The Washington Informer - December 10, 2015

I N S I D E

Baltimore Cop’s Trial Enters Second Week Page 5

Black Residents Boycott, Support Local Businesses Page 17

D.C. Blacks Pay More for Car Insurance Page 19

Motown Musical – A Great Way to Enjoy Holidays Page 30

Vol. 51, No. 9 Dec. 10 - Dec. 16 , 2015

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Rev. Jesse Jackson Leads Chicago Demonstrators Latest Police Video Fuels Spike Lee, others, Call for Mayor to Resign

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

5President Barack Obama and family turn on the lights of the 2015 Christmas Tree and celebrate with a large crowd in the President’s Park in Northwest on Thursday, Dec. 3. / Photo by Roy Lewis See more pictures on pages 36 and 37.

Obama Addresses a Nation Fearful of Terrorism President Debunks Myth of Muslims as ‘Evil’

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor In a rare Oval Office address, President Barack Obama spoke to America on Sunday, Dec. 6 in an attempt to both calm and reassure a nation, vowing to succeed in an expanded campaign

against terrorist acts instigated by the Islamic State [ISIS] while also imploring citizens to refrain from the vilification of Muslims.

At the same time, Obama sought approval by Congress for a new legal authorization for the use of military force, first launched by the U.S. in August

The Rev. Jesse Jackson and more than 400 demonstrators took to the streets on Sunday, Dec. 5 to demand police accountability in Chicago – a city wrought with violence and still reeling from the release of a video showing a police officer unloading 16 shots into Black teenager Laquan McDonald.

The demonstration came as Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced still another controversial video of a police officer shooting an African-American man is about to be released.

Emanuel said the city is preparing to release a dash cam video that reportedly shows Chicago Police Officer George Hernandez shooting 25-year-old Ronald Johnson III in the back as he ran from police.

The shooting occurred in October 2014, eight days before the fatal shooting of the 17-year-old Laquan on Oct. 20, 2014.

The city released the dash cam video of Laquan’s shooting on Nov. 24, soon after Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder in his death.

CHICAGO Page 38

2014.

And with recommendations coming from people like Donald Trump and Rand Paul, both GOP presidential candidates, who want to either close U.S. borders from all Muslims or pre-

OBAMA ADDRESS Page 11

DC Office of Pensions ‘Bullies’ 91 Year Old Retired District Teacher Threatened with Pension Loss

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer Bernice Tillett taught for decades in the Anne Arundel County and Washington, D.C. school districts, helping prepare countless local students for graduation and a career of their choice that could help lead them

to a secure future.

When Tillett retired in 1982, she and those who know her were convinced she had not only accomplished her mission as an English teacher, but a generous pension from the District of Columbia Teachers’ Retirement Plan would secure her golden years.

However, last month, Pennsylvania Avenue called with some disturbing – if not insensitive – news for the now 91-year-old former educator.

“My mom is feeling stressed out as our elders tend to become when they receive news like this,”

PENSION Page 10

Celebrating 51 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area

5 A demonstration, led by the Rev. Jesse Jackson in memory of Laquan Jackson, drew hundreds of protesters and shut down the Magnificent Mile at the height of shopping time in Chicago. / Photo courtesy of NBCChicago

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Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

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15th Annual Heroines of Washington Benefitting the March of Dimes

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Heroines of Washington Benefitting the March of Dimes

Dondi Saunders and Jeana Foster, Co-Chairs of the 2015 Heroines of Washington Gala

United Bank Lifetime Achievement Awardee Pat Williams, Founder, GraceFul Care

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5 Howard University students and members of the nation’s oldest Black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, gather on campus to remember the founding

of their organization, started by seven young Black college students at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York on Dec. 4, 1906. / Photo by Roy Lewis

Religion

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Women Break WI H O T the T OCycle P I Cof S Domestic Violence Compiled by D. Kevin McNeir / WI Editor

law enforcement. said they she said.

Rainbow PUSH Symposium to She Focus on threat,” Media, Technology

By Tia Carol Jones WI Staff Writer

had come together to bring a Among the programs Marlow The sense futureofofuniformity media andintechnology be explored during the 2015 the way will wants to see implemented are annual symposium, sponsored by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

When L.Y. Marlow's 23-year- domestic violence victims and stricter restraining order policies, two-day event, scheduled for Dec.more 15 and 16 atforthe Capitol Hilton in old daughter told her the fatherThe survivors are treated. rights victim's families Northwest, willusing also her include special tribute to D.C.’s Richard Smallof her daughter threatened her “She's own apersonal to intervene onown behalf of a viclife, and the life of their child, wood, story, the legendary gospel singer and composer, and will honor the late her own personal pain to tim, a domestic violence assessshe knew something had to Helen be push Burnsforward,” Jackson. Davis-Nickens ment unit coupled with further done. Out of her frustrationWorkshops said about training law that enforcement andMarlow. concurrent sessions will focus onforthemes include: the with lawdivide; enforcement's handling Davis-Nickens said agenda; anyone motivating agencies, Blacks a Child's Life inProtecdigital how media has disrupted the social justice to vote the 2016 ofpresidential the situation, she decided to whoa reads Marlow's book will tion Act and mandatory counselelection; and developing pipeline for Black entrepreneurs. startThe theRev. Saving “get it.”

Sheofsaid she “puts the willing Jesse Promise Jackson, camJr., longtime leader Rainbow PUSH, befor on batterers. hand, as will representatives paign. case in such a way, the average “If are the everPublic going to eradifrom other co-sponsors of the event including the Citizenship Education we Fund, Policy Insti“It seems to be a vicious cycle person can get it.” She said at the cate domestic violence, we must tute and the Media Telecommunications Project.

For more information, go to www.rainbowpush.org that won't turn my family end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin. loose,” Marlow said. Marlow help people begin to have a dia- We need to address both the vicshared her story with the audi- logue about domestic violence. tim and the batterer,” Marlow ence at the District Heights Also present at the event was said.

Domestic Violence Symposium Mildred Muhammad, the exalso like Inc., to seethe On Friday, Dec. 4, more than 400 supporters Marlow of Unitywould Health Care, on May 7 at the District Heights wife of John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise non-profit health and social services organization, celebrated its Municipal Center. TheDistrict’s sympo- largest who was sentenced to six consec- awareness among children in of providing human services to the medically undersium was sponsored 30-year by thelegacy utive life terms health withoutand parole public and private schools. She served in all eight wards of D.C. Family and Youth Services by a Maryland jury for his role in feels children need to be educatIn 2014, the UnityBeltway served Sniper more than 108,000 individuals and families from the Center of the city of District attacks in ed about domestic violence. eight D.C. wards, of whom were underinsured or uninsured, working poor, Heights and the National Hook2002. many Mildred Muhammad is “We have to stop being pasUp of Black Women. homeless, incarcerated the founderorofreturning After the citizens.

Trauma, sive-aggressive with poor chilMarlow has written a Guests book, forantheorganization gala, themedthat “Thirty Healing,” tookviolence,” place at the helpsYears the of dren aboutwhich domestic “Color Me Butterfly,” is a survivors of domestic Washington Hilton which in Northwest, included: Mistress ofviolence Ceremonies and said.

Congresswoman Eleanor Marlow story about four generations of and their children.

Marlow has worked to break Holmes Norton and Councilmembers David Gross, Brandon Todd, Yvette Alexander and LaRuby May. domestic violence. bookcommunity, is “I lived in fear leaders for six years. the cycle abusealso in her family,and Members of theThe medical including fromSix the health care of facility attended inspired by her own experiences, years in fear is a long time. It is and is confident the policies she shared remarks. and“We those her grandmother, an easy thingand to cherish come out is pushing fortowill start that areofexcited to celebrate thisnot accomplishment our legacy in service the people of the her mother and her daughter. of,” she said. process. nation’s capital since 1985. We stay committed to our core value of promoting healthier communities She said every time she reads Mildred Muhammad said “I plan to take these policies to throughfrom compassion and human services, regardless of ability to pay,” said excerpts her book,and shecomprehensive still people health who want to help a Congress and implore them to president and CEO for Unity Care, Inc., Vincent A. Keane. can not believe the words cameHealth domestic violence victim must change our laws,” Marlow said. from her. “Color Me Butterfly” be careful of how they go into “I will not stop until these poliwon the 2007 National “Best the victim's life, and understand cies are passed.”

Books” Award. that she may be in “survival Tia Carol Jones can be reached “I was just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net of the District [UDC] announced the grand opening of my eye first blackenedThe andUniversity my “Before you getoftoColumbia 'I'm going its highly-anticipated student center, as located at 4200WI Connecticut Avenue Northwest, lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' it started a verbal Elaine Davis-Nickens, on thepresischool’s flagship Van Ness campus, with a media preview tour on Tuesday, Dec. dent of the National8. Hook-Up An official public opening and ribbon cutting are planned for January 20, 2016. of Black Women, said there is no The University’s new Student Center, designed as a national model of energy sustainconsistency in the way domestic ability, is targeted for LEED-Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Energy Council. violence issues are dealt by The with $63 million project features 96,000 square feet of new and remodeled construction with outdoor atriums, a green roof and accompanying rain garden and a water treatment system which mitigates the amount and monitors the quality of water entering the city’s drainage system.

“The new Student Center will serve as a destination for students and residents from all eight wards of the city, opening a new chapter of quality and affordability, which is the heart of an advanced public system of higher learning that serves the District of Columbia, surrounding community and those who come to the nation’s capital to maximize their educational pursuits,” said UDC President Ronald Mason, Jr. Building co-architect and UDC alumnus, Michael Marshall, principal and design director for Marshall Moya Design, led the guided tour and, along with other UDC leadership team members, answered questions posed from the press.

Unity Health Marks 30 Years of Healing District Residents

Wilhelmina J. Rolark In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. PUBLISHER Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER Denise Rolark(ISSN#0741-9414) Barnes NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is NEWSPAPER THE WASHINGTON INFORMER is published published on each Thursday.postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional weeklyweekly on Thursday.

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UDC Launches New State-of-the-Art Student Center

“

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these policies to Congress and implore them to change our Bernie Sanders Joins Baltimore Leaders in Ecumenical Roundtable Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders joined the Rev. Jamal Bryant, pastor laws. I will not stop until and founder of Empowerment Temple Church in Baltimore, as part of an ecumenical round table discussion that provided civic and religious leaders an passed. opportunity to these discuss issuespolicies directly impactingare the Black community in the

“

In Memoriam The Washington Informer Dr. Calvin Newspaper W. Rolark, Sr.

city and across the U.S. L.Y. Center Marlow The meeting took place at the Freddie Gray Empowerment on EuPaul Trantham taw Place in Baltimore on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

John E. DeFreitas, Shevry Lassiter, Sanders spoke to the group so that they could gain a better understanding Roy Lewis, Corey Parrish, of his position on issues pertaining to aggressive policing, mass incarceration, racial profiling, housing, economic Travis Riddick, Nancy Shia development and education.

After the discussion, the collective group embarked on a walking tour of the Sandtown-Winchester neighbor4 / May 15 - 21, 2008 The Washington Informer / www.washingtoninformer.com hood in Baltimore. The West Baltimore community is where Freddie Gray lived and the place in which he was arrested. It remains one of the most blighted and problematic areas in the city.

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Baltimore Cop’s Trial Enters Second Week

AROUND THE REGION

5 William Porter (right), one of six Baltimore city police officers charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, walks into a courthouse with his attorney Joseph Murtha for jury selection in his trial, Monday, Nov. 30 in Baltimore.

Porter faces charges of manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. / Pool Photo Rob Carr

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer The trial of a Baltimore police officer charged in the death of a Black man from injuries suffered in custody will likely to focus on the officer’s medical expertise, the victim’s history of claiming injury and even how closely the officer read his e-mail, according to multiple reports from several news organizations inside the courtroom for the first week of the trial of Officer William Porter.

Porter is the first of the six police officers to stand trial in the death of Freddie Gray, an African-American Baltimore resident who died in police custody in April.

Gray’s death touched off a firestorm of controversy, led to weeks of civil unrest and eventual charges, including murder, against six police officers.

Still, prosecutors are facing an uphill battle. They must prove the officer knew he was violating policy when he failed to secure Gray in a police van and did not get him medical help despite repeated pleas, legal experts told Reuters.

“The biggest doubt in the case

comes down to what was going on in Officer Porter’s head,” said David Jaros, a University of Baltimore law professor.

Jaros added that he was unsure that prosecutors could prove that Porter knew there was a high risk of death or serious injury by not getting Gray medical attention.

Porter, 26, is on trial in Baltimore City Circuit Court on charges that include involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct.

Gray was bundled into the van while handcuffed and shackled but not buckled into a seat belt. He died from a spinal injury.

Porter, who is Black, has told investigators he helped Gray onto a van bench and passed on Gray’s request for medical assistance to driver Officer Caesar Goodson and Sergeant Alicia White. None came until the van arrived at a police station.

The outcome of the six officers’ trials could influence U.S. prosecutors in bringing similar charges in cases of alleged police brutality, Reuters reported.

Warren Alperstein, a former Baltimore prosecutor, said the defense had shown that Porter

may have been unaware of a new policy that mandated that all passengers fasten seat belts in police vehicles.

The policy was sent to officers three days before Gray’s arrest via an 80-page email, testimony has shown.

“I suspect that an argument grounded in common sense and logic will be made to the jury whereby the defense attorneys ask the jury, ‘Do you read every email you get within a day or two . . . without being prompted?’” Alperstein said.

Defense attorneys said Porter received 41 emails that day.

There is no indication that the policy was announced to officers at roll call.

Porter was aware of Gray’s reputation for feigning injury during his frequent brushes with police in a bid to avoid going to jail, Jaros said.

Alperstein said medics called to examine Gray initially thought he had overdosed on drugs.

“If the paramedics couldn’t detect that it was a spinal cord injury, how could you expect an officer with barely two years on the force to distinguish whether it’s a fake injury or real?” he said. WI Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

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AROUND THE REGION

WEEK OF DEC 10 TO DEC 16

Black Facts DEC. 10

1950 - Diplomat Ralph Bunche becomes the first African-American awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

DEC. 11

1938 - Jazz pianist McCoy Tyner is born.

DEC. 12

1941 – Three-time Grammy winning singer Dionne Warwick is born on this day. She is a woman of many accomplishments including leading Hollywood’s anti-AIDS campaign and having her own skin care line.

1963 – The east African nation of Kenya is proclaimed independent from colonial rule. The first president is the charismatic Jomo Kenyatta.

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1903 – An unsung heroines of the Civil Rights Movement Ella Baker is born in Norfolk, Virginia. She directed the New York branch of the NAACP; became executive director of the Martin Luther King, Jr.founded Southern Christian Leadership Conference during the turbulent 1960s; and played a key role in the founding of the “black power” oriented Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

1913 – Archie Moore is born Archibald Lee White in Benoit, Mississippi. He becomes light heavyweight champion in 1952.

1981 – Old-style black comedian Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham dies. His standup comedy routine was a major attraction at many black-oriented events and shows during the 1950s and 1960s.

illegal in America since 1808. But the law was poorly enforced. However, fearing possible arrest by federal authorities, owners burned the Clotilde and attempted to scatter the salves. But a group managed to escape and succeeded in establishing a village near Mobile known as “Africatown.” The last known survivor of this group was Cudjo Lewis (African name Kossula).

DEC. 17

1663 – Queen Nzingha of Angola dies at the age of 82. Known as the Warrior Princess of Matamba, Queen Nzingha gained legendary fame for her resistance to Portuguese attempts to colonize the interior of Africa. She also battled the Dutch slave trade.

Leading a tribal group known as the Jugas, she is generally credited with leading the stiffest resistance to early European colonialism and imperialism.

DEC. 18

1917 – Performer Ossie Davis is born Raiford Chatman Davis on this day in Cogdell, Georgia.

Davis was probably black America’s best example of a combination entertainer and political activist. In addition to his stage and movie careers, Davis and his wife Ruby Dee were deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Davis gave the eulogies at funerals of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He died February 4, 2005. WI

DEC. 14

1915 – Jack Johnson, perhaps the most controversial black boxer in American history, wins the heavy weight championship. He fought at least 114 matches winning most of them. One biographer described Johnson as a man who “lived life his way.”

DEC. 15

1943 – Band leader and composer Thomas W. “Fats” Waller dies in Kansas City, Missouri. Waller was an accomplished musician and composer but when he formed a business relationship with the great white producer George Gershwin he became world famous. He starred on radio, nightclubs and toured Europe. He had a show called “Keep Shuffin” and his most famous song was “Ain’t Misbehavin.” He died at the young age of 39 from pneumonia.

DEC. 16

1859 – The last known slave ship – The Clotilde – lands in Mobile, Alabama with a cargo of 110 to 160 Africans. The importation of Africans as slaves had been

Dionne Warwick

AROUND THE REGION AFTER LAST WEEK’S DEADLY SHOOTING IN SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA THAT LEFT 14 PEOPLE DEAD AND 21 OTHERS INJURED, THE ISSUE OF TOUGHER GUN REGULATION HAS RETURNED TO NATIONAL DIALOGUE. DO YOU THINK LAST WEEK’S SHOOTING WILL IMPACT THE DEBATE?

NIGEL MAYNARD

HYATTSVILLE, MARYLAND

I think we’re unlikely to see compromise with the issue, mainly because each side has made its position pretty firm. You have the people who believe in the 2nd Amendment and they believe that we should have guns, and you have those who believe there should be gun control. I doubt we will see a compromise. The gun lobby, on both sides, is pretty powerful. It’s unlikely that the debate will change things.

JOAQUIN WALKER WASHINGTON, D.C.

TARIK CARTER

TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND

CAROL SCURLOCK

I unfortunately think that things will remain the same. Both sides realize that this is an ongoing issue, but both are stuck in their ways and they’ve planted their feet. They don’t want to budge. That could be because of the funding one side receives. I think we will continue to see more of the same until we really look at it closely and examine the issue.

I think the debate has switched from just being an issue with the wording of the 2nd Amendment to being an issue about the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) lobby and its ability to create laws. Where it’s going now is interesting. Some people are starting to focus on the NRA’s influence and the amount of money that’s being poured in. I hope that this is the tipping point of the debate. But after the Sandy Hook shooting where all those children died, the debate petered out.

I just really don’t know where the debate is going.

I don’t think the debate will shift and go anywhere. There is a lot of money involved in the gun lobby. The National Rifle Association has its hand in it. The 2nd Amendment argument isn’t completely accurate because the weapons available back then are nothing when compared to the ones today. A lot has changed. But I don’t think that the latest event will shift the debate and action to more gun control. It’s not going to go anywhere.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

PHYLLIS BIVENS

SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND

I don’t feel as if human lives are valued enough by the profitable gun business to make a difference.

Money seems to come first and the gun lobby is huge. Even with the amount of times this continues to happen, I don’t think this will change anyone’s mind enough to actually make a difference.

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Documentary Explores Legacy of John Lewis

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

nis.com

deden ww.sa

Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) has a deep history in civil rights dating back to when Blacks didn’t have the right to vote, couldn’t receive service in restaurants and hotels and found themselves forced to use “colored only” bathrooms.

Highlights of his more than five C O M M U N I C AT I O N S decades of American history were 301.292.9141/FAX 301.292.9142/Mobile 703.819.0920 viewed in a documentary called doris@mcmilloncommunications.com/www.mcmilloncommunications.com “Get in the Way: Journey of John Lewis” at a screening on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Newseum in Northwest.

The film pays tribute to Lewis and marks the 50th anniversary of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, that eventually convinced Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act. Lewis served as one of the leaders during the nonviolent protest on March 7, 1965 that became known as “Bloody Sunday” when state troopers attacked hundreds of people on a bridge in Selma.

“I get emotional every time I watch [the film] because it repDenise Rolark Barnes resents an incredible journey ConIndependent Beauty Consultant gressman Lewis has had,” said www.marykay/drolark-barnes.com Charles Floyd Johnson, executive 202-236-8831 producer of the 65-minute documentary. “I thought the work that Congressman Lewis has done for all these years needed to get out there and be seen by many. I love this film.”

The film was presented by the National Association of Black Journalists with the event sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

It shows black and white footage of Lewis as a student at Fisk Univer(301) 864-6070 sity in Nashville, Tennessee; images of Lewis and others attacked by police in Alabama; and several photos of him standing next to Dr. Martin MCCOLLUM & ASSOCIATES, LLC Luther King, Jr. Several members of Lewis’s famADA, Age Discrimination, Benefits, Civil Rights, ily were interviewed in 1990 in his COBRA, Contracts, Deaf Law, Defamation, Disability Law, hometown of Pike County, AlaDiscipline, Discrimination, FMLA, FLSA, FOIA, bama, where they raised chickens.

Family Responsibility, Harassment, HIPPA, OSHA, “One on occasion I tried to baptize a chicken. I tried to save the soul National Origin Discrimination, Non-Compete, a chicken,” Lewis said while sitn upper and lowercase,Race flush left as indicated on artwork at these point sizes:Act, Consultant name in 11-point HelveticaofNeue Bold; Independent Discrimination, Rehabilitation Retaliation, n 9-point Helvetica Neue Light; Web site or e-mail address in 9-point Helvetica Neue Light; phone number in 9-pointting Helvetica Neue Light. next to his sister, Ethel Turner, ® Personal Web Site program may be utilized. t Beauty Consultant: Only Company-approved Web sites Sexual obtained through the Mary KayTorts, Severance Agreements, Harassment, in the film.

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and on Capitol Hill. The documentary also highlights recent events such as when Lewis and several of his Democratic colleagues were ridiculed by protesters in 2010 before going to vote on the Affordable Care Act. “Your most recent work is always your most important, but there is something very personal about this film for me,” said director Kathleen Dowdey, a native Washingtonian now living in Los Angeles who admitted it took 20 years to complete the documentary.

“I was very taken by Congressman Lewis when I first met him a long time ago. He really moved me to do more than just talk about injustice. What I really hope more than anything is when people see this they will be inspired the way I was by him to get out there and make some noise.”

Lewis, now 75, left the Alabama farm he grew up on to attend college at Fisk.

However, didn’t get to graduate in 1961 because Mississippi police put him in jail for his participation in the Freedom Rides where both Black and white college students rode buses to oppose bus segregation in the Deep South.

Two years later at age 23, Lewis stood on stage and was permitted to speak during the March on Washington in 1963.

He served as chairman for SNCC from 1963-66 and led demonstrations for voting rights, held sit-ins at restaurants and other nonviolent activities.

But one his biggest moments came in Selma in 1965 when he helped lead more than 600 protestors cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge into Montgomery to demonstrate the need for voting rights in the state. The film shows Lewis and others pushed, kicked and clubbed by state troopers after they refused to turn back. Three months later after the beatings were shown on television and in newspapers, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act in August 1965.

While still working as an activist in Atlanta, he successfully became elected to the City Council in 1981 and then in 1986, he defeated his friend and SNCC colleague Julian Bond for a seat in Congress representing Georgia’s 5th District.

Lewis has kept his Congressional seat ever since where he’s been

Photo by Roy Lewis

a ranking member of the Oversight Committee, secured millions of dollars in federal grants for his district and been arrested at least 45 times due to his participation in peaceful protests and demonstrations.

When the film ended, the more than 100 people in attendance stood to salute him.

Lewis said that for justice to prevail everyone must work together.

“We’ve made progress, but there are forces in America today that are trying to take us back as citizens in this great land,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you are straight, or gay – we all live in the same house. When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to speak up, speak out and find a way to get in the way and in good trouble.”

Malika Williams and her 14-yearold son, Reginald Allen, came to the screening after receiving an invitation from their church.

“For [Lewis] to stand up and keep speaking for us and go through all that he did is amazing,” said Allen, a ninth grader at Charles H. Flowers High School in Springdale. “Going to a predominately-black school, it’s very powerful to know that someone like [Lewis] fought for us. We have to do what’s right not only for ourselves, but for our community.”

WI

AROUND THE REGION

NW Preschoolers Get Boost with Vocabulary PNC Foundation Leads the Way with Million Dollar Grant

5Pre-kindergarten students from Thomas Elementary School in Northeast join Alma Powell, Claudine Brown, Mary Brown, and Irasema Salcido, and Michael N. Harreld during the launch event of the community program for the D.C. Promise Neighborhood Initiative, entitled “Word Expeditions” at the Smithsonian Castle on Wednesday, Dec. 2. / Photo by Patricia Little

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor Preschool children in the Northwest Kenilworth-Parkside community and their families have received a significant leg up in their quest to become better prepared for school after three D.C. organizations teamed up for a two-year $1 million grant focusing on vocabulary building.

Officials from The Smithsonian, D.C. Promise Neighborhood Initiative [DCPNI] and the PNC Foundation made the announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Smithsonian Castle in Southwest. The program’s goal is to improve vocabulary development of underserved children under the age of five, based on study results that indicate that early language skills and a larger vocabulary positively impact school readiness and educational success later in life.

Each month, The Smithsonian and DCPNI will present “Word Expeditions” workshops at the Neval Thomas Elementary School in Northeast and at four Smithsonian museums, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and the Smithsonian Associates’ Discovery Theater.

For PNC Bank Regional President Michael N. Harreld,

the program continues his own personal commitment to educating and supporting local youth.

“We decided to get involved with early childhood education programs 14 years ago and have rolled out this specific endeavor in 10 markets across the country,” said Harreld, a 45-year employee of PNC Bank. “Along the way, we’ve learned that children from lower income families don’t have the vocabulary that families with median and upper incomes do. So, their children are often behind when they start school. The impact is really seen when they’re tested in the third grade.”

“We believe that with a little more engagement with family literacy and by getting parents or caregivers involved, we can really help to improve the vocabulary skills of children and their families,” he said. “The children will have projects to do at home, distributed by DCPNI, and their parents will help them so that everyone benefits. Smithsonian educators will support the venture with programs at their various venues. It’s a holistic approach to teaching children that if successful, could be expanded to 19 states in which our bank’s currently involved.”

Smithsonian Associates Di-

rector Fredie Adelman said her mission has long been to encourage the community to seek learning opportunities at every stage of life – from early childhood to senior citizens.

“Our Discovery Theater is one of the Smithsonian’s hidden treasures and we want the public to know about it – and you don’t have to be a member to participate,” said Adelman who’s been in her current position for almost three years and an employee of the Smithsonian for 25 years.

“What’s really special about this program is how we’re bringing the ‘Word Exhibitions’ into the community,” she said. “We’re going to the parents, we’re exposing children to the Smithsonian’s multiple venues, and we’re doing constant follow up.”

“Word Exhibitions” has been developed to work with lowand moderate-income families

to expose their young children to more words beginning at birth to build their vocabularies and prepare them for kindergarten.

“With a list of words and with specifically chosen objects, we hope to maintain the interest of the children, who, as they learn more, will eventually be able to lead their parents or caregivers through our museum exhibits.

It’s all about making the community feel more comfortable and more fully engaged,” she added.

The program currently supports 60 children.

DCPNI’s executive director, Mary Brown, said she’s confident that the program will yield significant benefits for all.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for exposure for early learners in the arts and in education and it’s unique for children and parents to be able to learn together,” Brown said.

“It’s also a great way for the

Smithsonian and PNC Bank to learn how to continually respect and engage communities in philanthropic endeavors. We appreciate the largess, the gift, but it’s vital that communities and their narratives continue to be valued,” added Brown, whose program is based out of Ward 7.

“What’s often ignored is the fact that our community leaders are the real experts,” she said. “They know what’s needed – they just need the support and access. We’re just facilitating the transfer of knowledge to them so that with their strength and brilliance, they can take programs like this on for themselves. We always point to marginalized communities and the poverty they face – but we rarely highlight how these parents, mostly mothers, step up to lead and to serve over and over again in support of their children.”

WI

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PENSION from Page 1 said her son, the Rev. Stephen Tillett, pastor of Asbury Broadneck United Methodist Church and the president of the Anne Arundel County chapter of the NAACP. Tillett said on Nov. 9, his elderly mother received a letter from the Department of Treasury Office of D.C. Pensions [ODCP] in Northwest notifying her that they intend to collect an overpayment of benefits she received from the District of Columbia Teachers’ Retirement Plan.

What’s more, the letter stated that the overpayment is the result of administrative errors that were made by the District in the original calculation of Tillett’s benefit when she retired 33 years ago.

“I find it unconscionable that in 2015, 33 years after her retirement, that her peace of mind is being disturbed in order for ODCP to recoup money from an error they made,” the reverend said.

The ODCP said the debt totals more than $6,000 and they plan to reduce by $660.40 per month her retirement benefits, leaving the retired 91-year-old very little on which to live.

Several messages left for ODCP were not returned.

“Our retired teachers should be aware of this injustice and have a portal for sharing their stories,” Elizabeth Davis, president of the Washington’s Teachers’ Union, said in an email.

Bruce Friedland, a spokesman for the Internal Revenue Service, said while he couldn’t comment on Tillett’s or any other specific case, the IRS is always willing to sit down with a plan provider who has made mistakes.

He said there’s precedent where a plan provider comes in and acknowledges a mistake and they go over options in recouping the funds, including options that won’t burden a pension recipient.

“It’s not rare when these mistakes occur,” Friedland said. “The plan [in this case ODCP] has some discretion on how to solve their problem.”

Tillett isn’t alone.

Sallie Letterlough retired as a teacher in 1995 and later was told that she owed $22,000 because of a pension payment error.

She said after meeting with her local congress office and loads of paperwork, she’s been able to whittle down the debt to $8,000 for which she’s trying to get a waiver.

“It’s been a nightmare,” Letter-

5 Former D.C. educator Bernice Tillett, 91, faces an uphill battle against the government who wants money returned after she was overpaid her retirement benefits for years. / Courtesy photo

lough said. “I really sympathize with [Tillett]. It’s such a long process with so much paperwork involved and the process is far from over and so complicated.”

Ed Cochran started receiving a monthly pension check from his union in 1995. Two decades later, he too received a letter saying the fund was mistakenly overpaying him and demanded he repay $66,721.

“I literally thought I was going to have a heart attack. How was I going to come up with $67,000?

I didn’t sleep all night,” Cochran told CNNMoney.

The pension fund said it miscalculated his benefit. It was paying him $1,319 a month, which was $262 more than he was owed. Cochran was never told the correct amount so he had no reason to believe the checks he was getting were too much. Not only does he have to repay what he wasn’t owed, but the fund wants the interest back, too.

Cochran is just one of 589 retirees overpaid by the Chicago-based Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 73 pension fund. It found the mistakes during an audit in 2010, and it began trying to recoup the $5 million it overpaid over the course of 40 years.

It’s unclear why the fund waited five years to go after the money. An attorney for the union did not respond to requests for comment.

Cochran and seven other retirees filed a lawsuit, asking that the fund waive the repayment charges and continue to pay them their deserved pension benefits.

“I’ve never heard of another

case where someone completely innocent is required to pay back tens of thousands of dollars,” said attorney Tim Kelly who is representing the retirees.

Similarly, Tillett said he wants his mother’s debt to be waived and noted that it’s unreasonable and untimely to request she pay it back after 33 years.

“I shudder to think what the other octogenarian or nonagenarian recipients of the demand letter must be going through who don’t have younger relatives or friends to advocate on their behalf,” Tillett said.

Bernice Tillett taught for 36 years from 1946 to 1982 at three different schools, including Roosevelt Senior High School in Northwest. She began her career in Anne Arundel County from 1946-52 and then returned to the District until her retirement.

“She was an English teacher par excellence and still edits and proofreads to this day,” her son said.

“She is stressed out and unnerved by the demand from the Department of the Treasury Office of DC Pensions and finds it to be grossly unfair, inappropriate and wrongheaded.”

Tillett said everyone makes mistakes and must live with the consequences of those errors.

“I would suggest, rather than troubling senior citizens who were good and faithful employees of the D.C. Public Schools years ago to cover their errors, that they just, as her grandson would say, ‘Charge it to the game’ and ensure that they don’t make this kind of error again with future annuitants,” he said. WI

AROUND THE REGION OBAMA from Page 1 vent refugees from certain countries from obtaining tourist and immigration visas, the president called on Americans to refrain from taking actions based on fear.

“Even in this political season, even as we properly debate what steps I and future presidents must take to keep our country safe, let’s make sure we never forget what makes us exceptional,” Obama said. “Let’s not forget that freedom is more powerful than fear.”

A recent CNN poll suggests that only 38 percent of Americans approve of how the president is handling terrorism; two-thirds doubt that he has an adequate plan to deal with the challenge of continued terrorism.

And while his address did not unveil any new initiatives, he did share four vital points.

“We have been in the fight against terrorism since 9/11 but over the last few years the threat has evolved into a new phase,” he said. “We’re seeing growing efforts to poison the minds of people like the Boston bombers and those in San Bernardino, California. The threat we face is real – but we will overcome it. Success will depend on our being strong,

smart, resilient and relentless while drawing on every aspect of American power,” Obama said.

Obama’s four points in summary: the military will step up efforts to search out terrorists in every part of the world; U.S. military will continue to provide training to forces in Syria; an American-led coalition of 65 countries will increase efforts to prevent ISIS from recruiting and fundraising; and an international community will be called upon to begin the process and develop a timeline to cease a Syrian War that would then allow America’s allies to focus on their common goal of destroying ISIS. He also asked Congress to support common-sense reforms to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, including the barring of those on the government’s no-fly list from acquiring weapons.

Finally, the president said he refused to endorse efforts by those who want to stoke hatred against Muslims and often paint them as inherently dangerous.

“We cannot turn against one another by letting this war be defined as a war against America and Islam,” he said. “Muslim Americans are our friends and our neighbors, our co-workers, our sports heroes, and yes, they

are our men and women in uniform, who are willing to die in defense of our country.”

Congressman Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress and the first nonwhite that Minnesota has ever elected to Congress, said in his book (published in 2014) “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” that he’s proud of his political role in pursuing justice for Muslim Americans whose constitutional rights continue to be imperiled by bigotry and ignorance.

Ellison issued a statement following Trump’s recent call for an end to Muslim immigration.

“Donald Trump should reread the words of our Constitution about religious freedom and tolerance. Do we really want someone who doesn’t understand our values speaking to the world on our behalf? The fact that [he’s] leading in the Republican Presidential primary polls should raise deep concerns about where Republicans want to lead our country.

Demagogues like Trump appeal to the worst in people . . . Americans know that we are braver and better than this,” Ellison said.

One longtime Muslim and community activist who lives in Northwest said he and other Muslims have been promoting the true tenets of Islam for years –

something that Obama issued as a challenge to American Muslims during his Sunday night address.

“The Constitution protects me and others and we have the right to choose our religion and not face discrimination because of that choice,” said Ibrahim Mumin, 68, a longtime resident and business consultant in the Northwest Shaw community.

“As a member of the mosque Masjid Muhammad, we’ve been involved in the community for 80 years – 55 in our present location.

Those who claim membership to ISIL never quote the Koran or the Prophet Mohammed. They are criminals and should be treated as such.”

“We don’t need to round up Muslims like America did to Japanese-Americans during World War II. We’re better than that,” Mumin added.

Meanwhile, a retired chief deputy U.S. Marshall now living in Maryland said terrorist attacks don’t top his list of concerns.

“Truthfully, I’m more fearful of being stopped by rogue cops,” said Matthew Fogg, who served as a U.S. Marshall for 32 years.

“It may be a few bad apples but we don’t know which ones are the bad apples. And given recent examples in Chicago, New York City and Cleveland, it’s not just

a few police officers who are bad – there are thousands and they’re mistreating Blacks. We need to focus on our own backyards and clean them up first,” Fogg said.

WI Editor’s note regarding the use of terms: Islamic State is the English version of what the terror group calls itself. Many governments and media refuse to use this name because it gives the group legitimacy as a state and a representative of Islam.

ISIS is the militant group which began as the Iraqi branch of al Qaeda during the U.S. occupation and gained this name after it invaded Syria in 2013.

ISIS is short for “Islamic State in Iraq and Syria,” or “Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham,” which is an old Arabic term for the area.

ISIL translates to “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.”

The Levant is a geographical term that refers to the eastern shore of the Mediterranean – Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Jordan. It’s the term the U.S. government uses since the “Levant” is apparently a better translation for al-Sham, the Arabic name for the region.

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Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

11

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Metro Fares Will Remain the Same New GM Attends First Meeting

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

5Metro’s new general manager and

CEO, Paul J. Wiedefeld, attended his first meeting as head of the agency Thursday, Dec. 3. His first day was Nov. 30. / Photo courtesy of WMATA

Metro’s new general manager and CEO, Paul J. Wiedefeld, participated in his first board of directors meeting Thursday, Dec. 3 at the company’s headquarters in Northwest.

Wiedefeld, who began his first day Nov. 30, applauded the agency’s proposed fiscal year 2017 budget which has no fare increase and maintains the current level of service.

“My focus is the safety, reliability and fiscal management so [the budget] does that. We are still in the middle of the process, but it’s almost a good time for me to be coming in …

so I can bring some different thoughts to it,” he said at the board of directors Finance and Administration committee session. “I think the proposal…is a good strategy right now until we get on our trails for some of these things going forward.”

The projected $1.7 billion spending plan has a 3 percent decrease from the current budget Metro officials look to protect customers and employees, boost ridership and regain trust of the thousands who commute in the District, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

One security measure in the budget deals with using a team of six Metro Transit Police of-

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ficers for a 60-day assignment at a dozen targeted stations to reduce fare evasions. Officials hope the visibility of officers will ensure customers pay and employees aren’t assaulted.

They will ride on buses and be delegated at 10 stations in the District: Anacostia, Brookland, Congress Heights, Deanwood, Gallery Place, Judiciary Square, Minnesota Avenue, Navy Yard, Tenleytown and Takoma Station. The other two stations are Naylor Road in Temple Hills, Maryland, and Pentagon in Arlington.

Another major focus seeks to improve customer service by having more people ride the train.

Metro released a report in October that outlined how ridership on its rail system decreased in the last five years based on the local economy, federal tax benefit to using public transportation, telecommuting, carpooling and bicycling to work and safety.

One idea to bring new riders is the creation of an unlimited “University Pass” for full-time college students to use on the bus and train. The agency has been working on a pilot program with American University that has nearly 12,000 students.

Another proposal would be to not charge riders who enter and exit station a station within a 15-minute period based on congestion, or a late train. Commuters are currently charged $1.75 during off-peak hours and $2.15 at peak times.

As part of the customer service initiative, the agency may change its peak-fare time from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m.

“The revenue loss associated with this change would be close to $200,000 per month, or about $2 million annually…” according to the budget. However, it may soothe the frustration riders have when a station is overcrowded, or when a train runs late.

Continuing with revenues, there could be a possible 5 percent decrease from the current $938 million to $890 million in the next fiscal year, which begins in July.

About $5 million would

come from nonfare income toward advertising. In addition, $2 million could be saved in administrative expenses and another $20 million from a “board efficiency work plan.”

Public hearings on the budget may begin next month with it being slated for approval in April.

Before the budget was discussed, the board of directors’ Customer Service and Operations committee heard a presentation on ways the agency could improve from Lynn Bowersox, Metro’s assistant manager for customer service and communication.

A graph showed customer satisfaction among rail customers stood at 84 percent in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013; it dipped to 67 percent in the third quarter of fiscal year 2015.

During that same period with bus customers, the percentage started at 81 percent, fluctuated for several quarters and finally rose to 82 percent.

Other goals to improve customer satisfaction include redesigning its website, making recent software upgrades to provide information on trains 40 minutes away versus the previous 20 minutes, and boost Metro’s SmartBenefits program to regional employers so its workers could receive discounts, or a pre-tax deduction, on a SmartTrip card.

Some directors said there’s still more work to be done.

D.C. board member Tom Bulger said customer service could be improved among Metro staff. During a recent visit to the Capitol Heights station, the manager wasn’t seen for 35 minutes.

Director and Alexandria mayor William Eullie was more direct about the behavior of some station employees: “If a customer approaches them, you may as well approach a bear.”

Malcolm Augustine, who represents Prince George’s County on the board, said he received positive feedback from customers that included a manager at the Largo Town Center station.

“I think (Metro employees) are doing a good job,” he said.

WI

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BUSINESS

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The Kochs and Blacks “The sad fact is that once people began to get something for nothing, then they want more and more at the same price. Frederick Chase Koch, Charles Koch, chairman and CEO It doesn’t make a difference what kind American you are, Black or White, Democrat or Republican, odds are that you’ve recently patronized a Koch Brothers’ enterprise. Because they are loyal pawns of party politicians,

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Legendary CEO Charles Koch shows managers, entrepreneurs, leaders, students, innovators and employees of all kinds how to apply the principles of his revolutionary Market-Based Management system to generate good profit in their organizations, companies and lives.

William Reed / Columnist Blacks have been misled to believe that the Koch brothers are no friend to them.

Charles Koch, chairman and CEO of Koch Industries Inc., has released a new book, “Good Profit.” In It, Koch provides a detailed look at his Market-Based Management business philosophy, as well as personal stories illustrating the science of success.”

Koch has said that good profit as a concept is businesses succeeding only by creating long-term value for society.

Koch says, “I believe the only reason for any business to exist is to create good profit. My father believed in working hard so he could make a real contribution and thus have a life of meaning. I share his belief in the importance of accomplishment and the fulfillment it makes possible.”

What do you think of the Koch brothers? Many Blacks may want to take a look beyond the headlines to see that what Koch money and entities are in the forefront challenging America’s disparate criminal justice systems. Koch-affiliated organizations and entities dedicated to reducing society’s reliance on imprisonment as a solution to social problems have engaged with numerous Blacks toward improving their communities’ well-being, and its vocal push for criminal justice reform will continue in the ensuing weeks.

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Georgia-Pacific LLC and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of consumer products, packaging, paper, cellulose and chemicals. Georgia-Pacific has long been a leading supplier to large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers, with a wide variety of building product.

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Charles Koch’s Market-Based Management system is what drives innovations.

Based on five decades of interdisciplinary studies, experimental discovery and practical implementation across Koch businesses worldwide, the core objective of MBM is as simple as it is effective: to generate good profits. Good profit results from products and services that customers vote for freely with their dollars, products that help improve people’s lives. It results from a culture where employees are empowered to act entrepreneurially to discover customers’ preferences and the best ways to satisfy them. Good profit is the earnings that follow when longterm value is created for everyone — customers, employees, shareholders and society.

Here, drawing on decades in business, Koch walks the reader step-by-step through the five dimensions of MBM to show how any reader can apply its framework to generate good profit in any business, industry or organization of any size. Readers will learn how to: Craft a vision for how a business can thrive. Select and retain a workforce possessing both virtue and talent. Create an environment of knowledge sharing similar to a community of scientists. Award employees with ownership and decision rights.

Motivate all employees to maximize their contributions by structuring incentives.

A must-read for those who want a more civil, fair and prosperous society, “Good Profit” is destined to rank as one of the greatest management books of all time. WI William Reed is publisher of “Who’s Who in Black Corporate America” and is available for projects via busxchng@his.com.

CBC Pushing Diversity to Tech Firms that the lack of a talent pipeline is the reason that they have failed to significantly include African-Americans in technology,” Butterfield said.

In concert with the CBC, seven professional organizations for Black workers announced commitments to do more to connect Black workers or board members

BUSINESS

with the tech sector. All have released plans, developed with the caucus, detailing what their efforts will be in 2016.

Butterfield promised that the next year would be a significant one for the program.

“If you like what you’ve seen so far,” he said, “just wait until you see what’s to come.” WI

Gifting and Giving as an Estate Planning Tool

By Aimee D. Griffin, Esq.,

5

CBC Chair G.K. Butterfield said the group is focused on technology companies. / Courtesy photo

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer The Congressional Black Caucus has turned its attention to the lobbying industry as it pushes for more diversity in the tech world.

As reported by The Hill, Caucus Chairman G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) said at a Thursday, Dec. 3 event that the caucus would like to see technology companies hire more African-Americans in the District.

“We plan to focus more intently on the African-American representation within the government affairs offices of the technology companies that have plenty of available talent in Washington, D.C,” Butterfield said.

Major tech companies have established formidable lobbying operations in Washington in recent years. Google spent more than $16 million on lobbying last year, up from less than $1 million 10 years prior. Newer ventures including Facebook and Twitter have also expanded their presence in D.C., according to BlackEngineer.com.

The larger focus on lobbying offices is one of the ways the Black Caucus is expanding its Tech 2020 initiative, which launched earlier this year and included a visit by CBC members to Silicon Valley in July.

At the Dec. 3 announcement, Butterfield was joined by fellow CBC member, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-California); representatives from the American Association for Access, Equity & Diversity; Black Data Processing

Associates; Blacks in Technology; Bleeker; Career Communications Group; Global Leadership Forum; and the Information Technology Senior Management Forum.

The CBC plans to extend it diversity push to other parts of the economy that deal with technology, including the telecom and financial services industries.

Butterfield said the CBC is especially concerned about the ways companies give an advantage in the hiring process to people who know current employees.

“This practice of rewarding people who have connections in the company reinforces a lack of diversity, since the current employees are not diverse,” he said.

Internal data shows that tech companies have struggled to diversify their workforces, according to the Hill.

Black employees make up only 1 percent of the technical workforce at Google and Facebook. At Apple, Black employees make up 7 percent of the technical workforce.

The number of Black employees working non-technical jobs, though often higher than the number in technical roles, is also low. Just 4 percent of Google’s non-technical workforce is Black; an additional 4 percent is Hispanic.

Butterfield rejected the idea that the diversity numbers were solely the result of a flaw in the pipeline that channels young people to tech companies, a notion that Thursday’s event aimed to rebut.

“Companies can no longer, in our opinion, stand on the crutch

When planning your estate, you should prepare for potential tax implications. Your estate will have to pay estate taxes when you die if the net value (assets minus debts) is more than the exempt amount at that time. Currently the federal estate tax exemption is $5 million. The District of Columbia and Maryland are planning to raise their respective limits to match the federal limit. Currently, Maryland allow estate tax exemptions up to $1.5 million, and DC is projected to raise its exemption to $2 million from $1million in 2016.

Individuals may currently make annual tax-free gifts of up to $14,000 per recipient. If you are married, you and your spouse together can give $28,000 per recipient per year.

You may gift someone more than $14,000, but it will start using up your federal unified gift and estate tax exemption. After you have used up your exemption, you’ll have to pay a gift tax on any gifts over $14,000 (or whatever the annual tax-free amount is at that time). Currently, the federal gift tax rate is equal to the federal estate tax rate, which is 40%.

It might be good strategy to give away assets that are appreciating in value because any income and appreciation that occur after the gift is made are deducted from your taxable estate. But you have to look at the estate tax savings compared to what the recipient may have to pay in capital gains tax if the asset is later sold.

When you give away an appreciated asset, it keeps your original cost basis (plus any gift tax paid).

And if the recipient decides to sell the asset, he or she will have to pay capital gains tax on the difference between the selling price and what you paid for it. Yet if you don’t give the asset away and it stays in your estate, it may receive a step up in basis as of the date of your death (saving capital gains tax on the subsequent sale of the asset).

Currently, the top federal capital gains tax rate is 20%, considerably lower than the estate tax. But it isn’t always better to give away an asset and let the recipient pay the lower capital gains tax rate.

Among other things, you have to consider what you paid for the asset, what it’s worth now, what you think it will be worth when you die, your current health, and whether the recipient plans to sell or keep it.

Many people who have been charitably inclined during their lifetimes consider establishing a charitable foundation that will continue after they die. A foundation can be created while you are living, or can be established after you die. To qualify, a small percentage of the trust assets must be distributed to charity each year. You can name whomever you wish to run the foundation, including your children, and the foundation can pay them a reasonable salary. You can be specific about which charities you want to support, or you can leave that up to the trustees of the foundation to decide (within IRS guidelines, of course).

The tax benefits of setting up your own foundation can be substantial. You can save estate, capital gains and ordinary income taxes: n The assets you give to the foundation will be deducted from your taxable estate. So, for example, if you give your entire estate to the foundation (or the entire amount over the estate tax exemption), your estate will pay no estate taxes! n There will be no capital gains tax when the assets are sold by the foundation, so it’s great for appreciated assets. n And, if you donate publicly traded securities to a private foundation, you can get a charitable income tax deduction for their full fair market value - up to 30% of your adjusted gross income.

There are many tools available but only if you plan.

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Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

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Black Start-up Capitalizes on Natural Gas Industry

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A Black entrepreneur’s “power move” on the energy sector could create hundreds of jobs in one of the the poorest communities in Texas.

Houston-based businessman Phillip Franshaw is building Annova LNG, a multi-billion-dollar liquefied natural gas export facility on the Brownsville Ship Channel along the Texas Gulf Coast. If successful, the project could support more than 650 construction-related jobs and another 165 permanent jobs once completed, at an average salary of $70,000 a year or more.

Franshaw is gambling on a process called “liquefaction.” It supercools and converts natural gas into a liquid and makes it easier to transport via tanker to utilities and other major consumers in Asia and Europe. This technology requires the construction of an approximately $3 billion plant, a massive undertaking on many levels.

This project has been years in the making.

Annova LNG was born as a two-man shop, when president and founder David Chung asked Franshaw to help finance the facility. Chung coined “Annova,” a twist on the word “innovate.”

The duo took the project to market and soon began collaborating with Exelon Corporation, a major U.S. utility and operator of America’s largest fleet of nuclear power stations. Exelon purchased a controlling interest in Annova in July 2014 and maintained Franshaw’s management team.

“Having a quality sponsor of that magnitude has given us the leverage to aggressively approach the market and execute through the development phase of the project in a most effective way,” Franshaw said.

Yet, Annova faces stiff competition. At least 50 companies have applied for federal permits to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas. Two other plants are headed for the Brownsville Ship Channel.

Annova distinguishes itself from these other ventures, however, by building a facility that

5Phillip Franshaw hopes to capitalize on new technology related to the natural gas industry. / Photo courtesy Urban News Service

can offer buyers more flexibility, Franshaw said. This approach decreases construction costs, limits risk and can be scaled up if demand eventually grows.

“We think the future of the market will be small-scale facilities, and that’s how we differentiate ourselves,” he said.

Once running, Annova could yield state and local tax revenue exceeding $60 million annually.

More than half of those funds would support local governments in Cameron County, the southernmost in Texas. Those $30 million could pay the starting wages for about 698 teachers, 850 cops, or 1,029 firefighters every year, according to SalaryGenius.com.

Franshaw’s enthusiasm and determination are evident when he speaks about the project and describes the values that have helped him succeed in business.

“We all face a range of different challenges throughout our careers,” the Georgetown University graduate said. “I think, fundamentally, one of the biggest challenges we face is credibility. Who are you? People want to know that.”

“Often kids go to school and get a great education thinking that’s enough for them to sit in the captain’s chair and start making decisions,” Franshaw said.

“But everyone’s expected to pay their dues and learn the industry while developing a voice as well as credibility. It’s on that basis that people begin to trust you.

Your track record is critical. It’s important that you buckle in, plan to pay your dues and grow.”

He attributes his success to the team as a whole.

“My outside interests largely rest with my family. I have three children and I just hope that I’m working at a pace and with the appropriate level of integrity to serve as an example of the quality of men that I would like them to grow to become.”

Annova plans to have its first stage operational by 2020. But one key hurdle is obtaining approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

After reviewing Annova’s initial 1,670-page application, the commission will spend at least one year reviewing a more detailed filing before it authorizes construction.

While liquefied natural gas sales have climbed recently, the market five years from now is expected to be quite different.

“There currently appears to be a glut of LNG in the market, and we think that while there is an oversupply now, much of that will be absorbed by 2020,” Franshaw said. WI

Black Residents Boycott, Support Local Businesses

NATIONAL

FINAL PITCH

The Reality PITCH Competition

By Inez Kelley Kelley Media Marketing, Inc. www.finalpitchtv.com

5Anika Hobbs, owner of Nubian Hueman, meets Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton during a day at the shop. / Photo courtesy of Karen Sayre

By Sam P.K. Collins Special to the Informer @SamPKCollins People of African descent across the U.S. refused to participate in mass consumerism during the Thanksgiving weekend, choosing instead to spend Black Friday with family and on the front lines of protests against major corporations they say fuel a system bent on ending black lives.

Their efforts weren’t in vain.

For the second consecutive Black Friday weekend, sales fell by double-digit percentages with stores accruing $1.6 billion less in sales than the year prior – though experts pointed to a surge in online shopping for the slump instead of activists’ cry for change. While some question Black people’s ability to sustain the mass boycott during and beyond the holiday shopping season, those who have long heeded to the call to keep their dollars in the community say it’s about time.

“If we’re going to spend dollars of Black Friday, we should spend it with black-owned businesses,” Alyssa Jerome, a social worker who lives in Landover, Maryland said, telling AllEyesOnDC that her study of slavery’s long-term psychological effects on people of African descent compelled her to change her shopping habits more than two years ago.

These days, Jerome shops at Black Owned 19XX and gleans the Black Business Directory on AfricanUnification.com. During previous holidays, she doled out gifts from Black businesses to family members, encouraging them to follow her in patronizing Black vendors. Though Jerome has re-

ceived some pushback, she says making the conscious decision to buy Black has instilled a sense of pride in the work of up-and-coming Black-owned ventures she encounters.

“We should start caring for each other more and shop among each other as soon as we get those paychecks,” said Jerome, 25. “The major companies don’t care too much about our communities. Once we start supporting our own, they should return the support to the community. That’s what truly constitutes as a Black-owned business.”

A bevy of public figures, young and old have struck a similar note in their rhetoric as Blacks reel from the state-sanctioned deaths of Ferguson, Missouri teenager Mike Brown, Tamir Rice of Cleveland, Sandra Bland of Illinois, and countless others for which no one has been held accountable. With the character assassination of each victim and subsequent non-indictment, protestors have grown wearier, acknowledging it will take more than hashtags, hand-made signs, and chants to affect institutional change.

Such a mindset urged Rahiel Tesfamariam, social activist and founder/editor of the Urban Cusp, to launch the #NotOneDime movement last year, shortly after a jury didn’t convict former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in Brown’s death. In the months leading up to the “Justice or Else” march on the National Mall in October, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan too explained the need for an economic boycott, telling TVOne’s Roland Martin that Blacks have to “redistribute the

Blacks’ having a financial impact on the economic outlook has more to do with the ability to integrate into the fabric of an economy and participate in the upturn, and less to do with where you spend your dollar. As I’m sure there are many who will disagree, there’s no such thing as a black dollar. It doesn’t exist. The power of Black demographic spending, well possibly, but what does exist is the principle of wealth building and that applies regardless to ethnicity.

With 1.9 million black owned businesses through-out the United States it is noted that over 94% of these businesses are sole proprietors or direct partnerships. Generally speaking these businesses are still considered startups. They have not evolved into the state of small business-idiom.

A start-up is just that, the initial phase within the growth of any business development. The idea or concept phase is incubated and nourished through the transition into a fully operational small business. With the credentials to employ, bring to market a leveraging of goods and services thus having an impact on its economy. Unfortunately, many black businesses fall victim and become forever stuck at start-up, able to break into the startup world but unable to break out to compete on the global stage.

In addition, Black owned businesses make up only 7% of all U.S firms and less than a half percent of all U.S business receipts.

How do we account for these statistics? What is happening when 1.8 million of the 1.9 million black-owned businesses have no paid employees?

The economy survives through job growth. It’s not enough to start a business. We must evolve into employers and job creators. When considering our Asian counterparts, whether restaurant, laundries, hair supply or nail salons these businesses contribute to the labor force by employing workers. It is seldom that you patron any of these establishments where there is not at least a handful of employees on staff. If we are to level the economic playing field, becoming employers is a must No longer can we operate along the economic fray. Where we spend our dollars will account for consumerism. But what we are able to generate through building strong businesses is the true game changer.

Contribution to article Black Demographics • http://blackdemographics.com/economics/black-owned-businesses/

BOYCOTT Page 38 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

17

HEALTH

D.C. Council Pushes to Decrease Minority Unemployment

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer At-large Councilman Vincent Orange has worked on numerous pieces of legislation that could cure the District’s African-American population of the ills of unemployment.

The veteran councilmember has pushed the expansion of the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program to include 22- to 24-year-olds, and he’s also spearheaded the passing of the Prohibition on Pre-Employment Marijuana Testing Act of 2015 and the Workforce Investment Implementation Act of 214 to update the District’s workforce training programs.

“We need to ascertain the profile of unemployment, we need to know who is unemployment and what skills they have and then we can do an overlay of jobs available

so that we can arrange the training they need,” said Orange, 58, who is scheduled to host a hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 16, to discuss the Youth Apprenticeship Advisory Committee Amendment Act of 215.

The measure would create apprenticeship programs in District high schools in order to expand student links to employers by designing effective teaching methods to train students for careers in the work force.

A quarterly report released in November by the progressive Economic Policy Institute in Northwest Washington revealed that the African-American unemployment rate in the District is 13.6 percent, a figure higher than in any state in the country.

At 13.3 percent, Illinois trailed D.C., according to the report.

Historically, African-American unemployment nationwide has

been nearly double the white unemployment rate, officials said.

“City leadership as well as the Council is focused on how to make the District stronger,” said Ward 8 Councilmember LaRuby May. “This means making improvements to the workforce and lowering unemployment rates, better preparing the workforce with education and training programs and removing barriers to workforce retention with affordable housing initiatives,” said May, 40.

The African-American jobless rate is 5.7 times higher in the District than it is for white residents, according to EPI’s report.

Also, making matters worse, in 35 states and the District of Columbia, job growth was slower in the third quarter of 2015 than in the third quarter of 2014.

Further, the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute in Northeast noted

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5 At-Large Councilman Vincent Orange has spearheaded numerous bills to help stem the unemployment rate among African-Americans in the District. / Courtesy photo that the wage gap between D.C.’s low-income workers and high-income workers is on the rise, with many of the lowest-income workers being either black or Latino.

However, with various pieces of legislation addressing the issue being passed by Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser decision to expand the Summer Youth Employment Program to include ages 22-24, many remain optimistic.

“I believe the District is on the right track when it comes to solutions for unemployment,” Ward 7 Council member Yvette Alexander said.

“Recently the Department of Human Services in partnership with the Department of Employment Services hosted a job fair in Ward 7, where 1,200 applicants – that included Ward 7 residents, and clients of DHS and DOES – applied and interviewed for permanent and temporary government positions,” said Alexander, 54.

“Some were hired on the spot.

In addition to District agencies hosting job fairs, private agencies or entities are lending a hand as they train District residents in a specific industry and work to ensure District residents receive priority when considered for major projects,” she said.

Council has also made provisions for returning citizens, many of whom are minorities.

Orange has sponsored the D.C. Incarceration to Incorporation Entrepreneurship Program Act of 2015, which Alexander co-sponsored.

The bill establishes and provides for the maintenance of the city’s Incarceration to Incorporation Entrepreneurship Program to educate, train, and assist returning citizens in becoming socially responsible entrepreneurs.

It provides a fast-track GED program, classes to improve math, reading and writing abilities; business training that includes accounting, finance, and administration, budgeting and marketing. It also provides scholarships and grants for returning citizens to enroll in business classes at the University of the District of Columbia and the University of the District of Columbia Community College.

“We will create or fill 100,000 jobs by the end of 2017,” Orange said. “Now is a golden opportunity and the bottom line is that we need to get people employed.”

Alexander noted that the District’s Public School System is doing its part, the release of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers scores show that while gains have been made, the sobering reality is that proficiency rates among African-American students are low.

“It’s giving us cause to rise to the challenge as we are committed to working with DCPS to ensure that our students receive a solid and quality education,” Alexander said.

“There is still some fine tuning that needs to be done, but we are on the right path.”

WI

HEALTH

D.C. Blacks Pay More for Automobile Insurance

5

Car insurance often costs more in African-American communities. / Photo courtesy Yahoo Finance

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer If you live in a predominantly African-American community, your auto insurance premiums could be more than double those of premiums found in predominantly white communities.

That’s just one of the findings reported by Marketplace, a business news sheet that’s produced by American Public Media in association with the University of Southern California.

The report noted that the Consumer Federation of America analyzed data from the five biggest auto insurance companies in most ZIP codes throughout the country.

They also looked at average pre-

miums in mostly African-American communities versus those in predominantly white communities, taking into account income and population density.

It illuminates serious problems with auto insurance premiums that the CFA is urging legislators and regulators to address, Marketplace reported.

“These findings suggest a troubling pattern of high rates in African-American communities regardless of driver history,” Tom Feltner, the CFA’s director of financial services, said in a statement.

“We are not rushing to judgment about why this happens, but it is urgent that regulators, lawmakers and the industry take a hard look at these

findings and address the impact of high auto insurance prices on drivers living in predominantly African-American communities.”

In communities where African-Americans make up over three-quarters of the population, premiums average 70 percent higher than in communities with populations that are less than one-quarter African American ($1,060 vs. $622), according to the report.

Also, the average premium in upper-middle-income, mostly African-American ZIP codes is 194 percent higher than the average premium in a predominantly white, upper-middle-income ZIP code ($2,113 vs. $717).

Every state except New Hamp-

shire requires that residents have at least basic liability insurance. In places like Baltimore, New York, Louisville, Washington, D.C., Detroit, Boston and Orlando, there is a gap of more than 50 percent between predominantly African-American and predominantly white ZIP codes when it comes to auto insurance premiums.

CFA officials said its analysis “does not imply that auto insurance companies deploy explicitly discriminatory practices.”

They suggest that state insurance regulators should “more seriously address the impact of auto insurance pricing methods on people of color and lower-income drivers.”

“The pricing disparities for state mandated minimum auto insurance coverage quoted to drivers in primarily African-American communities are hard to fathom actuarially and look a lot like unfair discrimination,” said J. Robert Hunter, Director of Insurance for CFA. The CFA also suggests that the Federal Insurance Office should look into the accessibility of state-mandated minimum liability coverage in low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color and state lawmakers should work to enact

needed reforms.

Instead of emphasizing things like ZIP codes, states could also create legislation that would place more importance on drivers’ safety records.

The CFA is asking legislators and regulators to look into the relationship between race and insurance rates and will present its findings at a meeting of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

The report coincides with a CBS News story that noted that historically African-Americans have had considerable challenges as consumers as compared with their white counterparts. For instance, a recent study found they were more than twice as likely to be rejected for mortgage applications as whites.

And The New York Times, among others, has found that blacks are far more likely to be pulled over in their cars than whites.

“Moving traffic violations such as speeding and dangerous driving do impact rates for individual drivers,” Feltner said. “But our research shows that this effect is minor compared to the impact of socio-economic factors, like education, occupation and credit score.”

WI

Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

19

DC Office on Aging Committed to Building an Age-Friendly Laura Newland, Interim Director, D.C. Office on Aging I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it’s a dedicated time for gratitude.

This year I was especially grateful and humbled to have become part of the DC Office on Aging’s family. Mayor Muriel Bowser asked me in early November if I would be the agency’s Interim Director. Having worked with DCOA first as a liaison in the Deputy Mayor’s office and then as Interim General Counsel, I am intimately familiar with the agency and the community we serve. Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Brenda Donald—who served as Interim Director for several months this year—returned to her full-time duties as Deputy Mayor. But she remains committed to DCOA’s mission and continues to be one of the agency’s strongest supporters.

20 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

When I was an attorney at AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE), I represented older homeowners who became delinquent on their real property taxes and were at risk of losing their homes through real property tax foreclosure. None of my clients ever lost their homes to tax sale, but that experience pushed me to look for systemic changes. During my time at LCE, I recruited pro bono partners and community stakeholders to push the District to change the real property tax law so we could better protect our long-time District residents. I am happy to say that sweeping changes were made and implemented last year, and the Deputy Mayor’s office works closely with the tax office to ensure that homeowners have every opportunity to protect themselves from losing their homes due to unpaid taxes.

I joined the District government to continue the systems reform work, but from the inside. Over the past year and a half, I have worked with District agencies in making our long-term care services and supports system better, and I continue to be impressed with the dedication and passion of District government employees.

Serving as Interim Director of DCOA is a great opportunity for me to continue implementing the Mayor’s vision for DCOA. Mayor Bowser is committed to building an age-friendly city where all residents can thrive. As you may have heard me say at our senior wellness centers, we are committed to listening to you. We want to truly understand your needs, wants, and hopes—now and in the future.

We will continue providing the core services you have come to expect, but we also want to hear from you about how we can better serve you where you live, work, and play. We want to make sure that DCOA connects with you—no matter where you live in the District.

My professional roots are in advocacy, and I look forward to continuing my advocacy for older adults and people with disabilities in the District of Columbia as DCOA’s Interim Director. The DCOA team is staffed with hard-working, creative, and passionate people.

Please continue holding us to the highest standard—I know we are up to the challenge. And stay tuned: We’re going to be announcing the beginning of a really fantastic grants program for accessible modifications to your home or apartment up to $10,000 in January.

As we begin the holiday season, please remember to check in on loved ones and neighbors who may be isolated and want fellowship or need assistance. Have a joyous and safe New Year!

EDUCATION

DCPS Briefs CHANCELLOR MAKES SURPRISE VISITS

5 Chancellor Kaya Henderson (far

right) recently made the rounds at schools to surprise some of this year’s “Standing Ovation Award” recipients. / Photo courtesy DCPS

School administrators along with their staff and faculty expressed enjoyment at surprising some of this year’s “Standing Ovation Award” recipients, with a recent visit to their schools by Chancellor Kaya Henderson.

Listed among the surprised educators were: 2015 DCPS “Teacher of the Year” James Cunningham, art teacher at School Without Walls High School in Northwest

el discussion held at McKinley Technology High School in Northeast, titled “Overcoming Challenges to Build a Culture of Inclusion.”

During that gathering, parents, teachers, school leaders, and alumni talked about barriers and successes aligned with building a culture of inclusion.

‘MARIGOLDS ON THE MALL’

As part of the “Marigolds on the Mall” project, 4th-graders at Hendley Elementary School in Southeast recently used their knowledge of perimeter and area to design to build community flower boxes. The students will also extend participation in the project by planning and planting flower beds in parks around D.C.

to offering our scholars every access to educational and career opportunities that lead to in-demand career opportunities,” said Michael Robinson, director of Extended Learning Programs.

Included among the lineup of activities, which last between one-and-a half to two hours, are a series of field trips to local architecture and construction firms that will take place

through May 2016.

HISPANIC STUDENTS SUCCEED

A newly-released report by the DC Public Charter School Board reveals that the four-year graduation rate of D.C’s Hispanic public charter school students is 75 percent compared to a citywide 71 percent graduation rate for all Hispanic and non-Hispanic public school

students.

In addition, nearly 6,000 Hispanic students attend public charter schools in pre-kindergarten through grade 12, as well as adult programs in the city, of which the report found that the majority of these students attend 18 public charter schools, with 13 of them rated Tier 1 or next-to-highest in quality.

WI

PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS MENTORING PROGRAM AT FRIENDSHIP HIGH

2015 DCPS “Principal of the Year” Kim Jackson, Seaton Elementary School in Northwest 2015 “Staff Member of the Year” Phallon Lattimore, director of School Strategy and Logistics at Marie Reed Elementary School in Northwest

EDFEST DEC. 12

“EdFEST,” the District’s only citywide public school fair, takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12 at the DC Armory in Southeast. More than 200 DCPS and public charter schools that serve grades PK3-12 will be in attendance.

Admission and parking are free, and interpretation in sign language, Spanish, Amharic, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and French will be available throughout the day. In addition, with the launch of the “My School DC” common lottery application on Dec. 14 for the current school year, EdFEST serves as the perfect opportunity for the District’s families to learn about their public school options.

INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS

“Inclusive Schools Week” runs through Dec. 12. The week of events has featured a pan-

5 The partnership with “ACE Mentor

Program of America” provides mentoring opportunities for students at Friendship’s Collegiate Academy and Technology Preparatory Academy. / Photo courtesy DC Public Charter Schools

In an exciting new partnership with D.C.’s public charter schools, the ACE – Architecture, Construction and Engineering – Mentor Program of America has expanded to provide mentoring opportunities for students at Friendship’s Collegiate Academy in Northeast and Technology Preparatory Academy in Southeast.

ACE, the construction industry’s fastest-growing mentorship program, serves more than 8,000 students and offers more than $14 million in scholarship funding. Local participating mentors and other volunteers come from architecture, construction and engineering firms in the D.C. metro area.

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EDUCATION

Wilson High School Reels from Gun Incident

By Sam P.K. Collins Special to the Informer @SamPKCollins More than a week after security personnel retrieved a gun and knife during separate incidents at Woodrow Wilson High School in Northwest, questions remain about how such oversights could have happened on

22 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

a campus known more for its scholastic and athletic achievements than instances of violence.

Despite concerns about safety and the increased presence of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers on the premises, the Tenleytown-based school has maintained some normalcy.

Some students have taken the changes lightly, saying they hope

to move on with their lives.

“It really surprised me. There are [small] fights once every two months at this school,” Joseph Hernandez, a 12th grader at Wilson who asked his name to be changed, told AllEyesOnDC. Hernandez, a transfer from what he described as a violent D.C. high school located east of Rock Creek Park, said those who al-

legedly possessed the weapons most likely walked through one of more than 50 unsecured side doors.

“Things are pretty strict these days. Police officers stand by all of the doors and make us take off our jackets [and other articles of clothing] when we enter the school. The teachers haven’t been talking too much about it. Honestly, I think it’s done,” Hernandez, a Northwest resident, said.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, Dec. 1, officers arrested a student after a teacher discovered a semiautomatic handgun in their book bag, school and D.C. Public School (DCPS) officials said.

Less than an hour later, a fight erupted outside. One of two juveniles detained had a knife.

Representatives said that before this month, a weapon hadn’t been found inside a D.C. school building in more than a decade.

As of press time, an MPD investigation remains underway.

Officers said it’s unclear whether the fight was related to the student with the gun.

On the day of the incident, the metal detectors and scanners functioned properly, Michelle Lerner, DCPS press secretary, told AllEyesOnDC. A review of Wilson’s security protocol has been conducted to ensure that best rules are in place.

School principal Kimberly J. Martin also posted an open letter on Wilson’s website, giving kudos to those who reported the gun and assuring members of the community that administrators had the matter under control.

Since last Tuesday, Wilson has increased security staff, appointed a special officer and repaired side doors. After school hours, personnel conduct “sweeps” for weapons and escort idle students off of school grounds. Even so, assurances from Martin and others have fallen on deaf ears, particularly among teachers frustrated by what they call lethargic communication from higher ups.

“Some teachers are on edge and mad that they didn’t hear about the gun from the administration. From the start, they weren’t in the know,” said first-year teacher David Brooks.

Brooks, who also asked his name be changed, recounted hearing about the discovery of the gun from students as he walked back onto campus from a nearby li-

brary.

“Maybe the administrators were trying to contain the situation but you never want the students to find out about things like this before the teachers.

Now, it’s really going to get tight in a space like this. It’s not really the type of environment you want to be in.”

Wilson alumnus Brad Lee pointed to a change in administration and lax security, caused in part by boundary changes and changing student demographics as a probable cause of the security slip. Though Lee, a 2009 graduate who used a pseudonym, expressed some bewilderment that the teachers found weapons on school grounds, he recounted methods delinquents often used to circumvent surveillance when he attended Wilson.

“It was common for people to bring their friends through the tunnels built for the athletic department,” said Lee, now a D.C. government employee. “We would often see a lot of folks who didn’t go the Wilson. They would meet their friend at Tenleytown Station so they could be brought into the school. I have no idea why a student brought a gun inside the school this time, but the most important dilemma for me is how it got past security.”

Wilson, located at the intersection of Chesapeake Street and Nebraska Avenue Northwest, has a student body of nearly 1,800 representing a variety of District neighborhoods and ethnic groups. It’s considered one of D.C.’s highest-performing schools with more than 75 percent of its graduates moving on to postsecondary institutions.

The prospects of long-term academic success compelled Ramone Carter to attend Wilson.

Ramone, an aspiring graphic designer, remains undeterred by the events of last week, saying he will stay at Wilson if it means being in the best position possible to attend a quality university.

“Even with what happened, I feel safe here,” Ramone, Carter, who used a pseudonym, said.

“The opportunities for a successful life made me want to come to Wilson. It’s a good school to come out of when you’re trying to go to college.” WI This article originally appeared on AllEyesOnDC.com.

EDUCATION

U.S. Enters New Era in Education

‘No Child Left Behind’ on the Way Out

By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer Lawmakers officially started the long overdue dismantling of the widely unpopular “No Child Left Behind Act” [NCLB] on Wednesday, Dec. 2 when the House of Representatives voted 359-64 to change key provisions such as dramatically decreasing federal authority over local school districts in favor of state control.

The Senate vote, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 8, served as a precursor to the president signing the replacement legislation, “Every Student Succeeds Act [ESSA]” into law before the end of the year.

“For nearly a decade, our national K-12 education law has been overdue for revision, and parents, teachers and students across the

families calling on Congress to fix its flaws.”

In 2012, According to the U.S. Department of Education, the Obama administration began offering flexibility to states and the District of Columbia regarding specific requirements of NCLB in exchange for rigorous and comprehensive state-developed plans designed to close achievement gaps, increase equity, improve the quality of instruction and increase outcomes for all students.

Shavar Jeffries, president, Democrats for Education Reform, praised House Education Committee Chairman John Kline and ranking member Bobby Scott in a letter stating that although there have been benefits for disadvantaged students through the law’s 50 year

ESSA, once signed into law, will allow states to set their own standards for achievement, school performance and how to delve out accountability to low-performing schools.

A big revision also includes teacher evaluations which will no longer

be under the watch of federal entities; the U.S. Secretary of Education’s authority will be significantly diminished.

“We particularly appreciate that in several key instances, you made these improvements according to the underlying purpose of ESEA as

a civil rights law that provides safeguards and remedies for those treated unfairly by state and local government,” Jeffries said. “And that you made these changes despite countervailing pressures from some of the same special interests responsible for those inequities.” WI

“Although well-intended, the No Child Left Behind Act – the most recent version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act – has long been broken.”

Arne Duncan / Secretary of Education country have made it clear that it is time for a reboot,” Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said.

“Over that period of time, America’s fourth graders became today’s high school seniors – ready to graduate and embrace a bright future,” he said. “The students who come behind them deserve a better law focused on one clear goal of fully preparing them for success in college and future careers.”

Duncan asserted that while NCLB has made a significant difference in student’s education over the years, the time has come for change.

“Although well-intended, the No Child Left Behind Act – the most recent version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act – has long been broken,” he said. We can no longer afford that law’s one-sizefits-all approach, uneven standards and low expectations for our educational system.”

“That’s why, early on, President Obama and I joined educators and

history, it has become “increasingly unworkable.”

“Under your leadership, we are now at a point where finding that common ground is possible, an outcome that has eluded every previous reauthorization effort,” Jeffries said.

Signed into law by President George W. Bush in June of 2002, NCLB served as the reauthorization to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act [ESEA] of 1965 passed by President Lyndon Baines Johnson with the intent that all citizens could have a full educational opportunity.

ESEA offered new grants to districts serving low-income students, federal grants for text and library books, created special education centers and paved the way with scholarships for low-income college students.

Additionally, the law provided federal grants to state educational agencies to improve the quality of elementary and secondary education.

Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

23

More Job Training for a Stronger DC

“The merger will provide people like Demika with more job skills.”

Carmen Robles-Inman

Program Director, Edgewood/Brookland Family Support Collaborative

“The Edgewood/Brookland Family Support Collaborative gave me the training I needed to find a job.”

Demika Alston

Pepco Customer Southeast DC

The Pepco Holdings-Exelon Merger: Affordability, Reliability and Sustainability for DC. Job training in the District is important for economic growth. That’s why the Pepco Holdings-Exelon merger includes $5.2 million for workforce development to help DC residents get jobs. The Edgewood/Brookland Family Support Collaborative, which trains DC workers and helps them find jobs, knows just how important that workforce development funding is.

Workforce development is one of many benefits of the merger. We signed the petition to show our support. Join over 28,000 District residents and go to PHITomorrow.com where you can sign the online petition and send a letter to voice your support for the merger.

For more information or to show your support, visit PHITomorrow.com.

Paid for by Exelon Corporation.

24 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS EDITORIAL

Does Donald Trump Speak for Silent, Bigoted Americans?

Next November, millions of America’s registered voters will head to the polls to choose the next president of the U.S. And if we aren’t careful, we may be allowing folks like Donald Trump to take over the Oval Office and subsequently lead our nation down a road of total chaos, confusion, utter madness and extreme bigotry.

Somehow, the real estate mogul continues to lead the polls for Republican presidential hopefuls. That’s frightening enough.

But one has to wonder just who these people are that say they would vote for the boisterous, opinionated New Yorker, over a long line of other potential and more experienced candidates, if he were chosen by the Republican National Committee as their representative on next fall’s ballot.

Is there really a majority of bigoted but mostly silent Americans who relish the thought of having a man like Trump lead our country?

Over and over, Trump has made outlandish, insensitive statements, confounding party leaders while pressuring his fellow candidates to respond. But with his latest comments, following deadly terror attacks involving Islamic extremists in California and France, Trump has apparently shown his true colors.

Trump has called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,” touting his newest, and might we add “absurd,” proposal on his favorite social media outlet – Twitter.

“Just put out a very important policy statement on the extraordinary influx of hatred and danger coming into our country. We must be vigilant,” Trump tweeted.

Just weeks earlier, Trump, spewing his anti-Muslim rhetoric, said he recommended shutting down several mosques throughout the U.S. and then claimed that he had witnessed American Muslims cheering after the 9/11 attacks – something that no television network has been able to confirm.

Maybe he just had a dream. Who knows?

But consider this – Trump is not alone.

Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who also seeks the Republican Party’s nod, recently offered a proposal that would bar refugees from a list of 30 countries with “significant jihadist movement” to obtain U.S. tourist or immigration visas.

Muslims are safe, at least for now, given the U.S. Constitution which does not allow for the barring of visitors to our shores or even those who stand as hopeful future citizens based on their religious beliefs. But then, who said Trump has any knowledge of the Constitution. Perhaps he doesn’t even care.

America, since its founding, has long-professed to be a place that welcomes all people who seek freedom – the freedom to express their religious views, their political views, even their views as it relates to sexual orientation, ethnicity and gender.

But if people like Donald Trump have their way, we will surely turn back the clock to a time when the only welcome citizens in America were blondhaired, blue-eyed men, Protestants with property and other means of wealth.

Memo to Trump: we will not allow bigotry and prejudice to regain a foothold in America.

Black Americans and other citizens had better get to the polls next fall by any means necessary – especially if hatemongers like Trump are among the choices for president. WI

Even in Defeat, ‘Skins’ Show Heart Thousands upon thousands of District residents sat glued to their television sets on Monday, Dec. 7 as our beloved Washington Redskins took on their longtime nemesis, the Dallas Cowboys.

And while we would not often use an editorial to speak to such examples of male versus male, testosterone-laden showdowns, this one deserves a few remarks.

First, the hometown did not pull off the victory, losing in one of the closest games ever between the two teams. But, they did show that even in defeat, one can emerge a winner.

Our Washington team showed tremendous heart, refusing to lay down and die. They showed that even when players show their more human side and make mistakes, they can still redeem themselves. They showed that maybe professional football players do care about more than just endorsements

EDITORIAL Page 45

Charity Still Begins at Home Let’s Continue to Share Your article by Stacy M. Brown, “District Offi- Our Blessings with Others cials Favor Accepting Syrian Refugees,” November 26, 2015 edition makes a lot of good points for why we as a nation should accept refugees from all over the world, not just Syria. It makes me feel good to be an American, because I know we are a nation of refugees. What I don’t like about this whole refugee thing is all of the talk coming from our council members. I don’t hear them talking about the need for assisting the poor and homeless already living in the District of Columbia. We have hundreds of people homeless and without jobs and we need to make it a priority to take care of them first. These council members are just grandstanding, saying what certain political party members want them to say. If you are going to take a stand, take a stand for something that means something to the people who already live here. If you can create homes for refugees you can create homes for the homeless, and the same goes for the jobless. America is a great nation and we can do great things if we want to, but to be talking just to be talking is a waste. We have people right here in the District that need help and that’s what those council members should be talking about.

There is so much for each and every one of us to be thankful for. It was a pleasure to read the various articles in the November 26th issue of the Informer about the generosity of the residents of the District of Columbia. Churches, schools, sports teams and other organizations all contributed their time and resources to help make this Thanksgiving Day a day that many had a decent meal on their table. Although many are struggling, there are many who have much, and at this time of the year it is especially fitting that those who can do something to help others, should. Blessings flow to those who help those who are less fortunate, and those blessings will multiply as they continue to give. When I see someone struggling, a saying I once heard comes to mind: “There, but for the Grace of God, go I.” It is so true; and we should all remember that blessings come and blessings go.

Mabel Robinson Washington, DC

Bernard Lawrence Washington, DC

Readers' Mailbox

The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to: lsaxton@washingtoninformer.com or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you.

Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

25

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

By Julianne Malveaux

Why Changing Building Names and Covering Murals Is Not Enough The University of Kentucky at Lexington (the flagship college) has shrouded an indoor mural that features paintings of enslaved African-Americans bending to pick tobacco (or possibly cotton) while a train full of White folks seems to appear on their backs. There are other offensive images in the painting, but in many ways the painting reflects a Kentucky reality. Yes, there was oppression. The artist captured a reality that others might not find

popular. University President Eli Capilouto agreed to cover the mural so that the campus has an opportunity to discuss it.

While students object to the mural painted by Ann Rice O’Hanlon, a University of Kentucky alumna, the Fresca reflected reality through her lens. Some might argue that it was a relatively liberal lens since it captured an enslavement that many would prefer not to talk about. I’m concerned that African-American students are “offended” by our depiction in history. That which O’Hanlon has depicted is real.

Guest Columnist

Should the mural be removed?

Or, should its depiction be balanced. Enslavement was real. It is history. There is no purpose served by attempting to eliminate history. The mural might be a learning experience if a work by an African-American artist, offering a different depiction of the period, would be observed in the same building, ideally perhaps in the same space. Then, the space might evolve into a space where history classes or discussion groups could grapple with the history of a state-funded university (which means black peo-

ple’s taxes) that did not admit African Americans until 1949.

I am excited that student activists are stepping up and speaking out about the racist and Confederate symbols that are woven into the very existence of our nation. I am repulsed whenever I have to drive down Jefferson Davis Highway in a Washington, D.C., suburb (and initially designed to go from Virginia to California) wondering why a loser like Davis (the Confederates did lose the war – imagine Hitler Avenue in Germany) gets an interstate highway named for him. The Davis

Highway is not the only elevation of a loser racist South of the Mason-Dixon line. Indeed, students (and others) are right to protest the glorification of racists and racism.

But those who protest racist symbols must also be aware that it is easier to lower a flag, shroud a painting, or remove a name from a building or road than it is to tackle the root causes of institutional racism.

There has been a laudable increase in student activism that has garnered necessary national attention.

MALVEAUX Page 45

By Harry C. Alford

What Happened to Black Business Loans?

During the 2000 presidential election, President George W. Bush made a written pledge to the National Black Chamber of Commerce. He claimed that he would focus on the doors leading to increasing capital access for minority businesses. To our astonishment, he delivered on that pledge while candidate Al Gore refused to make such a pledge. That pledge began eight years of positive growth in Small Business Administration lending.

The above activity soon began to disappear for two reasons: The effects of the subprime mortgage crisis and the lethargic activity coming out of the Obama SBA. Obama figured the quick fix would be more and more regulation. In 2010, he signed the Dodd-Frank Amendment, which piled “mountains” of paperwork and rules onto our banking institutions. The pushback was major banks began refusing to underwrite small loans, inclusive of the guaranteed SBA loans. When Bush stepped down, the SBA was doing over 8 percent in loans to

Guest Columnist

Black businesses. Today, under the Obama apathy and immense regulations, the SBA is doing less than 1.8 percent in lending to Black businesses.

It got worse than this, the SBA began attacking the NBCC for letting out the news of the downward trend. They even claimed that I had no access to the percentages of loans because no one tracks them.

To my surprise, George Curry, who was editor of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, took their “bait” and began believing them over the NBCC. Finally, af-

ter a White investigative reporter from the Wall Street Journal confirmed my allegations, George came around.

According to the Valley Economic Development Center, “SBA loans to African-Americans declined 47 percent between 2009 and 2013, even as overall SBA loan volume rose roughly 25 percent during the same period.” Doesn’t this paint the picture?

The subprime mortgage crisis devastated the net worth of Black families. That net worth was based on equity in our homes. he homes

have disappeared in many of our communities and with it went the equity, which made new entrepreneurs bankable. The biggest players in the mortgage business were Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These two government-sponsored enterprises are now “owned” by the Obama administration as he virtually “seized” them as they approach bankruptcy. Will they bounce back?

That is doubtful as right now the Obama administration is trying to liquidate the two firms. We are

ALFORD Page 45

By Staff Writer

Job Corps: Focus on Job Readiness, Closing the Skill Gap The U.S. economy got good news again last week with the release of the November jobs report. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the U.S. economy added 211,000 jobs while the country’s unemployment rate held steady at 5 percent, the lowest in seven years. While this is generally good economic and political news for those in Washington, hidden in the report is a sobering statistic – the little to no improvement for people ages 16 to 24. For minorities living in America’s urban centers, the unemployment rate remained double that of whites. These numbers leave many searching for

26 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

answers on how to better prepare and position young people to join the country’s expanding job market and thrive.

“High youth unemployment numbers continue to haunt policy makers from coast to coast,” said Julianne Malveaux, a MIT-trained labor economist and former president of Bennett College. “For more than a decade, we’ve seen and heard proposals that are designed to move the nation’s young and especially black and brown citizens from at-risk to a more solid, sustainable financial future. Without a more targeted approach on developing vocation-

al and soft skills, the problem, I’m convinced will persist.”

An often overlooked effort to close the skills gap for young people is Job Corps. With 126 training centers across the country, Job Corps’ mission is to improve the lives of 16-24 years, especially from low-income backgrounds. Born of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty campaign in 1964, Job Corps is one of the few federal jobs programs still around and continuing the legacy of Johnson and those who pushed for it 50 years ago.

“The history and legacy of America’s Job Corps program is rooted

in the values of who we are as a nation”, said Lonnie Taylor, president and chief executive officer, National Job Corps Association. “Our centers exist to make investments in our most disconnected, and at times disregarded youth. By providing vocational training and career development, we work in partnership with government, community advocates and the private sector to empower students to be their best.

We believe that starts with a solid education foundation and job opportunities.”

Funded by Congress and administered by the U.S. Department of

Labor, Job Corps has come under intense scrutiny by those who question its effectiveness and relevance in a labor market dominated by technology. Advocates for the program, however, say critics miss the big picture. “Job Corps is one of a handful of federally funded programs that have gone into economically depressed communities and offered a pathway for young people to not only improve their lives, but the communities from which they come,” said the Rev. Thomas Bow-

STAFF Page 45

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

By Charlene Crowell

Don’t Let Small Dollar Loans Ruin Your Holidays In this wonderful time of the year when family and friends gather in good cheer to celebrate the holidays, nearly everyone has a number of lists. From greeting cards to shopping for gifts, decorations and more, lists are made and reviewed to keep pace with the barrage of seasonal activities.

But if holiday lists seem bigger than budgets, turning to a highcost, small-dollar loan can turn joy and merriment into a financial quagmire. The good news is

that with a timely reality check, most consumers can avoid holiday financial nightmares.

A key step is to walk or drive past the brightly colored signs advertising high-cost, small-dollar loans. Both payday and car title loans can provide quick cash, but the harms caused by these loans will likely linger past the winter’s cold. Most importantly, these predatory loans often lead to consumers paying more in interest and fees than for the money borrowed.

Research by the Center for Responsible Lending has found that

Guest Columnist

predatory payday loans generate $3.5 billion in fees from repeat borrowers who are unable to fully repay the original loan, usually in two weeks’ time. With average annual interest rates at 391 percent, nine out of every 10 payday loans go to borrowers who get trapped in five or more loans per year.

Like payday loans, car title loans are often marketed as an easy way to get cash without a credit check – but with interest rates that tend to be 20-30 times higher than that of credit cards.

The average car title loan of $500

can only be secured by signing a personally owned car as collateral. Further, the loan will only be a fraction of the marketable value of the vehicle. While the lender holds onto a car title, the borrower is faced with triple-digit interest and in the worst cases, the loss of personal transportation.

Harmful as payday and car title loans are, other, seemingly harmful, small-dollar transactions can also cause financial havoc.

If you believe pre-paid cards will always avoid financial ripoffs, think again. Before paying cash for this convenient form of

plastic, read all of the fine print that explains the terms and fees that come with its usage. Terms and options can and do vary significantly. Many include a range of fees from activation, to learning your current balances, reloading monies and in some cases fees for inactivity. By the time all applicable fees are assessed, the amount of money actually available on that prepaid card can shrink and shortchange how far it can help on purchases.

Similarly, the convenience

CROWELL Page 46

By Roger Caldwell

Will Obama be Acknowledged as a Transformative President?

As President Barack Obama completes his second term, the political pundits are debating if his time in office was transformative. In “Leadership: Theory and Practice” by Peter Northouse, the author established that a transformational leader must usher in dramatic change by engaging, connecting and motivating.

The president’s most significant legislative accomplishment, the Affordable Care Act, meets the criteria for a transformative

policy. Obama succeeded where others failed for decades, and it would appear that more political experts would give him credit.

Instead of working to improve the law, the United States Senate recently passed a bill to repeal the ACA that was originally passed in the U.S House of Representatives, and when it reaches the president’s desk it will be vetoed.

The ACA was signed into law March 23, 2010, and it is the most significant regulatory overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system since the passage of Medicare

Askia-At-Large

and Medicaid in 1965. It was enacted to increase the quality and affordability of health insurance and require insurance companies to cover all applicants regardless of pre-existing conditions.

Without a doubt this legislation is transformational with over 15 million Americans signing up for health insurance, but the conservatives and Republicans are calling this law a failure.

The Republicans and conservatives’ conversations are insulting and dismissive, but they also say Obama failed to transform

anything in his seven years as president. Seth Mandel, a columnist of The New York Post writes, “Poor President Obama.

All he wanted was to be a transformational figure. Instead, he’ll be merely a transitional one. For all the talk about Obama’s grand ambitions to remake the country in his image, current events make it crystal clear his role as a placeholder.”

The thing that makes this kind of talk so incendiary is that the writers actually believe what they are writing. With the signing

of the ACA President Obama made health care a right and not a privilege. This was a landmark decision. For a Black man with a middle name Hussein who got elected twice as the most powerful person on the planet, it was without question transformational.

But the Republicans and conservatives would try to make Americans think that all the president has done is take vacations and play golf. Many Americans

CALDWELL Page 46

By Askia Muhammad

Inside the Mind of a Suicide Bomber Recent events have made us consider once again suicide assassins or other criminals whose aim is to murder innocent people in order to shock everyone else.

These types of perpetrators differ from common criminals in that they often don’t expect to live beyond the time their heinous acts are committed. Ordinary crooks have every intention of “enjoying” the fruits of their dastardly deeds.

It is said that the jihadists

who commit suicide attacks are promised “70 virgins in paradise” once their “martyrdom” is complete. In recent times we have seen female suicide attackers. I wonder what false promises are made to them? Maybe they are told they will become virgins again. Go figure. But even the 70-virgin routine will wear out quickly. What’s a guy to do after that first 2.5-month period is over and all the virgins are, well?

That promises for a pretty boring remainder of eternity if you buy into the initial foolish promise.

Of the more than 3,000 peo-

ple who died in the 9/11 attacks and the few hundred in various episodes since then, very few left home on the day of their death knowing they were going to die that day. The same is true of many of the theater shooters, the school-house shooters, the Paris murderers and probably even the San Bernardino killers. Only the fiends knew in advance.

I refuse to call these murderers “martyrs.” My dictionary defines martyrs as those who are “punished with death for adherence to their cause,” as those who “submit to death rather than for-

swear their religion.” That is not what these fiends are engaged in.

I once saw a feature on TV in which the producers delved into the psyche of suicide bombers.

They interviewed two would-be suicide assassins whose bombs failed to detonate and two psychiatrists.

The program reported that after these men were given their final instructions and the actual bombs they were to explode they were not at all gripped with fear but with a surprising sense of calm. That’s odd.

I have myself never enter-

tained the thought of committing an act of violence against any innocent strangers. But as I went with the TV hosts into the minds of the suicide bombers, I realized that I too once walked the streets with that same deadly resolve.

It was in Los Angeles 30 years ago, at this very same time of year, Thanksgiving week 1985.

My mother, Nola Mae Canteberry, had died on Nov. 23. I’m an only child, and she had no surviving brothers or sisters. Her

MUHAMMAD Page 46 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

27

LIFESTYLE

Nelson Mandela Honored With Wax Figure

Madame Tussauds Brings Iconic Leader to Historic Site

By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer @dreamersexpress

5

Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C. unveiled Nelson Mandela’s wax figure on Friday, Dec. 4, in Kogan Plaza on the campus of George Washington University in Northwest. / Photo by Patricia Little

K.K., a senior economics major, could not believe his eyes when he saw Madiba, the most prominent figure his home country of South Africa has ever produced staring right back at him.

Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C. unveiled the wax figure of the iconic revolutionary, politician, Nelson Mandela two years after his death on Friday, Dec. 4, in Kogan Plaza on the campus of George Washington University in Northwest.

“We decided to do the reveal here because this is an iconic piece of sidewalk that he’s standing next to,” Lauren Cottrell, manager of marketing and sales of Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C. said. “This is the place in the 1980s where students protested to free Mandela.”

“Free Mandela,” etched into stone by a student in 1985,

served as a national symbol for GW students’ solidarity to the commitment of ending apartheid in South Africa.

K.K. didn’t notice that piece of history after four years, but when he connected the dots he dialed home.

“I didn’t realize the slab was here, I’ve never paid it any attention,” K.K. said. “I just got off the phone with my father to tell him that he was here. It’s really cool to see GW paying respect.”

“It being here is significant because it is important for everyone to remember what he did for humanity,” he said.

Cottrell said that Mandela posed for his wax figure years ago in London’s Heathrow Airport in between flights.

Although the figure’s clothing looks as though it came out of Mandela’s closet, they are replicas that were made in New York City before being flown to the District.

Matthew Jenkins, 18, a D.C.

native and interior architecture design major, couldn’t help noticing the lifelike figure as he walked to class.

“It looks really nice. This is up my alley, so it’s really cool to see,” he said. “I wasn’t even aware it was the anniversary of his death, so it’s cool to see it because it reminds everyone of his importance.”

Mandela’s wax figure will remain on display at the museum through the month of February, joining Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Civil Rights Room.

“Madame Tussauds D.C. is honored to celebrate incredible leaders, revolutionaries and social champions,” Therese Alvich, general manager of Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C., said.

“Nelson Mandela is the epitome of these exemplary traits, and we are grateful to offer our visitors the chance to see such an inspirational icon and learn about his life’s dedication to equality.” WI

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LIFESTYLE

For Business or Pleasure, Drone’s Popularity Rising

By Caylon Thomas WI Student Intern In May 2015, Ryan MacDonald, 39, flew a drone over the White House lawn, resulting in his arrest and a citation from the U.S. Park Police.

And with the recent rise of drone usage, whether for fun or for business, an event held on Wednesday, Dec. 2 explored the use of drone technology for multiple industries, including aerial cinematography, commercial industries and emerging markets.

The Television, Internet, and Video Association of DC sponsored the Government Video Expo and National Drone Show in Northwest, attracting just under one hundred interested consumers.

“In the D.C. area it is very hard to fly drones; there is a 15mile radius around airports that restricts users from flying,” said Dr. Christopher Vo, the event organizer and president of the DC Drone User Group – a group that brings together individuals from all walks of life that are interested in the application of drones.

Vo serves as the co-founder and chief scientist at Sentien, a company that employs the use of cutting edge ground and aerial robotics with hopes of making the world a better place.

The leisure unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) or drone industry continues to boom in the U.S. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, 700,000 drones will be shipped to the U.S. by the end of this year, an increase of 63 percent from 2014.

The Greater Washington Area has seen a surge in the number of individuals interested in the leisure drone industry and their applications to the business world.

One such individual, Nathaniel Showalter, 27, of Baltimore, along with his father, owns a small privately-held drone company.

Showalter quit his job at a major telecommunications company last March and decided to go on a 10-day trip to Ireland to rebuild a medieval-times roof. After his return to the U.S., he served as a contractor remodeling homes. By

chance, his father asked him if he wanted to start a drone company.

Showalter jumped at the opportunity.

Today, they practice their skills by snapping photos of large areas of land, then piecing the pictures together to create beautiful landscapes. They hope to one day make their endeavors profitable.

There are three types of leisure drone vehicles: airplane, helicopters and quadcopters.

Quadcopters have gained popularity over the past few years for their easy maneuverability, takeoff and landing. Other drone aircrafts such as airplanes and helicopters require significant

amounts of space, expensive parts and previous experience.

“Quadcopters have been used to replace traditionally charted vehicles such as helicopters and planes, allowing individuals to get dynamic shots with much less expensive equipment,” Showalter said, who added one of his favorite places to fly his drone is over the Chesapeake Bay. “The Bay is my favorite area to fly because it is where I first learned to fly and crash my drone.

I always get great landscape shots that I can print out and use in my

AMERICAN SPIRITUAL ENSEMBLE Dr. Everett McCorvey, founder & music director

Sat, Jan 9, 8pm Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Washington Performing Arts’ Art of the Spiritual series continues with the soaring and ever-inspiring sound of the American Spiritual Ensemble, a critically acclaimed chorus that has dazzled audiences around the world with majestic performances of classic spirituals (“Balm in Gilead,” “Steal Away,” “Go Down Moses”), favorites from the Great American Songbook, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the ensemble’s power and precision in this intimate setting.

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portfolio,” he said.

The drone industry has increased in appeal to the business world. For example, the commercial drone market size has been predicted to reach $2.07 billion in sales by 2022, according to Grand View Research, a market research and consulting firm.

Retailers such as Amazon recently announced their plan to introduce drone delivery services in certain markets which guarantee delivery of packages within 30 minutes.

Google also plans to introduce a drone delivery service of the same caliber in 2017 which would

also guarantee delivery within 30 minutes of an order being placed.

Quadcopters have become a huge hit in the leisure and private industries because of their multiple power sources. Depending on the type of model you purchase it can either be battery powered or rechargeable.

The future of the drone industry remains bright with commitments from giant retailers like Google and Amazon, as well as their ability to spark the interest of individuals like Showalter and Vo. Don’t be surprised if your Christmas list from a relative or close friend includes a drone. WI

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LIFESTYLE

Motown Musical – A Great Way to Enjoy Holidays Play Makes the Most of the Sounds of a Generation

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor From the very first downbeat from the orchestra, the hit play “Motown the Musical,” now playing at The National Theatre in Northwest thru January 3, keeps the songs coming – songs that became the heartbeat of both an American generation and the world.

In fact, with the music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue, along with a stellar cast of actors and dancers, the play, which first gained rave reviews while being featured on a Broadway stage and is now on tour across the U.S., this musical is one that everyone will enjoy – no matter how old or young they may be.

Featuring actors Josh Tower and Allison Semmes as Berry Gordy and Diana Ross, and with a bevy of other talented actors, many of whom take on multiple roles, the play moves quickly and efficiently from start to finish with outstanding acting and dancing.

Where else could you see the Temptations, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Four Tops, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and the Jackson Five, all on the same stage?

At times, if you close your eyes, you can almost imagine the fancy foot footwork or hear the intricate harmonies that many of us grew to love during our childhood, our formative teen years or our adult days.

But even if you’re too young to have actually grown up with

DEC. 1 - JAN. 3 | 800.514.3849 | TheNationalDC.com | 30 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

5

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the Motown sound, you’re more than likely familiar with the groups and the songs that former auto plant worker Berry Gordy orchestrated and developed into a Black-owned musical company that has since seen no equal.

Gordy, who celebrated his birthday on Nov. 28, visited the District in support of the first leg of the national tour.

The play, based on his own reflections in a book titled “To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown,” takes us down the road when Motown was poised to mark its 25th anniversary with a landmark concert bringing all of its past and present acts back to the stage one more time.

But as the play reveals, Gordy remained reluctant to participate in the celebration because so many of his stars had left the Motown family for more lucrative contracts with other record labels.

As the play continues, we see how people like Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye played an integral role in Gordy’s life, often impacting both his personal and professional decisions.

Gordy took to the stage

following the D.C. premier, along with the play’s director, Charles Randolph-Wright, speaking to the audience and then dancing to the sounds of Stevie Wonder as the curtain descended on the energetic cast. It was clear that he was pleased with the efforts of the cast.

An often repeated quotation in reflecting on music from the 60s and 70s, “Motown is forever,” certainly confirmed its accuracy in a play that resonated with the theater’s packed audience, all of whom stood to their feet at the curtain call – both in salute to Gordy and Randolph-Wright and to acknowledge how much they enjoyed the hard work of the orchestra, cast and crew.

So far I’ve seen the play twice. And I’m going back for a third dose of the music on which I cut my teeth as a child growing up in the Motor City where seeing folks like Ross, Gaye, Gladys Knight, or catching a glimpse of Tops and Temps, was as common as seeing one’s best friend.

Those were the days. And this play is one that harkens back to a period of my life that I will never forget. WI

LIFESTYLE

Berry Gordy Talks about Magic of Motown

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor Berry Gordy, the man behind Motown and on whose life the hit play “Motown the Musical” is primarily based, made a visit to the District last week where he spoke with reporters, later enjoying the debut of the Broadway hit show at the National Theatre in Northwest which continues through Jan. 3.

Gordy, 85, celebrating his birthday on Nov. 28, appeared spry and upbeat during an afternoon of interviews with members of the press.

And during his conversation with The Washington Informer, he candidly spoke about his many memories as the founder and former leader of Motown Records.

“It’s great to be back in D.C. – years ago when the Motown Review was on the road, this was like our second home because of our time on stage at the Howard Theater,” Gordy said.

Charles Randolph-Wright, the director of the play, sat beside Gordy and spoke about the show and how Motown impacted his life.

“Seeing firsthand what he [Berry Gordy] did and how he did it – it’s been fascinating. He brought it all together and as an outsider, a person who grew up in a small town in South Carolina, the music of Motown was something that always captivated me,” Randolph-Wright said.

“His life was all about making his dreams come true and so this play is about dreaming,” the director added. “We still see the influence of the Motown sound on today’s artists because Motown is more than just music – it’s a movement.”

When asked how he compared the current play to the event on which it’s focused, the 25th anniversary celebration of Motown, Gordy said the two both resonated with him, albeit in very different ways.

“Those days prior to the Motown 25 show, I was pretty unhappy because of the artists who had left for more money,” Gordy said. “I felt betrayed. Diana [Ross], Marvin [Gaye] and the Jackson 5 left when I was at the height of my career. Their leaving Motown destroyed our bottom line and threatened our very existence.”

5Motown founder Berry Gordy (center) speaks with Washington Informer editor, D. Kevin McNeir (l-r) along with Charles Randolph-Wright, director of the play “Motown the Musical,” now appearing at the National Theatre in Northwest through January 3. / Photo by Corey Parrish “But after considering that even those who had left were returning from all parts of the world for the anniversary, it showed me how much they still loved me. I realized that I still loved them and could see myself possibly doing what they had done if I had been in their shoes. I guess I held on so tightly because I had seen what can happen to artists when they gain so much power and have so few restrictions on their lives – they often self-destruct. I didn’t want that to happen.”

Gordy said that since the play’s debut on Broadway in 2014, it has undergone several changes – many under his direction.

“We had so many great songs, but we realized that some didn’t fit the play. And the show was a little too long. So we made some revisions. And I’m very pleased with what audiences are now seeing,” he said.

In a more personal moment, he discussed his relationship with Diana Ross who not only became one of Motown’s top entertainers, but whom he loved very much – even sharing a “love child” together.

“Diana called me yesterday and said she was trying to get to D.C. for the play but didn’t be-

lieve she’d be able to make it,” he said. “The love is still there. I guess that’s why I wrote the song that’s sung at the end of the play, ‘Can I Close the Door on Love.’

I came to understand that you can’t ignore or negate that love.

I guess I’ve felt that way about most of the Motown family my entire life.”

Allison Semmes, the actress pegged for the nationwide tour in the role of Diana Ross, bears an uncanny, even eerie resemblance to Ross – not in her physical appearance but in the nuanced movements that would become Ross’s trademark. Semmes talked about how she prepared.

“I was originally an understudy for the role of Diana Ross but I watched, studied her on YouTube and was patient,” said Semmes who did a stellar job in the role from start to finish.

“Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I’ve been granted the unbelievable opportunity to portray one of the greatest entertainers in Motown history. The music was fundamental and inspiring during a period of great turbulence in America. And it will always be special for millions of people all around the world. It will always be special for me,” she said. WI

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LIFESTYLE

Angelique Kidjo Rocks Maryland Campus understand. But that didn’t matter at all. The spirit came through loud and clear.

When Miriam Makeba passed Kidjo sang familiar music from away in 2008, a void was left at the past, favorites of the audience the very top of the roster of stellar such as “Batonga,” and also perAfrican female singers. But there formed songs from her latest rewas a diva-in-waiting who had cording, “EVE” (2014), paying been trailing Makeba and paying homage to the different events homage to her throughout her that affect women’s lives in Africa. own career. “‘EVE’ is dedicated to the That songstress was Beninoise women of Africa, to their resilAngelique Kidjo, who has risen to ience and their beauty,” she said. the status of Makeba (aka Mama “What I discovered along the Africa) in her own right with 12 journey is that these women find recordings and multiple awards joy in being mothers and wives, under her belt dating back more and also in being financially inthan three decades. dependent, running businesses Kidjo made a local appearance in markets and finding ways to last weekend at the University of feed their kids. What I enjoyed Maryland’s Clarice Smith Per- most about cre- ating “EVE” forming Arts Center, backed by was the womfour international musicians and en giving a spare stage. But Angelique Ki- me authordjo needed no embellishments ity and with her powerful vocals and ex- s t r e n g t h hilarating dancing. Performing to continue songs from her illustrious string speaking about of hits, the two-time Grammy justice, love, empaAward winner made sure to put thy and compassion.”

InformerOf course, she paid tribin a plug for her philanthropic organization, the Batonga Foun- ute on stage to her mentor, dation, which supports the ed- Miriam Makeba, performucation of girls throughout the ing two of the South AfAfrican continent. rican singer’s signature “When you educate a woman, songs, the slow Swahiit’s a game changer. When you li love ballad “Malaieducate a woman, the country’s ka” and the rousGDP goes up, the economy does ing “Pata Pata,” better, sexually transmitted dis- instructing the eases decrease, early pregnancy audience on and early marriage diminish and the poputhe benefits count,” Kidjo said lar dance emphatically. “Even in this coun- from the try, when you invest in girls’ ed- 60s. ucation in this country, nothing B u t will be able stop this country. We p e r h a p s need the leaders of this world to the most enunderstand, that for a capitalistic dearing aspect system to survive, to bloom, to of her perforgrow, to stop violence, we have to mance was her educate the women.” interaction But when she wasn’t speaking, with the Kidjo was doing what she knows s o l d - o u t best — lending her clear, strong voice to her songs that celebrate the beauty of African culture, the strength of African women and the need for worldwide peace. As she is fluent in Fon, French, English and Yoruba, the majority of her songs were not in a language that most of the audience could

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house audience. She shimmied into the audience on her hit song “Mama Africa” and high-fived and danced with the people who reached out just to touch her hand. As a finale, she invited the audience to come on stage and dance with her, while her percussionist left his stationary congas to strap on a djembe and play for the audience members (many who dared to dance in public were from the continent).

Beyond her excellence as a performing artist, Kidjo is now a book author, having penned a memoir, “Spirit Rising: My Life, My Music” in 2014. WI

WI Book Review A “Firefight: The Century-Long Battle to Integrate New York’s Bravest”

by Ginger Adams Otis c.2015, Palgrave Macmillan $28.00 / $32.50 Canada 281 pages

LIFESTYLE

Horoscopes

DEC 10 - 16, 2015

ARIES Balance is an important skill. If you’ve been working too hard, the urge to play is going to be nearly irresistible this week. However, if you’ve been playing too hard, it’s a terrific week to restore some order to your work. Keep smiling! Soul Affirmation: I quiet all confusion. Lucky Numbers: 11, 26, 27 TAURUS Your energy level is marvelous, and you are probably getting a great deal of work done in an unusually facile manner. Bless your lucky stars, and stay on track. Expect to hear from a friend this week. Soul Affirmation: I entertain wild ideas about making money this week. Lucky Numbers: 40, 46, 52 GEMINI A little space from your current love interest seems to be in

order. Use a brief time-out to remember the unique and wonderful personality traits of the person you love. Don’t forget to tell her or him of your love! Keep your heart open. Soul Affirmation: Smooth communications is the key to my success this week. Lucky Numbers: 19, 30, 32

CANCER This is truly your week. Take a break from any disappointChestnuts roasting on an open fire seem so cozy.

Just humming that tune warms you up, right?

Roaring flames on hearth or sand always seem welcoming, even romantic – except when they go out of control. And as for the person who puts out a fire like that, as you’ll see in “Firefight” by Ginger Adams Otis, flames aren’t all they battle.

Sometimes, the fight runs deeper, as Wesley Williams learned on January 10, 1919.

That was the day Williams left his young family in their Bronx apartment to report to his new job as New York City’s first (according to newspapers) black firefighter. It was a 45-minute ride to Little Italy, and he knew he could never be late.

What he faced that day, and for months, wasn’t what he hoped to get from the job. He’d receive a $1,500-a-year salary and benefits of which few 5 Ginger Adams Otis black men would dare to dream. He also received discrimination, subtly and overtly, but Williams persevered and thrived: later years, he worked his way up to battalion chief.

That was no easy feat for an African American man in the early-to-mid 1900s America.

Though black citizens represented a good part of New York City’s population, black “smoke eaters” were few in both police and fire departments; often, just 3 percent of the entire department. Early on, they had little security or clout, which is why Williams formed the Vulcans, a fraternal order for African American firefighters, in 1938.

Still, Jim Crow hazing, testing biases, and lack of urgency in City Hall kept many potential African American recruits from the FDNY. Some eighty years after Wesley Williams became a firefighter, the situation was different, but similar: racism lurked quietly in pockets of the FDNY, testing continued to be a thorny issue, and there was still a disparity in numbers for “Bravest” African Americans. The Vulcans had long lobbied for change, with limited success and so, post-9/11, they took a drastic and controversial step.

In a way, I saw “Firefight” as two distinct books in one.

First, readers may be shocked to learn of the racial imbalance perpetuated in such a large and esteemed department in one of our largest cities, and what had to be done to set things right. That account of modern-day struggles is how author Ginger Adams Otis kicks her book off, and though she winds recent happenings nicely around that of the past, the many names and legal skirmishes can become overwhelming for readers outside New York.

Fortunately, the history of New York firefighting and the decades-old story of Wesley Williams comprise the other half of this book, and the latter is compelling. It weaves through Otis’ account of the present and tempers it; indeed, if your mind wanders, it’ll snap back when Williams’ name appears again.

Fire buffs in particular will appreciate this book, as will anyone who loves a peek into the past with a dash of excitement. Yes, part of it may be a challenge to follow but the other half of “Firefight” will inflame you. WI

ments that you may have been remembering and move toward the Now with a wise heart. Your attention may focus on personal health, and ways to make yours better. Soul Affirmation: I exercise to lower tension this week.

Lucky Numbers: 9, 17, 24

LEO Family matters will be pleasant this week, but save your evenings for your romantic partner. The vibes support a mutually wonderful experience that will deepen your appreciation for one another! Soul Affirmation: I obey the rules this week and avoid hassles. Lucky Numbers: 1, 2, 46 VIRGO You lucky ducklings! Everything goes your way this week, so

relax and enjoy the abundant and wonderful soul vibrations. Make calls early in the week so that you can cruise through the afternoon. Soul Affirmation: I find peace in spending time out of doors this week. Lucky Numbers: 18, 29, 36

LIBRA A project at work may suddenly demand your attention. If you

pounce on it rather than waiting for it to go away (it won’t), you’ll be finished by lunchtime. Your speed and agility enable you to work smart; use your advantage. Soul Affirmation: By going slowly I get there faster this week. Lucky Numbers: 14, 40, 55

SCORPIO Talk it up this week. You’ve got a gift with words this week that will facilitate all endeavors. If you’ve been meaning to ask for a raise, this week might be the day to broach the subject with the boss. Trust your instincts! Soul Affirmation: By rewarding others I reward myself. Lucky Numbers: 51, 53, 54 SAGITTARIUS Energy in the mornings will be more productive than the energy you feel in the afternoons. Work hard early each day, then take the afternoons off to play. Better yet, get your honey to join you in playing hooky from work! Soul Affirmation: I give thanks for the chance to give.

Lucky Numbers: 31, 42, 52 CAPRICORN Finding a way to do it better than others is not going

to be hard this week. Share your wisdom with other seekers. All who receive your word will benefit this week. Happiness rules! Don’t waste a moment of this perfect week on any negative thoughts. Soul Affirmation: I create a positive world for myself by thinking positive. Lucky Numbers: 11, 13, 18

AQUARIUS Strong vibrations bring a series of dramatic interactions with others this week. Practice your charm. Let it come from the heart, and let your energy carry you upwards to your best, highest self. Keep emotions calm. Soul Affirmation: In the storms of the week I find comfort inside myself. Lucky Numbers: 25, 28, 30 PISCES People often forget about the roaming side to your personality.

This week is a week when you’ll love thinking about “faraway places with strange sounding names,” as the song says. What you do about your urges is yet another matter. Home calls too. What a week! Soul Affirmation: I smile as I think about far away paces. Lucky Numbers: 42, 47, 49 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

33

SPORTS

Wizards Upend Phoenix Suns, 109-106 4 Suns forward P.J. Tucker drives past Wizards guard Ramon Sessions in the third quarter of NBA action on Friday, Dec. 4 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Wizards defeated the Suns 109106. / Photo by John E. De Freitas 6 Wizards guard Ramon Sessions drives past Suns guard Devin

Booker in the first half of NBA action on Friday, Dec. 4 for a home game at the Verizon Center. Sessions said: “We missed [our] big guys for sure but guys just stepped up and guys were setting screens. It was just one of those things where we had to adjust. We made adjustments, played hard and got a good win.” Washington defeated Phoenix 109-106. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

5 Suns forward Jon Leuer drives past Wizards guard Devin Booker in the fourth quarter of NBA action on Friday, Dec. 4, winning 109-106 over the Suns. / Photo by John E. De Freitas 5 Wizards guard Bradley Beal drives past his opponent in the second quarter of NBA action on Friday, Dec. 4, stopping the Suns 109106. Beal: “It was just my aggression and approach to the game [unlike] the other night against Los Angeles. It was just a matter of me being more aggressive on offense and defense and doing whatever it takes to help the team get a 3 Wizards guard John

View

Sports Photos

by John De Freitas

at:

 34 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

Wall is guarded by Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe in the first quarter of National Basketball Association (NBA) action on Friday, Dec. 4 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Wizards defeated the Suns 109-106. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

SPORTS

Georgetown Men Stop Syracuse, 79-72 4 Georgetown guard L.J. Peak goes over Syracuse guard Tyler Lydon

in the first half of NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball action on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Hoyas defeated the Orange 79-72 before a crowd of 18, 231. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

4 Syracuse forward

Tyler Roberson entertained the Georgetown fans with a dunk in the first half of NCAA Division men’s basketball action on Saturday, Dec. 5, helping to secure a 79-72 victory over the Orange. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

5 Syracuse guard Trevor Cooney drives past

Georgetown forward Reggie Cameron in the first half of NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball action on Saturday, Dec. 5. The Hoyas upset the Orange, 79-72. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

3 Georgetown center

5 Syracuse forward Michael Gbinije drives past Hoyas guard L.J. Peak in the

first half of NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball action on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Hoyas defeated the Orange 79-72. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

Bradley Hayes uses his height to get past Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon in the first quarter of Division 1 Men’s basketball action on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. Hayes scored a second career high 21 points and had eight rebounds to lead four players in double figures as Georgetown beat No.14 Syracuse 79-72. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

35

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

D.C. LIGHTS CHRISTMAS TREES FOR THE HOLIDAY 6Aloe Blacc sings at President’s Park in Northwest during the 2015 Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 3. / Photo by Roy Lewis

5A large crowd awaits

the flip of the switch by President Barack Obama to light the Christmas tree in President’s Park on Thursday, Dec. 3 in Northwest. / Photo by Roy Lewis

4President Barack

Obama with his family turn on the lights of the 2015 Christmas Tree and celebrate with the large crowd at President’s Park in Northwest on Thursday, Dec. 3. / Photo by Roy Lewis

36 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

MAKING THE SEASON BRIGHT

5First Lady Michelle Obama reads “The Night Before Christmas”

with Miss Piggy to a group of children on stage at the National Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 3, at President’s Park in Northwest. / Photo by Roy Lewis

5President Barack Obama greets Santa Claus at the National Christmas Tree Lighting at President’s Park in Northwest on Thursday, Dec. 3. / Photo by Roy Lewis

Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

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famed “Loop.”

Also, filmmaker Spike Lee, whose “Chi-Raq” film has drawn scrutiny and criticism for its frank take on Chicago violence has called for Emanuel’s resignation even after he fired the city’s police chief in the wake of the video’s release.

“Heads must roll,” Lee said.

The maker of such films as “Do the Right Thing,” and “Malcolm X,” Lee said he was particularly upset

mishandled the release of the McDonald video and the investigation.

They also called for federal investigators, who are conducting a probe into the McDonald case, to get to the bottom of what they see as a cover-up by the Chicago Police Department in McDonald’s death, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

“We’re calling on the federal government to do their due diligence and let the chips fall where they may,” state

Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, said Sunday. “We’re not animals, we’re human beings, and we will be treated as such. Black lives matter.”

Demonstrators also called for a separate, overarching investigation by the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division into police misconduct, which could lead to sweeping changes in police department policy.

Religious leaders echoed those calls Sunday at Carey Tercentenary African Methodist Episcopal Church on the city’s West Side. Bishop John Bryant of the African Methodist Episcopal Church said “everyone who was part of the cover-up, from the top to the bottom, should be exposed and reprimanded.”

“This has been going on for too long and seems to be increasing,” Bryant said. “And enough is enough. The community is saying that, the church is saying that, enough is enough.”

On Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch will launch a Civil Rights Division investigation of the Chicago Police Department in the wake of the fatal shooting of McDonald. The official announcement is expected in the coming days.

“End the cover-up now!” Jackson said. “All those involved have to face the Justice Department.” WI

BOYCOTT fromPage 10

bian Hueman has gone beyond selling custom clothes and wares, making its mark in the Anacostia community by partnering with Calvary Women’s Services, the Kuumba Learning Center, and other organizations. Residents far and near returned the favor on Friday and Saturday. Hobbs said she saw more than 30 customers on those days – including Courtney Snowden, D.C. deputy mayor on economic issues – an increase of 75 percent from a regular weekend.

“For me, that’s a great thing,” Hobbs added. “We’re learning about the importance of supporting each other and the weight of where we spend our money. I hope this goes beyond the holiday season. Ninety-seven percent of our buyers are Black so we’re maintained by the Black community. This is not just a good move for Black business but Black lives.

That’s how we flourish as a people.”

Seeing Black support of Blackowned business come to reality, however, would require much sacrifice, some people contend.

A significant number of up-andcoming Black entrepreneurs go into clothing; toiletries, fragrances, and restaurant management, leav-

ing other industries remain without substantial representation. For the average consumer of African descent, the lack of affordable alternatives makes the idea of a mass boycott less appealing.

“We’re the entitlement generation so that’s the biggest challenge,” Yuri Norrell, regional manager of a Black-owned mental health agency in Virginia, told AllEyesOnDC. Norrell, who said he boycotted major corporations in his holiday shopping more than two years ago, said he too found it difficult to convince family and friends to forego amenities from Wal-Mart and other retailers.

“Getting a mass group of people behind this movement will take a cognitive exercise in seeing the larger picture,” Norrell, 33, added.

“The Montgomery Bus Boycott took a year. It would probably take five years of boycotting for [the state] to be ready to make a change. By the time they’re ready to do that, we shouldn’t even want to go back. We would have our ducks in a row and tell them ‘naw we’re good,’” said the Richmond, Virginia resident. WI This article originally appeared on AllEyesOnDC.com.

Police initially said Laquan lunged at officers with a knife, but the dash cam video, which made headlines around the world, shows McDonald was walking away from officers when he was shot 16 times.

“We must maintain our discipline, we must maintain our dignity, must maintain our focus,” Jackson, the civil rights leader, told supporters during a march and rally along State Street and Chicago’s

that the video of Laquan’s shooting wasn’t released for more than a year and only after two journalists filed and followed up on freedom of information requests.

“For me, from afar, looks like a head had to roll and it wasn’t going to be Rahm’s, so [the police chief] had to go,” Lee said in an interview with CNN. On Sunday, the demonstrators called for Emanuel and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez to step down, saying they

““We must maintain our discipline, we must maintain our dignity, must maintain our focus,” Jesse Jackson, Sr. / Civil Rights Leader

pain” before the state hears their concerns.

Determined brothers and sisters in the D.C. metropolitan area did just that on the Friday morning after Thanksgiving, gathering at the Columbia Heights shopping area and Walmart on Georgia Avenue, both in Northwest. Their actions bore some similarity to that of people in Chicago who converged on the city’s highly esteemed Magnificent Mile, days after a dashcam video showed a police officer shooting 16-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times at point-blank range.

While the few shoppers who chose to brave the lines at these stores suffered the scorn of protestors, those who ventured into local, Black-owned businesses, like Nubian Hueman, an ethnic-centered boutique in the Anacostia Arts Center, had a different, more pleasant experience.

“They said they wanted to make sure they passed through. They were there to make a difference,” Anika Hobbs, owner of Nubian Hueman, told AllEyesOnDC. Since its 2013 inception, Nu-

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The goal of the first principle of Hill’s 13: Desire is to remind you that desire could be anything, from channeling your energy toward a special cause, from becoming an Olympics Champion, purchasing a nice home, to becoming an award-winning singer. See yourself already doing or having the dream you want so much. Write it down using the sample below: First, make up in your mind the exact goal you desire. You can’t say, “I want a new job, or husband, wife, college degree, child, career whatever your dream is, you’ve got to write it down.” You must see, feel and believe you are already in possession of this thing you dream of.

Second, determine what you will give in return for the goal set. You can’t get “something for nothing.”

In the third step, establish a

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definite date when you intend to get it. Fourth, create a definite step-by-step plan for carrying it out.

Fifth, write out a clear, concise statement of what it is you desire, and begin immediately, ready or not, get moving.

Sixth, read your written statement aloud in the morning and at night. As you read, see, feel and believe with faith in God that you are already in possession of whatever it is you desire. It should read something like this: I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life; therefore, I demand of myself ongoing action that moves me toward my goal, and I promise to deliver on this promise.

I know the dominating thoughts of my mind will gradually grow and become real, with daily physical steps taken that will gradually change themselves into something real; therefore, I concentrate my thoughts for 30 minutes daily upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, seeing myself already there.

I know through the principle of speaking my goal aloud, any desire I hold in my mind will eventually become a reality; therefore, I devote 10 minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of self-confidence.

I have clearly written down a description of my definite chief aim in life, and I will never stop trying until I shall have developed sufficient self-confidence to

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I cause others to believe in me because I believe in them and in myself.

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Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church The Reverend Lyndon Shakespeare Interim Priest

Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher

Foggy Bottom • Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW • Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 • Fax : 202-338-4958

Services & Times Sunday School 8 – 9 AM Worship Service 9 – 11 AM Tuesday Night Bible Study 6:30 – 8:00 PM Wednesday Daytime Bible Study 11 AM – 12:30 PM

Worship Services Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist

Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: faithdefender@verizon.net

Committed to providing services and supports to increase the capacity of individuals, businesses, and communities.

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

Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

39

RELIGION Pilgrim Baptist Church

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Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

Schedule of Services: 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 e-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Worship Sundays @ 7:30 & 11:00 A.M. 5th Sundays @ 9:30 A.M. 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 P.M.

Schedule of Service Sunday Service: 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday

www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ Drs. Dennis W. and Christine Y. Wiley, Pastors 3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) (202) 562-4219 (Fax) SERVICES AND TIMES: SUNDAYS: 10:00 am AM 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.covenantbaptistdc.org

Twelfth Street Christian Church

Campbell AME Church Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White

(Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340

2562 MLK Jr. Ave., S E Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email:Campbell@mycame.org Sunday Worship Service 10: am Sunday Church School 8: 45 am Bible Study Wednesday 12:00 Noon Wednesday 7:00 pm Thursday 7: pm “Reaching Up To Reach Out”

Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor Service and Times Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m.

Communion every Sunday 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Bible Study Tuesday 12Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday 6:30 p.m.

Motto; “Discover Something Wonderful.”

Website: 12thscc.org Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com

Mailing Address Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE Washington, DC 20020

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Joseph N. Evans, Ph.D Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423

Rev. John W. Davis, Pastor 5101 14th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20011 202-726-2220/ 202-726-9089 Sunday Worship Service 8:00am and 11:00am Sunday School 9:15am Holy Communion 4th Sunday 10:00am Prayer and Bible Study Wednesday 7;00pm TV Ministry –Channel 6 Wednesday 10:00pm gsccm.administration@verizon.net

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

Blessed Word of Life Church

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

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew, Assistant Pastor

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

tel: 202-291-6565

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

Church of Living Waters

Sunday Church School : 9: 30am Sunday Morning Worship: 10: 45am Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00pm Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00pm Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10: 45am themcbc.org

40 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

www.livingwatersmd.org

St. Stephen Baptist Church Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Senior Pastor 5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555 Sunday Early Morning Worship - 7:45 a.m.

Church School - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship – 10:45 a.m.

Tuesday – 7:00pm – Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday – Prayer/Praise/Bible Study – 7:30 p.m.

Baptism & Communion Service- 4th Sunday – 10:30am

“We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org e-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., • Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE • Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 Fax: (202) 889-2198 • www.acamec.org 2008: The Year of New Beginnings “Expect the Extraordinary”

Crusader Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan, Pastor 800 I Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 Fax No. 202-548-0703

Sunday Worship Services: 8:00a.m. and 11:00a.m.

Sunday Church School - 9:15a.m. & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30a.m.

2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m.

Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study - 10:00a.m.

Tuesday Topical Bible Study - 6:30p.m.

Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study - 6:30p.m.

Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study - 6:30p.m.

Wednesday Children’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m.

Thursday Men’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m.

Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service - 6:30p.m.

Saturday Adult Bible Study - 10:00a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00am Holy Communion – 1st Sunday Sunday School-9:45am Men’s Monday Bible Study – 7:00pm Wednesday Night Bible Study – 7:00pm Women’s Ministry Bible Study 3rd Friday -7:00pm Computer Classes- Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org

“The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

“God is Love”

Third Street Church of God Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor 1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202.347.5889 office 202.638.1803 fax Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Prayer Meeting and Bible Study: Wed. 7:30 p.m.

“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org

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 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 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

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews • Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 Fax: (202) 526-1661 Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Church School: 9:20 a.m.

Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!”

Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

ST Marks Baptist Come Worship with us...

St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Dr. Raymond T. Matthews, Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews Sunday School 9:am Worship Service 10:am Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service 6:45 pm Thur. Bible Study 7:15 pm

RELIGION Shabbath Commandment Church 7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-534-5471 Bishop Adrian A. Taylor, Sr. Pastor Sabbath School 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Service 11:00 a.m. Praise & Worship Preaching 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Motto: “A Church Keeping It Real for Real.”

Website: Shabbathcommandmentchruch.org Email: Praisebetoyhwh@gmail.com

Zion Baptist Church

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

Israel Baptist Church

Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor

Rev. Dr. Morris L Shearin, Sr. Pastor

4850 Blagdon Ave, NW • Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 • Fax (202) 291-3773

1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288

Sunday Worship Service 10:15AM- Praise and Worship Services Sunday School 9:00am Monday: Noon Bible School Wednesday: Noon & 7PM: Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission Zion Baptist Church 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 Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:15 a.m.

Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute Wednesday - 1:30 pm Prayer Meeting Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

St. Matthews Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Maxwell M. Washington Pastor Worshiping Location Knights of Columbus - 1633 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 (240) 838-7074 Order of Services Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 am Sunday School: 9:00 am Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer / Bible Study: 6:15 pm - 7:20 pm (Tuesday) Theme: “The Kingdom Focused Church” Matthew 6:33 and Mathew 28:18-20, KJV Email: stmatthewsbaptist@msn.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org

Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 A.M. Sunday School: 8:30 A.M. Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.

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

King Emmanuel Baptist Church Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor 2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730 Sunday School – 9:30 am Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 am Baptismal Service – 1st Sunday – 9:30 am Holy Communion – 1st Sunday – 11:00 am Prayer Meeting & Bible Study – Wednesday -7:30 pm

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church Rev. Dr. Diane Dixon Proctor, Pastor 1301 North Carolina Ave. N E Washington, D C 20002 202 543 1318 lpumconthegrow@gmail.com www.lpumcdc.org Sunday worship 10: am Holy Communion first Sunday 10: am Sunday school 9: am Bible Study each Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30pm Motto: “A CHURCH ON THE GROW”.

Eastern Community Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Clinton W. Austin Pastor 2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Come Grow With Us and Establish a Blessed Family” Sunday Worship 7:30am & 10:45am Baptism/Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30pm Prayer Service Tuesdays – 8:00pm www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert SR. Pastor

623 Florida Ave.. NW • WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 • Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 • Fax (202) 483-4009

4504 Gault Place, N.E. Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184

Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 a.m.

Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 p.m.

Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 p.m.

Noonday Prayer Every Thursday

9:30AM. Sunday Church School 11:00 Am. Sunday Worship Service The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Wednesday 7:00pm Prayer & Praise Services 7:30pm. Bible Study Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries 10:30am A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

Christ Embassy DC

6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065

Elder Herman L. Simms, Pastor

2616 MLK Ave., SE • Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 • Fax 202-678-3304

Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator

Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 P.M

Early Worship Service 7:30a.m Worship Service 10:45a.m.

New Members Class 9:30a.m.

Communion and Feet Wash Holy Communion : 1st Sunday -10:45a.m 4th Sunday at 5:00 P.M Church School 9:30a.m.

Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: Prayer/Seeking Wednesday 7p.m Wednesday at 8:00 P.M. Bible Study : Saturday: 11a.m.

Baptism: 4th Sunday – 10:45a.m Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42 Multitude of Souls to Christ”

New Commandment Baptist Church

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

Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 am and 10:45 am Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 am and 10:45 am Sunday School: 9:30 am Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon and 6:30 pm Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 pm Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 pm

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

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

Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org

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

Salem Baptist Church

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor

Dr. C. Matthew Hudson, Jr, Pastor

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

Rehoboth Baptist Church

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005

Damion M. Briggs Pastor

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

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

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

Shiloh Baptist Church

Peace Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Sunday Morning Worship Service 7:15 am & 10:50 am Sunday School 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship Service 10:50am Wednesday Prayer & Testimonies Service 7:30pm Wednesday School of the Bible 8:00pm Wednesday - Midweek Prayer Service 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm “The Loving Church of the living lord “ Email Address pbcexec@verizon.net

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Rev. Alonzo Hart Pastor

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Reginald M. Green, Sr., Interim Pastor

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

917 N St. NW • Washington, DC 20001 (202) 232-4294

9th & P Street, N.W. • W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4200

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

The Church Where GOD Is Working....

And We Are Working With GOD

Sunrise Prayer Services - Sunday 7:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Prayer Service: 8:00 a.m.

Sunday Church School: 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship: 10:40 a.m.

Third Sunday Baptismal & Holy Communion:10:30 a.m.

Tuesday Church At Study Prayer & Praise: 6:30 p.m.

Morning Worship: 8:00 a.m Church School : 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship: 10:55 a.m.

Bible Study, Thursday: 6:30 p.m.

Prayer Meeting,Thursday : 7:30 p.m.

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

Sunday Worship Services: 7:45am & 11:00am Sunday school For All Ages 9:30am Prayer Services Wednesday 11:30am & 6:45pm Bible Institute Wednesday at Noon & 7:45pm “Changing Lives On Purpose “ Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org

Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 P.M. Friday Evening Service 7:00 P.M. ; Last Friday “…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

Sunday Service: 10 am Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 am 1st Sunday Baptism: 10: am 2nd Sunday Holy Communion: 10 am Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 pm Prayer Meeting: 7:45 pm

Sunday Worship Service 10:00 A.M.

3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Sunday Church School: 9:30 A.M. Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 A.M. Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 P.M. Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 P.M. Prayer Service Bible Study

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor 2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 Fax: (202) 529-7738 Order of Services Worship Service: 7:30 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:00 a.m.

Worship Service: 10:30 a.m.

Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30 a.m. & 10:30a.m.

Prayer Services: Tuesday 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday 12 Noon Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.

Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

41

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

Beverly Franklin Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister 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

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

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1418

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1388

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1387

Guy Tillman Decedent

John William Barbour Decedent

William P. D’Italia Decedent

Shanelle C. Patterson Esg. 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Ste 400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney

Peter Antonoplos 1725 DeSales Street, NW #600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

Peter D. Antonoplos, Esq. 1725 DeSales St., NW #600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

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

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

Andea Barbour-Brown, whose address is 614 Opus Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD 20743, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John William Barbour who died on January 28, 2010 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Robert D’Italia, whose address is 33 Munson Court, Melville, NY 11747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William P. D’Italia who died on August 25, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015

Date of first publication: December 3, 2015

Andrea Barbour-Brown Personal Representative

Robert D’Italia Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Washington Informer

Washington Informer

Administration No. 2015 ADM 602

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1432

Virna Rita Ingram Decedent

Michael Bernard White Decedent

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

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

Vanessa Ann Ingram whose address is 1616 Hamlin Street NE, Washington, DC 20018 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Virna Rita Ingram who died on August 31, 2014 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 June 10, 2016. 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 June 10, 2016, 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.

Michelle L. White whose address is 9008 Breezewood Terrace, #201, Greenbelt, MD 20770 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michael Bernard White who died on July 24, 2013 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 June 10, 2016. 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 June 10, 2016, or be forever barred.

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

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Civil Division 2015 CA 6060 R(RP) Judge Jeanette J. Clark, Calendar 7, Next Event: Initial Scheduling Conference February 19, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, v.

THE MARY B. STAUNTON LIVING TRUST, et al.

Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION In accordance with D.C. Code Section 13-336, et seq., and SCR Civil Rule 4-I, the object of this proceeding is to quiet title to one parcel of real property located in the District of Columbia, described for tax assessment purposes as Square 5291 Lot 79, known as 5451 B Street, SE, Washington, DC 20019. Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. filed a Complaint alleging among other things, that a deed recorded as Document Number 2002058312 transferring the property known as 5451 B Street SE, Washington, DC 20019 to the Defendant Martha Green was signed improperly by Mary B. Staunton as an individual instead of Mary B. Staunton in her capacity as trustee of the Defendant Mary B. Staunton Living Trust and therefore Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.’s recorded deed of trust granted by Martha Green may be ineffective. Plaintiff has shown that Mary B. Staunton is deceased and therefore personal service is not possible.

WHEREFORE, it is this 23rd day of November 2015, hereby, ORDERED, that notice shall be given by insertion of a copy of this order in the Daily Washington Law Reporter, a legal newspaper or periodical of daily circulation and The Washington Informer, a newspaper or periodical specifically designated by the Court once a week for three successive weeks. Super Ct. Civ. R. 4-I; D.C. Code Section 13-340.

“For purposes of this rule, a legal newspaper or periodical of daily circulation shall mean a publication designed by the Court that is (1) devoted primarily to publication of opinions, notices and other information from the courts of the District of Columbia, (2) circulated generally to the legal community, and published at least on each weekday that the Superior Court is in session.” Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4-I. Notice is given to any and all persons interested in the above-described real property to cause their appearance to be entered herein on or before February 19, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. Otherwise, the cause will be proceeded with as in cause of default. SO ORDERED. /s/ Judge Jeanette J. Clark. Pub Dates: December 10, December 17, and December 24, 2015.

42 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

LEGAL NOTICES

Michelle L. White Personal Representative

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

Vanessa Ann Ingram Personal Representative

LEGAL NOTICES

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Civil Division 2014 CA 007675 R(RP) Judge Jeanette J. Clark, Calendar 7, Next Event: Initial Scheduling Conference January 8, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.

PEGGY ENGRAM, Personal Representative ESTATE OF ELBERTA M. DUNCOMBE, Plaintiff, v.

ALBERT M. DUNCOMBE, et al.

Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION In accordance with D.C. Code Section 13-336, et seq., and SCR Civil Rule 4-I, the object of this proceeding is to quiet title to two parcels of real property located in the District of Columbia, described for tax assessment purposes as Square 2841 Lot 0110, known as 1014 Park Road, NW, and Square 2839 Lot 0839, known as 3414-11th Street, NW. Plaintiff Peggy Engram filed a Complaint to Quiet Title (Fraudulent Conveyances) alleging among other things, that a person identified as Albert M. Duncombe cause two fraudulently, created conveyance deeds with respect to both said properties to be recorded in the land records of the District of Columbia on February 22, 2013 in his favor. The Complaint further states that the Estate of Elberta M. Duncombe is the rightful owner of said properties and requests that title be quieted in its name are and clear of any claim of Albert M. Duncombe. Plaintiff has shown that Albert M. Duncombe is a nonresident of the District of Columbia and cannot be found.

WHEREFORE, it is this 9th day of November 2015, hereby, ORDERED, that notice shall be given by insertion of a copy of this order in the Daily Washington Law Reporter, a legal newspaper or periodical of daily circulation and The Washington Informer, a newspaper or periodical specifically designated by the Court once a week for three successive weeks. Super Ct. Civ. R. 4-I; D.C. Code Section 13-340. “For purposes of this rule, a legal newspaper or periodical of daily circulation shall mean a publication designed by the Court that is (1) devoted primarily to publication of opinions, notices and other information from the courts of the District of Columbia, (2) circulated generally to the legal community, and published at least on each weekday that the Superior Court is in session.” Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4-I. Notice is given to any and all persons interested in the above-described real property to cause their appearance to be entered herein on or before January 4, 2106 at 9:30 a.m. Otherwise, the cause will be proceeded with as in cause of default.

SO ORDERED. /s/ Judge Jeanette J. Clark. Pub Dates: November 26, December 3, and December 10, 2015.

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

Date of first publication: December 10, 2015

LEGAL NOTICES

Date of first publication: December 10, 2015

Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Guy F Tillman, whose address is 7502 Gambler Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Guy Tillman who died on September 4, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015 Guy F. Tillman Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills 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

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1436

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1371

Samuel F. Howard Decedent Matthew F. Shannon, Esq. 1420 N Street, NW Suite 102 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Beverly Franklin whose address is 11503 Accolade Court, Clinton, MD 20735 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Samuel F. Howard who died on October 25, 2015 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 June 10, 2016. 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 June 10, 2016, 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: December 10, 2015

Lou O. Morman aka Lou Oxendine Morman Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Chloe Oxendine Wilson, whose address is 1218 Chaplin St., NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lou O. Morman aka Lou Oxendine Morman who died on August 22, 2015 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 June 10, 2016. 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 June 10, 2016, 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: December 10, 2015 Chloe Oxendine Wilson Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1159 Walter B. Blackwell Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Shea D. Tyler, whose address is 8524 Schultz Rd., Clinton, MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Walter B. Blackwell who died on September 13, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015 Shea D. Tyler Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

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

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

Administration No. 2014 ADM 751

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1378

Administration No. 2015 ADM 000929

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1367

Sylvia B. Thomas Decedent

Alvin A. Dandridge Decedent

Edward Dawson Decedent

Eva Elizabeth Green aka Eva E. Green Decedent

Jennifer E. Loud, Esq. The Loud Law Firm 7826 Eastern Avenue, NW, Suite 410 Washington. DC 20012 Attorney

Louvenia W. Williams, Esq. 9500 Arena Drive #260 Largo, MD 20774 Attorney

Ronald Dixon Bynum & Jenkins 1010 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Attorney

Johnny M. Howard Houston & Howard 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

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

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

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

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

Madelyn Daniels, whose address is 14629 Stonewall Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20905, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sylvia B. Thomas who died on October 10, 2013 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Rose M. Wood-Dandridge whose address is 2810 Channing Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alvin A. Dandridge who died on February 20, 2013 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Ronald Dixon, whose address is Bynum & Jenkins, 1010 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Edward Dawson who died on January 28, 2011without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding.

Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Agnes R. Brown, whose address is 7010 Nimitz Drive, Forestville, MD 20747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Eva Elizabeth Green aka Eva E. Green who died on September 17, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015

Date of first publication: December 3, 2015

Rose M. Wood-Dandridge Personal Representative

Ronald Dixon Personal Representative

Agnes R. Brown Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Washington Informer

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

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

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1361

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1352

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1279

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1412

Mary E. Silveira Decedent

Forrest Sims, Jr. Decedent

Denise J. Stewart Decedent

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

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

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

Dorothy A. Lear, whose address is 452 Five Farms Lane, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary E. Silveira who died on September 18, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Zachary Perkins, whose address is 4924 4th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Forrest Sims, Jr. who died on June 24, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Ronald H. Stewart Jr., whose address is 3614 Old Vernon Court, Alexandria, VA 22309, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Denise J. Stewart who died on January 26, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015

Date of first publication: December 3, 2015

Date of first publication: December 3, 2015

Dorothy A. Lear Personal Representative

Zachary Perkins Personal Representative

Ronald H. Stewart Jr. Personal Representative

Date of first publication: December 3, 2015 Madelyn Daniels Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015 ADM 1007 C. J. LaClair aka Cameron John LaClair, III Decedent Bradley A. Thomas, Esq. 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006-1631 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Mary LaClair, whose address is 260 Pearl Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of C. J. LaClair aka Cameron John LaClair, III who died on June 4, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015 Mary LaClair Personal Representative

Date of first publication: December 3, 2015

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1251 C. Nadine Hickman aka Cynthia Nadine Hickman Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Sandra K. Rucker, whose address is 2523 3rd Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of C. Nadine Hickman aka Cynthia Nadine Hickman who died on September 2, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2016 Sandra K. Rucker Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

George R. Jones Sr. Decedent Tilman L. Gerald Esquire 1220 L Street, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Rozeta L. Jones whose address is 5717 3rd Place, NW, Washington, DC 20011 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of George R. Jones, Sr. who died on June 21, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015 Rozeta L. Jones Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Washington Informer

Washington Informer

Washington Informer

TRUE TEST COPY

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

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

43

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CL ASSIFIEDS

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SU_Press AssoAD_SAU_2015_Layout 1 8/20/15 11:24 AM Page 1

EDITORIAL from Page 25 and bonus checks.

We saw an example of the often quoted belief among sports aficionados that “it ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings.”

Sure, we would have preferred

MALVEAUX from Page 26 At the University of Missouri, Black student outrage, combined with the financial pressure applied by the football team (whose unwillingness to play a scheduled football game would have cost the university one million dollars), pushed both a president and a chancellor out of their jobs. At Harvard University, where the designation of undergraduate facility leaders as “house masters” has been long-debated, the university has now decided to change the way they address those in that position. At Princeton University, students decrying Woodrow Wilson as a virulent racist (which is nothing but the truth) have demanded that his name be removed from college buildings. Kudos to these student activists and to their demands. Still, symbolism is not enough. How will changing the term “house maters”

ALFORD from Page 26 fighting against this effort.

The above should be a hot topic during the presidential debates but so far there has been no traction.

We are going to bang the “drums” much harder for it to become a major political issue. Despite the lack of financial activity, African-American firms offer a direct path to job opportunities. Our restaurants, service providers, IT shops, construction companies, etc., are the key to our growth and financial gain. The lifeblood for these companies is upstart capital and that necessity is fading under the current administration and it is paramount that the next administration will address it with a vengeance.

There is one hidden blessing coming out of the Dodd-Frank Amendment. Under current bank-

a victory. But even in their defeat, D.C.’s hometown gained a new group of fans – people who love the game of football and the chance that comes in sports – the opportunity to do one’s best and to continue to persevere no matter how things appear.

That’s a lesson that we can all learn and follow.

Never give up. Never say die. Never doubt yourself.

And should the outcome be counter to our desires, use that situation as one from which you can learn and improve.

Go “Skins.”

We’ve got your back.

We’ll get ‘em the next time! WI

to “house leaders” (my suggestion) change the institutional relationships between the school and marginalized students. Will Harvard hire more Black faculty? Pay more attention to black students? Or will the name change be symbolic and not substantive?

My feelings about the buildings and programs at Princeton University are similar. Woodrow Wilson’s racism caused many African-Americans to lose jobs they’d scrambled hard to earn though a challenging government employment system.

He cost Black people money and toppled some from solidly middle-class to working poor. Is that a legacy that should be deified? Still, unless the removal of Wilson’s name from buildings is coupled with substantive changes in university relationships with African-Americans (including more faculty hires, more opportunities for African American

students, more engagement in the community, etc.) changing a building name simply whitewashes the more critical issue of the ways African-Americans have been exploited.

I’d be excited if one of these universities would acknowledge their debt to the enslaved African-American people by establishing mechanisms to manage the reparations issues (provide dollars and encourage other institutions to do same). I’m not as excited about taking names off buildings or moving statues. After those symbolic things happen, business goes on as usual.

The #BlackLivesMatter movement has spawned a heightened awareness of structural racism, and students have been exactly right in challenging the symbol of this racism. If their efforts are to really matter, though, they must also deal with substance.

WI

ing law, commercial banks cannot record the demographics of their lending (except SBA loans). This is called Regulation B. Our implementers of the Civil Rights Act of 1965 thought this would help prohibit discrimination. If there is discrimination in lending what better way to detect it than tracking the numbers and volume? We have been fighting for the expulsion of Regulation B for over twenty years.

Thank God it is going away by way of the Dodd-Frank Amendment. It has been taking years to happen but within the next three years, under a new Administration it is going to happen. Hopefully, our Congressional Black Caucus will focus on this opportunity and police the activity.

Two other things can help our plight also. First, lenders must target certain markets such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and other

markets that have a high amount of Black population and Black business opportunities. Second, we must recruit more EB-5 investors into our communities. A holder of an EB-5 visa can migrate to this nation with special status providing he or she invests at least $500 thousand (soon to be $1million) into an underserved community.

Chinese, Saudis, Indians etc. are participating in this program in an exponential way. What a wonderful program to take advantage of! It is time for Black community developers and leaders to pick up the pace in EB-5 activity for their neighborhoods.

The National Black Chamber of Commerce is dedicating 2016 to the emergence of more capital access for our business members. The plans will start unfolding early next year. Stay tuned. WI

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STAFF from Page 26 en, minister of social justice at Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington, D.C., and former field organizer for the Children’s Defense Fund.

Since their creation, Job Corps centers have trained more than 2.7 million young people, including boxing great and entrepreneur George Foreman. Nationally, 87 percent of Job Corps graduates are

employed, enlisted in the military or enrolled in higher education within six months of completing the program.

“The know-how and vocational skills being taught at Job Corps centers, particularly in urban areas are exactly what small businesses in the service industry are looking for,” said Ron Busby, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Black Chambers Inc. “The presence of

Job Corps Centers in areas like, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York and Oakland, enables our members to look no further than their own backyard to find highly skilled workers to help grow their business and contribute to the local and national economy.”

For more information on Job Corps and the National Job Corps Association, visit www.njcaweb.org.

WI

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of debit cards can easily trigger overdraft charges for consumers with slim or no checking account cushions. By keeping track of receipts and balancing checkbooks, consumers using debit cards can usually limit or avoid overdraft fees. Failure to keep track of expenditures on the card can lead to multiple overdraft fees in a single billing cycle.

Worst of all, most consumers

CALDWELL from Page 27 have forgotten the condition of the country when the president was voted into office. The country was experiencing one of its worst recessions since the Depression, and all the major industries were on the verge of bankruptcy.

Once Obama was sworn into office, he signed a $789 billion stimulus plan, a U.S. auto industry rescue plan, a housing rescue plan and a U.S. financial and banking plan. These transformational plans put the economy on a successful track for success.

The unemployment rate is now 5 percent with 11 million new jobs created, and there has been more than 60 months of positive job growth. Somehow

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using their debit cards never realize the overdraft fees incurred until the next bank statement is received, weeks after the purchases were made. Depending upon your bank or credit union, overdraft fees vary in cost as well as an acceptable number to keep accounts open. Too many overdrafts can lead to involuntary account closures.

CRL research shows that although overdraft fees vary by institution, the average $35 overdraft fee on a debit card is dou-

ble the amount of the overdraft itself. To date, at least 14 banks have been sued for changing the order of debit-card purchases to maximize fees.

This holiday season, try adding a full measure of practical sense to help your dollars preserve the spirit of the season and all of its celebrations. WI Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at charlene.crowell@ responsiblelending.org.

the Republicans never talk about the president’s achievements with the economy because they would be forced to address the truth.

The president has redefined the U.S. role in the world, where he has used diplomacy, as opposed to war. As a change agent, the president worked with the Cuban government to ease travel restrictions between the two countries, allowing family members to visit loved ones. Many pundits argue that Obama’s foreign policy has been a failure, but Americans have been safe for seven years.

With 2016 being a presidential election year, it is easier to fabricate the story and make the president seem wrong with his decisions. But there is a record of achievement and of him leaving the country in better shape than

when he received it.

In the last seven years, the president has ushered in dramatic change, which is the essence of transformational leadership. But some people can’t see past the color of his skin, and this could be the reason that many politicians see his seven years in office as a failure. WI

dead in the heart of Watts, on 103rd Street, east of Hooper Boulevard.

When I moved east from California 15 years before Mother’s death, I was glad to be gone from its thuggish gang life and materialistic culture. By the mid1980s, the crack-cocaine explosion had transformed that place I already despised into a real-life “New Jack City.” Only this place was no Hollywood movie set.

Random violence and utter disrespect for life were the rules of the street.

I took three different buses to get to the Western Union outlet and retrieved the cash. When I left that place for my bus odyssey home with “all that money,” unarmed with not so much as a pen-knife in my possession, I was resolute. I had determined that nothing or no one would stop me from taking the money in my pocket to that funeral home to arrange for the burial of my mother. I was in some kind of an “other-world zone.”

If I had encountered a wouldbe assailant that day, then bad news would beat him home, because I was prepared to fight like

hell and win. I would have just as soon been dead, been a martyr myself that day, than to have lost the money I had to beg and borrow in order to bury my mother.

In early December we buried Mama Nola. Just as this early December in San Bernardino, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles on fabled Route 66, families are tearfully burying their loved ones and the entire nation mourns with them.

But perhaps like no one else in this country, I know the awful pain of the survivors whose family members were taken from them during the holiday season when most everyone else is full of joy, and maybe I even have a glimpse into the determined mind of the brutes who gave them so much pain.

As we were leaving the cemetery after burying my mother that morning, exactly 30 years ago, a procession was entering with the remains of Blues legend Big Joe Turner for his interment.

Just as the kin of those in Paris, San Bernardino, and too many other destinations lately will do, I’ll long remember that day. Rest in peace. WI

Roger Caldwell is the president/ CEO of On Point Media Group, a marketing and public relations firm located in Orlando. He is a graduate of Howard University in political science. As a stroke survivor, author, and community journalist, he found his passion in national and statewide politics.

Follow him at rogerpoliticalblogs. wordpress.com, or leave comments at jet38@bellsouth.net.

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46 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015

ASKIA from Page 27 only cousin had died a few years earlier. Though my father and some of his siblings were alive in the area, my parents had never been married. There was no family support. I was there alone to arrange her funeral.

She did not own a car at the time of her death. I was an itinerant, “freelance” journalist living in Washington at the time, and I had no means to rent a car.

I don’t even remember how I managed to pay for my airplane ticket. The slow-running bus portion of the L.A. “Rapid Transit District” was my only means of transportation.

Mama Nola did have burial insurance and two paid-for plots at Inglewood Memorial Park, but the insurance policy would not pay until several weeks after her death. I desperately needed $2,500 in order for her funeral to proceed. My son’s grandparents agreed to loan me the money. They wired it immediately.

In the Yellow Pages, the only Western Union outlet I could identify that I could reach conveniently by bus was located

MACY S MONEY IT’S LIKE FREE MONEY!

THE MORE YOU BUY, THE MORE MACY’S MONEY YOU GET!

USE IT ON TOP OF COUPONS & SALE PRICES! EVEN ON OUR BEST BRANDS—INCLUDING COSMETICS & FRAGRANCES! SHOP IN STORE: FRI, DEC. 11THURS, DEC. 17

OR ONLINE:

FRI, DEC. 11WED, DEC. 16

SPEND†: $5O-74.99 $75-99.99 $1OO-149.99 $15O-199.99 $2OO & MORE

GET: $1O $15 $2O $3O $4O

USE YOUR MACY’S MONEY ONLINE OR IN STORE FRI, DEC. 18-WED, DEC. 23 †SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS.

ONE DAY SALE SAT, DEC. 12, SHOP 8AM-11PM ALSO SHOP FRI, DEC. 11, 8AM-11PM HOURS MAY VARY BY STORE. VISIT MACYS.COM AND CLICK ON STORES FOR LOCAL INFORMATION.

FREE SHIPPING ONLINE AT $25

VALID 12/11-12/12/2015. PLUS, FREE RETURNS. U.S. ONLY. EXCLUSIONS APPLY; SEE MACYS.COM/FREERETURNS

5O%-8O% OFF STOREWIDE DOORBUSTERS! DEALS OF THE DAY! LATE-BREAKING SPECIALS 6 HOURS ONLY! 8AM-2PM FRI & SAT

AVAILABLE ALL DAY, BOTH DAYS!

WE’VE NEGOTIATED SOME AMAZING LAST-MINUTE DEALS JUST FOR THIS EVENT. QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED, GET THEM WHILE YOU CAN!

OR, EXTRA SAVINGS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY UNTIL 2PM EXTRA DOLLARS OFF SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL & HOME ITEMS

$

1O OFF

YOUR PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE. LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER. VALID 12/11 ‘TIL 2PM OR 12/12/15 ‘TIL 2PM.

EXTRA DOLLARS OFF SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL & HOME ITEMS

$

2O OFF

YOUR PURCHASE OF $5O OR MORE. LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER. VALID 12/11 ‘TIL 2PM OR 12/12/15 ‘TIL 2PM.

CANNOT BE USED ON DOORBUSTERS OR DEALS OF THE DAY Excludes: Deals of the Day, Doorbusters, Everyday Values (EDV), specials, super buys, cosmetics/fragrances, electrics/electronics, floor coverings, furniture, mattresses, rugs. Also excludes: athletic apparel, shoes & accessories; Dallas Cowboys merchandise, gift cards, Jack Spade, jewelry trunk shows, Kate Spade, Macy’s Backstage merchandise/locations, New Era, Nike on Field, previous purchases, Samsung watches, selected licensed depts., services, special orders, special purchases, The North Face, Tumi. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/ coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. Dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your account. Purchase must be $25 or $50 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.

ONE DAY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 12/11 & 12/12/2015. MERCHANDISE WILL BE ON SALE AT THESE AND OTHER SALE PRICES NOW THROUGH 1/2/16, EXCEPT AS NOTED. ➤ †HOW MACY’S MONEY WORKS: For any single transaction* of $50 or more you make in store 12/11-12/17/15 or online 12/11-12/16/15, we’ll give you a $10 (spend $50-74.99), $15 (spend $75-99.99), $20 (spend $100-149.99), $30 (spend $150-199.99) or $40 (spend $200 or more) Macy’s Money Reward Card at the register. *EXCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PURCHASES: gift cards, macys.com, Buy Online Pick up in-Store, services & fees, sales tax, macybed, furniture phone sales, lease depts, Espot, restaurants. USE YOUR MACY’S MONEY REWARD CARD from 12/18-12/23/15. May not be: redeemed for cash, used to purchase Macy’s gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your credit card account.

If a purchase used to accumulate Macy’s Money is returned, Macy’s reserves the right to void the Macy’s Money Reward card or reduce the corresponding value. For more information, go to macys.com/macysmoney OPEN A MACY’S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS, UP TO $100, WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macy’s credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, selected licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food & wine. The new account savings are limited to a total of $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible.

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CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS WITH A

BRIGHT NIGHT OUT. We're proud to support the National Zoo and join them at the 9th annual ZooLights celebration from November 27, 2015 - January 2, 2016.

48 Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2015