

Service and Times Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education / School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration

www.livingwatersmd.org

John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.

All Nations Baptist Church

2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591

Church of Living Waters

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

36 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

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RELIGION Zion Baptist Church

Israel Baptist Church Rev. Lance Aubert Senior Pastor

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

St. Luke Baptist Church

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

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

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

Rehoboth Baptist Church

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

Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Reverend Canon Michele Hagans Priest

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

Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958 Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist

www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.

Promised Land Baptist Church

Dr. Joseph D. Turner Senior Pastor

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

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

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

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

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

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

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

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

Rev. Richard B. Black Interim Pastor

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

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

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

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

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church

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

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Website address: www.mmbcdc.org

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

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant Pastor

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

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

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

Join us for our live broadcast every Friday at Noon!

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

AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 37

LEGAL NOTICES

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

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

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

2026 ADM 000712

2026 ADM 000756

2026 ADM 000604

2026 FEP 000104

2026 ADM 000820

Louise B. Hall Decedent

Adam Milczynski Kaas Decedent

Eva Essie Mae Shanks Decedent

July 6, 2006 Date of Death

Charles E. Hailstock Decedent

Rocquelle A. Jeri, Esq. 1419 Perrell Lane, Bowie, MD 20716 Attorney

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

Nicolaus Milczynski Dominguez, whose address is Rio Alzania 23, 10 C, Pamplona, Country of Spain, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Adam Milczynski Kaas who died on July 2nd 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 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 2/13/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/13/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Samuel Shanks & Benjamin Shanks, whose addresses are 5731 Kansas Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20011 and 215 Colton St., Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Eva Essie Mae Shanks who died on May 9, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/13/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/13/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Andrea Streat, whose address is 3466 Hearthfire Court, White Plains, MD 20695, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Louise B. Hall who died on 4/29/1997 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 2/13/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/13/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 8/13/2026 Andrea Streat Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Date of first publication: 8/13/2026 Nicolaus Milczynski Dominguez Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Date of first publication: 8/13/2026 Samuel Shanks Benjamin Shanks Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Bessie L. Lomax Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Lee Johnson whose address is 12711 Candlewood Way, Hudson, FL 34667 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Bessie L. Lomax, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on 7/21/2006. Service of process may be made upon Sharon Legall, 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 the following District of Columbia real estate. 1224 5th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. 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: 8/13/2026 Lee Johnson Personal Representative Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS James D. Hailstock, whose address is 1141 S 3rd Street, Camden New Jersey 08103, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Charles E. Hailstock who died on 5/25/2026 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 decedents 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 2/20/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/20/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 8/20/2026 James D. Hailstock Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

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

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

2026 ADM 000848

2026 FEP 000109

2026 ADM 000768

2026 ADM 000770

2025 ADM 001387

Reginald Thornton aka Reginald D. Thornton Decedent

Sarah Elizabeth Bethea Decedent

Tamar Peli Decedent

Theodore Joshua Jones Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Carla Jones, whose address is 4071 Silver Park Terrace, Suitland MD 20746, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Theodore Joshua Jones who died on September 22, 2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment 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 2/20/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/20/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 8/20/2026 Carla Jones Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

December 28, 2021 Date of Death Edna Becton Pittmon Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Stanwyn Becton whose address is 1668 Grand Meadow Drive, Gambrills, MD 21054 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Edna Becton Pittmon, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on December 28, 2021. Service of process may be made upon Monica Thomas Hawkins 4819 Illinois Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20011 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: 4819 Illinois Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20011. 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.

Murray D. Scheel DC Bar Pro Bono Center 901 4th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Denise Ross, whose address is 113 Jefferson Road, Waldorf MD 20602, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sarah Elizabeth Bethea who died on May 30, 2020 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/20/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/20/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Stanwyn Becton Personal Representative

Reginald Jeffries, whose address is 235 Mississippi Ave SE, Apt 101, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Reginald Thornton aka Reginald D. Thornton who died on April 3, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/20/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/20/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Date of first publication: 8/20/2026

TRUE TEST COPY

Reginald Jeffries Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Date of first publication: 8/20/2026

Washington Informer

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Date of first publication: 8/20/2026 Denise Ross Personal Representative

Washington Informer

Xue F. Connelly Friedman, Grimes, Meinken & Leischner 616 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ben Peli, whose address is 3004 Sayre Rd., Fairfax, VA 22031, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Tamar Peli who died on 9/22/2023 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 2/20/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/20/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 8/20/2026 Ben Peli Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Washington Informer

38 AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2021 ADM 001618 Lloyd Scaife Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Richard Scaife, whose address is 9206 Ivanhoe Rd., Fort Washington, MD 20744, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lloyd Scaife who died on 04/03/2020 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedents’ 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 2/20/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/20/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 8/20/2026 Richard Scaife Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES Phase 2 Declaration of Nationality Protocol In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender. Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: " Robert Anthony Garcia © ", in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ ROBERT ANTHONY GARCIA ", corp.sole Dba.: " ROBERT A. GARCIA© ", , having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Al Maghreb Al Aqsa, Estados al Marikanos, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: " Robert Anthony Garcia© ", from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: " robert anthony garcia© ". Notice of White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 32, 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: COUNTY CLERK-RECORDER RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA : STATE FILE NUMBER, :19533018858 " ROBERT ANTHONY GARCIA© ", is as a special deposit order, conveyed to " ROBERT ANTHONY GARCIA© ". All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: " robert anthony garcia© ", nom deguerre: " Robert Anthony Garcia© ", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : " ROBERT ANTHONY GARCIA© ", an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.

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

2026 ADM 000822

2026 ADM 000801

Shirley J. Quander Decedent

Verline McFadden Decedent

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

Michelle Lanchester, Esq. 9701 Apollo Drive, Suite 297 Largo, MD 20774 Attorney

Marie A. Lambert, whose address is 7642 Buzz Aldrin Ln, Lanham MD 20706, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Shirley J. Quander who died on 10/7/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/27/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/27/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 8/27/2026 Marie A. Lambert Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2025 ADM 001026 Beatrice Brown Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ciji Simmons and Kelvin Christian, whose addresses are 413 Prairie Court, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Beatrice Brown who died on 12/19/2022 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 2/27/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/27/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 8/27/2026 Ciji Simmons Kelvin Christian Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Maya K. Little, whose address is 1611 8th St., NW, Washington, DC 20001, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Verline McFadden who died on 11/27/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/27/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 2/27/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 8/27/2026 Maya K. Little Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

DC DEBT from Page 8 first quarter of 2026, with the average borrower holding about $310,500. Increasingly, homeowners are taking out loans against their home equity. Homeowners nationally tapped more than $77 billion through home equity loans and lines of credit during the first three months of the year. ICE Mortgage Technology found that approximately $47 billion in equity was withdrawn from mortgaged properties during the quarter. Experts said many homeowners got their mortgages when interest rates were much lower. Instead of refinancing and losing that low rate, they can now take out a second loan using their home equity. The D.C.-based Mortgage Bankers Association has documented the change. Applications for home equity loans and home equity lines of credit increased 7.2% in 2024, while total outstanding home equity debt increased 10.3%. Approximately 39% of the home equity loans examined by the association were used for debt consolidation, including paying off high-interest credit card and student loan balances. Two years earlier, 25% were used for that purpose. At the same time, the share used for home improvement projects fell from 65% in 2022 to 46%. “With close to $35 trillion of homeowner equity in residential real estate and many homeowners locked into low-rate first mortgages, HELOCs (home equity lines of credit) and home equity loans have become the product of choice for many homeowners,” said Marina Walsh, vice president of industry analysis for the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Disparities in the District

In D.C., though, being able to use a home for financial support spotlights another gap. The District’s homeownership rate is 23.8 percentage points below the national rate, according to an Urban Institute analysis. Black households account for about 41% of households in the city, but racial differences in homeownership remain substantial. The Urban Institute found that the Black homeownership rate in Washington was 34%, compared with 47.5% among white households. Nationally, Black homeownership stood at 44.1%, meaning Black Washingtonians were less likely to own homes than Black households nationwide. Experts noted that this gap affects

more than just whether someone owns or rents a home. A house that appreciates can become a source of generational wealth, collateral for borrowing or an emergency financial reserve. Someone who does not own a home has no comparable housing asset to draw from when credit card bills, medical expenses or other household costs increase. Black households accounted for 41.3% of Washington households but held only 28.5% of the city’s primary-residence housing wealth, according to the Urban Institute analysis. Black applicants had the highest purchase-mortgage denial rate among racial and ethnic groups examined in Washington, according to the Urban Institute’s analysis of 2022 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. Black applicants were denied at a rate of 16.6%, compared with 2.8% for white applicants. Debt was often the reason for being denied. Among Black Washington applicants denied purchase mortgages, debt-to-income ratios were cited in 32.5% of cases, compared with 19.8% for white applicants. Even people who seem financially ready for a mortgage can have trouble affording a home in the Washington area. The Urban Institute identified 918,220 “mortgage-ready” consumers age 45 and younger in the Washington metropolitan area, including 164,980 Black consumers. At a 6.9% mortgage rate, however, only 4.5% of those mortgage-ready Black consumers could afford a home in the region. Among mortgage-ready white consumers, 12% could afford one. These affordability problems persist because mortgage rates remain high. National mortgage rates climbed to about 6.5% in May, according to ICE Mortgage Technology, reducing buyers’ purchasing power by approximately 5% compared with February, when rates were near 6%. The monthly payment needed to purchase an average-priced home increased by $163 during that period. ICE also found indications that less established buyers are having a harder time entering the market. By late May, the average credit score among borrowers locking in purchase mortgages had climbed above 735, while the share of mortgage locks going to first-time buyers fell to a 77-week low of 44.1%. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 39

CL ASSIFIED

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CROWELL from Page 24 ty benefit in 2024 for Black men age 60 and older was $1,685, compared with $2,179 for white men. For Black women, the projected median monthly benefit was $1,557, compared with $1,692 for white women. Annualized, those amounts equal $20,220 for Black men and $18,684 for Black women, compared with $26,148 for white men and $20,304 for white women. Most importantly, by 2050 the Social Security Administration projects that Black wealth ($78,579) will be

JOHNSON from Page 24 The Constitution does not protect only Christians. The First Amendment protects the church, the synagogue, the mosque and the person who chooses no religion. It exists because the government must never decide whose prayers deserve protection. Once politicians can forbid a Muslim girl from wearing her hijab or tell a Muslim family what food they may prepare, every religious community should pay attention. The Muslim woman wearing a hijab may be the physician caring for your heart. The Muslim man leaving Friday prayers may be a soldier serving this country, a veteran who defended it, a teacher helping your child or a neighbor watching your home. Their children laugh, worry and dream like ours. We both pray, and their freedom is no less sacred than mine.

ROBINSON from Page 24 home as a small economic engine to survive in a city that grows more expensive by the month. Those families were told their activity was destabilizing the housing market. Those families were fined, delisted, and legislated out of a livelihood. And now we learn that 57,000 stabilized units are sitting empty while rents spiral and foreclosures mount, and the response from housing advocates is essentially: that's just how big numbers work. This is not sound policy. This is politics. And the communities paying the price know the difference. I have spoken with homeowners across Central Brooklyn who are barely holding on. They bought their homes, sometimes one generation removed from the Great Migration, and they have watched the equity they built become both their greatest asset and their greatest vulnerability. Predatory lenders, deed theft schemes, and rising property taxes all circle that equity like wolves. Short-term rental income was, for

four times lower than that of whites ($320,337). In the meantime, families still need a place to live. Owning a home is not just the single largest bill for most families; it also remains the cornerstone to building intergenerational wealth. Homeownership is also still out of reach for most Black families. Last year, only 44.7% of Blacks were homeowners, compared to 74.6% for white households, states the Joint Center. That means more than half of Black America remain renters, spending

$1,667 or more each month for a median-priced apartment in one of the 50 largest metro markets in the country, according to Realtor.com. These prices offer no assurance on when or how much the next rental increase will be. Paying nearly $1,700 every month for rent may seem high, but it is lower than the June 2026 median monthly mortgage payment of $2,633 for a home purchased for $398,300 with an interest rate of 6.5% for 30 years. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

Some may ask why Black people should speak when we have so many battles of our own. The elders who carried us through the Civil Rights Movement taught us that freedom cannot be divided into private portions. If we defend religious liberty only when Christians are threatened, we do not truly believe in it. If we defend equal protection only when Black people need it, we have misunderstood the movement that opened doors for us. When we sang "We Shall Overcome," we were not claiming justice as Black America's private property. We were declaring that God's justice is wide enough for everybody. We marched because this country had broken its promise to us, and so America might keep that promise for generations we would never meet. I am an old civil rights worker now. I have buried friends who believed

America could be better than its fear. I cannot honor them by remaining silent while language once used against Black people is aimed at Muslim families. Silence may feel safe, but history has never remembered silence as courage. My prayer is for my Muslim brothers and sisters, and for Texas. I pray we do not become so frightened that we surrender the freedoms our ancestors struggled to secure. Fear may win some elections, but only love transforms hearts. The prophet Micah still tells us what God requires: do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. We have walked this road before. We know where prejudice leads when good people excuse it, politicians feed it, and the church blesses it. Sixty years ago, love and justice were the better road. They remain the better road today. And by the grace of God, they always will. WI

many of these families, not a luxury. It was the margin between keeping the house and losing it. Local Law 18 closed that door, and the people who closed it are now waving away 57,000 empty apartments as statistical noise. Everyone in this fight knows what needs to happen but will not say it out loud: Local Law 18 needs reform. Common sense reform. The kind that distinguishes between an investor running a ghost hotel and a homeowner renting a room. The kind that actually targets bad actors instead of penalizing the most economically vulnerable property owners in the city. I hear it in private conversations with elected officials, with housing attorneys, with planners. The consensus is there. The political will is not, because the same advocacy groups and political donors who pushed the original law are still in the room, and nobody wants to take their call. What this moment requires is courage, not calculation. Every month that passes with 57,000 empty stabilized apartments is

a month of families in crisis, of shelter costs ballooning, of neighborhoods destabilizing. Every month that Local Law 18 remains unreformed is another month a Black homeowner in Flatbush or Hollis faces impossible choices that wealthier New Yorkers simply never have to make. You cannot ban the small and ignore the large. You cannot mobilize armies of lobbyists against a homeowner's spare bedroom while shrugging at tens of thousands of warehoused affordable units. You cannot claim to stand for housing justice and then tell 57,000 families worth of empty apartments that the math just works out this way. The hypocrisy has to stop. Politics have to give way to people. And the officials and advocates who have the power to fix this, who know what needs to be done, have to decide which side they are actually on. Because from where I stand, in the communities I have served for decades, it is very clear who is being left out in the cold. WI

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steps forward. In every fight for our rights, we bear the blows with resolve and build back stronger. And make no mistake, Black women are not alone in this fight; they have an entire community organizing beside them. The Urban League movement is a partner investing in and developing its entrepreneurial ventures, voters are evangelizing its vision, and it is

standing on the backs of women who have come and fought before them in the face of oppression and darkness. As Lady Liberty and her torch lit the way for freedom through revolutions, Black women and their resilience carry the torch that lights our path to a brighter future ahead. WI

JEALOUS from Page 25

Confederacy taking it back with rifles. He did the arithmetic anyway. Poor white farmers wanted the same free schools his people wanted. Together they were a majority. Apart they canceled each other out. So he pushed for a deal with the unlikeliest partner in Virginia, a railroad magnate and former Confederate general named William Mahone. In 1879 Bland stood before his own people and made the case. He won them over. They called themselves Readjusters, and they swept into power. In a few short years they abolished the whipping post, repealed the poll tax and funded schools for every child. Virginia had 415 Black teachers in 1879. Soon it had 1,588. Then, in Danville, on Nov. 3, 1883, after a circular full of lies about

Black rule swept the town, white gunmen killed at least five people, four of them Black. Three days later white supremacists took back the legislature. The oldest trick, right on time. Still, they had governed four years, in the old capital of the Confederacy. The men in trouble today are in trouble together. The white man in the hollowed-out mill town and the Black man on the South Side want the same thing. A better future for their children. They are not each other's problem. Nobody is coming to tell them so. Bland did not wait for anyone. He did the math, organized and made it real. The old Readjuster arithmetic still works. Divided we cancel out our children's dreams. Together our families are the majority that can make them real. Let's get to work. WI

ty advocates, responding to the same corporate decision through different strategies. Too much of the public conversation compressed separate efforts into a single storyline. The reporting tells a more complicated story. That's where this investigation begins. Within days of Target's Jan. 24, 2025, announcement, the conversation moved beyond disappointment into organized consumer action. The Associated Press documented that civil rights leaders gathered outside Target's Minneapolis headquarters on Jan. 30 to announce a boycott beginning Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month. That reporting identified Nekima Levy Armstrong and Jaylani Hussein among the organizers and described a strategy that encouraged consumers not simply to avoid Target but to redirect their spending toward Black-owned businesses. That distinction matters. As the months unfolded, another campaign entered the national conversation. Rev. Jamal Bryant launched what became known as the Target Fast, calling on participants to refrain from shopping at Target during the 40 days of Lent while intentionally supporting Black-owned businesses. The Associated Press documented

both the religious framework and the campaign's publicly stated objectives. Faith leaders, grassroots organizers and civil rights advocates were all organizing—sometimes in parallel, sometimes overlapping, never quite the same movement. That distinction later became one of the most important findings in this reporting. More than a year later, Capital B Atlanta reported that Levy Armstrong, Monique Cullars-Doty and Hussein publicly maintained that the boycott they helped organize after Target's January 2025 announcement was separate from Bryant's later Target Fast. According to that reporting, Bryant's decision to conclude the Target Fast did not end the independently organized boycott they believed remained active. Bryant publicly announced the conclusion of the Target Fast in March 2026, pointing to negotiations and commitments that, in his view, represented meaningful progress. The Minnesota organizers publicly viewed the matter differently. This column does not choose between those positions. It is preserving them. That is the difference between opinion and reporting. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

we've achieved since Reconstruction has been the fruit of perseverance, community and collective action, most of which was either led by or deeply supported by a foundation of committed Black women. That history shows us that the leadership we see today is legacy and prophecy for our country's future. At every setback, we take two

Whenever working people have reason to stand together, somebody pits them against each other. Dr. King named it in Montgomery in 1965. Borrowing from historian C. Vann Woodward, he called segregation a strategy to keep the masses divided and labor cheap. After that party, I went to my grandmother's house and laid the burden on her table. Her grandfather was Edward David Bland, born enslaved in Virginia in 1848. He was 16 when he walked out of slavery in the last days of the war, and he learned to make shoes. Then he went into politics at the worst moment imaginable. Reconstruction was over, the troops sent home, the men who once ran the

FARR from Page 25

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er commitments made after George Floyd's murder were quietly being abandoned. What began as a dispute over corporate policy quickly became something larger. It became a question of trust.

Who Called It

"I'm good on any MLK Boulevard." That's the shorthand for what Target once represented to many Black consumers. A retailer that showed up where we live, invested in what we build, and treated Black spending power as something worth respecting — not just extracting. The company built a reputation for investing in Black-owned brands, Black designers, and Black entrepreneurs. Those relationships mattered because they created opportunities beyond shelf space. Target's January 2025 announcement prompted many consumers to ask whether those commitments had changed — or only the language surrounding them. The reporting does not support a single origin story. Instead, it documents multiple organizing efforts that emerge over time, led by different organizations, clergy and communi-

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