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District Showcases New Businesses, Dimensions Healthcare System Faces Additional Scrutiny Page 13 Housing Units Page 10
Vol. 51, No. 5 Nov. 12 - Nov. 18 , 2015
The Washington Informer Salutes America’s Veterans WASHINGTON INFORMER EXCLUSIVE
Wade Henderson Prepares to Pass the Baton
Breast Cancer Survivor Starts Nonprofit Page 21
National Opera Prepares for Premier of ‘Appomattox’ Page 28
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL
Successfully Directed The Leadership Conference for 20-Year Stint By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor After 20 years leading one of the nation’s most respected organizations that has served as the lobbying arm of the civil rights movement, its president and CEO, Wade Henderson, has announced that he will step down at the end of 2016. Henderson, 67, known for his affection and devotion to his community, stands as a proud Washingtonian who has lived in his home in the Bloomingdale community in Northwest for over 30 years. Since his announcement, accolades have poured in
Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights for the past two decades, has decided to step down at the end of 2016 to make room for “next generation to lead and to thrive.” / Photo courtesy of Politico
from lawmakers and civil rights leaders representing every part of the nation, touting his exemplary service and tenure at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights – from former Attorney General Eric Holder and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to Congressman John Lewis and NAACP Legal and Defense Educational Fund President and Director-Counsel Sherrilyn Ifill. Henderson said the service he’s rendered has always been a labor of love. “It has been a privilege to be part of an institution that has helped to create a better world in the struggle for equality,” he said. “I view this as a marathon, not as a sprint. Beginning with the Civil War and continuing from there, the struggle for equality in terms of the definition posed in the U.S. Constitution remains an enduring task that must go on from one generation to another.” “I have been here for one generation. I think the time to facilitate new leadership is now. One of the responsibilities of a true leader is to recognize the good work you have done and then to create opportunities for your successor. When I came on the scene, I was a young man living in a segregated world. America said it wanted justice and equality for all but the reality was something quite different. None-
HENDERSON Page 9 Celebrating Over 50 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area
5 Over 500 students from Cora L. Rice Elementary School in Landover, Maryland marched to FedEx Field on Tuesday, Nov. 10 to kick-off their event called “Let’s Explore Literacy.” The students waved to passing cars and were greeted by the administrative staff of Washington’s professional football team. / Photo by Shevry Lassiter READ FULL STORY Page 16
Alzheimer’s – Recognizing the Symptoms, Signs and Stages Nation Focuses on Destructive, Disarming Disease By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor It started with my mother forgetting how to get around in a small town in which she had lived for over three decades. As it continued she became unable to remember how to make many of our family’s favorite meals. Soon, she was misplacing her keys, forgetting to pay bills and asking the same questions over and over again. We began to wonder what was wrong and while hoping for
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the best, realized that our worst fears would probably be confirmed – they were after we took our 87-year-old matriarch, former educator, church leader and community volunteer, to her physician. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. As the reality set in, I began to do my research – not as a veteran reporter but as a beloved son, concerned as to what I could do, how I could help – all the while fearful
ALZHEIMERS Page 24