prince george's county afro-american newspaper, july 17, 2010

8/9/2019 Prince George's County Afro-American Newspaper, July 17, 2010

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May 16, 2009 - May 22, 2009, The Washington Afro-American A7

attorney in county. He

unsuccessfully challengedPeters four years ago. Hes

back again because he

says the same issues whichplagued Prince Georges

County and the state four and

eight years ago remain today.A large part of the

problem here in PrinceGeorges County and in the

state of Maryland, as a whole,

is we dont get problems

taken care of, Henry said.Unfortunately they just

continue to fester year after

year and term after term. Inthe case of education, its

decade after decade.

Henry says its timeresidents of Prince Georges

get a candidate ready to notonly listen to their issues, but

get the necessary work done

as well.The problem right now

is theres no resolve, Henry

said. We have individuals inofce who are just glad to be

there. Im just not running to

be a senator and say Im gladto be there. Being there is not

enough. I have an obligation

to those that gave me theopportunity to learn the legal

profession to provide for mycommunity.

Darrell Carrington, former

campaign lobbyist, comes toPrince Georges County by

way of New Jersey. His rst

visit to the area was duringthe Washington Redskins

last Super Bowl run in 1991

and he said the energy of thecounty was like a magnet to

him.

I remember coming hereand feeling the enthusiasm of

the folks here, Carringtonsaid. Its just the enormous

opportunity that we have in

Prince Georges County interms of a community that has

a tremendous upside. We need

Volume 118 No. 49 PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY EDITION

Copyright 2010 by the Aro-American Company

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JULY 17, 2010 - JULY 23, 2010

Echoes of Dred Scottin Grant Verdict A9

Continued on A6

Continued on A5

Continued on A5

Home Depot

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Ivey to Lead Local HarvardLaw Association B4

By George Barnette

AFRO Staf Writer

Prince Georges County ofcials are mourning the death

of Mount Rainier City Councilwoman Alta Morton, Dist.1. Morton died on July 8 from complications of sickle cell

anemia.

It is with profound sadness that I am ordering the ags tobe lowered half mast in honor of the life and legacy of Ms. Alta

Morton, Ward One Mount Rainier City Council Member, saidPrince Georges County Executive Jack Johnson in a statement.

All county ags will remain half mast until sunset on the day

of her funeral services.Morton, 50, had been battling the disease for some time,

even while she was serving in her capacity as councilwoman.

During her re-election campaign, Morton thanked her

By George Barnette

AFRO Staf Writer

The state senators racein District 23 is proving to

be another interesting one.Douglas J.J. Peters appears

to be entrenched as the

incumbent; however, there aretwo challengers determined to

take his crown.

Peters, a former PrinceGeorges County and Bowie

City Councilman, is the

current chair of the PrinceGeorges Senate Delegation

in the State house. Petersworked in concert with other

members of the countys

delegation to get the disparitygrant to ease the budget woes

and co-sponsored a bill that

as of July 1 is providing $18million in property tax relief

to residents.

From speaking toresidents, the biggest issue

when I go door to door is,My market values dropped

in my house, my assessment

has either stayed the same orgone up and my taxes have

gone up, Peters said. So we

needed to lower taxes seeinghow market values have gone

down.

That kind of experienceand groundwork can go a

long way in his re-election

campaign. However, hiscompetitors arent sure hes

really the right man for thejob anymore.

Bobby Henry is a Prince

Georges native and an

By Dennis J. Freeman

Special to the AFRO

Los Angeles, Calif. Anger. Rage.Disappointment. Pain. Heartbreak. These were

some of the emotions expressed by the family

of Oscar Grant after the verdict was read atthe criminal trial of Johannes Mehserle, the

White Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police

ofcer charged with shooting and killing theBlack man in the wee hours of New Years

Day, 2009.

In less than a week the non-African-

American jury came back with an involuntarymanslaughter conviction of Mehserle forshooting the 22-year-old Grant in the back

as he lay face down at a BART station in

Oakland, Calif. Contempt for the verdict,

which came down at the end of the day on July8, came swiftly.

Its an injustice, said Jack Bryson, whose

son, Jack Bryson Jr., testied in the racially-tinged trial that received national media

attention. It was done to Sean Bell. It was

done to Oscar Grant. There is no justice. Thisjust gives them (law enforcement) a free pass

to do whatever they want.

The conviction, which carries up to fouryears in prison, may have also given looters

a free pass to do what they wanted. While

demonstrations in Los Angeles resulted in

peaceful protests, the city of Oakland was hitby looters and mobs of people wanting to venttheir frustration over the verdict.

Attorney John Burris, who has led a $50

By George Barnette

AFRO Staf Writer

Maryland Gov.

Martin OMalley recentlyannounced plans to move the

Department of Housing and

Community Development(DHCD) headquarters from

Crownsville in Anne ArundelCounty to an undisclosed

location in Prince Georges

County. The decision hasbeen met with much fanfare

in Prince Georges County,

but ofcials in Anne ArundelCounty are furious with the

announcement.

Prince Georges is thesecond biggest county in the

state and it has never beenhome to a state agency. The

governor determined its

about time thats changed,said Shaun Adamec,

spokesman for OMalley.

It makes sense to have anyagency in Prince Georges

County. In makes perfect

sense to have this agency inPrince Georges County.

The governor announcedhis intentions to move a

state agency to the County

in 2006. In 2008, the statelegislature organized a task

force to gure out which

agency would be best tomove to Prince Georges

County. DHCD was chosen

because its goals are alignedwith many of the current

needs of Prince GeorgesCounty.

DHCDs prime focus is

community development andneighborhood stabilization

and that means things like

foreclosure prevention andenergy assistance, Adamec

said. These are things the

neighborhoods in PrinceGeorges county benet

from.The proposed move will

be to an area around one of

the countys metro stations.The goal is to spur economic

development, but to also

provide commuting optionsfor employees of DHCD,

who live outside of Prince

Georges County.Ofcials within Prince

Georges County are ecstatic

Peters Faces Old and NewFaces in District 23 Race

Douglas J.J. Peters, let, and Bobby Henry are just two o

the our men vying or the District 23 crown.

CourtesyP

hotos

Grants Family Heartbroken

by VerdictBelieves jury did not provide justice in a clear-cut homicide

Courtesy Photo

Alta Morton was re-elected to her position in 2009.

Sickle Cell ClaimsMt. RainierCouncilwoman

Pr. Georges GainsState Agency

Continued on A3

Olympic Champ Positivefor Painkillers A7

Photo by Dennis J. Freeman

Wanda Johnson, the mother o Oscar Grant, is emotional as she speaks with reportersollowing the reading o the verdict in the criminal trial o ormer Bay Area Rapid Transit

police ofcer Johannes Mehserle, who shot her son in the back.


2/20

A2The Afro-American, July 17, 2010 - July 23, 2010

Alvin Greene, S.C.s Mystery Candidate, Cleared

Alvin M. Greene, South Carolinas new Democratic nomineefor Senate, paid his candidate ling fee from his own pocket,state law enforcement ofcials said last Friday.

The unemployed military veteran had come underinvestigation pertainingto his ability to pay the$10,440 ling fee in hissurprisingly successful

campaign.Though he did no

campaigning and nofundraising, Greeneconvinced more than100,000 South Carolinians

to vote for him, beating outformer judge Vic Rawl,who served in the statelegislature for four terms.

From the beginning Greene, 32, maintained that the moniescame from his penchant for saving and frugal living. That claimwas validated, State Law Enforcement Division Chief ReggieLloyd told The Associated Press. In reviewing Greenes bankaccounts, SLED agents found an October deposit of nearly$6,000, Greenes military exit pay, and about $3,000 from stateand federal tax refunds, Lloyd said.

He clearly does not have someone paying him. He just

decided to take his money and run for U.S. Senate. Theres nobig conspiracy, Lloyd said.

The obscure candidates victory spawned a political battlethats reached beyond the state. House Majority Whip JamesE. Clyburn, D-S.C., and others had questioned whether Greene- who lives at home with his sick father was planted by theRepublican Party.

And Greenes personal troubles, includingAP reports thathe faced felony obscenity charges for showing pornographicmaterial to a University of South Carolina student last year,stirred up a clamor of requests for his exit from the race.

With little campaigning, no Web site and paltry funds,Greenes platform and plans to aid the community are largelyunclear.

However, he will address the Manning, S.C., chapter of theNAACP on July 17 in his rst public address since winning the

Democratic primary.

California NAACP Leader Under FireAccording to blackvoices.com, over 20 African-American

leaders in California are calling for the resignation of AliceHuffman, president of NAACPs California State Conference,

after she announced her support of efforts to legalize marijuanain the state.

Among those allegedly calling for her resignation is BishopRon Allen, a member of the International Faith-Based Coalition,who said Proposition 19 would be harmful to Black Americans.

Why would the state NAACP advocate for Blacks to sayhigh, Allen said, according to the blackvoices.com report. Itsgoing to cause crime to go up. There will be more drug babies.

Huffman said she will not resign and continues to support thecontroversial Proposition 19.

Prop. 19 is about eliminating enforcement practices thatare targeting and creating a permanent underclass of citizens, ofAfrican Americans, caught in a criminal justice system whileother people, a more privileged class, go free, Huffman said ina statement.

According to the report, Allen said Huffmans position may

be motivated by nancial gain offered by The Open SocietyInstitute a marijuana legalization group that recently gave the

NAACP $700, 000.

N.C. Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Presents Check

to State HBCUsThe North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation

recently presented participating North Carolina HistoricallyBlack Colleges and Universities with a symbolic check for$110,000 during the closing ceremonies of the 2010 NCLBCFEducation Scholarship Weekend, according to a press release.

This years two-day conference and fundraising event

was one of the most successful in the programs history, with

contributions to the 10 participating schools increasing to$110,000 from $100,000 in 2009. Over 1,000 scholarshipbanquet guests, 500 prayer breakfast and scholarship luncheonguests and over 200 conference attendees gathered at theSheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in ResearchTriangle Park, Durham, N.C., for the 2010 event.

Rep. Alma Adams, chair of the North Carolina LegislativeBlack Caucus Foundation (NCLBCF), said providing college

students nancial assistance is key because of the falteringeconomy.

It is becoming increasing difcult, in todays economy,for students to realize their dream of a college education, saidAdams. Many students are forced to postpone or even foregocollege because they just cannot afford it. Scholarships arecrucial to these students success.

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The North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundationpresents a check to 10 state HBCUs for $110,000.


3/20

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July 17, 2010 - July 23, 2010, The Afro-American A3

By George BarnetteAFRO Staf Writer

Prince Georges County

ofcials are still optimisticover a hospital situation

in desperate need of a

resolution. Despite lackinga concrete plan of action,

theres hope the county

hospital system will beretooled in the best interests

of county residents.

I believe we will continueto have a hospital system in

the county that will go stronginto the future, said Prince

Georges County Councilman

Eric Olson, D-Dist. 3. Wewill continue to work with the

state for a solution.

The hospital system

consists of Prince Georges

Hospital Center in Cheverly,

Laurel Regional Hospital,the Bowie Health Campus

and two nursing homes inCheverly and Bowie. The

medical centers nancial

outlook has been bleak formany years, with solutions

coming and going without

any resolution.There was a creation of

the Prince Georges Hospital

Authority to determine thenext step and to solicit bids

to keep the Prince GeorgesHospital in Prince Georges,

said Shaun Adamec,

spokesman for Gov. MartinOMalley. That process

unfortunately ended with no

bids and now were in theposition where we need to

gure out the next step.

The Authority releaseda 40-page report in May

detailing its recommendations

on what the county andstate should do to save the

oundering system. The

damning report reveals justhow much of a mess the

current situation is.Over the last two years,

the Authority has conducted

a far-reaching process toattempt to fulll its statutory

mandate to facilitate the

transfer of these troubledassets, the report stated.

The

Authoritys processconrmed that, because of

market conditions and thenancial and operational

challenges of the assets,

the system cannot at thisjuncture be transferred as a

whole in its current condition

and conguration.However, the Authority

was still able to make

recommendations for thetransfer of operation for

the system. It called for thestate and county to invest at

least $174 million per year

into the system to developa cost containment plan and

a transfer of assets from the

state and county to the newsystem operator, and develop

a new hospital.

That still leaves theproblem of no suitable

operators for the system, an

issue the governors ofce isscrambling to resolve. We

went through a process to try

to nd a private operator andit didnt go so well, Adamec

said. Right now werelooking at other options. It

could mean we come up with

ways for there to be a public-private partnership, we could

come up with ways to nd

another operator that couldexpand existing facilities that

it already has in Maryland.

There are a number ofoptions outside of simply

selling it to the highestbidder that would result

in it remaining open and

remaining viable.Meanwhile, the system

remains in limbo with a large

number of uninsured patients,no viable bidders, and an

economic downturn putting

the squeeze on budgets.OMalleys ofce remains

condent in its efforts to

provide the best solution forPrince Georges County.

Absolutely the plan is

to nd an operator who cankeep it open, Adamec said.

We want the Prince Georges

Hospital to stay in PrinceGeorges.

Courtesy Photo

The fate of Prince Georges Hospital is still up in the air.

Prince Georges Hospital System Remains in Limbo

about the move and see it asan opportunity to provide

the kind of development

around metro stations thatis seen in other jurisdictions

in the Washington, D.C.

metropolitan area.Were very pleased to

receive that information fromthe governors ofce, said

Kwasi Holman, president

and CEO of the PrinceGeorges County Economic

Development Corporation.

We believe that the locationof that facility near one of

our metro stations will have

a catalytic effect in termsof spurring retail and ofce

development.However, not everyone

is behind this move. Anne

Arundel County ExecutiveJohn Leopold will try to block

any move of the facility out of

his county, saying he doesntwant to inconvenience Anne

Arundel residents or state

taxpayers.Anne Arundel County

was not consulted prior to

this decision, Leopold said.When you make a decision

that signicantly affects anddisrupts peoples lives, I think

its always a good idea to

involve the people who aregoing to be impacted and the

jurisdiction in which they

live.Leopold wrote a letter

to the Maryland Board ofPublic Works to express his

displeasure about the move.

Hes even put together a taskforce to nd an alternate

location for the headquarters

in Anne Arundel County.Adamec said the governor

understands Leopolds

concerns, and will provideample opportunity for DHCD

employees from Anne ArundelCounty to adjust to the move.

He says theres more to the

process than just moving theemployees from that facility.

As a part of this were

including the process of llingthat facility in Crownsville,

Adamec said. It could mean

that we keep the facility andmove another state agency

thats caught in a high-rent

situation and save the statesome money by moving the

agency to the space it owns inCrownsville.

Meanwhile, Holman is

planning to use this news tobolster the Prince Georges

County prole to other

federal agencies and largecorporations. Theyve

always known, from [General

Services Administration]to major corporations, that

Prince Georges County is

open for business, he said.

This is further conrmation

of our ongoing efforts to

attract business and mixed-

use to our undeveloped

or underdeveloped metrostations.

State Agency

Courtesy Governors Ofce

Gov. Martin OMalley plans

to make good on promise

he made four years ago.

Continued from A1


4/20

A4 The Afro-American, July 17, 2010 - July 23, 2010

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By David Rushing

Special to the AFRO

In the spirit of the Freedom

Riders, 22 District-area African-

American and Jewish high school

students recently embarked on a

journey to retrace the steps theirancestors took in their shared trek

toward equality, justice and racial

harmony.

The students, participants in

Operation Understanding, D.C.s

initiative to create new social

justice leaders, will this month

visit battlegrounds of the civil

rights movement and explore the

diversity of the Black and Jewish

communities.

The trip is the second phase of the

annual, year-long program, which

begins with a six-month classroom

stint, in which students participate in

workshops, meetings, lectures and

activities all geared toward building

leadership skills and developingan understanding of the African-

American and Jewish histories.

No one is born a tremendous

leader, said Rachael

Feldman, executive

director of OUDC.

Many of our students

recognize Martin Luther

King Jr. as an icon, but

they dont realize that he

started out as a 25-year-old pastor.

Students will learn

more about King and his

legacy at the Lorraine

Hotel in Memphis,

Tenn., which is one of

their 15 stops throughout

the country on their

journey. Students also

make stops in New York

City; Greensboro and

Charlotte, N.C.; Atlanta

and Clayton, Ga.; Birmingham,

Montgomery, and Selma, Ala.; and

Philadelphia, Jackson, Sunower,

Greenwood and Greenville, Miss.

OUDCs main goal is for students

to put what they experience on thejourney into context through the

knowledge theyve gained in the

previous six months.

Theyve learned all about

slavery, reconstruction and the

Holocaust, said Feldman. But

during this journey, we really want

the academic information to jump off

the page and come to life for them.

During their tour students will

meet pillars of various movements

for equality, past and present

including: James Young, the

recently-elected rst

African-American

mayor of Philadelphia,

Miss.; Joe Levin, co-

founder of the Southern

Poverty Law Center;

and Rev. Samuel

Billy Kyles, who

was with Martin Luther

King Jr. during his last

moments.

Upon returning

from their journey,

students will engage in OUDCs

speechmaking and facilitation

retreat, where theyll learn to speak

publicly, to facilitate discussions,

lead diversity workshops, and handle

racist remarks effectively.This program has changed

our students lives in terms of

empowering them, said Feldman.

Many of the gures they learn about

and meet made an impact on the

world when they were young, high-

school students. This program has

taught them not to sit back and rest

on their laurels, but to get up, speak

out, and take action.

Program alum Monique McCants

said upon her return last summer,

In learning about our own histories

and social justice movements, I

have become inspired to change

society for the better. Imagine

a world without discrimination,

racial proling or sexism? Is it even

possible? I have high expectations

for the members of my OUDC class,

as well as for my generation. With a

worthy cause and a passion, we trulycan create change in our nation and

the world, just as the youth of the

past did.

Photos courtesy OUDC/Lloyd Wolf

Program participants Sam x and John x confer during the

trip.

Students Use Journey to Explore Race Relations

to have leadership to make

sure that upside is realized.

Carrington says he

brings that different kind

of leadership and believes

neither one of his competitors

is capable of bringing it tothis position. I took a look at

who was running in District

23 and I realized there really

isnt a progressive voice, he

said.

In 2010 I think its

important that we have people

that respect a womans right

to choose and is aware of

womens issues. Looking

at the people who led

ahead of me I thought it was

really important to have a

progressive voice in thiselection.

Also led in the race is

Upper Marlboro resident,

Mike Anderson. Anderson did

not respond to requests for

interviews or information by

AFRO press time.

Councilwoman

District 23 Race

colleagues for supporting her

through her crisis.

Again, I want to thank

my colleagues for supporting

me, even when hindered

by fatigue, sickness, anddisappointment ... we all press

on, she said in a campaign

statement. Thank you, the

residents; it is with your

support that we are able to do

so much.

In addition to being on

the City Council, Morton

was the policy director for

Prince Georges County

Councilwoman Andrea

Harrison and liaison to

District 5 municipalities

where her focus was land use,

planning and development.

Morton also had a

background in the housing

industry, as she was

experienced in lending and

counseling consumers.

Johnson said he not onlymourns the loss of a friend,

but the death of a community

leader.

My prayers are with

her family and her daughter

Alexandra, friends and Mount

Rainier Ward One residents,

who in 2005 and again in

2009 elected a conscientious

and focused public servant,

Johnson added.

She is survived by her

daughter Alexandra, who is

currently attending American

University.

Continued from A1

Continued from A1

By David Rushing

Special to the AFRO

The Obama

Administration took a

monumental leap forward

Tuesday by announcing the

countrys rst-ever National

HIV/AIDS strategy (NHAS).

The plan, which aims toreduce the annual number

of new HIV infections

by 25 percent within ve

years, was announced by

Secretary of Health and

Human Services Kathleen

Sebelius, Diplomatic Policy

Council Director Melody

Barnes, Ofce of National

AIDS Policy Director Jeffrey

Crowley and Health and

Human Services Assistant

Secretary for Health Dr.

Howard Koh.

Each year, 56,000

Americans are infected with

HIV, which has led to over

1.1 million Americans livingwith the disease today. Almost

every 10 minutes, someone

becomes infected with HIV.

Because of these

staggering statics, the Obama

administration has committed

itself to crafting the United

States into a country where

HIV infections are rare, no

matter the age, race, gender or

religion.

To bring this vision

to fruition, the Obama

administration has focused

on three primary goals at the

center of its comprehensive

plan: reducing the number

of new infections; increasing

access to care, and optimizing

health outcomes for people

living with HIV and reducing

HIV-related health disparities.

This plan is a culmination

of a great deal of work,

said Barnes. President

Obama promised, as a nation,

domestically we would focus

on this issue. There hasntbeen enough attention on

what were doing in this

country, and for that reason,

were launching our national

plan today.

In order to accomplish

these goals, a coordinated

national response is

necessary, which is why the

NHAS includes a federal

implementation plan. The

plan essentially outlines key,

short-term actions the federal

government will execute.

This plan has an ambitious

vision, said Sebelius. This

national plan is not just a

document its not just

white paper, its a detailed

action plan.

While the administration

is obviously high on the

potential of the strategy, it

isnt alone in its praise of

the new plan. I applaud the

president for developing this

new National AIDS strategy

and laying out a roadmap forhow our country must address

this devastating disease, said

Barbara Lee, chairwoman

of the Congressional

Black Congress, in the

organizations press release.

The Congressional

Black Congress and our

members look forward to

working with the president

and his administration, as

well as our state and local

governments, to expand and

improve access to prevention,

care and treatment services

and address the needs of our

communities.

Not all organizations

are satised with the

NHAS. Housing Works, the

largest community-based

AIDS organization in the

United States, expressed

deep frustration and

disappointment with the

new plan. The presidents

plan is so awed that it

might actually represent a

step backwards in combatingHIV and AIDS in the United

States, said president and

CEO Charles King in a press

release.

Housing Works feels

the plan sets insufciently

ambitious goals for reducing

the number of annual HIV

infections in the U.S. while

failing to provide adequate

funding to reach even the

modest HIV prevention and

treatment goals it sets out.

Im astonished that,

after 15 months of intensive

study by his administration,

the president believes thatthe United States is only

capable of reducing annual

HIV infections by 25 percent,

continued King. Would

President Obama suggest that

we only clean up 25 percent

of the Gulf oil spill? Never.

Concerns like those of

King illustrate that the plan

is a beginning, not an end.

Needless to say, patience will

be necessary.

Koh stressed teamwork

is also necessary to make

the strategy successful. Youdont have to be infected to be

affected by this disease, Koh

said. Our success requires

the entire nation to come

together.

Obama Administration Unveils National HIV/AIDS Strategy

This national plan is not just a document its not just whitepaper, its a detailed action plan.

This program has taught them not to sitback and rest on their laurels, but to getup, speak out, and take action.


6/20

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Continued from A1

million wrongful death and

civil rights lawsuit againstBART, Mehserle and other

transient ofcers, on behalf

of Oscar Grants family, wasoutraged at the outcome.

Despite a settlement earlier

this year with BART formonetary damages awarded

to Grants daughter ($1.5

million), there has been

no settlement with Wanda

Johnson, Grants mother.

Burris, who said the jurysverdict was compromised,

hopes Grants family can

get the justice theyve been

seeking in a civil court.

The family is extremelydisappointed in this verdict,

Burris said. It is not a true

representative of the facts.The facts here support

a murder conviction.

Involuntary manslaughter isthe lowest form of conviction

you can have. Its almost like

Mehserle got off, because he

is not being punished for what

he did. Were very unhappy.Their [jury] minds were

sort of made up; its easy to

make up your mind in a case

like this because the video

was there. This case turnedon the video, plus Mehserle.

Once Mehserle testied and

gave his statement, then youhave the video ... thats where

the case was. All this other

stuff didnt matter.The trial centered on

police brutality and a

heightened look at lawenforcement abuse. Grant,

who worked as a butcher in

the Oakland area, was out onNew Years Eve, celebrating

with a group of friends. An

altercation broke out on one

of the trains at the Fruitvale

BART Station where Grantand his friends were. BART

Police were called to scene.

Grant and his friends weredetained.

For a moment there

was calm; then chaos. Avideo taken by a passenger

cell phone shows Granton the ground, face down,

with Mehserle and another

BART ofcer planted on

his back. The video then

shows Mehserle jumping

up, stepping back, grabbing

his weapon and ring a

single shot into Grants back.

Mehserle, who gave a tearful

testimony on the witness

stand, told jurors he believed

he was pulling out his Taser,

not his service weapon.

Mehserles tearful pleaand defense attorney Michael

Rainess maneuvering in his

closing argument may haveswayed the jurors decision.

He did not intend to

shoot his rearm, Raines

said. Thats why there is

no murder (charge). Thatswhy there is no manslaughter

(charge). There has to be an

intent or intent to kill. Thisis an accident, folks plain

and simple. This is what

the evidence shows. Wedont have here evidence of

criminal negligence.

Thats not the way CephusJohnson, Grants uncle, sees

it. Johnson, who serves asthe family spokesman, said

his nephew was murdered

plain and simple. Aftersitting in the courtroom every

day, listening to all evidence

presented and testimonygiven, Johnson was kept out

of the courtroom because he

was a minute late and had tostand outside as the verdict

was read. Im hurt, saidJohnson. The verdict is not

what we wantedIts a slap

in the face.

The jury began

deliberations on July 2 and

was to continue July 6. Thatturned out to be a wash as one

juror was reportedly sick and

another left for a pre-plannedvacation. They briey

continued on July 7, before

going into recess until the daythe verdict was read.

The jury was faced withhanding down a murder,

second-degree murder,

manslaughter, involuntarymanslaughter or not guilty

verdict in the case. Sentencing

is scheduled for Aug. 6.A big part of the reason

why the family did not get

the verdict they wantedwas the makeup of the jury,

Bryson said. There were noBlack jurors or alternates

in the case. That is an issue

that should be closely looked

at, said Bryson. If youre

a Black man or a Black

woman ... if you get pulledover by a police ofcer,

youre excluded from the

jury, Bryson said. Itslike if youve been arrested,

you cant get a job because

youre a felon. People keep

wondering why you cant

get Black people on the jury.

Well, thats because you

exclude them because [they

have to answer yes] everytime you ask them if theyve

been in contact with the

police. What Black personhasnt been racially-proled?

Now youre excluded from

the jury.

Grants Family Heartbroken

Photo by Dennis J. Freeman

Cephus Johnson, the uncle o Oscar Grant, is shown here at a post-conerence ollowing

the verdict o a white transient police ofcer in downtown Los Angeles.

AP Photo/Nick Ut

In this June 14 photo, supporters hold posters o Oscar

Grant during a protest in Los Angeles. In Oakland,

riots ensued ater Grants killer was ound guilty oinvoluntary manslaughter instead o murder.


7/20


KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) Olympic

and world 100-meter champion Shelly-Ann

Fraser has been provisionally suspended by the

IAAF after a positive test for a painkiller she

claims she took to alleviate a toothache.

The president of Frasers track club, Bruce

James, said the Jamaican sprinter tested

positive for oxycodone at theDiamond League meet May

23 in Shanghai.

Fraser found out about the

provisional suspension hours

before she was scheduled to

compete in the 100 meters

at the Athletissima meet in

Lausanne, Switzerland, on

July 8.

She broke into tears in

her hotel room upon hearing

about the decision, her

manager said, and was afraid

of what the public would

think.

She was so

disappointed, Adrian

Laidlaw said in a phoneinterview with The

Associated Press. From

a perception standpoint,

she was concerned. But

sometimes there are certain

rules where people become a victim of a

rule. All we can do is hope that good sense

prevails.

Fraser had a dental procedure performed

in May and then ew to China for the meet.

The up and down in pressure (during the

ight) caused the pain to go from terrible to

unbearable, James said.

A slight infection had set in, Laidlaw

said, and Fraser was given medication by a

physician to alleviate the pain. When that

didnt work, her coach gave her a painkiller

before the race, a drug that Fraser failed to

declare to the IAAF. Laidlawsaid that if she had, this

wouldnt have been an issue.

Fraser ran a sluggish race,

nishing second as Carmelita

Jeter of the United States surged

past her. It actually makes you

perform more slowly, it makes

you nauseous, lethargic and

tired, James said. Its a sad

and unfortunate oversight on her

part.

Still, Laidlaw never expected

it to reach this point. He gured

at most she would be publicly

reprimanded. She forgot to put

it on the form, Laidlaw said.

Its like the kid going into a

test and forgetting a pen. Do Ipunish you for leaving your pen?

In effect, you punished yourself,

put yourself at a disadvantage.

Its in that context I view what

took place. ... Shes like, Here

I am being penalized for something that made

me run slow.

Fraser will y back to Jamaica and seek

a hearing before her national federation as

soon as possible. She wants to have her name

cleared, James said.

International Briefs

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AP Photo/Markus Schreiber

Shelly-Ann Fraser, shownin this Aug. 23, 2009 fle

photo wearing medals

rom the World AthleticsChampionships

Olympic 100m Champ Tests PositiveFor Painkillers

International Court Charges SudanPresident With GenocideBy Mike CorderAssociated Press Writer

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The

International Criminal Court on Mondaycharged Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir

with three counts of genocide in Darfur,

a move that will pile further diplomatic

pressure on his isolated regime.

The decision marked the rst time the

worlds rst permanent war crimes tribunal

has issued genocide charges.

An arrest warrant for al-Bashir said there

were reasonable grounds to believe that

since April 2003 Sudanese forces attempted

genocide against the Darfur tribal groups Fur,

Masalit and Zaghawa.

Last year, judges issued a warrant against

the president for crimes against humanity,

but refused to indict al-Bashir on genocide

charges as sought by prosecutor Luis Moreno

Ocampo. The prosecutor appealed that ruling,

and four months ago an appellate court ruledthat the lower courts decision was legally

wrong.

Prosecutors then led their case again, and

on Monday judges issued an arrest warrant

charging al-Bashir with three counts of

genocide: by killing, by causing mental and

physical harm, and by deliberately inicting

conditions of life calculated to bring about

physical destruction.Genocide, the gravest crime in

international law, requires proof of an intent

to wipe out in whole or in part a racial,

religious or ethnic group. Moreno Ocampo

accuses al-Bashir of keeping 2.5 million

refugees from specic ethnic groups in Darfur

in camps under genocide conditions, like a

gigantic Auschwitz.

Al-Bashir, who was re-elected to a new

ve-year term earlier this year, refuses to

recognize the courts authority and has

repeatedly said he will not turn himself in

to stand trial. He was charged in March

2009 with ve counts of crimes against

humanity and two of war crimes for allegedly

orchestrating atrocities in Darfur.

The United Nations estimates 300,000

people have died and 2.7 million have beenforced from their homes since ethnic African

rebels rose up in 2003, accusing Sudans

Arab-dominated central government of

neglect and discrimination.

Ugandan Toll in World Cup Bombings Rises to 74By Max Delany and JasonStraziusoAssociated Press Writers

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP)

An al-Qaida-linked Somali

militant group suspected in

twin bombings in Ugandas

capital, that hit crowds

watching the World Cup nal,endorsed the attacks July 12

but stopped short of claiming

responsibility, while the death

toll rose to 74.

The blasts came two days

after a commander with the

Somali group, al-Shabab,

called for militants to attack

sites in Uganda and Burundi,

two nations that contribute

troops to the African Union

peacekeeping force in

Somalia.

The attacks on two soft

targets lled with civilians

also raise concerns about the

capabilities and motives of

al-Shabab, which the U.S.State Department has declared

a terrorist organization. If

conrmed that the group

carried out the attacks, it

would be the rst time al-

Shabab has struck outside

Somalia.

Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa, an

al-Shabab commander, told

The Associated Press early

Monday that he was happy

with the attacks in Uganda

but refused to conrm or

deny that al-Shabab was

responsible. Uganda is one

of our enemies. Whatever

makes them cry, makes us

happy. May Allahs anger beupon those who are against

us, Sheik said.

Kampalas police chief,

Kale Kaihura, said he

believed al-Shabab could be

responsible. One of the targets

was an Ethiopian restaurant

a nation despised by the al-

Shabab militants.

Ugandan government

spokesman Fred Opolot

said Monday there wereindications that two suicide

bombers took part in the late

Sunday attacks, which left

dozens wounded. Opolot said

the death toll also had risen

to 74.

Blood and pieces of esh

littered the oor among

overturned chairs at the

scenes of the blasts, which

went off as people watched

the game between Spainand the Netherlands. The

attacks appeared to represent

a dangerous step forward by

al-Shabab, analysts said, and

could mean that other East

African countries working

to support the Somali

government will face attacks.

Ugandan President Yoweri

Museveni toured the blast

sites Monday and said that the

terrorists behind the bombingsshould ght soldiers, not

people who are just enjoying

themselves.

We shall go for them

wherever they are coming

from, Museveni said. We

will look for them and get

them as we always do.


8/20


July 15

Senior FridaysDC Public Library,

Woodridge Branch, 1801

Hamlin St., N.E. D.C. 10 a.m.

Enjoy arts and crafts, movies,book chats, exercise, health

information and activities. For

more information: 202-541-6226.

July 17

Reggae Wine FestivalLinganore Winecellars,

13601 Glissans Mill Road,Mt. Airy, Md. 6 p.m. Relax

and enjoy the sounds of thetropics without ever leaving

town at this festival. Enjoy

an afternoon of great musicand great wine. For more

information: 301-831-5889.

Circle of DistinctionBobby Vans, 1201 New

York Ave., N.W. D.C. 9p.m.-2 a.m. Socialize with

members of Congress aswell as other corporate

professionals at this elegant

gala. $25-$65. For moreinformation: 703-717-1301.

July 18

Mixed-Media Art WorkshopThe Smithsonian

Anacostia CommunityMuseum, 1901 Fort Place,

S.E. D.C. 1-3 p.m. At thisevent, participants will

learn how to produce their

own media works underthe direction of local artist

Kamala Subranamian. For


The Classics-Reggae Album

Cover Art ShowLounge of III, 1013 U

St., N.W. D.C. 7-9 p.m. Inthis visual art series, view

the art of over 80 classicreggae music album covers

and mingle with other art/

music lovers in the area. Formore information: www.

gmoney77wordpress.com.

Arts on the Waterfront:Mambo Combo

Bladensburg Waterfront

Park, 4601 Annapolis Road,Bladensburg, Md. 6-7:30 p.m.Come out for this Sunday

evening event, celebrating

the unique art in the areaas the sun sets over the

urban watershed. For more

information: 301-779-0371.

July 21

Diva Network Five-Minute

SpotlightWest End Library, 1101

24th St., N.W. D.C. 6-8

p.m. At this event, learn

how to brush up on yourpresentation skills and

promote your business. For

more information: www.divanetwork.org.

FantasiaBirchmere Music Hall,

3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.,

Alexandria, Va. 7:30 p.m.Enjoy the sounds of R&B

singer and American Idolwinner Fantasia. $59. For

more information: 703-549-

7500.

July 23

Genesis Girls Night OutThe Sunset Room,

National Harbor, 137 National

Plaza, Oxon Hill, Md. 6-11

p.m. Enjoy a fun-lledevening with other womenfrom the area. Go shopping,

get pampered and network.

For more information: 301-442-3600.

July 24

Create a Gullah CollageThe Smithsonian

Anacostia CommunityMuseum, 1901 Fort Place,

S.E. D.C. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.Artist Wanda Aikens will

offer a collage workshop

inspired by the Gullahexperience. Witness the

Gullah creative spirit as youparticipate in this exciting

hands-on session. For more

information: 202-633-

4844.

Open Mic Artistry Jump-oThe Potters House, 1658

Columbia Road, N.W. D.C.

6-9 p.m. Bring your friends

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Community Calendarto this event featuring many

local comedians, poets,musicians and more. $10.

For more information: www.

eventful.com.

The First Lanham Arts

Infusion CelebrationLanham Sports Park,

7700 Good Luck Road,

Lanham, Md. 2 p.m. Thisevent will bring families, the

community, music and art

lovers together to celebratethe cultural resources of

Prince Georges County. For



9/20


It is difcult at this

day to realize the state of

public opinion in regard to

that unfortunate race which

prevailed in the civilized and enlightened portions of the world

at the time of the Declaration of Independence, and when the

Constitution of the United States was framed and adopted;

but the public history of every European nation displays it in

a manner too plain to be mistaken. They had for more than a

century before been regarded as beings of an inferior order,

and altogether unt to associate with the white race, either

in social or political relations, and so far unt that they had

no rights which the white man was bound to respect. (Chief

Justice Roger B. Taney, in writing for the Supreme Courts

majority opinion regarding Dred Scott v. Sandford, 1857).

The recent verdict against a former Bay Area Rapid Transit

(BART) police ofcer, in a Los Angeles courtroom, has onceagain revealed the uneven application of justice concerning

the killing of unarmed Black youth at the hands of White lawenforcement personnel.Found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of

22-year-old Oscar Grant, on New Years Day 2009, JohannesMehserle claimed to have confused his .40 caliber service

weapon for his non-lethal Taser when shooting Mr. Grant

in the back. While dozens of witnesses and cell phone videoconrmed the victim was no threat to himself or to others,

Mehserle, who claimed to be fearful of the young mans alleged

movements, killed Mr. Grant as he laid face-down, subdued bypolice ofcers, on an Oakland train station platform.

Subsequently desiring a fair trial for the former ofcer, the

State of California agreed to a change of venue from Oaklandto Los Angeles, where, after a short deliberation, the slap on the

wrist verdict angered many, sparking street demonstrations andcalls for additional federal charges. Raising serious questions

not only about the value of Black life in a so-called post-racial

America, but also whether juries are capable of rendering fair

decisions in racially-charged police on c ivilian homicide cases,the Grant verdict echoes the majority opinion of the Supreme

Courts infamous 1857 Dred Scott decision.

Enshrined by Chief Justice

Taneys court that Blacks hadno rights which the white

man was bound to respect,

it appears that 153 yearsafter that legal opinion was

given, the same remains true

regarding police violence

against unarmed Black people.

While the Scott case codied

the denial of citizenship rightsto both free and enslaved

Blacks, what todays Grantcase has in common with the

former Scott decision is a

specic and callous disregardfor the lives of Black people in

the American legal system.

While it is interesting tonote that the Scott case has

never been overruled by theSupreme Court itself, the portion regarding citizenship wasoverturned through the passage of the 14th Amendment in

1868. With questions of citizenship having then been resolved,the unresolved portions of the Dred Scott decision remain

alive and well in many United States courtrooms to this very

day. Prejudiced juries, police misconduct and latent racism inthe criminal justice system all bear witness to this fact and, as

reected by the Oscar Grant shooting, the law is watered down

for some while made stricter for others.As the family and supporters of Oscar Grant continue to

press for justice, the last hope for redress lies with lawsuits and

perhaps charges of civil rights violations brought against theformer ofcer in question. While these actions will never bring

the life of Mr. Grant back to his loved ones, a proper expressionof justice may see to it that society will never again tolerate the

cold-blooded killing of unarmed and subdued civilians at the

hands of law enforcement.

Nevertheless, embedded in the U.S. legal system, fromthe very beginning of the American republic, the kernel of

racism that poisoned the foundation of American jurisprudence

continues to lurk behind the faade of equal justice underthe law. While the Civil Rights movements of the 1950s and

60s helped to put laws on the books to address inequality on

the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, these

codes focused more upon public accommodations, voting rights

and public access than with biases inherent to the legal system

itself.

The Dred Scott decision established that the rights of Black

people were subordinate to that of whites, and the Oscar Grant

verdict proved that this is still the case. However, as pressure

mounts for the federal government to look into what many

now see as a miscarriage of justice, how many more Oscar

Grants will there be in the Black community as increasingly

militarized police forces continue to excuse what they call

justiable homicide?

Brother William P. Muhammad is an author and a graduate

of the University of Texas at El Paso. Post comments at www.

wisdomhouseonline.com

Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch

has a proposal for the

unemployed. He wants

them drug tested before they

can receive unemployment

benets. Hilarious! With

unemployment rates at 9.7

percent, with nearly six

million Americans out of

work for at least six months,

with more than a million

people without support since

their unemployment benets

have run out, Hatch proposes

drug testing for unemployed

people.

He and some of his colleagues are actually the ones who

need drug testing. How could the Senate, by a vote of 57-42,

prevent legislation that would have provided an unemployment

benet extension from moving forward? What could they

possibly have been thinking? Sen. John Kerry (D-Ma)

described the action as One of the worst moments Ive seen

in 25 years in the United States Senate. In time of economic

trouble, our country expects Democrats and Republicans to

pull together.

This is politics at its absolute worst, with Republicans

unifying to cut the unemployed off at the kneecaps. Meanwhile,

Hatch wants drug testing. Given this vote on the unemployment

benet extension, perhaps Sen. Hatch and the 42 might want to

demonstrate that they were not impaired when they took their

vote.

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis was among the many blasting

the Republicans for playing games with peoples survival.

In Denver last week, she told Latino elected ofcials that the

loss of unemployment benets for more than 200,000 people

a week would be devastating. Some Republican senators

say the bill was too costly, and loaded up with too many

amendments to pass. But debate on this legislation has lasted

for more than two months the House of Representatives

voted for unemployment benet extensions back in March. The

tab on this bill is $18 billion, which is not chump change but

it is certainly just a fraction of the $700 billion bank bailout

and just half of the money we just sent to support our effort in

Afghanistan.

Unfortunately, the Republican senators are taking their

cues from those who are demonizing the unemployed.

Writing for the US Chronicle, Stephanie Lee reported that

online hostility toward the unemployed is notable, with those

who need help being called whiners and pathetic. Some

companies looking for workers indicate they will not consider

people who are unemployed, no matter what the reason. (Now

that is fascinating logic who needs work more than the

unemployed?)

In my own review of online responses to the failure

of H.R. 4213 in the Senate, Ive found posts that describe

the unemployed as losers and lazy. At the same time,

many of our unemployed brothers and sisters have posted

poignant accounts of what their lives are like after they

have lost their job, of making choices to feed children or

spend money on transportation for job search, of adjusting

expectations downward, of applying for positions for which

they are overqualied, only to be rejected because they are

overqualied.And Orrin Hatch wants to impose drug testing. When the

United States Senate turns its backs on unemployed citizens to

play partisan games who should really be drug tested?

There is the possibility that the Senate will reconsider the

unemployment extension, perhaps passing it as a stand-alone

bill, but they made no commitment after last Thursdays vote.

If unemployed people would share their ire with the Senate,

perhaps these folks would understand. For the moment, though,

they have thumbed their noses at the nations unemployed. In

doing so, theyve made it clear who really needs drug testing.

Julianne Malveaux is president of Bennett College for

Women in Greensboro, N.C.

(NNPA) It was1963. The nation was at

a virtual boiling point.

Despite marked gains in the

civil rights struggle fromintegrating lunch counters

and universities to equalizing

buses, the ght for justice

was far from over.As re hoses and police

dogs continued to beunleashed on those seeking

basic human rights, andfreedom riders testing

desegregation in the South

were attacked by angry mobs, one man possessed the uniqueability to not only unite the masses across all racial lines, but

also candidly highlight the ills of society.

Although African Americans were free from the bondages

of slavery, they were only beginning the long struggle for equalfooting in education, employment, housing and opportunity in a

land built on the backs of their enslavement. Following his own

arrest earlier that year during a non-violent protest, Dr. Martin

Luther King Jr. convened hundreds of thousands in Washingtonand delivered his infamous I Have a Dream speech. On

the 47th anniversary of this momentous occasion, we must

RECLAIM THE DREAM for it is still far from being truly

fullled.

On August 28th (the precise anniversary of MLKs speech),the National Action Networks 47 chapters will join with other

civil rights leaders, clergy and progressive activists as we leada massive rally and march in Washington, D.C. As a student of

MLKs teachings, I can think of no other appropriate way to

simultaneously pay homage to our great civil rights leader and

also highlight our ongoing struggle than to once again gather atthe nations capital. We will assemble at Dunbar High School

at 11 a.m. sharp and march from there for the sake of our

community, for the future of our children and for the betterment

of the entire nation.

In his I Have a Dream Speech, MLK remarked, There

are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, Whenwill you be satised?

When the Black unemployment rate is three times the Whiteunemployment rate in metropolitan areas like Memphis and

Minneapolis, we cannot be satised. When parents cannot

provide basic health care for their children, we are not satised.When the Department of Education estimates that by the end

of high school, White students are about six times as likely

to be ready to pursue college-level biology courses as Black

students, we are nowhere near satised. When our prisonsare disproportionately lled with minority occupants, and

the numbers on stops and frisks continue to racially prole

and target people of color, we are not satised. When Blacks

with the same education level as their White counterparts stillsuffer from extremely higher unemployment rates, we are not

satised.

And when Blacks are unduly losing their employment and

homes in a continuing economic crisis, we are far from being

satised. This is undoubtedly a distinct moment in history.

On one hand, African Americans have excelled to levels

never before imaginable culminating with the election of

President Barack Obama. But as Black business and political

leaders continue to crack the proverbial ceiling, unfathomable

inequities permeate around the country. Until we see a level

playing eld that truly grants everyone access to equal

education, health care, housing, employment and liberty and

freedom, we must march on.

In the struggle for basic human rights, there are and

always will be opponents and roadblocks along the way.

As we gather on the anniversary of MLKs I Have a Dreamspeech on Aug. 28th, right-wing TV and talk show pundit

Glenn Beck will be convening conservative Republican and

Tea Party folks at the Lincoln Memorial. But while Beck and

those supporting him attempt to highjack the dream, we will

drown out their vitriol with the call for freedom, equality and

justice. Beck has dubbed his Aug. 28th event as Restoring

Honor, but it is precisely the opposite. Insulting the memory

and legacy of our nations greatest civil rights leader, Beck

proves yet again that he is an advocate for division and an

opponent of progress. We cannot be sidetracked by this

negativity and by those whose only purpose is to garner higher

ratings.

Join us on Aug. 28th as we RECLAIM THE DREAM for

everyone in a peaceful, non-violent fashion just as MLK

would have wanted us to do on this 47th historic anniversary.

The Rev. Al Sharpton is the president and founder of the

National Action Network.

Who Should Really Be Drug Tested?

William P.

Muhammad

Echoes of Dred Scott in theOscar Grant verdict

Rev. Al Sharpton

Opinion

Let Us Reclaim the Dream on Aug. 28 in D.C. March and Rally

Julianne Malveaux


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11/20

July 17, 2010 - July 23, 2010, The Afro-American B1

The PR team with Stacie and Jason Turner (center),

Erica Hughes, Kelli Lawson (back) Anne Williams,

Lyntina Townsend and Rebecca Minorini

Virginia Williams, mother o

ormer mayor o the District o

Columbia Anthony Williams

Chilsea Pickens, Michelle

Prot, Nicole Venable, Montina

Anderson, Aundria Cosbyand Loida Jorge

Krishana Davis interviews young

ladies who departed or South

Arica on July 5.

The eight young ladies, called ambassadors,with Stacie Turner and Barbara Harrison,

WRC 4: Front row; Ronetta, Israelle andAdriane. Back Row: Ieshia, Elizabeth,

Kristin, Zeer and Tia

Erica Hughes

and WDCW-TV

ashion guru,Paul Wharton

Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL)enters the reception area.

WRC 4 news personality Barbara Harrison (at mic) with Stacie Turner

welcoming the guests

Dr. Rogue Gerald,

director, D.C. Child

and Family Services

District Mayor Adrian Fenty presentsa going away git to Adriane C.

Photos by Rob Roberts

Extra-Ordinary Lie (XOL), a Washington, D.C.-

based charitable organization which caters to

teen girls in oster care, hosted a bon voyagesend-o celebration at the Penthouse o the

Bank o America Building in

Northwest, Washington, D.C.The event honored eight

remarkable young ladies as they prepared to

embark on an extra-ordinary journey to South

Arica during the 2010 World Cup Finals romJuly 5 -July 16. The inaugural international trip

exposed the girls to the world beyond their

immediate surroundings, and introduced themto new cultures and ethnicities.

Stacie Turner is the ounder o XOL.

The Jamaican Women of Washington (JWoW) held their 8th AnnualTEA-OFF to Good Health and Silent Auction at the Four Seasons Hotel in

Northwest Washington, D.C., with the theme HomelessnessIt Takesa Village to Shelter the Vulnerable.

Under the leadership of Dr. Jacqueline A. Watson and the hostcommittee, guests and supporters were treated to an afternoon of

style and substance with traditional savories, sweets and beverageson the tea-off menu with steel pan musical entertainment by LennardJack.

Special invited guests included Audrey Marks, ambassador ofJamaica to the United States; the Hon. Raymond Joseph, ambassadorfrom Haiti, and Michelle Fenty, rst lady of the District of Columbia.

Recipients of the 2010 Washington, D.C. grants were The Harriett

Tubman Womens Shelter and My Sisters Place. The afternoonfestivities concluded with the award of door prizes and the Hats OffContest won by Tatiana Dale. Dr. Watson gave closing remarks and

wished everyone good health in true Jamaican yardie style.

Gennet Purcell, George Worrell and guest

Aleah Nathan and rst ladyMichelle Fenty

Shirley Ducksworth, Charlotte Ducksworth, Sherry Hicks and Roxane Harris

HSBC Tee-O sponsor Kevin Shaw,

Orville Smith, Laura Clark, Alyssa Bouleand Dr. Steven Price

Dr. Jacqueline Watson, president, JWoW; Distrct rst lady

Michelle Fenty, Raymond Joseph and wie, Lola Poisson-Joseph

Karen Dale and her daughter Tatiana

Jacqueline Watson, Leon Harris, WJLA 7

news anchor and Michelle Fenty

Donna Cooper, Pepco; Sue Marshall, Community Partnership or the

Prevention o Homelessness; Kim Watson, Pepco; Michelle Fenty andBeverly Perry, Pepco

Stacey Harper, Hope Balamani

and Tashya Tummings

Sue Marshal l(let) and representatives o the

two grant recipients

Anthony Gaskins (center), owner o the Hattery in Georgetown ,with ladies

who participated in the Hats O Contest

JWoW board and host members Jan Cutts, host; Alanna Broderick, boardmember; Kim Watson, board member; D.C. rst lady Michelle Fenty, ex-

ofcio board member; Heather McCabe, host; Beverly Martin, host; Aleah

Nathan, host; Jacqueline Watson, president, JWoW and Karen Francis, host

Photos by Nike


12/20


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13/20

July 17, 2010 - July 23, 2010, The Afro-American B3

www.aro.com

By AFRO Staf

Seth Fowler, a young writer, Morehouse College student, and teenage CEO, has had a

lifelong passion for art. Even as a child Fowler spent hours drawing and doodling intricate

designs a gift that was not lost on his father, Paul.

After Fowlers dad recognized the extent of his sons abilities, he encouraged Seth to craft

a story around some of his favorite illustrations. At 9 years old, Seth completed Cory the

Popcorns Big Adventure, a colorful, adventure-laden childrens book.

Seth and his father felt theyd crafted a powerful project that taught children to overcome

lifes difculties, combat bullies and treat others with respect. According to the author, the

book also helps strengthen bonds between parents and children by sharing a bedtime story.The duo spent years rening and editing the book and began introducing the work to

different publishers. During this time, the father-son team met with Erick Lina, a California-

based Barnes & Noble store manager, who helped shape the nal product. With Linas

assistance, the book was submitted to Barnes & Noble and was selected to be part of the

childrens book family.

The book had many of the morals that kids today dont get from television or movies, and

still kept a degree of vibrant imagination that could only come from a kid itself, said Lina. I

knew people would read it and love it.

The book was an overwhelming success, selling double the number of copies in its rst two

days than any other rst-time author at the Woodland Hill Barnes & Noble in California.

After the success of his rst book, Seth went on to create his own independent book

publishing company, BooksBySeth, and is currently pursuing a double major in business

administration and Spanish.

Visitwww.corythepopcorn.com for more information or follow Cory on Twitter atTwitter.

com/booksbyseth.

Courtesy Photo

Seth Fowler greets young readers at a book signing.

Young CEO Inspires withChildrens Book

By AFRO Staf

Throughout the month, the Prince Georges Arts Council

will host a series of family-friendly events featuring local

talent. From photographers receptions to a program

involving local political candidates, the month of July is

lled with entertainment in Prince Georges County.

July 15

The Photomania Arts Reception showcases the talents of

local photographers. The reception will take place from 6-8

p.m. at the University Town Center - Metro 3 Building, 6525

Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, Md. 20782. Food and refreshment

will be served.

July 24Celebrate a day of art, food and fun with the family at The

Lanham Arts Infusion featuring the Billy Taylor Jazzmobile

from New York City with live evening performances by

Winard Harper, Marcus Mitchell Project, Shawn Allen and

Brian Forehand Trio. The event will take place from 2-8

p.m. at The Lanham Sports Park, 7700 Good Luck Road,

Lanham, Md.

July 28Take part in an interactive forum, The Arts: Here, Now

and Tomorrow with the candidates running for Prince

Georges County Executive, from 7-9 p.m. at The Clarice

Smith Performing Arts Center, Joseph & Alma Gildenhorn

Recital Hall, located on the campus of the University of

Maryland, College Park.

Prince Georges ArtsCouncil PreparesMonth-Long Showcase

By Kam WilliamsSpecial to the AFRO

From his celebrated conversations with world gures, to hiswork to inspire the next generation of leaders, as a broadcaster,author, advocate and philanthropist, Tavis Smiley continues tobe an outstanding voice for change. He is currently the host ofthe late night television talk show Tavis Smiley on PBS andThe Tavis Smiley Show on Public Radio International (PRI).

Time magazine honored Smiley in 2009 as one of TheWorlds 100 Most Inuential People. The Smiley Group(TSG) is a communications corporation established in supportof human rights and related empowerment issues. TSG servesas the holding company for various enterprises encompassingbroadcast and print media, lectures, symposiums and theInternet.

Here, Tavis talks about Been in the Storm Too Long, aspecial report on the city of New Orleans airing on PBS onJuly 21. He also speaks about theOn Your Side Tour with TavisSmiley, a series of free nancialempowerment workshops hesstaging in various cities around thecountry between now and the endof 2010.

KW:Since you were born inGulfport, Miss., I have to rst askyou what you think about the Gulfoil spill?

TS: I was just down there forabout a week. Were working on thethird installment of Tavis SmileyReports.KW:Been in the Storm to

Long.

TS:Yeah, exactly. In additionto my late n ight show, weredoing four primetime specials thisyear, one every quarter. And itseemed obvious that in the thirdquarter it needed to be about thefth anniversary of Katrina. Imdoing this one in conjunction withAcademy Award-winner JonathanDemme who is actually directing it.KW: So, howre things down

there?

TS: Its hard to nd the languageto describe what its like when yousee it in person. It is horric, andthere are a lot of questions were

going to have to address once we get on the other side of thiscrisis. I recently had the former president of Shell Oil, JohnHofmeister, as a guest on my TV show. He has a powerful, newbook out called, Why We Hate the Oil Companies. We had areally, really serious dialogue navigating through the politics ofwhat happened, what President Obama ought to be doing, whatBP ought to be doing, and how we can insure that this neverhappens again. It was a fascinating conversation. Still, whenyou see it in person, its horric, for lack of a better term. Itsa major, major crisis, and Im just sorry that the White Housewas a little slow moving on this, initially. But now, it seemslike theyre fully engaged. So, I hope we can turn the corner onthis disaster. Well see.KW:Larry Greenberg says, Ive seen you bring together

forces that I could never imagine at the same table. Is it thepower of love or diplomacy that you have harnessed? I

think he might be referring to the Black Agenda Summit youconvened in Chicago this Spring.

TS:Yeah, I hope its both. I lovepeople, and I believe that diplomacyis a valuable tool in ones arsenal.But beyond me, its about thepeople I invite. The people who areinterested in engaging in discourseabout making America better. In thatregard, its not like I did somethingmagical, you ask the right people,and they tend to show up. So, itsabout outreach. I can honestlysay that while those forums aremonumental and take a lot of workand energy to organize and pull off,Id be lying if I said I had to twistanybodys arm to be there.KW: The bookworm Troy

Johnson question: What was the last

book you read?TS:A book by Tim Wise called

Colorblind: The Rise of Post-RacialPolitics and the Retreat from RacialEquality. Its a great book.

KW: When you look in themirror, what do you see?

TS: Thats a powerful question,Kam. To be honest with you, I seesomeone whos struggling every dayto get it right. What I mean by thatis sometimes you work really hard,and you look at everything youreup against in the culture, in thesociety, in the economy, and in thebody politic, and sometimes it feels

Tavis Smiley: In an Introspective Mood

Tavis Smiley

By Kristin GrayAFRO Managing Editor

Nestled in Capitol

Hills bustling corridors

is a veritable beauty oasis

shielded by an attractive,

but mundane storefront.

Women from all walks of

life converge here for a bevy

of beauty services bikini

waxing, eyebrow arching,

massages, facials in an

ambience that blends urban

sophistication with earthyelegance. Skin Beauty

Lounge a full-service spa

owned by District native and

esthetician Meka Mathis

is a beauty buffs dream I

experienced rsthand.An exotic fusion of

aromas greeted me as

I climbed the stairs to

Skins waiting area and

was greeted by a warm,

efcient receptionist. But

my road to relaxation began

minutes before the hour-

long massage and facial

treatment.

The waiting area is

swathed in soothing powder

blue and chocolate hues andimmaculately maintained.

My massage therapist,

Crystal, led me into a cozy

room illuminated only by

the midday sunlight and

prince george's county afro-american newspaper, july 17, 2010

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