prince george's county afro-american newspaper, march 19, 2011

8/7/2019 Prince George's County Afro-American Newspaper, March 19, 2011

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March 19, 2011 - March 19, 2011, The Afro-American A1

By Gregory DaleAFRO Staf Writer

Kweisi Mfume, former

U.S. Congressman and

current chief executive

ofcer of the National

Medical Association

(NMA), recently announced

he was stepping down from

the position, effective in

June.

Ive had the

opportunity to work with

a great number of very

talented physicians and

scientists, as their chief

administrator who runs the

ship day in and day out,

Mfume told the AFRO in

a recent interview. Ive

really enjoyed my time

working there.

The NMA is the

nations oldest and largest

medical association

representing the interests of

more than 30,000 African-

American physicians and

their patients.

Mfume, who also once

served as president of

the NAACP, notied the

NMAs board last week of

his departure thats set to

occur on June 7. Despite his

imminent exit, hes offered

to stay longer in the position

to ensure a smooth transition

for the organizations

next leader. Mfume said

the organization has not

announced a new leader.

He joined the NMA in

2010, and explained that

at the time of his hire,

he agreed to stay in the

position for a year to try

to help it reach its goal of

becoming more effective

among plethora of

healthcare and medical

organizations.

Quite frankly, I feel

like Ive been able to do

just that, working with

board and committee

members to create a

more efcient scal

operation, Mfume

said. After working so

hard, Im just going to

take a break and try to

recharge my engines for

whatever my next step

or endeavor might be.

Im not even in a rush to

try to come up with solid

plans [for my next step],

but Im sure something

will present itself.

Mfume added that

some of the highlights

during his tenure at

NMA include helping

to reshape it to further

cater to its physicians

and patients needs.

The biggest thing

has been to work with the

physicians there in breathing

a whole new sense of life

back into the association

and having an opportunity

to make it much more of an

advocacy organization on

behalf of physicians around

the country, Mfume said.

By George BarnetteAFRO Staf Writer

Prince Georges County

Executive Rushern Baker

released his proposed budgeton March 14 for the Prince

Georges County Councils

review. In the budget, Bakersaid he tried to fund key

programs even though the

countys economy is still in adownturn.

In order to move Prince

Georges County along thepath to greatness, we had to

make difcult decisions in

the FY2012 budget processdue to these challenging

economic times, Baker said.I am committed to making

smart investments that will

move the county forward.The county has seen a

decrease in real property

assessments due to correctionin the housing market and

that will cause a decrease

from $96 billion in propertytaxes in scal 2011 to $84

billion in scal 2012, the

lowest in four years.The county is also

losing out on $10 million

in Maryland DisparityGrant funding, $46 million

in funding from Parks andPlanning and the loss of

several million in federal

stimulus dollars to thecountys public school

system.

Despite that, Baker plansto invest $1.6 billion in

the public schools, $535

million in public safety and$15 million for Dimensions

Health, the company that

operates Prince GeorgesHospital Center.

By George Barnette

AFRO Staf Writer

The Prince Georges Community College Communication

and Theatre Department is currently in rehearsals of AugustWilsons play, Two Trains Running, a story about civil rights era

Pittsburgh.August Wilson didnt write about famous people, said

Charles Weldon, the director of the play. He wrote about

people youve never heard of, who live in the house next door orthe house down the street, and their struggles.

Weldon is a veteran actor who has acted in a production of

Two Trains Running himself. Weldons career includes working

in lms such as Stir Crazy and Malcolm Xas well as appearing

on primetime television shows, Law and Order and NewYork Undercover.

Hes brought years of experience to the play so its only

natural that hes using that experience to teach the students atPGCC a process he said is coming along slowly but surely.

I used to teach acting a lot and thats what I nd myself

doing, Weldon said. At this point Im doing more teachingthan directing.

At the same time you want to push [the students] to wherethey can get to the point to where they can start creating on their

own, he continued. Some of them are getting there and doing

that and I really appreciate that.Weldon is very hands-on with the students and actors. He

doesnt mind stopping a scene or changing a detail here and

there to have the play make more sense. Hell even talk toan actor in the middle of scene, something that PGCC acting

teacher Gina Alvarado-Otero appreciates.

I love when he just goes and whispers advice in their ears,she said. Some people may get ustered but the kids hear the

Volume 119 No. 32 PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY EDITION

Hear the AFRO on The DailyDrum, Wednesday at 7 p.m.

MARCH 19, 2011 - MARCH 25, 2011

Sorry Sessoms, We Dont Buy It A7

Continued on A4

Continued on A4

Copyright 2011 by the Aro-American Company

Join the AFROon

Twitter and Facebook Continued on A4Continued on A4

Famed PhotographerBrian Lanker Dies A2

Baker Releases Proposed Budget

PGCC Communication & Theatre Department

Veteran ActorDirects WilsonsTwo Trains Running

Kweisi Mfume Stepping Down AsCEO National Medical Association

County Residents FavorForeclosure AssistanceBy George Barnette

AFRO Staf Writer

All over Prince Georges County, people are moving into foreclosed homesfor prices cheaper than many other people paid for their homes. And, for themost part, Prince Georges homeowners are perfectly ne with it.

In some areas of the country, government assistance, aimed at keeping andgetting people into foreclosed homes, is really angering residents, but not in

Prince Georges County. Residents are seeing their property value plummet and

their property taxes skyrocket so they are encouraged to see any assistance.Too many families have left our county due to foreclosure and high taxes

which has affected our synergy as a county, said James Dula, chairman of

the Maryland branch of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference andformer chairman of the Prince Georges County Chamber of Commerce. The

foreclosure crisis has resulted in the loss of families, businesses and taxes while

affecting who we are as a county.Lake Arbor resident Adrian McQueen agrees. He said hes frustrated with

seeing his property value steadily decrease and thinks that help is necessary.

As a homeowner I want these people to get assistance, McQueen said.People foreclosing is ruining my property value. The more foreclosures in the

market, the higher my taxes will be because the county has to make up for all

Courtesy Photo/Realty Trac

Prince Georges high rate o oreclosures is driving up property taxes.

Philly Teens Become FirstBlack Polo Champs B4

Rap mogul 50 Cent, inset, has angered ans with his tweeted comments in which he made jokes

about the earthquake-precipitated tsunami in Japan late last week, that has let thousands deadand many more injured or missing. In this photo, members o the Japan Ground Sel-Deense

Force walk in a deployment line as they search tsunami damaged parts o Ounato, Japan, orsurvivors, March 15. See the ull story on aro.com

AP Photos

Rapper 50 Cent Inames Fanswith Japan Tsunami Jokes

AFRO File Photo/Bill Tabron

Kweisi Mume, shown in thisAFRO fle photo, has announced

his plans to resign as president/

CEO o the National Medical

Association.


2/16

A2 The Afro-American, March 19, 2011 - March 25, 2011

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AFRO National BriefsFamed PhotographerBrian Lanker Dies

Pulitzer Prize-winningphotographer Brian Lankerdied March 13 at his home inEugene, Ore., the Register-Guardnewspaper reported.

He was 63.The photojournalists

images were featured in IDream a World: Portraits ofBlack Women Who ChangedAmerica and Track Town,USA.

Brian was a mastercraftsman who didnt needwords to communicate,Register-Guards editor andpublisher, Tony Baker, saidin an article posted on thenewspapers website. Hiscamera work alone made forextraordinary storytelling.He was a consummateprofessional, always preparedwhen on assignment forthe paper. He was a bigpersonality with a big-pictureview of life and of his craft.Brian made everyone aroundhim better at what they did.

Pa. Teen Accused of KillingMom over ConscatedVideo Game

A Philadelphia teen isfacing murder charges afterhe allegedly killed his motherfor taking away his videogame console.

Kendall Anderson, 16,is being charged as an adultfor the alleged murder of hismother, 37-year-old Rashida

Anderson. Following aheated argument on Nov. 26concerning a laptop stolenfrom school, Andersonsmother conscated hisPlayStation video gameconsole.

I couldnt stand thearguing, Anderson saidin a confession read byhomicide Detective ThorstenLucke of the PhiladelphiaPolice Departmentduring a preliminaryhearing. According to ThePhiladelphia Inquirer, theteen deliberated for threehours before he decided tokill his mother.

In his confession,Anderson said he struck hismother with a claw hammer20 times while she slept. Thegruesome confession alsorevealed that he attempted tocremate her body. When hisattempts failed, he proceededto beat her head with achair and dispose of herbody in an alley behind theAndersons home. The bodywas discovered two dayslater, after family memberssuspicions led them to callthe police.

Anderson is chargedwith murder, possession ofan instrument of crime andabuse of a corpse.

If I could, I would notdo it again, Anderson saidin his confession, accordingto reports. I really miss mymom. . . She was the onlyperson who cared for me.

Similar video-gamerelated deaths have occurred

in the past few years. In2008, Tyrone Spellmanof Philadelphia murderedhis 17-month-old daughterafter she broke his Xbox. In2010, Alexandra Tobias ofJacksonville, Fla., pleadedguilty to second-degreemurder after shaking herbaby to death for disturbingher while she played popularFacebook game Farmville.

President Obama, FirstLady Call for United FrontAgainst Bullying

President Obama and rstlady Michelle Obama metwith more than 150 parents,teachers, non-prot leaders,advocates, and policymakersat a White House conferenceon March 10 in an effort toaddress the problem of youthbullying.

Those in attendance

discussed methods toachieve safer schoolsand communities for thenations students. One of theobjectives of the conferencewas to dismiss the idea thatbullying is a part of growingup.

Bullying can have

destructive consequencesfor our young people.And its not something wehave to accept. As parentsand students; teachers andcommunities, we can takesteps that will help preventbullying and create a climatein our schools in which all ofour children can feel safe,Obama said in a preparedstatement.

As parents, this issuereally hits home for us. Itbreaks our hearts to think thatany child feels afraid everyday in the classroom, on theplayground, or even online,the rst lady said. I hope

that all of youand everyonewatching onlinewill walkaway from this conferencewith new ideas and solutionsthat you can take backto your own schools andcommunities.

The conference alsohighlighted private, nonprot,and federal commitments toprevent bullying. MTV andFacebook were among theorganizations that unveiledinitiatives against bullying.

Courtesy Image

Brian Lankers work was

featured in I Dream aWorld: Portraits of Black

Women Who Changed

America.

Courtesy Photo

Kendall Anderson

President Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, broughtthe issue of bullying center stage during a recent WhiteHouse conference on the issue.

Courtesy Photo


3/16


. . , . .

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March 19, 2011 - March 25, 2011 The Afro-American A3

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By Hazel Trice EdneyTriceEdneyWire.com

Special to the AFRO

WASHINGTON

(TriceEdneyWire.com) On

the 184th birthday of the

Black Press, March 16, an

odd debacle is underway.

The NAACP, the nations

oldest and largest civil rights

organization, is under re

from Black newspapers

around the country over an

issue of economic injustice.

NAACP President and

CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous

admits that a grave mistake

was made right under his

nose when advertising inserts

were placed only in White

newspapers on the eve of the

organizations annual image

awards, which aired March 4.

Danny Bakewell, chairman

of the National Newspaper

Publishers Association

(NNPA), a federation of

more than 200 Black-owned

newspapers, is demanding

justice.

If the NAACP desires

to advertise with the

White press, they need to

understand and experience

the repercussions of going

outside of their house (The

Black Press). The NAACP

needs to know that by

ignoring the Black Press they

are cutting off their nose to

spite their face, Bakewell

said in a March 7 letter to

NNPA publishers, obtained

by the Trice Edney News

Wire. We have marched side

by side with them and been

their voice in the African

American community. It is

truly disheartening to be on

the battleeld with someone

and not be able to share in the

spoils.

In his rst public response

to the issue, Jealous released

a statement on Sunday after

he was contacted by the Trice

Edney News Wire.

This years NAACP

annual Image Awards

television show was a great

success, he wrote in the

statement. However, on

the eve of the show, a grave

mistake was made: circulars

that were supposed to appear

in both the mainstream

press and Black community

newspapers only appeared in

the mainstream press.

The advertising debacle

has sparked a restorm of

criticism from the Black Press

family of which Jealous has

long been a member. Jealous

is a former NNPA executive

director and a former editorofThe Jackson Advocate, an

NNPA newspaper. NAACP

insiders said he is set to

meet with NNPA leaders and

members this week during the

organizations annual trek to

Washington for Black Press

Week activities.

I am very sensitive to

the need to support Black

community newspapers.

They are the only way to

assure Black readers in a

given community that you

actually want your ads to

reach them directly. In the

past, I personally have both

sold and purchased ads in

Black community newspapers

across the country. Moreover,

I dedicated years of my life

to working for them directly,

Jealous said in the statement.

Notwithstanding, Black

newspapers across the

nation have long fought

advertising discrimination

from mainly White corporatecommunities which ignore

the economic worth of their

readers Black consumers,

who spend billions on goods

and services. Therefore, Black

publishers have expressed

shock at nding this kind of

omission associated with the

100-year-old NAACP, which

has a rich history of ghting

alongside the Black Press for

racial and economic equality.

As a unied response to

the omission, Bakewell asked

NNPA members to refrain

from writing anything about

the Image Awards in the

weeks following its airing onFOX.

Scathing articles and

editorials joined Bakewells

letter.

Robert W. Bogle,

publisher of the Philadelphia

Tribune, said in a March 3

Tribune story reprinted by

Target Market News: In

(Thursdays) Philadelphia

Daily News, the 42nd

NAACP Awards Magazine

was inserted and not one

copy was inserted in the

Philadelphia Tribune,

Americas oldest andAmericas largest daily

newspaper serving

the African-American

community.

He continued, This

action is an insult to the

men and women who work

at the Philadelphia Tribune

and should be an insult to

Black Americans in this

country. The very right of full

inclusion and participation of

African Americans has been

denied by the organization

that purports that African

Americans should be fairly

included in all aspects of

American life.New York Beacons

Publisher Walter Smith,

president of the 17-member

Northeast Publishers

Association, wrote in an

editorial, We credit our

leaders of the NAACP with

good sound judgment and

common sense at least. What

were they thinking when this

decision was made? Who

were they trying to attract,

and or who were they tryingto impress?

Due to legalities,

according to the NAACP,

Jealous withheld the name of

the advertising agency, which

has distributed the guide for

ve years. But, his statement

sought to explain how the

omission occurred:

The advertising company

originally conceived the

guide and presented it as a

fundraiser to the NAACP.It is solely responsible for

selling the ads and handling

the distribution. It pays the

NAACP a licensing royalty

which is used to support our

ongoing diversity efforts in

Hollywood, Jealous states.

Accordingly, I requested

and received assurance fromthe advertising company

that their distribution plan

included Black community

newspapers. However, the

advertising company has

failed to follow through.

This year, when the guides

came out, they did not show

up in any Black community

newspapers.

He concludes, The

NAACP does not condone

the agencys decision to

exclude Black community

newspapers. It is contrary to

our explicit instruction, and

we were not aware of the

agencys decision until afterthe guides hit the papers,

Black Press Rebukes NAACP in Image Awards Advertising DebacleBen Jealous Admits Grave Mistake

"If this company wants to do businesswith the NAACP again, they will need tomake things right with Black communitynewspapers in the markets where theguide was distributed, and convince usthey are capable of keeping their word."

Ben JealousPhoto courtesy of TriceEdneyWire.com

Ben Jealous, NAACP

president and CEO, admits

a grave mistake was

made. He is working to

ensure it does not happenagain.

Continued on A4


4/16


the vacant homes where taxes

arent being paid. No matterhow much we make, some

assistance is needed.

Due to the rise in taxes andneighborhood blights, county

ofcials said they had to take

action. The county had somany vacant properties that

they decided to nd a way toget people into those homes.

As a part of the

Neighborhood StabilizationProgram, Prince Georges

ofcials created the Down

Payment on Your Dreaminitiative. This provides

down payment and closing

cost assistance to rst-timehomebuyers and people

who havent owned a homein three years, when they

purchase vacant foreclosed

property in the county.I know that the economic

times we are in are tough,

said Prince Georges CountyExecutive Rushern Baker in a

statement. However, history

has taught us that tough timesdont last forever. As a result

of our countys progress over

the last seven years, we are

well positioned to address the

challenges we face. Thatswhy the Prince Georges

County Government is

administering this program.Under the program, very

low-income families are

eligible for up to $60,000 in

loans from the county. Some

county homeowners whobought their homes the old-

fashioned way dont think its

fair, but understand why theprogram is necessary.

You have to think about

the type of person you are

said Christopher Cheatham, a

Lanham resident. A selshperson will protest, but a

non-selsh person will say,

If it helps them, I am all forit. For me, I would like for

people to be self-sufcient,

but some people just are notable, and I believe everyone

should have a chance to livea decent life with a roof over

their heads.

There are 33 zip codeseligible to receive funding

including target zip codes

in Upper Marlboro, Bowie,Largo and Fort Washington.

Currently there are no

funds available for theprogram, but county ofcials

hope to replenish the coffers.No timetable has been set for

that. The program was started

in the county in 2009 and hashelped over 500 families so

far.


Bid OpportunitiesNutrient Compliance Facilities

UOSA Contract P1NR

Centreville, Virginia

Upper Occoquan Service AuthorityBid Due: April 12, 2011 @ 2:00 pm

Description of Work: Contract P1NR Nutrient Compliance Facilities gen-

erally consists of improvements to existing wastewater treatment facilities

(secondary treatment) at the Upper Occoquan Service Authoritys (UOSA)

Water Reclamation Plant located at 14631 Compton Rd, Centreville VA.

Primary elements of work are: Renewal, Demolition, Replacement, Repairs

and Modications to existing concrete structures; Aeration Basins, Second-

ary Clariers, and Pump Stations. In addition yard piping, clarier mecha-

nisms and extensive electrical and instrumentation work associated with the

improvements. Corman Construction, Inc. is soliciting quotes for the above

referenced project from all subcontractors, suppliers, and service providers.

In particular, Corman is seeking quotes from certied MBE and WBE sub-

contractors and suppliers for the following types of work: concrete demoli-

tion & structural concrete repairs, new structural concrete, reinforcing steel,

miscellaneous metals, painting, electrical, instrumentation, HVAC, erosion

control, permanent seeding, asphalt paving, concrete atwork, material &

equipment suppliers, materials testing, and hauling. Please contact Bonnie

Hulme at 301-953-0900 or at [email protected] with

questions or to schedule an appt to view bid documents and plans. Quotes

may be faxed to 301-953-2611.

Corman Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer,

M/F MBE WBE DBE SBE.

Baker Releases Proposed BudgetContinued from A1

Foreclosure AssistanceContinued from A1

Veteran Actor DirectsContinued from A1

MfumeContinued from A1

NAACPContinued from A3

The funding for public

schools still fell about $8million short of what the

countys school board

requested. However, PrinceGeorges Public Schools

Superintendent William Hite

still thanked Baker for hiscommitment to education.

I thank the CountyExecutive for his support

of education funding and

for making a decisionwhich will help sustain our

education reform, said

Hite in a statement. Thisannouncement demonstrates

his commitment to the

children of our County.One new initiative

Baker wants to fund is theEconomic Development

Incentive (EDI). Baker is

asking to use a one-timepayment of $50 million from

the countys fund balance to

provide a long-term nancial

solution to the countyscurrent scal woes.

That will help us expand

our economy and expand ourcommercial tax base, Baker

said. This expansion will

provide additional resourcesin the long term for our major

priority areas; K-12 educationand public safety.

Coming with the

fund is a new economicdevelopment team consisting

of Carla Reid, deputy chief

administrative ofcer foreconomic development, as

well as David Iannucci and

Aubrey Thagard, both giventhe title of assistant deputy

chief administrative ofcerfor economic development

and public infrastructure.

Although thoseinvestments were made,

the county will continue

its hiring freeze as well as

suspending all cost of livingand step increases for county

employees. Baker said

the decision to ask countyemployees to take a hit was

the toughest decision he had

to make.The people who work

in this government deserveincreases, he said. If there

was any way that I could fund

it I would.We simply cant nd

the resources to do it, he

continued.The Council now gets

the budget to work through

before they return it to Bakerfor nal approval. In the

meantime, Baker said he willcontinue to work with Gov.

Martin OMalley and the

Prince Georges delegation inAnnapolis to ght for more

funding.

he said. Nonetheless, it wasmade for a publication that

bears our name, and as CEO

I take ultimate responsibilityfor it. For that reason, I have

apologized to the NNPA andpromised their leadership this

will not happen again.

Jealous added that thedistribution will be put out for

bids next year with assurance

that Black newspapers will be

included.We have also let the

agency know that we willnot tolerate their abuse of the

trust the NAACP has placedin them, nor that which Black

community newspapers place

in the NAACP, Jealouswrote. If this company

wants to do business with the

NAACP again, they will needto make things right with

Black community newspapers

in the markets where theguide was distributed, and

convince us they are capable

of keeping their word.Whether his explanation

will end the controversyremains to be seen. Smith,

who is also NNPAs budget

director, concludes hiseditorial, Stay tuned, theres

much more to come.

Editors note: The writer

of this article is former

editor-in-chief of the NNPA

News Service and former

interim executive director of

the NNPA Foundation. She

was hired at NNPA by Ben

Jealous.

advice and then theyre ne.

Weldon said there are some distinct

challenges with working with a school,however. He said that after a month of

rehearsals with a professional acting company,

a play would be ready for open. But withstudents, who have to worry about school and

other time restrictions, its more difcult to getthis play perfected.

I know these kids cant come to rehearsal

until they get out of school, he said. Youcant rehearse more than four hours, which

is totally different than professionals because

then you can rehearse seven working hours.Weldon is also concerned with his other

job as artistic director of the Negro Ensemble

Company in Harlem, whose alumni list

includes Phylicia Rashad, Denzel Washington

and Samuel L. Jackson.

Weldon said he didnt mind taking the job,although he knew the school wouldnt be able

to pay him much. All I say is help me so that

I dont lose money, Weldon said. My staffis always one the phone with me and when I

woke up this morning I had a lot of messages.The natives are getting restless.

Despite the challenges, the play is coming

along and will be ready to open on March31. Weldon says the experience has been

invaluable to him.

This is a good place to start directing, hesaid. The kids are trying. Its good for me to

go through this part of it because I plan to do a

lot more of it.

Photo by George Barnette

Charles Weldon works with two students during rehearsals ofTwo Trains Running.

The industry is changing

so rapidly and so many of

those physicians have been

really working hard to ght

those disparities that exist in

our communities like cancer,

cardio vascular disease ...

hypertension and AIDS.

Additionally, he explained

that hes fought to ensure the

organizations mandate and

concerns were heard among

ofcials on Capitol Hill.

Mfume also worked

closely with the Student

National Medical Association,a subdivision of the

organization, to provide more

mentorship opportunities to

help them successfully lead

the organization into a new

era.

Ive made a big push my

whole time there as I did at

the NAACP, to make sure

that the younger aspect of the

movement is not left out,

Mfume said. We ought to be

prepared to help them lead the

way into the future.

As a result of ourcountys progressover the last sevenyears, we arewell positioned toaddress thechallenges we face.

Prince Georges County

Executive Rushern Baker


5/16


The 12th Annual Youth Law Fair, hosted

by the D.C. Superior Court and the D.C.

Bar, brings cyberbullying and its harmful

effects to the limelight this year. The annual

fair brings lawyers, high school students,

judges and educators together to examine

local social and legal issues. Chief Judge

Lee F. Sattereld, Judge

Melvin Wright and D.C.

Bar President Kim Keenan

are among the participants

slated to attend the daylong

program.

The event also includes

a mock trial, speaking

sessions and rafe

giveaways, providinglocal teens an opportunity

to develop hands on

experience with practicing

law and understanding

Americas judicial system.

Students will also

receive breakfast and lunch,

and participate in exhibits

and tours of the courthouse

and holding cells.

The 12th Annual Youth

Law Fair takes place March 19, 9 a.m.-

4 p.m., at the Moultrie Courthouse, 500

Indiana Courthouse, N.W. Free. For more

information and to register, go to ezregister.

com/events/1670 or visit dcbar.org/youthlawfair.

Teens to Discuss Cyberbullying at Annual Law Fair

WASHINGTON Howard University students, inresponse to a news report of a Washington, D.C. high school

that doesnt have enough books in its library, have launched

a campaign to collect and donate more than 1,000 books toWashington Metropolitan High School as part of their annual

Alternative Spring Break program.

The students are asking faculty, staff and students atHoward University, as well as bookstores, publishing

companies and individuals throughout the Washington, D.C.

area, for high school appropriate ction, non-ction and

reference books.

The books will be presented to Washington Metropolitan

High School, which is in its rst year and is now setting up its

library with Howard students help. During the week of March

14, Howard students helped label and categorize the books andstock the librarys shelves. Their work will be presented March

21, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the schools library.

Tanishia Williams-Minor, principal of the school, praised

the students for their efforts.

This book drive initiative is truly amazing, Williams-

Minor said. The teachers and staff here at Washington

Metropolitan work hard every day to encourage the students to

pursue an education after high school.

As adults it is hard to effectively convey that message.

This book drive is the rst step to showing the students that the

community wants to invest in their future as well.

Antonita Pratcher, a junior health education major atHoward, is the site coordinator for the students effort in the

Washington area during the Alternative Spring Break program

and is leading the book drive.

Pratcher is asking every faculty and staff member atHoward University and Howard University Hospital to donate

at least two books.

We are really looking to the Howard University family tolead this campaign, Pratcher said. We ultimately hope to

not only stock the schools library, but to also give the students

enough books to start their own personal collection.Through this book drive, we hope to help instill an

appreciation for reading and learning in the students.

Donation centers are available at Howard at HowardUniversity Bookstore at 2225 Georgia Ave., N.W., Founders

Library; Cramton Auditorium and at Howard University

Hospital, 2041 Georgia Ave., N.W.In addition to the on-campus sites, there will also be

donation centers set up in the Howard University School ofDivinity and School of Law and at Washington Metropolitan

High School.

The public can drop off books at the HUB, and for large

donations, students will pick up 50 books or more. For pickups

or for more information, contact Pratcher ataspratcher@

howard.edu or 623.341.9280.

CommunityStudents Launch Book Drive or Public High School Library

Morguefle

Howard University students launched a book drive aspart o their Alternative Spring Break program.

Morguefle

D.C. students participating in the Annual Youth Law Fair

will discuss cyberbullying and its efect on their peers.

7321066

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Silver Spring, MD

301-637-4404

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Its the retirement you deserveand its more affordable

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Family and friends are welcome!

Corporation Boosts Anti-Hunger EfortByAFROStaf

Efforts to reduce hunger

among Washington, D.C.s

students received a signicant

boost from the Wal-Mart

Foundation on March 10.

The foundation awarded

$400,000 to D.C. Hunger

Solutions for the citys

schools breakfast programs.

The foundation made the

announcement during aspecial breakfast at the Center

City Public Charter Schools

Trinidad campus in honor of

National School Breakfast

Week.

The grant, which D.C.

Hunger Solutions will

administer, will help provide

equipment, training and

technical assistance to

increase participation in the

school breakfast program in

D.C. schools. It can have a

far-reaching impact. Amongthe 12.9 percent of District

of Columbia households

struggling with hunger, 4.5

percent were considered

to have very low food

security. Shockingly only

49.5 percent of eligible low-

income children participate in

the School Breakfast Program

in the District.

At a time when our citys

families are struggling, it is

crucial programs like free

breakfast in the schools thatgive children the nutrition

they need to learn, stay

healthy, and be active, said

Alexandra Ashbrook, director

of D.C. Hunger Solutions,

an initiative of the Food

Research and Action Center

(FRAC). Grants like this

one give the community the

support needed to ensure

that the breakfast program is

being as effective as it can be,

and reaching the thousands of

low-income children in D.C.who desperately need school

breakfasts.

The award was part

of Wal-Marts national

commitment to help end

hunger.

As part of our $2 billion

commitment to hunger relief,

were proud to support

initiatives that are helping

children get the healthy food

they need to learn and grow,

said Margaret McKenna,

president of the Wal-Martfoundation in a press release.

Bringing breakfast to

classrooms in D.C. will

ensure students are getting

the nutrients they need to

support healthy development

and to live better.

D.C. Hunger Solutions

was founded in 2002 as

to create a hunger-free

community and thereby

improve the nutrition, health,

economic security, and well-

being of low-income Districtresidents.


6/16


Compiled By Herb Quarles]

Tournament CalendarVIP ABA Headquarters

Benet (3-20-11) 2:30 p.m.

Dinner served at 2 p.m. Call

Shirley Wilson at 301-589-

8425.

Kings & Queens Open

Pairs C Regional (3-25-11)

11 a.m. Call Louis Garner at

301-894-1141.

Dubridgettes Open

Pairs C Regional (3-28-

11) 11 a.m. Call Virginia

Eggleston at 301-577-7176.

Tournament ResultsEastern - Thursday

Teams of Four (2-24-11)

1. Karen Pollock, Dorcas

Glascoe. Elizabeth Wilson,

Cornelia Proctor, 2. Rachel

Moore, Virginia Eggleston,

Clara Berryhill, Carrothers

Moore, 3. Audrey Bourke,

Alice Harriston, Ann Moss,

Louis Carpenter, 4. Costella

Tyler, Deloris Parker, BJ

Martin, Cleveland Lewis.

Kings & Queens (2-25-

11) 1. Reginald Chapman-

Faye Burke, 2. Frances

Power-Clara Berryhill, 3.

Mattie Barrow-Barbara

Garner.

WBU Open PairsC Regional (2-26-11) 1.

Reginald Chapman-Clarice

Reid, 2. Carrolena Key-

Dorcas Glascoe, 3. Faye

Burke- Victor Stewart. [New

Players] 1. Tawana Clark-

Ernestine Johnson, 2. Wilma

Bonner-Linda Lindsay.

WBU Cherry Blossom

Open Pairs A Regional

(3-4-11) [A] 1. Winston

Edwards-Herbert Pelham, 2.

Anderson Williams-Willetta

Phipps. [B] 1. Catherine

Marshall-Sandra Brown,

2. Wilma Middleton-Mary

Smith. [C] 1. Alice Harriston-

Louise Carpenter.WBU Open Pairs A

Regional (3-5-11) [A] 1.

David Smith-Louis Garner,

2. Winston Edwards-Jimmy

Pelham, 3. Foster Miles-

Daisy Smith, 4. Catherine

Jones-Angela Jones, 5.

Joe Anne Williams-Robert

Williams, 6. Frederick

Joynes-Celestine Howard.

[B] 2. Ray Moseley-Elizabeth

Moseley, [C] 3. Joseph

Hillery-Carol Hillery.

Eastern Thursday

Teams of Four (3-10-11)

1. Karen Pollock Dorcas

Glascoe, Elizabeth Wilson,

Herb Quarles, 2. AudreyBourke, Alice Harriston, Ann

Moss, Louise Carpenter, 3.

Gloria Cobbs, Mary Smith,

Delores Mills, Elve King, 4.

Elaine Neal, Odell Mouzon,

Wilma Middleton, Josephine

Caldwell.

Bridge in D.C.

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OPEN A MACYS ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macys credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your accountis opened and the next day; excludes services, select licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food and wine. On furniture, mattresses and rugs/floor coverings, the new account savings is limited to $100;application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible.

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Excludes: special purchases, specials, super buys, cosmetics/fragrances, mensstore electronics, apparel for boys, girls and infants, gift cards, jewelry trunkshows, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., macys.com,services. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount orcredit offer except opening a new Macys account. EXTRA SAVINGS % APPLIEDTO REDUCED PRICES.

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TOREWIDEITEMS

: :

Photo by Herb Quarles

Jane Lee, Carrolena Key,

Elaine Conway, and BrendaGreen made up the team

that was second in Flight

A o the Modifed RoundRobin hosted by the

Washington Bridge Unit.

The team that won theevent was not available

or a photo but it included

Reginald Chapman, LuisF Pietri, Regena Edwards,

and George Hudson.


7/16


A nearly $8,000 ticket to Egypt? A $2,000 trip to SanAntonio? A chauffeur-driven Lincoln Navigator? Does the

controversial University of the District of Columbia PresidentAllen Sessoms really believe he can simply explain away such

extravagant travel expenses as justication for attempting to

transform the only land grant urban university in the nation intoa rst class institution?

We dont buy it. Neither, apparently does the universitys

faculty association which issued a no vote of condence inSessoms autocratic leadership last month. Add to that growing

list of skeptics the D.C. Council, which questioned him as he

stumbled through a long afternoon hearing last week.Sessoms raised the ire of protesting students and the scrutiny

of the D.C. Council after Fox 5 News reports revealed that airlineand hotel tickets had been purchased for him at prices far above

market rates to luxury destinations including Egypt, Hawaii,

Torrey Pines, Calif., and Jackson Hole, Wyo., where the entireSessoms family traveled during the July 4 weekend.

Sessoms has been making the rounds to various news

outlets to do damage control, since news of his extravagancieslinked out. However, the more he doth protest with his weak

explanations, the more absurd his explanations play.

In answer to the latest uproar, he speaks of the need to travelto raise the universitys prole and prestige. He speaks of the

need to travel (in a business class seat bed) with his feet abovehis head because of a medical condition. He speaks of the

questionable funds being expended ascoming from private foundations and

grants rather than city funds, as if usingthat private pool of money absolves a

public institution from frugality and

nancial responsibility.A public institution, by the way, that

serves a student body primarily of low-

income, low-literacy or working adultstudents who are making do with fewer

resources offered by the historically

underfunded school.In the midst of all of this, we are

forced to ask what has the universitysboard of trustees been doing while

news of Sessoms spending spree has

been circulating? In one televisioninterview this week, Sessoms stated he

hadnt traveled as much this year as he

has in the past.When students complain of increased

tuition, of not getting refunds in a timely

manner, of not being able to obtain books in a timely manner,and of not being in safe or comfortable classrooms, the university

trustees must fulll their duciary duties to ensure that no one,particularly its president, is spending money government or

I have recently been

shocked and appalled by

ads that I and other Black

publishers saw in severalmajor newspapers (The New

York Times, Chicago Tribune,

etc.) conrming that Toyota

spent hundreds of thousands

of dollars to advertise in

White mainstream daily

newspapers THANKING

their general market

consumers for their loyalty

and patronage to Toyota

during their time of major

controversy and concerns over the safety of Toyotas vehicles.

Thanking their customers is a smart move on Toyotas

behalf and one that I applaud. However, we cant overlook

the fact that Black people represent almost 10 percent of

Toyotas American market share, and with a $1.2 billion annual

advertising budget it is not unreasonable for the Black Press to

always expect to have a stake in Toyotas advertising (includingBlack advertising agencies). Nevertheless, Black newspapers

were left off Toyotas latest marketing campaign, sending a

clear and direct message that the Black consumer is still being

taken for granted and Black people are still being disrespected

and undervalued. This is disappointing behavior from a

company who was all too eager to send us their press releases

and ask us to write stories and editorials to inuence Black

America to stay with them in their time of trouble. But now

that Toyotas pain has been essentially easedfor nowby

a report issued by the Federal Transportation Department and

NASA that found no faults with Toyotas electronic accelerator

controls, the Black press has once again been forgotten along

with the Black consumer.

Toyota should note that it is going to take more than a

passing grade on a federal transportation report card to bring

back the consumer safety condence enjoyed for years by

Toyota from American consumers prior to one of the largestvehicle recalls in U.S. history.

So when the decision was made to advertise in mainstream

newspapers from coast to coast thanking their customers for

their loyalty, where was Toyotas loyalty to the 10 percent of

African- American consumers? DONT WE ALSO DESERVE

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU?

Historically, there has always been an imbalance between

what goes out of the Black community and what comes into

the Black community relative to retail goods, services and

representation. Despite the fact that the buying power of

Americas Blacks is reported to be roughly $1 trillion this year.

And it is highly doubtful that Black-owned businesses will

report revenue numbers that are the same and/or reap any of

the benets proportionate to our buying power. However, the

question still remains, why is Toyota undervaluing the Black

consumer and showing our community such blatant disrespect?

Tried, true, and tested the NNPA (Black Press of America)

remains the gatekeeper for reaching the Black community.

Corporations and advertising agencies wanting and needing

to reach the African-American consumer must understand the

relationship of the Black Press with Black people. They must

remember to place their advertising messages on the pages of

Black newspapers throughout America, and Black consumers

will respond in kind (Black advertising agencies could help

them with this). The days of being silent and complaining

among ourselves regarding these unethical and immoral

business practices are over.When Toyota wanted our help, it had no problem seeking all

200 Black newspapers in America to do just that. Their message

to Black people was, Please help us. We value your business.

We do not want Toyota to use us for editorial coverage and then

overlook us with their advertising dollars.

Black newspapers are not afraid to demand fair representation

and a seat to dine at Toyotas table, especially when their food

is purchased with approximately 10 percent of Black consumer

dollars. We are not interested in ghting with Toyota however,

Toyota has enjoyed healthy African-American consumer support,

and despite last years set back we have remained loyal. If you

want to thank Black consumers for our loyalty and keep our

business, do it on the pages of the Black newspapers that Black

people read, respect, trust and

own.

As chairman of the

National Newspaper Publishers

Association, I represent 200Black publishers throughout

America. I am challenging

Toyotas chairman and CEO

to do the right thing and meet with me to discuss the future of

their relationship with Black consumers and whether or not

we as Black newspaper publishers should continue supporting

Toyota or should organize a campaign to take Black brand

loyalty to Toyota elsewhere. WE WILL NOT BUY WHERE

WE ARE DISRESPECTED.THAT IS A PROMISE!

Danny Bakewell Sr. is the chairman of the National

Newspaper Publishers Association, parent organization to more

than 200 independently owned Black newspapers.

What we witnessed March

10 on Capitol Hill duringhearings led by Rep. Peter

King (R-N.Y.), chairman of

the House Homeland SecurityCommittee, was a shameful

example of the excesses ofpower. Claiming concernover the alleged radicalization

of Muslims in America, Rep.King conducted nothing

short of a witch hunt, by

singling out a single groupof Americans as an internal

threat to the nations security

worthy of suspicion by theirfellow citizens. The insult was enough to bring Rep. Keith

Ellison (D-Minn.), one of two Muslims serving in Congress,

to tears as he defended American Muslims, and emotionallydescribed the sacrice that some Muslims made on Sept. 11,

2001.The arrogance of Rep. King was evident as he maintained

that the threat of radical elements among the nations Muslim

population was extensive enough to warrant a McCarthy-like

probe. This, despite the fact that Kings earlier claims that morethan 80 percent of imams in our country were radicalized has

never been substantiated and widely ridiculed. To add insult,and further fan the ames of hate toward Muslims, King had

pictures of the devastation of 9/11 on the walls of the hearing

room. It was one of the worst examples of the immorality ofpolitical leadership of recent memory.

Meanwhile, as King works to pin the scarlet letter of

terrorism on Muslims, and make Islam a dirty word in America,the suspect in the attempted bombing of the Martin Luther King

Day parade route in Spokane, Wash., Kevin William Harpham,

was a member of the neo-Nazi National Alliance according to

the Southern Poverty Law Center. Like Timothy McVeigh, heis a former soldier in the U.S. Army, who sympathizes with

White supremacists. Had the bomb placed where it was

intended to do major damage detonated, the crowd wouldhave been sprayed with lead pellets coated with rat poison. Yet,

despite the very real existence and continued threat of Whitesupremacist groups and militias, Rep. King is invested in usinghis ofce to harbor his personal prejudices.

In Detroit, a family is grieving over the deaths of twochildren, 8-year-old Alaya Cook and 10-year-old Lataya Cook,

who lost their lives in a re that investigators have deemed

arson. The girls were too afraid to jump from a second-storywindow at the urging of their father, who was injured in the

blaze. The home had been rebombed. While the perpetrator(s)

have yet to be caught, and the cause remains unknown, the

incident is eerily similar to the tragic re that took the life ofa Baltimore family several years back. In that incident, drug

dealers had set the house ablaze because the parents werespoke out against the illegal drug activity occurring in their

neighborhood. Whether drug dealers or gangs are responsible

for the tragedy in Detroit, there is one thing that is certain:Alaya and Lataya are just the latest victims of an epidemic

of urban violence that is stealing the dreams and futures of a

generation of children.In cities, big and small, in every corner of our nation, gangs

and drug dealers are terrorizing communities, and their prey is

mostly Black and Latino children and families. Perhaps that is

why Rep. King does not show the same concern or expressesthe same outrage over the domestic terrorism of which there is

ample evidencejust as Timothy McVeigh showed no concern

for the life of children when he helped plot the bombing ofthe Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, a building

that contained a day care center; and in the same way KevinWilliam Harpham apparently had little regard for the lives ofchildren on the streets of Spokane celebrating the birthday of

Americas prince of peace, Dr. King. The congressman shouldtalk to funeral home directors and shock trauma medical

professionals who, every day, witness the result of the carnage

that has taken over communities. Put the faces of our deadchildren on the walls of your hearing room Mr. King, and let

America see what real domestic terrorism looks like.

We are treading ondangerous waters here. Peter

King is not making us any

safer. In fact, he is givingreason for Muslims and others

to hate us. It is his ilk, andother demagogues, who put

the security of our nation

in jeopardy. If he was serious and sincere about the safety

of American citizens Rep. King would be examining theresurgence of White supremacist groups, the proliferation

of gangs across America, including in seemingly safeWhite suburban communities, and the unfettered access to

rearms and explosives. The Long Island, N.Y. congressman

is perpetrating a fraud and he needs to be called out. AllAmericans deserve better from our political leadership than the

equivalent of Bozo goes to Congress.

Walter Fields is the executive editor of NorthStarNews.com,

where this article was originally published.

OpinionOur View

Sorry, Sessoms, WE DONT BUY IT

Danny J. Bakewell Sr.

Toyota Disrespects and Devalues the Patronage of their Black Consumers

Put the faces of our dead children on the walls of your hearingroom Mr. King, and let America see what real domestic terrorismlooks like.

we cant overlook the fact that Black people represent almost

10 percent of Toyotas American market share

The Real TerrorismPeter King is looking in all the wrong places

Walter Fields

otherwise in a frivolous manner.On behalf of students and taxpayers, we demand better

answers and most importantly, a clear structure of improvedaccountability moving forward.


8/16


March 17

DC Live With Colie Williams

Queen Makeda, 1917 9thSt., N.W. D.C. 8 p.m. Singer

Colie Williams will bring hersultry mix of jazz and classic

R&B to the District. $7. For

more information: colieindc.eventbrite.com.

March 18

Montpelier Jazz Series: Inside

Out

Montpelier Arts Center, 9652Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Md. 8

p.m. At this event, hear a blendof go-go, old school soul, hardbop and hip-hop. $20. For moreinformation: 301-377-7800.

Mardi Gras Extravaganza 2011

Martins Crosswinds,

7400 Greenway Center Drive,Greenbelt, Md. 9 p.m.-2 a.m.The Gamma Pi Chapter of the

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity willpresent this semi-formal eventfeaturing dinner, dancing, asilent auction and live music.

$75. For more information: 301-390-6668.

March 19

Springs Metamorphosis

Fashion Luncheon

Calvary Family Life Center,11150 Berry Road, Waldorf,Md. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy thisspring fashion show that helps

raise money for the DomesticViolence Victims Shelter. $40.For more information: 301-919-

6840.

National Single Parents Day

Celebration & Ice Cream

Social

Giant Foods, 5500 Silver HillRoad, District Heights, Md. 2-5

p.m. If you are a single parent,celebrate National Single ParentDay with your family at this ice

cream social featuring televisionand radio personality JeannieKitty of the City Jones. For

more information: 202-834-4686.

NCBW Annual Shirley

Chisholm Trailblazer Awards

Washington D.C. Navy

Conference Center, 1454Parsons Ave., S.E. D.C. 12:30-2 p.m. The National Congressof Black Women, Washington

Chapter, invites you to attendthis annual awards luncheon thatwill recognize various leaders

in the community. For moreinformation: 202-583-7426.

March 20

International Bridal Expo 2011

The Waterford of Springeld,

6715 Commerce St., Springeld,

Va. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. This eventhelps brides-to-be plan their

entire wedding with over 150exhibitors and the areas topwedding planners. $7-$10.

For more information: www.intlbridalexpo.com.

Hair Care Workshop

Bo26 Hair Studio, 173814th St., N.W. D.C. 2-4 p.m.Hairstylist Lynne Wooden

will host a workshop to helpyou nd the best products, ageappropriate hairstyles and will

discuss the benets of naturalhair vs. chemically treated hair.For more information: 202-234-

7575.

March 23

Redemption Wednesdays

Patty Boom Boom, 1359U St., N.W. D.C. 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

Each Wednesday, unwind at thismidweek party featuring the bestmix of reggae and soca music. Formore information: 571-435-5166.

March 24

Prince Georges Community

College Poetry Slam

Prince Georges CommunityCollege, 301 Largo Road, Largo,

Md. 12-2 p.m. Students willshare original writings aboutwomens history. For more

information: 301-336-6000.

D.C. Men Aint Boys FilmPremiere

Avalon Theatre, 5612Connecticut Ave., N.W. D.C. 8p.m. This lm offers a thought-

provoking look at issuessurrounding Black manhood, theresults of effective fatherhood

and the requirements formaintaining lasting love. $10-$20. For more information: www.

menaintboysdc.eventbrite.com.

March 26

The Backpack Monologues

Covenant Baptist Church,3845 S. Capitol St., S.W. D.C. 3

p.m. Experience this theatricalperformance that will empoweryoung women to promote social

change in their communitieswhile addressing sexual andsocial issues. $10-$20. For moreinformation: 202-562-5576.

Show Your Colors Bowling

Party

Fort Myer Bowling Center,411 McNair Road, Fort Myer,Virginia. 8 p.m. The Psi Nu

Chapter of Omega Psi PhiFraternity will host a bowlingparty at Fort Myer Bowling

Center. Ticket includes twogames, shoe rental, foodand drinks. $25. For more

information: 703-606-6434.

Foreclosure Prevention and

Credit Recovery Workshop

Suitland High School, 5200

Silver Hill Road, Suitland, Md.10 a.m.-2 p.m. The NID HousingCounseling Agency is hosting

a free foreclosure preventionworkshop that will feature aspecial credit recovery sessionfor homeowners who have

gone through foreclosure. Themain sessions of the workshopwill provide opportunities for

homeowners to meet with theirlenders and also gain adviceon their options from certied

housing and legal counselors.For more information: 1-866-993-4643.

. :

Community Calendar


9/16

March 19, 2011 - March 25, 2011, The Afro-American B1

The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Gospel Service hosted its annual Black

History Month Worship Service recently at the Memorial Chapel, Fort Myer, Va.

The service included inspirational musical selections from the American UniversityGospel Choir and the Men of Christ gospel quartet, along with a powerful message

by chaplain, Col. James Walker (Ret.). Keeper of the Community awards were

given to Lesli Foster, anchor, WUSA9 News Now; Dr. Elsie Scott, president/CEO,Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF); Michael Blake of the White Houses

Oce of Public Engagement and the famed Bualo Soldiers, D.C. chapter.Army ROTC Cadets from Howard University assisted with ushering duties and the

afternoon service concluded with a fellowship dinner. The programs theme was,

Our Church, Our Family, Our History: This Far by Faith.

Ushers and ROTC cadets are briefed beforethe program starts.

Capt. Sansom, Paul Monteiro, Dr. Elsie Scott, Lesli Foster,Maj. Tyra Sellers, chaplain, 1st Lt. Dwayne Jackson and Jas

Stephenson

Musicians

prepare for theirperformance.

The Gospel Service Praise and Worship Team sings the opening selection.

Bill Douglas

provides the

call to worshipand scripture.

Some of the many guests whoattended the program.

Chaplain Maj. Santiago Cruz

receives a copy of the BlackHistory Month Presidential

Proclamation from Paul Monteiro,

Oce of Public Engagement,White House.

Miss Black DC USA

2010 Dr. AllisonHilll and Chelsey

Rodgers, Miss

DC International2010, were in

attendance.

American University Gospel Choir under thedirection of Sylestra Sledge provides a selection.

Junior Bualo Soldiers

Maj. Santiago Cruz,

chaplain, presentsthe Keeper of the

Community Award to

Lesli Foster, WUSA 9News Now anchor

Dr. Elsie Scott,president/CEO of

the CBCF, receivesthe Keeper of the

Community Award.

Men of Christ from Victory Temple Baptist

Church sing a rousing selection.

Maj. Santiago Cruz,

chaplain, presents the

Keeper of the CommunityAward to the Bualo

Soldiers, D.C. chapter.

The Webb family, members

of the Gospel Service

Bualo Soldiers

Howard University Army ROTC cadets with their cadre,

Maj. Sellers, far left, and Capt. Sansom, far right

Col. (Ret.) and Mrs. William Stephens, left,Chaplain (Col. Ret.) James Walker and wife, and

chaplain and Mrs. David Santiago Cruz

Lillian Wilkinson, Army Soldierand Family Readiness; Joi Alston,

PNC Bank; and Flora Marsh, NY

Life Insurance

Attendees enjoy dinner after an

inspirational worship service.

Photo by Rob Roberts

The Arlington, Va., chapter of The Links held its thirdannual National Wear Reception in support of HeartHealth Month at the prestigious Army Navy CountryClub in Arlington, Va. The award-winning chapter has

a longstanding commitment to raising heart diseaseawareness and under the leadership of President LavernJackson Chatman, leads eorts to educate women aboutthe tragic disease and its prevention.

The event, chaired by Links Karen Hughes, programcoordinator, and Avril Sisk, National Trends and Serviceschairwoman, commenced with a lavish reception ofdelicious healthy food fare, along with red wine, whichdoctors say is good for the heart.

Patrons enjoyed the ambiance of the evening. Thepanelists, Dr. Deborah Williams,a noted cardiologist atHoward University and JETmagazine medical expert, wasthe lead speaker. Dr. Jennifer Ellis, a cardiac surgeon atWashington Hospital Center, shared vital information andelded questions.

However, the star of the evening was rst- grader,Olivia Grace Jones, 7, who is truly a living miracle. A heartrecipient, Olivia and her mother shared some of the joysand pains of having a child plagued with a serious illness.Born with an enlarged heart, Olivia has endured much

throughout her young life,

but is now learning toenjoy simple childhood

pleasures. Oliviasinfectious smile wonover the crowd of over

200 patrons.

Doris McMillion, left, Linda Washington, Lisa

Noguera and Penny Koger

Lavern Chatman, president of the Arlington Links and theNational Urban League Young Professionals

Evelyn Gee, Lauren Parker

and DeVera Redmond

Lavern Chatman introduces the panel: Dr. Deborah Williams, cardiologist at Howard University Hospital; Dr. Jennifer

Ellis, cardiothoracic surgeon at Washington Hospital Center and Schonay Jones, mother of Olivia Grace Jones

Alexandria, Va., Mayor William Euille,

honorary chairman of Red Dress Day

Dr. Deborah Williams,

cardiologist, shares

vital statistics on heartdisease and obesity.

Olivia GraceJones, a 7-

year- old heart

recipient, andher mom,

Schonay Jones

Courtesy Photos


10/16

B2 The Afro-American, March 19, 2011 - March 25, 2011

By Stephen D. Riley

AFRO Staf Writer

Continuing with

the design to revitalize

Washington, D.C.s

Southwest Waterfront, mayor

Vincent Gray announced

on March 10 that Graduate

School USA signed an

agreement to establish what

will be called the Center for

Education and Training at the

heart of The Wharf project.

The decision to construct

a facility makes Graduate

School USA the rst major

business to commit as a

long-term tenant as part of

the development scheduled

for erection along the

Washington Channel in the

coming year. Joining Gray

were Council Chair Kwame

Brown, Councilmember

Harry Thomas Jr. and Rep.

Eleanor Holmes Norton along

with other local government

afliates who welcomed the

new project.

The creation of this

center represents a huge

commitment to prepare our

residents for careers through

training and education,

Gray said at his presentation.

The Graduate School USAs

90-year history of training

and educating people in the

public sector makes themthe ideal partner for The

Wharf neighborhood. We

are excited they decided

to expand their mission

right here in this landmark

waterfront development.

Expected to break ground

in 2012, The Wharf will be

a $2 million residential site

that will also host retail,

hotel, ofce and recreational

space. It is expected to open

in 2015. The site will cover

27 acres on land and 24 acres

across the water, making it

one of the more anticipated

construction projects taking

place in the District.

Creating this

vibrant mixed-use urbanriverfront brings new and

distinctive retail, restaurant,

neighborhood living and

cultural destinations to the

District, said Deputy Mayor

for Planning and Economic

Development Jose Sousa.

We know this project will

deliver on the promise of

becoming one of the marquee

waterfront destinations for

Washington, the region and

the nation.

As the developments

rst multi-purpose project,

the Center for Education

and Training could drive

immediate trafc to The

Wharf after its completion.

The center will provide

resources for career seekingindividuals interested in

federal, state and local

positions in addition tooffering training for a variety

of vocational openings and

other jobs.This center demonstrates

our extensive commitment tothe DC community, Dr. Jerry

Ice, CEO and president of

Graduate School USA, saidin a press release. We are

working closely with the city

to understand areas with themost potential and the highest

need for workers. Our goal is

to bring a variety of training

options to residents in onelocation to prepare them forrewarding careers now and in

the future.

For more on The Wharf,

visitwww.swdcwaterfront.

comTicket s: 240.644.1100or ROUNDHOUSETHEATRE.ORG

MARCH 16 APRIL 3

Classic play. New vision.

The 1stproduction ofHorton Footesbeloved play

with an African-American cast

Bethesda

4th Annual Governors Leadership in Aging Award

Older Americans/Marylander Month

Celebration

May 10, 2011, 12 noon 2pm

Catonsville Senior Center

501 N. Rolling Rd., Catonsville, MD 21228

CategoriesTrailblazerAn individual, community group, business or organizationthat has demonstrated leadership in advocacy or developed aninnovative program, research or training for seniors.

Visual and Performing ArtsAn individual, 60 years of age or older, or a group (membersmust be 55 years of age or older), who has demonstratedexcellence in the visual or performing arts.

PhotographyAn individual 60 years or older who demonstrates excellencein photography or photojournalism that portrays SuccessfulAging.

Health and VitalityAn individual 60 years or older who demonstrates acommitment to healthy living and who serves as a role modelto others.

Instructions

Select a Category. Complete the nomination form and attach

a 500 word or less description of recommendation(why the nominee meets criteria).

Visual Arts nominations must be accompanied byphotos, slides, or CD of artwork.

Performing Arts nominations must be accompaniedby a DVD or web link to a video sharing site

(i.e. YouTube). Photography nominations must be in .jpg or .gif and

must not exceed 5 MB in size. Nominations that do not require supporting materials

can be faxed to: 410-333-7943

All nominations must be postmarked or e-mailedno later than April 8, 2011.

You may download copies of the nomination form by visiting

the website at: www.mdoa.state.md.us

For more information, call: 410-767-1064 or 1-800- 243-3425

Nomination Information

DEPARTMENT OF AGING

For Excellence and

Outstanding Contributions

to the Field of Agingand Quality of Life for Seniors

Graduate School USA Signs On as First Major Tenant of NewWaterfront Project

News21 photo by Justin Karp

The distinctive ootbridge at the Yards Park in Southeast

Washington will connect a 5.5-acre park to the AnacostiaRiverwalk Trail. The park is part o a 42-acre mixed-use

development, which will include 2,800 residential units,

nearly 1.8 million square eet o ofce space and 400,000square eet o shopping and dining.


11/16

March 19, 2011 - March 25, 2011, The Afro-American B3

A UNIVERSAL RELEASE2010 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

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STARTS FRIDAY, MARCH 18CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

MOBILE USERS: F

or Showtimes - Text PAUL with your ZIP CODE to 43KIX (43549)!

www.afro.com

By Kam WilliamsSpecial to the AFRO

This book is notexactly a family memoir, butneither is it traditional socialhistory. It is a narrative thatlies somewhere in between. Itrecords my search to fnd myfathers New York family; mysuccess in uncovering manydocuments [which] serve asa pathway to a larger publichistory: the history of socialmovements, political events,and cultural inuences

Ive written Black Gothamout of a sense of obligationto the dead, to give a face tothose left faceless by acts oftrauma and erasure. I alsofeel I owe something to myfamily and my communityBlack Gotham is meant tobe an act of reparation, anact to repair the tears of

memorytears in the senseof both sorrow and rupture.

-- Excerpted from theIntroduction (pgs. 6, 30 &31)

Before undertaking thisdaunting project, CarlaPeterson was aware ofprecious little about herroots. In fact, although shesAfrican American, the only19th century ancestor shereally knew anything aboutwas a Caucasian great-grandfather from Haitinamed Philip Augustus

White (1823-1891).But despite that lack of

genealogical information,Peterson, a professor ofEnglish at the University ofMaryland, embarked on afruitful quest which began inthe manuscript room at thefamed Schomburg Center forResearch. And the upshot ofher tireless efforts is BlackGotham: A Family Historyof African-Americans in 19thCentury New York City.

Among the surprisingdata unearthed by the authorin the course of her studywas that she had descendedfrom New York Citys Blackupper class, a cosmopolitancommunity comprised notonly of doctors, businessmenand other professionals but ofwriters, artists and musicians,too. This information ies inthe face of the conventional

wisdom which wouldsuggest that the HarlemRenaissance of the 1920s and1930s represented the rstowering of Black culture inthe city.

While Petersons familytree certainly provesfascinating, what makes herseminal opus so signicantis how she painstakinglyreconstructs her forefatherspast in light of the overallAfrican-American strugglefor emancipation andequality in the 1800s. Thus,we learn here about the

collective, New York CityBlack lobby for everythingfrom abolition to qualityeducation to the right to voteto the protection of fugitiveslaves.

Such demands for dignityin the face of virulentracism and constant threatsof violence often came at agreat cost, given that backthen the Dred Scottdecisionwas still the law of the land.For in issuing that landmarkruling, the U.S. SupremeCourt had deemed Blacksas beings of an inferiororder, and altogether unt toassociate with the white race,either in social or politicalrelations, and so far inferiorthat they had no rights whichthe white man was bound torespect.

A shameful legacywhich makes Carla

Petersons overdue tributeto her intrepid ancestors aninvaluable addition to theannals of African-Americanliterature.

Book Review

Black Gotham: A Family History ofAfrican-Americans in 19th CenturyNew York City

By Gregory Dale

AFRO Staf Writer

When an e-mail from the

D.C. Independent Film Festival

appeared in lmmaker David

Lee Roberts inbox, he initiallydisregarded it.

I thought it was junk

e-mail, Roberts told

the AFRO in a recent interview.

But to his surprise, it was

a message to inform him that

his lm Isaiah Waithad been

selected for entry in the annual

festival, which only chooses 110

lms out of 2,000 worldwide

submissions.

When I found that out it

really made me feel good, he

said.

Now, fresh off its world

premiere at the event, Roberts

hopes the lm will be a beacon

of encouragement for viewers

across the globe that are

experiencing tough times.

The lm gives you a greater

appreciation for what you may

be going through, Roberts said.

Set in the District, IsaiahWaittells the story of a

grandmother named Mrs.

Bennett who is raising her

teenage grandson, Isaiah. While

struggling to pay bills, various

circumstances strip her of her

nances and she winds up with

a mere $60 in her pocket. While

Isaiah wants his grandmother to

use the money for groceries, she

opts to continue tithing to her

church, despite her grandsons

wishes. While Isaiah struggles

to understand her faith, he later

nds that those who are patient

and trust in God are ultimately

blessed.

Based on a true story, Isaiah

Waitexplores many pertinent

issues in the Black community

that countless people can identify

with.

When I heard the story,

it inspired and encouragedme to hear how faithful this

grandmother was in the midst of

all her struggles, Roberts said.

He added that he also

wanted to tell the story to dispel

some of negative perceptions

some people hold about spiritual

practices, like tithing.

Tithing itself in many

cases has been looked upon in

many negative lights, he said.

I wanted to show some of the

positive things that can come

about [as a result of tithing.]

The 20-minute short

premiered at the lm festival

on March 8 and was nominated

for a handful of awards. Roberts

said he felt honored that his lm

was selected from such a myriad

of participants, mainly because

spiritual lms are rarely featured

at the event.

The D.C. Film Festival isnot a Christian lm festival,

he said. I found out during the

premiere that they generally get

a lot of spiritual lms, but they

[generally] dont accept them.

But, they looked beyond that and

found quality, so that made it a

little bit better for me.

The experience at the

festival opened more doors for

the District native, as he was

approached by a few sponsors at

the event who offered to fund his

next project.

The recent success is like a

dream come true for Roberts,

who became interested in lming

while attending Morgan State

University. After graduating, he

enrolled at Ohio Universitys

school of lm. But his love for

his hometown drew him back to

the District, where he currently

resides.

Though many may believeRoberts faces a tough road ahead

in todays industry as a Black

lmmaker, he insists otherwise,

and recalls a message that was

given to him early on in his

career.

My advisor told me, You

are not a Black lmmaker,

you are a lmmaker who just

happens to be Black, and I

understood and appreciated that,

Roberts said. I want people to

remember the quality that I bring

to them, rather than who I am as

a person. So, regardless of what

color I am, Im going to always

push to work with a diverse

group of people to embrace a

universal concept that everyone

can appreciate.

For more information visit

the D.C. Independent Film

Festivals website at dciff.org.

District Natives Isaiah Wai

prince george's county afro-american newspaper, march 19, 2011

Documents