Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

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INSIDE A3 Washington View Race and Racism B2 AFRO Living Landscaping and Gardening Tips Continued on A4 Continued on A5 By Zachary Lester Special to the AFRO Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela B. Alsobrooks is on a mission and she needs the men of the region to step up. Alsobrooks is sponsoring a “Brotherhood Summit” in an attempt to uplift and unite the young men of Prince George’s. She has asked that adult men come forward to serve as mentors for the young men and assist with the event. The summit, which is scheduled for May 4th, is aimed at boys between the ages of 13 and 18. In an appearance on Fox 5 News on April 16, Alsobrooks said the event has been in the planning stages since October, the month after she held a similar program for girls. She said the topics to be discussed at the men’s summit include “character, responsibility, and accountability.” “This is our chance as a community to step up, not only to save a life, but to change the life of a young man,” said Alsobrooks. “We talk all the time about the violence. This is our chance to save and change lives.” Guest speakers and presenters scheduled to appear at the summit include Wanted: Good Men to Help Boys By Zachary Lester AFRO Staff Writer It was a frightening time for the citizens of the District of Columbia, especially those in Northwest, where a series of drive-by shootings in early 1993 left residents fearful to leave their homes. “People were scared,” said William O. Ritchie, then commander of the Metropolitan Police Department Criminal Investigations Division. “People were looking over their shoulders, not going out at night. Street crime even dropped because nobody wanted to be out and be a potential target.” The first area to be hit was Columbia Heights, where four incidents took place in less than two weeks. Then, the gunman moved to Mount Pleasant, where there were two more shootings. He later returned to Columbia Heights, where there were eight more attacks or attempted shootings. By the time the culprit was apprehended, 14 shootings had left four people dead and five injured. It was about 8:45 p.m. on Feb. 23, when a young woman who was walking near the intersection of Holmead Place and Monroe Street NW noticed a bullet whiz by her. The same night and a short distance away, on Oak Street NW, a 22-year-old Black man was shot in the face. He was left partially blind. On Feb. 26, a gunman ran into a Columbia Heights barbershop and fatally Looking Back ‘Shotgun Stalker’ Case Still Stuns By Zenitha Prince Special to the AFRO Hopes for robust new gun- control laws are withering away. Though a bipartisan group of 67 senators voted April 11 to break a filibuster, allowing a slate of proposals to reach the Senate floor for debate, support for the actual measures remains fragile. Efforts to garner the required 60 votes will be hard-fought, especially with the extended medical absence of Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), a likely yes vote. And, even if the Senate passes a bill, the House seems poised to reject it. For advocates, such meager support just months after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn., is untenable—and discouraging. Prospects took a steep dive April 17 when the Senate failed to pass a measure requiring background checks for would-be gun purchasers. “When you think about the fact that 20 children were shot at close range in a suburban area and legislators were fiercely debating whether they should even discuss changes in our government’s laws you have to wonder what it would take to get them to actually pass legislation,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings (D- Md.). “There are moments in history that should be Continued on A5 Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA The gun debate comes after the sixth anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting. Hope Fades for Strict Gun Laws WUSA 9/AP James Swann during his arrest in 1993. Volume 121 No. 37 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDITION APRIL 20, 2013 - APRIL 26, 2013 Copyright © 2013 by the Afro-American Company Join the AFRO on Twitter and Facebook afro.com Your History • Your Community • Your News The AFRO- American Newspaper Prince George’s County Edition is Published weekly as an E-edition. Notification is sent to you via email. You can opt-out of receiving this by selecting the unsubscribe option at the bottom of each email notice. Photo by Mark Brady Firefighter/medics at the Northview Community Fire/EMS Station 816 were honored recently as “Hometown Heroes” by Bowie Girl Scout Troop 413. The scouts visited the Bowie station to present the personnel there with several cases of cookies. Fire Chief Marc Bashoor, Deputy Fire Chief Ben Barksdale and a host of command officers joined the rescuers in accepting the gifts and participating in a tour of the apparatus and station. By Zenitha Prince Special to the AFRO The enactment of legislation that shifts not- for-profits from Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise procurement program to another preference provider program will open the door of opportunity for more Black businesses and other MBEs, supporters say. The House of Delegates, earlier this month, voted 137- 0 in favour of the legislation (HB48) after amendments by the Senate, which passed it (SB1066) by a vote of 30-14. The change will go into effect July 1, though it exempts current contracts and those entered into on or before July 1, 2015. “I was absolutely elated,” Minority Enterprises to Benefit from New Law Continued on A3 File Photo Angela Alsobrooks Views of the intersection of Holmead Place and Monroe Street in the Columbia Heights neighborhood.

description

Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper 4-20-2013

Transcript of Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

Page 1: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

INSIDE

A3Washington View

Race and Racism

B2AFRO Living

Landscaping and Gardening Tips

Continued on A4

Continued on A5

By Zachary LesterSpecial to the AFRO

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela B. Alsobrooks is on a mission and she needs the men of the region to step up.

Alsobrooks is sponsoring a “Brotherhood Summit” in an attempt to uplift and unite the young men of Prince George’s. She has asked that adult men come forward to serve as mentors for the young men and assist with the event.

The summit, which is scheduled for May 4th, is aimed at boys between the ages of 13 and 18. In an appearance on Fox 5 News on April 16, Alsobrooks said the event has been in the planning stages since October, the month after she held a similar program for girls. She said the topics to be discussed at the men’s summit include “character, responsibility, and accountability.”

“This is our chance as a community to step up, not only to save a life, but to change the life of a young man,” said Alsobrooks. “We talk all the time about the violence. This is our chance to save and change lives.”

Guest speakers and presenters scheduled to appear at the summit include

Wanted: Good Men to Help Boys

By Zachary LesterAFRO Staff Writer

It was a frightening time for the citizens of the District of Columbia, especially those in Northwest, where a series of drive-by

shootings in early 1993 left residents fearful to leave their homes.

“People were scared,” said William O. Ritchie, then commander of the Metropolitan Police Department Criminal Investigations Division. “People were looking over their shoulders, not going out at night. Street crime even dropped because nobody wanted to be out and be a potential target.”

The first area to be hit was Columbia Heights, where four incidents took place in less than two weeks. Then, the gunman moved to Mount Pleasant, where there were two more shootings. He later returned to Columbia Heights, where there were eight

more attacks or attempted shootings. By the time the culprit was apprehended, 14 shootings had left four people dead and five injured.

It was about 8:45 p.m. on Feb. 23, when a young woman who was walking near the intersection of Holmead Place and Monroe Street NW noticed a bullet whiz by her. The same night and a short distance away, on Oak Street NW, a 22-year-old Black man was shot in the face. He was left partially blind. On Feb. 26, a gunman ran into a Columbia Heights barbershop and fatally

Looking Back

‘Shotgun Stalker’ Case Still Stuns

By Zenitha PrinceSpecial to the AFRO

Hopes for robust new gun-control laws are withering away.

Though a bipartisan group of 67 senators voted April 11 to break a filibuster, allowing a slate of proposals to reach the Senate floor for debate, support for the actual measures remains fragile.

Efforts to garner the required 60 votes will be hard-fought, especially with the extended medical absence

of Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), a likely yes vote. And, even if the Senate passes a bill, the House seems poised to reject it.

For advocates, such meager support just months after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn., is untenable—and discouraging.

Prospects took a steep dive April 17 when the Senate failed to pass a measure requiring background checks for would-be gun purchasers.

“When you think about the

fact that 20 children were shot at close range in a suburban area and legislators were fiercely debating whether they should even discuss changes in our government’s laws you have to wonder what it would

take to get them to actually pass legislation,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.).

“There are moments in history that should be

Continued on A5

Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SAThe gun debate comes after the sixth anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting.

Hope Fades for Strict Gun Laws

WUSA 9/AP James Swann during his arrest in 1993.

Volume 121 No. 37 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDITION

APRIL 20, 2013 - APRIL 26, 2013

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Photo by Mark Brady

Firefighter/medics at the Northview Community Fire/EMSStation 816 were honored recently as “Hometown Heroes” by Bowie Girl Scout Troop 413. The scouts visited the Bowie station to present the personnel there with several cases of cookies. Fire Chief Marc Bashoor, Deputy Fire Chief Ben Barksdale and a host of command officers joined the rescuers in accepting the gifts and participating in a tour of the apparatus and station.

By Zenitha PrinceSpecial to the AFRO

The enactment of legislation that shifts not-for-profits from Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise procurement program to another preference provider program will open the door of opportunity for more Black businesses and other MBEs, supporters say.

The House of Delegates, earlier this month, voted 137-0 in favour of the legislation (HB48) after amendments by the Senate, which passed it (SB1066) by a vote of 30-14. The change will go into effect July 1, though it exempts current contracts and those entered into on or before July 1, 2015.

“I was absolutely elated,”

Minority Enterprises to Benefit from New Law

Continued on A3File Photo

Angela Alsobrooks

Views of the intersection of Holmead Place and Monroe Street in the Columbia Heights neighborhood.

Page 2: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

A2 The Afro-American, April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013

Survivor of 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing Wants Money, Not a Medal

The message and impact of the August 1963 March on Washington were still resonating around the globe when an act of violence tore into the American psyche and

acted as an impetus for the civil rights movement.On Sept. 15, 1963, Klansmen bombed the Sixteenth

Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. Four African-American girls, Denise McNair, 11, and Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley and Carol Robertson, all 14, died from the blast and many others were injured.

Now, Congress is considering conferring a top award to honor the victims. But the tragedy’s lone survivor, Sarah Collins Rudolph, reportedly has said she wouldn’t accept the award, and instead wants restitution after years of medical treatment and out-of-pocket medical expense.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been considering giving Rudolph and the murdered girls the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’ highest award.

Rudolph said she has been largely forgotten in the 50 years since the tragic bombing, according to The Associated Press. She lost an eye when the bomb tore through the church. And although she endured months of hospitalization and several surgeries to try to restore sight in her left eye, she was never given restitution, she added.

Her husband said, according to NPR, that survivors of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center were compensated through the congressionally-mandated September 11th Victims Compensation Fund.

Jay-Z Pushes Back Against Criticism of Cuba Trip

Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z has released a scathing

response to politicians who criticized the rapper and his superstar wife Beyoncé for spending their fifth wedding anniversary in Cuba.

Scandal erupted in the days after the pair were photographed dining at local Cuban restaurants and touring historic sites in the country, which has been under U.S. sanctions for more than a half-century.

On April 11, Jay-Z released “Open Letter,” a blistering music track that slams the conservative lawmakers who sought an investigation into the trip.

U.S. Treasury officials on April 9 confirmed that Jay-Z and Beyoncé had travelled to Havana under an educational exchange license.

Responding to inquiries by Florida House Republicans Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart, Assistant Treasury Secretary Alastair Fitzpayne wrote in a letter that the hip-hop couple travelled to Cuba with a group authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control to promote people-to-people contact in Cuba by U.S. citizens.

National Urban League Sees Money Gap, Despite 50 Years of Gains

Black Americans are better off than they were 50 years ago but are still far behind White America in income and employment, the National Urban League concluded in its annual assessment

of African Americans.

The 37th annual “State of Black America” report, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the August 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, was released April 10.

The annual report assessed the progress of African Americans from the March on Washington through the present in the areas of educational achievement, income and employment, areas in which discrimination, historically have been “pervasive and entrenched,” the report read.

According to the report, since 1963, Blacks have shown the most improvement in educational attainment, due to affirmative action policies and early learning programs such as Head Start.

Anti-poverty measures have also raised Blacks’ standard of living, the report stated. In the years since 1963, the percentage of Blacks living in

poverty has decreased by 23 percent and homeownership has grown by 14 percent.

Even as the League hailed these signs of progress, it warned that some use these achievements—including the election and re-election of the nation’s first Black president—as ammunition to roll back programs that have aided in the reduction of racial disparity.

And, in reality, despite their advancements, Blacks continue to lag behind Whites economically. For instance, the income disparity gap has only closed by 7 percentage points (now at 60 percent.) And the employment rate gap has closed by a mere 6 percent (now at 52 percent.)

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April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013, The Afro-American A3

By Alan KingAFRO Staff Writer

Jennifer Hudson and otherrelatives positively identified

the body of her 7-year-oldnephew Monday, just hoursafter his body was found in a

sport-utility vehicle sought inconnection with the murder ofHudson’s mother and brother.

The white, 1994 ChevroletSuburban with Illinois license

plate X584859 was found onChicago’s West Side afterpolice received a 7 a.m. call

from a neighbor about a suspi-cious vehicle. The man noticedthe vehicle while walking hisdog. According to the ChicagoTribune, the boy had been shotmultiple times in the back seatof the vehicle. The SUV, regis-tered to Hudson’s murderedbrother, was towed with theboy’s body inside and is beingprocessed by evidence techni-cians and workers. The bodywas later removed and taken tothe Cook County MedicalExaminer’s office.

Hudson and other familymembers arrived at the MedicalExaminer’s office mid-after-noon to identify the body.Given the choice between look-ing directly at the body orviewing it on a wall-mounted

video screen, the family chosethe latter. According to theTribune, Hudson said, “Yes,that’s him.”

A spokesman for the officetold the newspaper that Hudson

“remained strong for her fami-ly” and was clearly its leader.“She held hands with her fami-ly,” the spokesman said. “Itwas obviously a very emotionalmoment.”

The boy – the son of JuliaHudson, Jennifer’s sister – hadbeen missing since Friday,when a relative found Julian’sgrandmother, DarnellDonerson, 57, and his uncle,Jason Hudson, 29, shot to deathin his grandmother’s home inthe 7000 block of South YaleAvenue.

An Amber Alert – a desig-nation for high-risk missingchildren – was issued Fridayafter Julian was discoveredmissing after the murders.Police arrested WilliamBalfour, the missing boy’s step-father and estranged husbandof Julia, at his girlfriend’sSouthside apartment severalhours after the murders.Balfour’s mother, Michele, hastold reporters that her son hadnothing to do with the slayings.

Balfour remains a suspect in

the murders but is being held injail for parole violation after

being convicted of attemptedmurder and vehicular hijack-ing. Cook County records showthat he pleaded guilty to bothcharges in 1999. He was alsoconvicted in 1998 for posses-sion of a stolen motor vehicle.He was released from prison in2006 after serving seven yearsfor the attempted murder andcar hijacking charges.

The boy remained missingthrough a long weekend inwhich police and volunteers

posted fliers bearing his photo-graph around the city. OnSunday, Jennifer Hudson askedfor the public’s help in findingher nephew. In her MySpaceblog, she thanked fans and sup-porters for their prayers andoffered a $100,000 reward toanyone who returned the boyalive.

Since the investigation,Hudson – who gained stardomafter appearing on “AmericanIdol,” and then won anAcademy Award for her role inthe movie Dreamgirls – hasstayed out of the public eye.

The Chicago Tribune report-ed that a parade of cars movedslowly past her family’s homeMonday morning, past thenews vans, reporters and curi-

ous onlookers.Neighbors stoodquietly andreflected on the

violence. In front of the Hudson’s

home, men in heavy jacketsand hooded sweatshirts came tokiss the twin white crosses bar-ing the names of Donerson andJason.

“Everybody is sick of goingthrough stuff like this,” ArtishaWest, a former resident of thearea told the Tribune. “We allhave to stick together. All theseyoung children are dying, andfor what?”

By Alan KingAFRO Staff Writer

Presidential candidate JohnMcCain’s attack on ACORN –Associated CommunityOrganization for Reform Now –confirms the success of theorganization, the head of thegroup says.

“This is testimony to the workwe’ve done and success we’vehad,” Maude Hurd, president ofACORN, said in an interviewwith the AFRO.

“When this attack started, wehad just announced that we hadregistered 1.3 million new vot-ers,” she said. “That’s just to saythat someone’s running scaredbecause of ACORN’s success.”

McCain, who is running forpresident on the Republican tick-et, lashed out at ACORN in thefinal debate against BarackObama, contending the group “ison the verge of maybe perpetrat-ing one of the greatest frauds invoter history in this country,maybe destroying the fabric ofdemocracy.”

Factcheck.org, a non-partisanWeb site, found those claims tobe “exaggerated,” with “no evi-dence of any such democracy-destroying fraud.”

Hurd believes the McCaincharges were politically motivat-ed.

She said, “Because it’s low-and moderate-income people,and people of color, I believe theMcCain campaign thinks thosevoters are going to voteDemocratic, which is not neces-sarily true.”

ACORN is no stranger tocontroversy.

For 38 years, the non-partisanorganization has fought for socialand economic justice for low-and moderate-incomeAmericans. With 400,000 mem-ber families organized into morethan 1,200 neighborhood chap-ters in 110 cities nationwide,ACORN has over the years seenits share of criticism while advo-cating for affordable housing,living wages, healthcare for theunderserved— and while organ-izing voter registration drives.But none has been as witheringand baseless as this one.

With the presidential electionless than two weeks away,ACORN’s detractors allege theorganization has engaged in mas-sive voter registration fraud afterthe reported discovery of bogusnames, such as Mickey Mouse

and Dallas Cowboys playersTony Romo and Terrell Owens,among the names submitted toelection officials.

Hurd said those workers, whowere doing those things withoutACORN’s knowledge or permis-sion, were fired.

“The evidence that has sur-faced so far shows they fakedforms to get paid for work theydidn’t do, not to stuff ballotboxes.” ACORN, she said, is thevictim of fraud, not the perpetra-tor of it.

Hurd said the only thingsbogus are the charges them-selves. And factcheck. orgagrees.

It concluded, “NeitherACORN nor its employees havebeen found guilty of, or evencharged with, casting fraudulentvotes.”

The problem came about pri-marily because of the wayACORN operates. Rather thanrely on volunteers, it pays peo-ple, many of them poor or unem-ployed, to sign up new voters.The idea was to help both thosebeing registered and those doingthe registration.

Maud explained, “We have azero tolerance policy for deliber-ate falsification of registration.”

Most news account neglect topoint out that ACORN isrequired by law to turn in all reg-istration forms. And they also failto note that it was the organiza-tion, in many instances, that firstbrought the phony registrationsto the attention of authorities.

The McCain camp apparentlyisn’t interested in those finepoints, preferring to air mislead-ing ads that seek to link Obamato ACORN, thereby undercuttinghis political support.

McCain: I’m John McCainand I approve this message.

Announcer: Who is BarackObama? A man with “a politicalbaptism performed at warpspeed.” Vast ambition. After col-lege, he moved to Chicago.Became a community organizer.There, Obama met MadeleineTalbot, part of the Chicagobranch of ACORN. He was soimpressive that he was asked totrain the ACORN staff.

What did ACORN in Chicagoengage in? Bullying banks.Intimidation tactics. Disruptionof business. ACORN forcedbanks to issue risky home loans.The same types of loans thatcaused the financial crisis we’rein today.

No wonder Obama’s campaign istrying to distance him from thegroup, saying, “Barack ObamaNever Organized with ACORN.”But Obama’s ties to ACORN runlong and deep. He taught classesfor ACORN. They even endorsedhim for President.But now ACORN is in trouble.

Reporter: There are at least11 investigations across thecountry involving thousands ofpotentially fraudulent ACORNforms.

Announcer: Massive voterfraud. And the Obama campaignpaid more than $800,000 to anACORN front for get out the voteefforts.Pressuring banks to issue riskyloans. Nationwide voter fraud.Barack Obama. Bad judgment.Blind ambition. Too risky forAmerica.

Since McCain’s comments,ACORN’s 87 offices have beenbombarded with threats andracist mail.

The day after the presidentialdebate, vandals broke into theorganization’s Boston and Seattleoffices and stole computers.After a Cleveland representativeappeared on TV, an e-mail wassent to the local office saying she“is going to have her life ended.”A worker in Providence, R.I.,received a threatening call say-ing, “We know you get off workat 9” and uttered racial epithets.

A caller to one office left amessage on the answeringmachine, saying: “Hi, I was justcalling to let you know thatBarack Obama needs to gethung. He’s a (expletive deleted)nigger, and he’s a piece of(expletive deleted). You guys arefraudulent, and you need to go tohell. All the niggers on oak trees.They’re gonna get all hung hon-eys, they’re going to get assassi-nated, they’re gonna get killed.”

Another message said, “Youliberal idiots. Dumb (expletivedeleted). Welfare bums. Youguys just (expletive deleted)come to our country, consumeevery natural resource there is,and make a lot of babies. That’sall you guys do. And then suckup the welfare and expect every-one else to pay for your hospitalbills for your kids. I jus’ say letyour kids die. That’s the bestmove. Just let your children die.Forget about paying for hospitalbills for them. I’m not gonna doit. You guys are lowlifes. And Ihope you all die.”

Hurd thinks the hate calls willcease soon.

“In two weeks, I think theseattacks will be over. But I think itwill be harder for us to get ourname back on good gracesbecause they really trashed us inthe last few weeks.”

But ACORN will not bedeterred.

“We’ve been fighting for along time, for over 30 years, forthe rights of low- and moderate-income people all across thecountry,” Hurd said. “We’regoing to continue to fight foreconomic justice in our commu-nities.”

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Jennifer Hudson and Relatives Identify Body of Her Slain Nephew

“She held hands with her family. It was obviously a very emotional moment.” Courtesy Photos

Jennifer Hudson and her mom, Darnell Donerson whowas killed, as well as her brother, Jason.

Jason Hudson

Julian King, Jennnifer Hudson’s nephew.

ACORN Fights BackLeader Calls Voter Registration Fraud Charges ‘Bogus’

Wanted: Good MenContinued from A1

Anytime anyone attempts to discuss or defuse misunderstandings about intractable racism in America, which is still unable to reconcile its historic and hidden affects even today, they better be prepared for some backlash. To mention racism is to tiptoe into a minefield, and all too often it is the present practice to blame the victim for the carnage from the blast.

Think of the perverse notion of “playing the race card.” Here the prevailing idea is that it is somehow wrongheaded and even racist for an African American to

mention the distinctive challenges or the inherent inequities or the common experiences of being African American as if to give themselves some unwarranted and unfair advantage in a given situation or debate.

Witness, for example, the trumped-up racial controversy in the April 23 special election for the vacant at-large D.C. Council. Although D.C. celebrated Emancipation Day when more than 3,000 slaves were set free a year earlier than others in 1862, the vestiges of horrific race relations continue to color everything from school closings to unemployment to political elections.

In the latter example, some have unfairly accused Democrat Anita Bonds, the only African American woman in the at-large council race and the interim incumbent, of trying to get African Americans to vote for her simply because she is African American. Nonsense. With a long history of working behind-the-scenes for vulnerable D.C. residents, Bonds has attempted to convince voters why she best represents “their own” interests, just as the others have. They all pledge to represent all people in all eight wards of the city. But can they?

Worse, however, some detractors want to skewer Bonds, a frontrunner, suggesting she interjected race for personal gain into the campaign. In fact, she tried to respond to a racially-loaded question during a candidate’s forum recently on WAMU-FM with candor.

During the show it was pointed out that she was endorsed by organized labor and that some longtime Black Washingtonians were casting their votes for Bonds because they didn’t want the council to increase its White majority.

Ms. Bonds responded, “I’m happy to hear it,” in reaction to the endorsement, her spokesman said, noting it was not an embrace of the racial preference of Black voters he spoke for. Bonds went on to say that “the city is still predominantly Black” and “people want to have their leadership reflect who they are,” and that “there’s a natural tendency to want one of their own.” She added that some fear being pushed out of the city due to gentrification.

Her critics also clamor that race it has no place or bearing in the race. Really? Studies have indicated for decades “historical trends” in which voters cast ballots, “acting in their self interest,” says Michael Fauntroy, George Mason University political science professor. They traditionally choose candidates based on similarities in gender, economics, culture and race.

Whoever said, “all politics is local” could have easily added “and very personal.”

Surely some native and longtime Washingtonians have publicly and privately expressed their displeasure and even resentment about what they perceive as the dwindling Black political power, hard won as it was. These thorny conversations are not only occurring in the District but also in urban cities that are being gentrified all across the nation.

“The larger question is to what extent can these conflicts, just below the surface, be brought to the table and discussed?” Fauntroy asked.

Are these people racists? Are Black politicians, capitalizing on their fears, prone to play the race card? Do they have a right to resent the loss of what was once seen as “our community” and the political representation that went with it before economic and demographic changes took hold? Fauntroy said Black Washingtonians are not expressing any different nervous

sentiments “than other groups who were resistant to changes” a couple of generations ago when Blacks moved into urban areas.

What was once affectionately called “Chocolate City” by the majority population has morphed, by design, into gentrified “Vanilla Village.” While the city’s population remains predominantly Black for now, but the council has gradually become represented by a majority of White members; seven of the 13, including the chairman.

Bonds, by the way, has the backing of a number of her council colleagues, Black and White.

Of the six remaining candidates running for the vacant at-large seat, only two are Black, Bonds, the incumbent; and Perry Redd, the D.C. Statehood Green Party candidate. The others include the obvious mainstream media favorite, Republican Patrick Mara; and Democrats Elissa Silverman, Paul Zukerberg, and Matthew Frumin. Democrat Michael Brown, an African American, dropped out the race although his name still appears on the ballot.

In the news stories and debates in certain circles the euphemisms used to refer to these contenders breaks down to racially loaded terms like “reformers,” “progressives” and “newcomers” versus the “old guard” and “status quo.” Guess which buzzword is for whom? The underlying message is that the “progressives” are automatically better candidates and pols than the “old guard.” Yet the council has had numerous problems with its members’ ethics and effectiveness that were clearly colorblind.

“Gentrification” gets a bad name in some quarters where folks have indeed been left behind, but the most important question facing D.C. voters is who, among the candidate field, will look out for them and who will work to ensure that they, too, can remain in the District and enjoy the fruits of its revitalization. Perhaps that is someone who knows well its people and its issues and is not afraid to confront the ones that blow up in your face, like remaining racial inequities, head on.

Veteran journalist Adrienne Washington writes weekly for the AFRO about relevant issues in the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Send correspondence to her at [email protected].

Washington View

D.C. Special Election Turns on Difference Between Race and Racism

Adrienne WashingtonAFRO Columnist

television Judge Greg Mathis, a self-described troubled youth; former NFL player Michael Westbrook; and Kweisi Mfume, former president/CEO of the NAACP.

She said one goal of the program is to give youths an alternative to violence and misbehavior.

“We have to broaden our young people’s experiences,” she

said, “and show them how to be on a path to succeed.”Last year, Alsobrooks coordinated a “Sisterhood Summit”

in which women mentored girls. The event drew hundreds to Prince George’s Community College. Celebrities included television Judge Glenda Hatchett, who delivered the keynote speech.

Alsobrooks told Fox 5 that she was inspired by the success of that event to do one for the young men in the area. Besides her office, the county’s Department of Social Services, the Office of County Executive Rushern L. Baker III and the United Way will be present. She said employers will be available and families will be served, as well as young men.

The summit to assist young men is being held just months after a spate of killings left six high school students dead since the beginning of the school year. Alsobrooks attended a community meeting on Feb. 25 that was called in the wake of back-to-back killings of two Suitland High School students—Charles Walker Jr., 15, and Aaron Kidd, 18. Besides Alsobrooks, Police Chief Mark Magaw and County Councilmember Karen Toles (District 7) attended.

Police attributed the spate of violence among young people to the availability of guns. Alsobrooks has said children need moral guidance, as well.

“A young man who was shot in his back over a pair of shoes says that we are transferring the wrong values to our children,” Alsobrooks said at the Feb. 25 event, referring to the death of one of the victims. “And that has to be addressed.”

The summit is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bowie State University. For additional information and to register, call 301-952-5370.

“The summit to assist young men is being held just months after a spate of killings left six high school students dead…”

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A4 The Afro-American, April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013

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By Angelique T. GayleSpecial to the AFRO

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) brought his

message of racial inclusion and minimal government interference to Howard University April 10, receiving a polite but frosty reception from students who challenged the Republican Party rising star’s view of the history of Black Americans and the Grand Old Party.

Paul’s staff referred to the visit as an outreach to young voters and minority groups but Howard students characterized the freshman senator’s appearance as shallow, uninformed and patronizing.

At the core of his speech was a pitch for individualism and an invitation to embrace the philosophy of those who believe in minimal government and limited regulation.

“I want a government that leaves you alone, that encourages you to write the book that becomes your own unique future,” he said. “You are more important than any political party, more important than any partisan

pleadings.”“I hope that some of you will be open to

the Republican message that favors choice in education, a less aggressive foreign policy, more compassion regarding non-violent crime and encourages opportunity in employment,” said Paul, who has been endorsed by tea party and is considered a possible presidential candidate in 2016.

He acknowledged that his appearance at Howard was a rare one for a White Republican lawmaker. The most recent Republican members of Congress to deliver a major speech at Howard are former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) in 2004 and former President George H.W. Bush in 1981 when he was vice president. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican, delivered Howard’s 1994 commencement address.

The skeptical, but respectful crowd of students, faculty and staff gathered in the University’s School of Business auditorium was polite but pushed back at Paul’s assertions about the historic relationship between the

GOP and African Americans. Two students, Ahmeen Muhammad and

Brian Menifee, stood up holding a sign that was later revealed to read, “Howard University does not support white supremacy.”

“Quite frankly, I wanted to hear what he had to say, but as soon as he started to give us a history lesson as to how blacks voted Republican back in the 1800s, even though we all know there has been a shift in the parties, that’s when I realized he was trying to spew his rhetoric upon us and shift our minds and our vote,” said Muhammad.

Menifee said he was not protesting Paul himself, but he was protesting the system that Paul stands for.

His comment about creating a government that leaves people alone did not sit well with

most of the crowd, like Howard student Lovisa Lloyd.

“A free market is a slave market. Free market means an economy where you can do whatever you want to do because you have the money and you have the power,” said Lloyd. “Free markets are what created this dichotomy of the people who have and the people who have not.”

The speaking engagement was the result of Paul’s request to address Howard students. “My hope is that if you will hear me out, that you will see me for who I am, not the cariacature sometimes presented by political opponents of myself.

“If you hear me out, I believe you’ll discover that what motivates me more than any other issue is the defense of everyone’s rights. And yours. Everyone’s and yours,” he said.

While his remarks included mentions of

Tea Party Darling Meets Skepticism at Howard

shot a man. On March 4, another man was shot, again on Holmead Place in Columbia Heights.

“People wondered, ‘How could this really be happening?’” said Wendell Watkins, then commander of MPD’s Homicide Division. “It’s something you see in the movies or hear occurring in other areas, but it was actually occurring in their area. It was kind of a shock.”

Another woman was shot in the face on March 17. By the time Elizabeth “Bessie” Hutson, 28, was fatally shot as she walked her dogs in an alley near Park Road on March 23, D.C. was gripped in fear. Residents demanded answers from police. It was reported that Hutson had been killed by shotgun fire, unusual in a city where semi-automatics handguns were the weapons of choice for most street thugs. And that’s what police had thought, that the shootings were the result of street crimes or beefs. There was no immediate connection made in the first two shootings, despite their closeness in proximity; the White woman was considered a victim, while the Black man was believed to have been doing something that led to his injuries, even though there was no evidence to support that.

“We were attacking from an investigative stand point, and also increasing the number of personnel in the area to try and catch the person in the act,” said Ritchie. The FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were brought in to assist.

As time passed, more details emerged. The gunman drove a greenish-blue 1990 Toyota Tercel, slowly following some of his victims before rolling down the window and firing, earning him the nickname “Shotgun Stalker.”

“We were receiving hundreds of tips almost every hour after this thing was publicized,” Watkins said.

As police linked the incidents, they found similarities—location, time and the description of the car and suspect. “That gave us some clues to focus in on and set up our game plan to be in the area around times when the crimes were occurring,” Watkins recalled.

Almost two months after the first shooting happened—on April 19—police got the break they needed.

Officer Kenneth Stewart, who had been on the scene of several of the shootings, including Hutson’s, spotted a greenish-blue Tercel as he

was heading north on Sherman Avenue NW. When the vehicle ran a red light, he followed.

In a short film produced about the case by NYU film student Dan Marks, Stewart described what happened next.

As the car passed, he noticed a “kind of happy smile on his face.” Stewart unholstered his gun and placed it on the seat. The driver of the Toyota, later identified as James E. Swann, Jr., 29, of Iselin, N.J., a sometimes security guard who had been fired several times for behaving erratically, turned into the parking lot of a supply company near Florida and Vermont streets NW. Stewart saw an officer in a patrol car at 9th and Vermont Avenue and asked for his help.

“I think I have the Shotgun Stalker,” he told the officer.

The officers trapped Swann in the parking lot. Stewart cuffed him and put him on the ground.

He planned to arrest him for running the traffic light—temporarily.

“This is not for traffic,” he recalled telling Swann. “He looked at me and said, ‘What do you mean?’”

The uniformed officer found the shotgun in the backseat of Swann’s car.

“I think he said the barrel was warm,” Stewart recalled in the film.

Detectives later determined that Stewart had seen Swann a short time after Nello Hughes, 61, was killed in a drive-by shooting in the 3600 block of 13th Street NW, less than a mile from the arrest site. Hughes was the last victim of the Shotgun Stalker.

Authorities also learned that Swann carried on his murderous spree after driving to Washington. His father worked as a security guard at a federal facility in D.C. He sometimes worked with him, Ritchie recalled recently.

He first went to the area where he would later victimize 14 people when a friend took him to Mount Pleasant to get a haircut. Later, friends on a job in D.C. began to play jokes on him. He went to the same barbershop several times to look for the friend, including on Feb. 26, when he shot and killed the owner, Ritchie said.

The case never went to trial because Swann was found to be insane. He told authorities that he saw demons and spirits, including Malcolm X, and heard voices that urged him to carry out

the shootings. Though he is African American, most of the people he shot at were Black.

Swann was committed to St. Elizabeth’s Psychiatric Hospital. In 2011, he requested a 12-hour furlough to visit his father. It was denied.

Now 49, Swann lives in a medium-security unit in the Southeast Washington hospital.

Ritchie said he knew from the day of the arrest that Swann would never go to trial.

“I looked him in the eye and I knew that he was dancing to a different tune,” he said. “It wasn’t violence. He never resisted. He was very calm. When I went to talk to him, he was sharp enough to request an attorney. But there was that stare. I was interviewed by one of the psychiatrists at St. Elizabeth’s and he said, ‘What did you see?’ I said, ‘I saw this stare, a stare that I’ll never forget.”

Courtesy PhotoSen. Rand Paul

“…Howard students characterized the freshman senator’s appearance as shallow, uninformed and patronizing.”

Black author Toni Morrison, when he tried to note the first African-American senator since reconstruction, he blanked on the name Edward Brooke. After the crowd spoon-fed him the name, Paul chuckled and said, “Well, I don’t know what you know.”

Following that moment, Paul began talking about how the founders of the NAACP were indeed Black Republicans, speaking as if he were giving the students new information. And they let him know that they knew that.

“I was not here for my mind to be changed. There are many things that he stands for that I actually agree with. I am tired of politicians talking about how they want the market to be free, while knowingly engaging in cronyism capitalism,” said physics graduate student Charlezetta Wilson.

He got support from the crowd about half way in when he revealed his stance on minimum prison sentences.

“Our federal mandatory minimum

sentences are simply heavy handed and arbitrary. They can affect anyone at any time, though they disproportionately affect those without the means to fight them,” he said. “We should stand and loudly proclaim enough is enough. We should not have laws that ruin the lives of young men and women who have committed no violence.”

While Paul has been criticized for his comments on not supporting the Civil Rights Act, he said he supports an end to all discrimination, but does not agree with having to tell a private business they cannot discriminate.

In remarks to a reporter before the speech, Paul noted that he wanted to speak to a young college audience, a historically Black college.

“I just want people to know, all across the country that Republicans are interested in talking to African Americans, young people and audiences we haven’t done so well with,” said Paul.

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April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013, The Afro-American A5

Hope FadesContinued from A1

Minority EnterprisesContinued from A1

transformative and the Sandy Hook tragedy was one of them,” the Democrat added. “And if we don’t take these moments and turn them into movements, things will likely only get worse and something like this [the mass killing] could happen again.”

Capitol Hill resistance to the emotional impetus of the Newton tragedy, appeals by the White House, and overwhelming public support for firmer gun control stems from deep in-house rifts within the Republican and Democratic parties and political calculations, lawmakers and analysts said.

On the issue of gun control there is an ongoing “civil war” between hardline conservatives and mainstream Republicans, said David E. Johnson, a Republican strategist and pollster who worked on the Bob Dole presidential campaign.

“There is the more hardline, tea party element such as Sens. Ted Cruz, [of Texas] and Rand Paul [of Kentucky] who believe in no compromise. They believe that even if they fight and lose the gun debate, they will boost Republican turnout in 2014 and 2016,” Johnson said.

“The larger Republican base, however, believes something needs to be done. They are aware of the public’s support for gun reform and realize Republicans are losing [ground] because they are being viewed as being too extreme and rigid.”

And, even among Democrats there is a divide based on ideology—some represent constituencies in the Midwest and other places where gun ownership is a way of life and some left-leaning Democrats may balk at gun-rights provisions that were included to entice Republicans—and re-election fears.

The National Rifle Association, which sinks a lot of funds into lawmakers’ campaigns, has promised to withdraw support from Republicans and moderate Democrats who support the bill. And, according to Johnson, the tea party has promised to challenge senators and representatives who favor the bill.

“It’s all or nothing with them,” the GOP strategist said.

The NRA and tea party conservatives seem to be holding sway. Already, one

of the four original bills approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in March, the ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, has been removed. Democrats, such as Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), have vowed to reintroduce the measure via amendment but it is unlikely to pass muster.

And Republican supporters of a bipartisan compromise bill, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, have found themselves being pilloried by colleagues and by attack ads.

The bill, cosponsored by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), would strengthen the country’s background check system for gun purchases by extending it to purchases at gun shows and online, while explicitly prohibiting the creation of a national gun registry. And, it would assist states and federal agencies to provide accurate and up-to-date records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

“This compromise legislation shouldn’t be controversial. Nine out of 10 Americans – including a

majority of gun owners and a majority of NRA members – support stronger background check laws,” said Reid in an April 15 statement.

“I hope a few unreasonable extremists will not try to prevent an up-or-down vote on this legislation with a filibuster,” he continued. “That would be a shameful tribute to the memory of 27 innocent people who died in Newtown… [And to] the mothers and fathers, loved ones and friends of the 3,300 Americans who have been killed by gun violence since that terrible day at Sandy Hook.”

Other bills in the legislation include the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013, which would create specific federal criminal statutes prohibiting the trafficking and straw purchasing of firearms and strengthen penalties for those crimes. And the School and Campus Safety Enhancements Act of 2013 would expand

grant programs to help improve school and campus safety.

So far, Capitol Hill lawmakers and political observers believe the Manchin and Toomey background check bill, which gained the endorsement of the pro-gun group Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms April 13, and, more remotely, the gun trafficking prevention bill have the best chances of passage.

“The only question would be what kind of condition they will be in after all the amendments,” Cummings, who co-sponsored a House version of the gun trafficking prevention bill, said. “One of my greatest fears is that they would add amendments to water down any efforts by states to address the gun problem.”

While there is a remote chance that the Senate will pass some gun legislation, however distorted, the probability of the legislation’s success in the

House is almost nought because of the deep partisanship within that chamber.

“It may pass the Senate but in the House I don’t even know what they will allow it to reach the floor. I think they will do everything they can to kill it,” said Johnson, founder and CEO of Strategic Vision LLC, a Georgia-based political consulting firm.

House Republicans, he said, “are more hardliners because, the way districts have been re-drawn, there are relatively fewer swing districts. The makeup of the constituencies have changed to become more strongly Republican and strongly Democrat.”

Given those political realities, Johnson said hopes for the first gun control legislation in two decades rest on one thing.

“The only chance of gun control being passed in the near future is if the president can re-take the House for the Democrats,” he said.

By Taryn FinleySpecial to the AFRO

Some residents of a Northeast Washington community near Spingarn High School are still fighting to stop construction of a facility by District officials to store and maintain trolley cars adjacent to the historic school.

The residents said their letters and phone calls to Mayor Vincent Gray, asking him to intercede in what they consider to be a project that disrespects the area’s historic significance, have gone ignored. They said attempts to reach an accord on an alternate site have been resisted by the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT).

Gray and DDOT officials are finalizing plans for a new transit line and a proposed Car Barn Training Center, which the city plans to construct adjacent to Spingarn. The facility is expected to house trolley cars needing maintenance and

light repairs. Developers said they plan to use the location as an educational and training facility for local high school and college students interested in learning about trolley maintenance.

Many of the local residents don’t want it, leaders said.“A large [percentage] of the community is disturbed by it,

particularly long-time residents firmly oppose it,” said Frazer Walton, president of the Kingman Park Civic Association. “So many of the residents have gone to the schools on the hill and they want to see it preserved.”

Vernice Blackness, the ANC Commissioner for 5D, said she is angry because she was not informed about the car barn being put on Spingarn property until a year and a half after the mayor initially proposed it.

“I don’t have a problem with the streetcars,” Blacknell said. “I do have a problem with them putting their maintenance center and training center on Spingarn property when there is an alternative place behind the Pepco plant.”

Located near the intersection of Benning Road and 26th Street NE, Spingarn was recently designated a National

Historic Site by the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board after a request from the Kingman Park Civic Association. Residents said they sought the designation to protect the land that local residents held in such high esteem.

Aside from the historical principle, Walton also believes that the streetcar barn will present an issue with health and safety.

“It’s a danger to the community because of the pedestrians moving about in that area and particularly the children moving around,” he said.

Walton also noted that the streetcar barn may emit “very serious electromagnetic radiation” which could lead to health and environmental issues in the community.

A D.C. Preservation hearing is scheduled for April 25 where residents will find out if the city has decided to move the trolley car maintenance facility.

Walton said he is hopeful.“We plan to continue to protest what they’re doing through

letter-writing, calling and we are considering litigation against the city,” he said.

Kingman Park Leaders Continue Car Barn Fight

ddot.dc.gov

said the bill’s sponsor Del. Barbara Johnson. The Baltimore Democrat praised Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration, singling out Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs, for helping secure passage for the bill, which failed several times over the past three years.

“The Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs worked diligently with me to get this passed and we all celebrated because it has been such a long and arduous task to get it through,” she said.

The most difficult challenge, the lawmaker and businesswoman added, was getting not-for-profits onboard. Many labored under the misconception that she was unfairly targeting businesses that catered to the mentally and physically disabled and trying to muscle them out of the MBE program.

When the legislation was first introduced years ago, detractors came out to protest in the busloads.

“I took a lot of heat,” Johnson said. But GOMA held several meetings with stakeholders to clear up the intentions and impact of the legislation.

“We were just trying to right a wrong that should not have happened in the first place,” Johnson said. “Monies that were due to minority businesses should go to minority businesses. And monies that were due to not-for-profits that serve the physically and mentally disabled should go to them.”

Not-for-profits failed to meet the legal standard of an MBE, the lawmaker said. And, when it came to competing for contracts, they held an unfair advantage over minority-owned businesses because of their ability to present lower bids since administrative and other costs could be donated.

Of the more than 5,600 certified MBEs as of March 2013, 171 are nonprofit entities that serve mentally or physically disabled individuals. And those entities, according to a 2011 analysis, received about one-third of total MBE payments from 2006 to 2009.

Including not-for-profits also skewed the state’s numbers on MBE participation, added Sen. Catherine Pugh, who sponsored the senate version of the bill.

In 2012, GOMA reported, MBE participation across all state procurement agencies exceeded the state’s goal, reaching 25.2 percent. However, if nonprofits or community service providers were excluded, however, that rate would have been 18 percent.

“This (bill) gives us a truer picture of what is being done as it regards MBEs in the state,” Pugh said.

Calvin Mims, president of Calmi Electrical Co., who testified in support of the legislation on behalf of the Presidents’ Roundtable, a consortium of Black business owners, said a more realistic portrayal would force state agencies to do more outreach to MBEs.

“[The legislation] was important because some of the state agencies as well as private sector [companies] are not that interested in minority inclusiveness,” he said. “Rather than sitting back and being complacent and doing business as usual, they would have to get up and seek out true minority-owned firms.”

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A6 The Afro-American, April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013

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SCIENCE & TECH By Albert PhillipsSpecial to the AFRO

As a boy, Mark Haygood disassembled and attempted to rebuild his mother’s household gadgets, including radios and hair dryers. A combination of trial and error in building and a passion for science-fiction led him to create HEX, a four-foot, three-inch, 50-pound, full-sized humanoid robot.

Haygood, now 49 and retired after 22 years as a Baltimore City police officer, always had a penchant for techno gadgets.

“I was the really shy-in-the-basement-building-robots guy,” said Haygood.

Haygood said his robot—made up mostly of mostly household appliances, including a clock radio, fan, and DVD player – is one of few full-sized humanoids in America. According to Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary, humanoids is a word used to describe something that is looks or acts “like a human.”

In 2009, Haygood moved to Philadelphia and ran into what quickly became his “favorite” bipedal humanoid robot, Hubo, an advanced, full-body humanoid created by one of the leaders in the field, Professor Jun-Ho Oh, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, according to gizmag, a widely respected magazine catering to new and emerging technologies, invention, innovation, and science news.

Released in 2005, Hubo cost under $1 million to build and is a competitor to Honda’s Aismo, which cost nearly $300 million and took almost twenty years to construct.

During a recent interview with the AFRO at his secluded home in Baltimore County, Haygood, the veteran officer and self-trained roboticist, powered up his human-like machine, equipped with flashing blue-neon lights and 3D-printer-made fingers. His “baby” as he refers to it, has the ability to move its arms and hands, rotate its head and hips, and soon, thanks to a newly installed speech synthesizer, will soon be able to speak.

“It’s the kind of machine that can only grow and become better,” said Haygood. He said that with “more sensors and functionality,” he can correct some minor design flaws of HEX and build a second, more cutting-edge robot.

Haygood requested the AFRO not to print the cost of creating HEX other than to say the price tag is under $100,000

and that it is the “cheapest humanoid robot you can make.” HEX was a four -year project for Haygood. Now more knowledgeable and confident, Haygood estimates that he can replicate HEX in about five months and cut costs by 40 percent.

Searching for a place to enhance his work, Haygood joined Baltimore’s Hackerspace in August 2012. He describes the Hackerspace as a place where “a whole bunch of Macgyvers get together to build stuff,” he said, referring to the TV show about a super geek who solves crimes. He pays a $50 monthly fee to have 24-hour access to equipment and professional

programmers, hackers, and builders. “It’s great because if there’s something you don’t know they

can help you and if there’s something they don’t know you can help them,” said Haygood.

Although Haygood is now a proud member of a Hackerspace, he labels himself an “introvert.”

“It’s a weird situation to be in,” said Haygood as he described being a reserved person while working in a public field. Haygood said he survived by fulfilling his job and duties and not showing his “real self.” “Some people see violence and it rolls off their shoulders, but people like me can’t deal with it,” he added. The aggressive and open nature of being an in-the-field officer was a reason why Haygood decided to retire after 22 years and be “done with the war.”

Instead, his passion was to spend countless hours in the basement, tinkering with his mother’s objects, striving to build a robot.

“He used to scare me with his ability to invent things sometimes,” said Vivian Haygood, Mark’s mother. “It was just incredible what he could do with his hands and it’s been like that since he was a child and all the way up to adulthood.”

April is an important month for Haygood and the future of his robotic ambition. Within weeks, he plans to launch a fundraiser to raise $50,000-- using Kickstarter.com, a crowd-funding website--to “correct the design flaws” in HEX, “build another bot, and have a lot left over for some additional things that are needed.”

Like some international robot builders, Haygood wants to create humanoids that can assist humans with daily activities. In 2011, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported that South Korea was testing out robots as prison wardens. In 2012, the Buffalo News reported that a sick child used a $4,839 “Roboswot” to virtually attend a class in New York when he was ill. News reports have also shown that robots have been used in classrooms to teach children Enlish.

Along with members of his Hackerspace, Haygood plans to attend the 14th annual Robot Fest on April 27 in Lithicum, Md. to promote HEX to children and other robot-friendly spectators.

“I want to help kids. I want to teach kids. I want kids to get a shot of adrenaline in the arm as far as advanced fields of robots are concerned.”

Retired Officer Builds Human-like Robot from Appliances

Mark Haygood and his robot, HEX

Photo by Albert Phillips

Page 7: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

In our national conversations about equality and justice in America, we have too often avoided the

conversation about the realities of women and mothers in the workforce. This is particularly odd given that women comprise half of the entire paid labor force, three-quarters of moms are now in the labor force, and most families now need two breadwinners to make ends meet.

Yet, despite comprising half of the paid labor force, only 5 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs are women. The glass ceiling remains solid and a Maternal Wall is blocking the way for many women to even get anywhere near that glass barrier. Yes, a Maternal Wall.

Here’s what the Maternal Wall looks like: • Women without children make 90 cents to a man’s dollar,

mothers make only 73 cents, single moms make about 60 cents to a man’s dollar, and women of color experience increased wage hits on top of that.

• Mothers with equal resumes are hired 80 percent less of the time than non-mothers and are offered lower starting salaries.

• More than 80 percent of women in our nation have children by the time they’re 44 - and most hit the Maternal Wall.

• Overall women make only 77 cents to a man’s dollar for full-time year round work, with African-American women making only 68 cents to a man’s dollar and Latino women making just 59 cents to a man’s dollar.

Think all of this doesn’t matter to you, or to our national economy? Consider this: Women make three-quarters of purchasing decisions. When women don’t have adequate funds in their pockets, our entire economy - which for better or worse is now built on consumer spending - suffers.

The glass ceiling and Maternal Wall not only hurt women’s pocketbooks, they also hurt the bottom line of our nation’s businesses. A 19-year Pepperdine University survey of Fortune 500 companies found that those with the best record of promoting women outperformed the competition by anywhere from 41 to 116 percent. In other words, more women in leadership meant higher profits.

Many women and mothers are struggling against tradition,

subliminal discrimination, and structural barriers. Indeed, we need to start uniting and lifting each other up. We are living in more than one America.

The realities of life for higher-wage earning women are vastly different from the realities of most women in our country. More than 80 percent of low-wage workers don’t have access to a single paid sick day for themselves or their children. Our national “floor” for workplace policies is way too low. These floors need to be raised; and structural barriers need to be addressed, particularly since it now costs over $200,000 to raise one child from birth to age eighteen. Despite what it may appear from the focus of recent media coverage, there are vastly more women in low wage positions than in high. In fact, only 9 percent of all women in the labor force earn $75,000 or more annually, 37 percent earn between $30,000 and $74,999 annually, and 54 percent earn less than $30,000 annually. The majority of minimum wage earners are women. Most mothers in the low wage workforce are struggling to find quality and affordable daycare (which now costs more than college in most states) and are working in jobs without paid family leave, sick days, or flexible work options that ensure employees can be successful both at home and at work. Middle-income women struggle with many of these same work structure issues, while women in higher income positions often have access to these programs. We’ve seen recently that the mere ascension of women in the workplace alone does not guarantee that family friendly policies will be implemented. One example is Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer’s move to end the company’s policy of allowing employees to work remotely.

High-quality public education is critically important to America’s future, and we are falling

behind globally. On the standardized tests administered every three years by the Program for International Student Assessment, American school students finished 25th in math, 17th in science and 12th in reading among all industrialized countries.

This worrying discrepancy, as well as national and local high-school graduation and college-acceptance data, and the numbers of students who still do not perform at their grade level in math and reading, should concern us all. Data such as this provides much of the rationale for the nation’s burgeoning education reform movement. But too many of the self-styled education reformers focus too narrowly on quantitative data for short-term gains, while ignoring qualitative analysis and the research and development required to answer more fundamental questions.

To provide a high-quality public education for every American, we need to know what is working; for whom; and under what conditions. Sadly, the corporate model currently favored by the business, with its emphasis on standardized math and reading test scores, doesn’t provide answers to these larger questions.

Our nation’s capital—of all places—has a higher achievement gap than any state, yet it also is home to some public schools that have strikingly different results and have significantly narrowed that gap.

The big money behind the drive to judge success or failure based on narrowly focused standardized tests does not fund the

kind of research that could enable us to figure out what works for our nation’s most vulnerable children. Instead, the business minds that fund and control the policy direction of public education—though they are not educators—think they know what is best: applying the productivity model to teachers and schools, as they do their stores and employees.

Friendship Collegiate Academy is a charter high school in Washington, D.C. that specializes in college preparation

for at-risk youth from some of the city’s most troubled neighborhoods. Some 74 percent of their students are eligible for federal lunch subsidies, and 60 percent are male. Their on-time (four year) high-school graduation rate is 91 percent—higher than the District (60 percent) or neighboring high-income states, Maryland (82 percent) and Virginia (81 percent), and the national rate (78 percent). And 100 percent of their graduating class is accepted to college.

Collegiate Academy’s success occurred after it pioneered Early College and Advanced Placement courses nine years ago. Yet only one other D.C. public school offers Early College. Friendship, a network of charter and traditional-charter partnership campuses, is responsible for 43 percent of the on-time graduates in D.C.’s high-poverty Wards 7 and 8. But is

there a causal relationship between Early College and on-time graduation? Why do we see this apparent correlation? How does this happen and why?

D.C. now has four bilingual immersion public schools: Yu Ying, which teaches students in Mandarin and English; Elsie Whitlow Stokes, which teaches in either French and English or Spanish and English; and LAMB and Mundo Verde, teaching Spanish and English. They now plan a joint high school

offering their language options under the same roof. Research shows that language programs teach lifelong learning skills, yet the benefits to students who learn second, third or fourth languages go unmeasured. What are their advantages, and for whom?

Still other D.C. schools go above and beyond the fashionably narrow emphasis on standardized tests. Thurgood Marshall Academy is law-themed and Cesar Chavez Public Charter School specializes in D.C.’s domestic industry, public policy. What difference do their areas of specialization make to student motivation, academic success, and post-graduate success? For whom does this work? And under what conditions?

By funding research to answer these and other questions, we could break down the barriers between traditional and chartered public schools, and replicate the best in the interests of every student, however disadvantaged.

Dr. Ramona Edelin is executive director of the District of

Columbia Association for Chartered Public Schools.

April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013, The Afro-American A7

OPINION

Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner

Dr. Ramona Edelin

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO.Send letters to The Afro-American

2519 N. Charles St. • Baltimore, MD 21218 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to [email protected]

State of Equality and Justice in America:‘The Maternal Wall’

Solutions are within our reach. We know which policies - like paid family leave, earned

sick days, and affordable childcare - save taxpayer dollars, improve women’s economic security, act to help close gender-based wage gaps and break down the Maternal Wall, while strengthening our national economy as a whole. These solutions won’t magically happen without people coming together to push to update our outdated workplace policies, practices, and laws. It’s going to take all of us - women, men, elected and corporate leaders - leaning forward together to build a nation where women, families, and businesses can thrive.

Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner is executive director/CEO and co-founder of MomsRising.org. This article - the tenth of a 20-part series - is written in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. For more information, please visit www.lawyerscommittee.org.

Measure Education Reform by Quality, Not Quantity

I Need Help! My dilemma lies in understanding the interpretation and reaction of our lawmakers

and some citizens to the First and Second Amendments of the Bill of Rights.

In the 18th century, freedom of speech was limited to word of mouth and the written word which took a long time to reach its destination. Now we have global newspapers,

radios, home or land telephones, cell phones, televisions and computers.

In the 18th century, the second amendment to the Bill of Rights, the right to bear arms, was to protect the thirteen colonies from the British, the American Indians, the Spanish and French. Now, weapons have advanced to include the atomic bomb, chemical warfare and high-tech gunneries.

We have had mass killings in our churches, our schools, movie theaters and even in government buildings.

Why are the people we put in positions to lead, guide and protect us are sanctioning assault rifles in family homes and gun-toting security guards in our schools? Why don’t we have extensive physical and mental evaluation for ALL gun owners, and why doesn’t the law

deal harshly with anyone caught without a valid registered weapon? Why don’t our young veterans go through a rehabilitation program before returning to civilian mainstream? Why don’t we bring the Bill of Rights up to the 21st century and save our impressionable, precious inheritors of our country?

PLEASE, help me understand. —L.N.Hunter

Letter to the Editor

“To provide a high-quality public education for every American, we need to know what is working; for whom; and under what conditions.”

Page 8: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

A8 The Afro-American, April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013

April 18-May 2 Psuit Drive

Various locations throughout the D.C. region. The Psi Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity will host a clothing drive. Metro residents are invited to recycle their gently worn male and female business attire to benefit families in need. For more information and to view drop-off locations, visit: Psinuques.com.

April 19DMV Professional Singles Cruise

Capital Yacht Charter, 1300 Maine Ave., S.W. D.C. 10 p.m. Come join the DMV Professional Singles in a cruise around the Potomac River. Enjoy speed dating, an old school dating game contest, free appetizers and more. $40. For more information: 202-554-0677.

April 20National Walk for Epilepsy

The Washington Monument, N.W. D.C. 10 a.m. Raise awareness and raise funds to continue the fight to stop epilepsy and find a cure. For more information: www.epilepsyfoundation.org.

High Heels & Higher Standards

Anderson Coleman Conference Center, 9033 Central Ave., Capitol Heights, Md. 11 a.m. Enjoy this mother-daughter tea. $40. For more information: 301-298-5311.

April 24Dallas Black Dance Theatre Master Class Workshop

Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Road, Landover, Md. 7:30 p.m. These two workshops give area dancers the opportunity to train with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre Company for the evening. $15. For more information: 301-277-0312.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Page 9: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013, The Afro-American B1

Young steppers passing out the programs.

Federal City Public Service Foundation President June Carter Perry and AFRO American Newspaper General Manager Edgar Brookins

Avis Thurman, an unidentied guest and Audrey Thurman

Essence Step Team from Gar-Field High School, Alexandria, Va.

Dem’Raider Boyz from Greenbelt, Md.

Hosts Tracee Wilkins, NBC4 and DJ Flexx, WPGC Radio Edgar Brookins, WJLA TV’s Jummy Olabanji,

DJ Flexx and Tracee Wilkins, NBC4

First place winners: Dem’Raider Boyz Step Squad

Second place winners: S.T.O.M.P. (Step Team On a Mission to Praise)

Third place winners: Benjamin D. Foulois CPAA Step Team, Morningside, Md.

David K. Mineta, center, deputy director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy with chapter leaders

Dem’Raider Boyz Step Squad from Greenbelt, Md. stomped their way to first place in the 11th annual STOMP D.A.T. Step Show March 23 at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium. Seven

teams of middle- and high school-age youngsters participated in the program, sponsored

by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc’s Federal City Alumnae Chapter and the Federal City Public Service Foundation, to demonstrate against using drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

June Carter Perry, Foundation President speaking with David Mineta, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

AFRO Photos/ Rob Roberts

Seated: Lisa Garrett, Sharon Priest, Dwayne and Trinette Campbell; Standing: Khary Reynolds, Noell Reynolds, Jamaal Robinson, La Nisha Robinson and Dominque Johnson

The West Band

Jackson State University Alumni Chapter President Sharon Davis, Alcorn State University Alumni Chapter President Sam Washington, Tougaloo College Alumni Chapter President Kathy Mosley and Mississippi Valley State University Alumni Chapter President Gredta Hubbard

Seated: Flora Marsh, Vivian Johnson, Ola Harvey-Penick and Richard Penick; Standing: Priscilla Smalls, Sherwin Maynor, Lillian Wilkinson Maynor, Faye Hyslop and Edgar Brookins

Seated: Toyce Small, Corbin Morman, Shawn and Angela Dorrough; Standing: Ben and Debbie Washington

Seated: Maureen Hawkins, Gary Hawkins, Joann and Larry Barringer; Standing: Shirley Bellamy, Theresa McClurkin, Bobbie Mason, Bobby Mason, Barbara McClurkin, Barbara Rollins and Marianna Zimmerson

Patricia Diggs and Carl Algood

Hope Lampkin and Patrice JohnsonJohnny Fontano, Trudy Lindsey, Nadine Darbean, Julia Sawney and Dr. Amel Anderson

Raffle drawing: Is there a winner?

Sam Washington and Dr. Patricia A. Cole

The Washington, D.C. Area Alumni Chapters of Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University and Tougaloo College hosted their Second Annual TJAM Scholarship Gala on March 23 at the Washington Navy Yard. During an evening of food and fun, scholarship winners were announced.

Photos by Rob Roberts

Step Show judges

Page 10: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

B2 The Afro-American, April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013

(NewsUSA) - These days, gift-giving is a real skill. The best gift-givers pinpoint hobbies or interests that make for genius presents no matter the occasion -- a birthday gift, a Valentine’s Day treat or an anniversary memento. So, what do you get the green-thumbed person who already has nearly every gardening tool?

If you’re searching for that cleverly thoughtful gift to surprise them, an indoor garden using LED lights is functional, sleek and attractive.

Measuring only 7 inches wide, 14 inches long and 15 inches high, the LED Mini Garden available from InHomeGardeing.com is small enough to sit on the kitchen counter, where cooks can easily grow fresh herbs, children can grow microgreens, and avid gardeners can start seeds for their vegetable garden.

The LED Mini Garden is the first countertop garden of its kind to feature low-wattage LED grow lights that actually simulate real sunlight, making indoor gardening more efficient and rewarding. The 24-hour timer allows users to adjust for perfect light conditions for growing lettuces, greens, herbs, flowers and even strawberries.

Gifts such as this have that elusive “gift that keeps on giving” quality. The garden produces an abundance of edible plants, plus live plants clean the air by removing carbon dioxide, toxins and other pollutants.

If a miniature indoor garden sounds ideal for a spouse, parent or close friend, consider the following best practices for indoor gardens:

• Herbs are a good starting point. Herb gardens make great indoor displays since they’re equal parts attractive and edible. Most herbs also grow pretty quickly, so eager giftees won’t have to wait long for results. Popular herbs include chives, basil, sage, thyme, oregano and rosemary.

• When buying plants, know their water and sunlight needs. Most plant tags will tell you this information. The LED timer allows users to set a sunlight schedule based on the plant’s needs to avoid over exposure. For seed starting or rapid growth of herbs and greens, set the timer to 18 hours.

• Grow nutrient-rich veggies. Studies show that vegetables contain three times more antioxidants when you grow them yourself. Plus, with this garden, you can shorten growing times to see faster, continuous plant production. Parents can cultivate lettuce, spinach, peas, wheat grass and broccoli for the family to enjoy.

Whether for a cook, a gardener or a curious child, the LED Mini Garden is a truly unique gift that will bring joy and good health throughout the year.

LIVING

Use these 10 tips to increase your home’s curb appeal and find out how an attractive and well-maintained landscape can add as much as 10 percent to its value.

Spruce up outdoor containers. Container plants, especially large tropicals, add considerable interest to patios and doorways where would-be buyers enter and exit the house.

Touch up the mulch. Nothing spruces up a place like a new application of mulch, so apply a fresh layer in all your garden beds. The color enhances the contrast of the surrounding plants and makes everything pop.

Plant some instant color. Seasonal color makes the landscape pop as well, and flats of annuals are also relatively inexpensive. Go for a splash of several colors or a more monochromatic scheme, whatever fits in with the look of your home.

Shape unsightly or overgrown trees and shrubs. Regardless of the season, it’s a good idea to tackle any overlooked pruning chores because nothing says neglect like a bunch of dead branches. The idea is to show how well not only your house but your garden has been maintained.

Tend to perennial beds. Tidy up herbaceous plants, such as annuals and perennials, that don’t look as good as they should. If a plant is in such bad shape that it needs to be removed, either replace it or stick a decorative pot in its place. Now is also a good time to dig up any plants that you want to take with you to your new home. If you intend to remove any landscape plants and haven’t already done so, you have an obligation to inform the buyer exactly which plants you plan on digging up.

Clean up water features. Get rid of any visible algae, remove leaves and clean filters so that the water is crystal clear. After all, a water feature that doesn’t look good

or function properly can be an instant turnoff.Take care of any irrigation issues. If there are any problems with an irrigation

system, fix them. Irrigation system repairs can be expensive, and you don’t want to lay the cost of those repairs on the buyer. Provide information about your irrigation schedule, especially if you have an automatic system. Include instructions as to how the system operates and recommend the same watering schedule that’s worked for you.

Repair faucet leaks. A leaking faucet suggests that there may be other problems elsewhere in the plumbing, and that can be an instant turn-off to buyers.

Consider labeling as many plants as possible. That way the buyer will at least know the name of each plant and can then research their growing needs.

Power-wash dirty surfaces. Consider buying or renting a power washer to clean paved surfaces. With very little time or effort, you can make grungy, grimy surfaces look brand-spanking new.

http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/landscaping-tips-that-can-help-sell-your-home/index.html

From HGTV.com

Landscaping Tips That Can Help Sell Your Home

A Great Gift for the Green Thumb

By Courtney JacobsSpecial to the AFRO

Morgan State University’s Community Organic Vegetable Garden is back in full flower and is greener than ever this year.

The once-vacant land at Chinquapin Run Park, on the corner of Hillen and Stonewood Roads, is being cultivated by Morgan political science majors and members of the school’s Nutritional Sciences Program, along with the help of Home Depot.

This year’s crop is to include lettuce, collards, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, bell pepper and kale, produce that will be donated to Morgan students and residents in the surrounding community.

“This is a wonderful initiative to promote not only eating well, but to increase access to fruits and vegetables,” Dr. Sherine Brown, assistant professor of nutritional science at MSU, said in a statement, noting that several communities exist in food deserts, neighrborhoods that are sparsely populated with stores selling fresh, wholesome fruits and vegetables.

The Morgan statement said that the “primary goal of the community garden is to nurture the land into a productive urban organic vegetable garden and to provide vegetables, fruits and herbs” to students and local residents. “In time, the garden will expand into a student and/community-run food co-op,” it said.

In addition, cultivated beds have been purchased by organizations such as the Students of Future Educators, the campus chapter of the American Society for Civil Engineers and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.

Gardening for Life at Morgan

Photo by Courtney Jacobs Morgan State University’s Community Organic Vegetable Garden

AFRO PhotosAnn Smith shops for begonias for her Glenarden, Md., home.

Carol Harriston said landscaping and decks are features that help homes sell.

Courtesy photo. An LED garden.

Page 11: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013, The Afro-American B3

ARTS & CULTUREFilm Review By Kam Williams

Seventy-two year-old Herman Wallace has been imprisoned at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola ever since he was found guilty of committing bank robbery back in 1967. His sentence was later lengthened to life after he was convicted, solely on the testimony of a fellow inmate, of stabbing a prison guard to death.

Was he a political prisoner who’d been railroaded on account of his membership in the Black Panther Party, or had he actually committed the murder? Unfortunately, that question is not the focus of Herman’s House, an unlikely-couple documentary directed by Angad Singh Bhalia.

Mr. Singh instead devotes his attention to the friendship forged between Herman and a woman half his age. “Jailbirds and the naïve girls who love them” has served as the

theme of many a TV talk show, but rarely have any gangsters’ molls had the pedigree, sophistication or undying dedication of Jackie Sumell.

Sumell, an activist who once presented anti-abortion President Bush a quilt woven from hundreds of pro-choice feminist’s pubic hair, was a grad student in the art department at Stanford when she took an interest in Herman. What really rankled her was the fact that he held the record for solitary confinement in the country, currently at 40-plus years and counting.

Over that period, he’s been cooped up in a six-feet x nine-feet cell, which Jackie felt was a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s sanction against cruel and unusual punishment. So, she struck up a long-distance correspondence with Herman via a combination of letters and phone calls.

And that led to a decision to draw attention to his plight by mounting an art exhibition featuring a full-scale replica of his prison cell. But this is where it gets weird. She also asked Herman what his dream home would look like, prior to moving to New Orleans, buying some land, and consulting architects to draw up plans for a place the two would ostensibly share should he ever be paroled.

Listen, this biopic basically revolves around Jackie’s earnest effort to turn Herman into a cause célèbre, but it carefully tiptoes around the more compelling elephant in the tiny cell, namely, whether there’s a romantic aspect to their relationship? A fascinating flick as much about a possible miscarriage of justice as about a case of arrested development who looks like a little girl playing house with an imaginary mate.

Very Good (3 stars)Unrated Running time: 81 minutesDistributor: First Run Features

Herman’s HouseEccentric Artist Lobbies for Inmate’s Freedom

AFRO-AMERICAN ( WASHINGTON, DC )SATURDAY 04/20

3 COL. ( 5.42” ) X 10” FS/JLALL.OBL.0420.WAAEmail #5

© 2012 UNIVERSAL STUDIOSIMAX® IS A REGISTERED

TRADEMARK OF IMAX CORPORATION

EARTH IS A MEMORY WORTH FIGHTING FOR

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

Herman Wallace

By Kam Williams

“In the late 1630s, lured by the promise of the New World, Andrea Stuart’s earliest known maternal ancestor, George Ashby, set sail from England to settle in Barbados. He fell into the life of a plantation sugar owner by chance…

The swiftly increasing demands for sugar worldwide would not only lift [him] from abject poverty… but it would also bind together ambitious white entrepreneurs and enslaved black workers in a strangling embrace.

Stuart uses her own family story—from the 17th C. through the present—as the pivot for this epic tale of migration, settlement, survival, slavery and the making of the Americas.” -- Excerpted from the Book Jacket

Although Andrea Stuart was born and raised in the Caribbean,

she never knew much about her ethnic heritage growing up. As a curious adult, she started digging around in library archives and was able to trace part of her ancestry as far back as the 17th century to a White plantation owner of a sugar plantation on Barbados.

Being mixed, Ms. Stuart also tried to find her African roots, but that search proved far more challenging, given how her earliest black Bajan ancestors had been brought to the island as slaves. That meant they’d been considered property, and there weren’t as many records to be found about chattel.

Nevertheless, the bilingual (English and French) writer approached the project like an investigative journalist, eventually unearthing a cornucopia of fascinating factoids about her gnarly family tree. And the upshot of that tireless effort is {Sugar in the Blood}, a book that is as much the intimate tale of one incestuous clan as it is a universal one

shared by many folks from the region who have both European and African blood running through their veins.

The gifted author evidences quite a way with words here, employing her vivid imagination to spin historical tidbits into a compelling page-turner guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, ala a best-selling suspense novel. Yes, she takes poetic license periodically, but

merely to extrapolate and plausibly fill the penumbras lying between solid kernels of truth.Over the course of this centuries-spanning opus, we’re treated to a host of colorful characters

passing time in and around the author’s ancestral plantation, with Whites generally enjoying easy sexual access to enslaved females as well as the fruits of Black labor. Curiously, Ms. Stuart treats both sides with an almost affectionate understanding, even addressing the enduring skin color issue which has left her homeland hopelessly stratified after generations of race mixing.

A credible, cross-cultural examination chronicling the unresolved master-slave relationship still reflected in today’s Barbados where, as Faulkner sagely surmised about America’s Deep South, “The past is never dead. It isn’t even past.”

A Caribbean Family’s Links to 17th Century White Gold

The Associated Press

Chicago bluesman Jimmy “Fast Fingers” Dawkins, known for his stellar guitar playing and mellow singing voice, has died. He was 76.

Delmark Records owner Bob Koester said April 12 that Dawkins died April 10. The cause of death wasn’t immediately known. James Henry Dawkins was born in Tchula, Miss. An only child, Dawkins taught himself to play guitar before moving to Chicago in the 1950s.

Koester said Dawkins did not begin his music career immediately, working instead in a box factory before taking to Chicago’s streets to play for tips. He formed a band in the 1960s and began working Chicago’s blues clubs, gaining a reputation as an excellent side man and playing with such notables as Otis Rush and Buddy Guy.

Dawkins first album, “Fast Fingers,” released on the Delmark label in 1969, boosted Dawkins’ reputation, particularly in Europe and Japan, where he toured frequently.

“He didn’t like his nickname,” Koester said. “It gave the impression that he played only upbeat music.”

Dawkins performed a style of music known as the West Side Chicago blues — a mellower sound that reflected his Mississippi roots, instead of the harder-edged sounds of the city’s South Side.

“His voice was feathery, soft,” Koester said. “He wasn’t a shouter, which is unusual in blues.” He noted blues singers had to shout to be heard in the early days because they didn’t have amplifiers, and the affectation continues.

In addition to performing, Dawkins was a frequent contributor to Living Blues magazine.

Chicago Bluesman Jimmy Dawkins Dead at 76

Jimmy Dawkins

Page 12: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

B4 The Afro-American, April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013

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Kayla has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer, but she hasn’t let that stop he from enjoying life’s special moments. She’s a diva who loves fashion and sing, always keeping up with the latest trends in both.

She is able to keep up with her loves because of the research and treatment protocols developed at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital that have pushed survival rates for ALL from 4 to 94 percent.

And she and others like her are the reason many of gospel’s greatest are singing.With efforts led by Radio One, the largest radio company primarily targeting African-

American and urban listeners, nationally syndicated inspiration shows across the country helped raise $1,126,000 so St. Jude’s can continue its research to save the lives of countless children around the world. Supporters like Yolanda Adams, Coco Brother, Hezekiah Walker, James Fortune and nearly 60 partner stations hit the airwaves April 4 to help kids fighting cancer, sickle cell and other deadly diseases.

Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids® is a radio fundraising event that shares touching stories of St. Jude patients and families and, since 2008, has raised more than $15 million in cash and pledges. GRAMMY Award-winning gospel singer Yolanda Adams helped kick off the celebration at 6 a.m. EST on the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, while Cory Condrey wrapped up the radiothon at 11 p.m. EST with special coverage on the CoCo Brother Live show.

“Our listeners are always so supportive of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and its lifesaving mission,” said Yolanda Adams. “Every child should have the opportunity to enjoy life’s special moments – big and small – and cancer should not be a child’s only defining moment. With the help of my radio colleagues and fans, we are so proud to raise millions of dollars to help save lives.”

“The continued support of Radio One, the gospel artists and volunteers helps St. Jude continue its lifesaving work and offer hope to children like Kayla in communities everywhere,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Programs like Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids truly make a difference to the families who walk through our doors every day. Thanks to the generosity of listeners, those families never have to pay St. Jude for anything.”

In Atlanta, syndicated radio host CoCo Brother generated more than $320,000 during his four-hour show, which topped his 2012 total of $250,000. Other participating celebrities included gospel artists VaShawn Mitchell, Byron Cage and Crystal Aikin. The National Pan-

Hellenic Council (NPHC), a coordinating body composed of 9 historically African-American, international Greek letter sororities and fraternities, played a large role in managing the phone banks.

Courtesy photoEight-year-old Kayla joined GRAMMY Award-winning gospel singer Yolanda Adams during the “Yolanda Adams Morning Show” to help kick off the annual Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon.

Sixth Annual Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids raises more than $1 million to fight childhood deadly diseases

afro.com • Your History • Your Community • Your News

Page 13: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013, The Afro-American B5

SPORTSAFRO Sports Desk Faceoff

What’s Next for Kobe Bryant?By Perry Green and Stephen D. RileyAFRO Sports Desk

Kobe Bryant, perennial National Basketball Association (NBA) All Star and all-everything for the Los Angeles Lakers, was lost for the season on April 12 with a torn Achilles tendon. With the Lakers still hanging on to the last playoff spot in the Western Conference, as of press time, Los Angeles is prepared to head into the postseason with Dwight Howard substituting as a crutch. Doctors are calling for a six to nine-month recovery for Bryant. The questions that have swirled around the Lakers all season about whether or not Howard would re-sign with the team this summer have been overtaken by one big question: What’s next for Kobe Bryant? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debate the question.

Riley: If there’s one player in all of sports who I’m sure would come back from an injury like this at age 34, it is Kobe Bryant. Given the way Bryant played this year (27 points per game, six assists and six rebounds per game) it’s clear he has way more left in the tank. He’s still the top shooting guard in the game and could probably continue to have a significant impact on the game for easily three to four more years. Should Howard re-sign with the club this summer then the Lakers have a chance to be light-years better than what they showed for

most of the early part of this season. Not saying they’ll win a championship next year but contention would definitely be on the horizon.

Green: I respect Bryant’s toughness and career but I think he should consider hanging them up. What if Howard doesn’t re-sign? Who could blame him considering his elder teammate and co-All Star just suffered a pretty significant injury. If Howard says goodbye then what would motivate Kobe to return? He’s a prize fighter sort-to-speak. He plays for championships so what would he be returning to exactly? The only team to be part of, if he truly wants a ring, doesn’t have “Lakers” written across the front of the jersey. I just can’t see Kobe doing that. Now is the perfect time to hang them up.

Riley: We both know Kobe isn’t going to let this be the last image of him that people see. I don’t care if the Lakers have a bunch of D Leaguers on the team next season, there’s too much pride in Bryant to let the image of him limping off the court be the last we see of him.

Green: Why can’t he? Why risk life-lasting injury just so the public can watch him hobble through another season or two. An Achilles injury is a pretty devastating ordeal. Current diagnosis puts him on pace to return around December or early next season. Asking the Lakers to go the first few months of the season without Bryant is a pretty tough request. Asking Bryant

to come back and salvage the team at this point is even tougher.

Riley: We also both know that Kobe is going to beat that timetable. Would it really surprise anyone if Bryant is back by opening night next fall? It wouldn’t surprise me at all. The Lakers haven’t been title-worthy in years and Bryant’s still gone out and performed.

The Lakers won’t be title-worthy anytime soon either but you can still count on the Mamba to still be productive.

Green: Sorry, Riley. But I just can’t see Bryant going through some grueling rehab to come back for mediocrity. If he retired this summer my lasting memory of him wouldn’t be him being helped off the court. It would be him pumping in an MVP season and holding a defunct Lakers team together all season through the mist of coaching changes, injuries and the Dwight Howard debate. This might have been Bryant’s finest season in years and it might become even more significant if it turns out to be his last one.

Wikimedia Commons Kobe Bryant

By Perry GreenAFRO Sports Editor

Tiger Woods put on his typical sharp performance, scoring a 70 in the final round of the Masters on April 14 in Augusta, Ga. But it wasn’t enough to overtake the top three leaders of the tournament, as he finished the 2013 Masters tied for fourth place with a total score of 283.

Tiger’s fall from contention ultimately came down to the two-shot penalty that he was given after making a violation on the 15th hole during the second round on April 12. It pushed him back to 19th place entering the third round on April 12. He finished the third round tied for seventh place, but with the two extra points added to his total score, he wasn’t able to finish any further than fourth place on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the winner’s circle all came down to a sudden death match between Aussie pro Adam Scott and Argentinean pro Angel Cabrera after both ended regular play on the 18th hole with a tie score of 279. It marked the 16th playoff hole in tournament history.

Cabrera hit a beautiful putt in the sudden death match that came close to being a winning birdie, but stopped just inches short of rolling

into the hole. Instead, he had to watch as Scott nailed his winning birdie putt just seconds later for his first Masters’ championship and green jacket.

“Of course, I’m happy for Adam,” Cabrera said to TV reporters. “He’s a great person, a great player and he deserved it.”

Scott, who uses a longer putter than golfers are traditionally seen using, is now the first Australian pro to ever win a green jacket. Scott’s caddie, Steve Williams, was Tiger’s caddie for 14 of his major wins.

“Australia is a proud sporting nation and this win today is just another notch on the belt,” Scott told CBS. “It’s an unbelievable feeling and I’m just glad to make us proud.”

Wikimedia Commons Tiger Woods

Tiger Finishes Fourth Adam Scott Becomes First Aussie to Win Masters Title

By Dion JohnsonSpecial to the AFRO

(April 9-April 11)--Washington Sweeps the White Sox at Home

Washington welcomed the Chicago White Sox for their first inter-league match-up of the season on April 9. This series had a little nostalgia for fans as former slugger and fan favorite Adam “The Big Donkey” Dunn returned for the first time since leaving the team as a free agent after the 2010 season.

Dunn received a solid ovation from Washington’s crowd when he entered the second game of the series as a designated hitter whose four-at bat performance was highlighted by a ground out with a man on third base that helped score a run. But the Nationals’ bats came alive in this three-game series with 39 hits in the series and eventually won all three games to remain undefeated at home.

In the first game, Adam LaRoche, Ian Desmond and Jayson Werth all homered as they held on to an 8-7 win. Starting pitcher Gio Gonzales wasn’t his sharpest on the mound, leading to reliever Craig Stammen to eventually take over and notch the second win of the early season from the bullpen. Rafael Soriano was shaky yet still was able to notch his third save.

In the second game, pitcher Jordan Zimmermann scattered seven hits and two runs over seven innings and Bryce Harper unloaded for his fourth home run of the season, a 420-foot moon shot into the second deck in right field as the Nats won, 5-2. Ian Desmond had three hits and Soriano saved his fourth game, second in a row of the series. Game three saw a move fans didn’t expect as Bryce Harper was intentionally walked to get to clean-up hitter Ryan Zimmerman.

To show you how locked in Harper has been so far this season, White Sox Manager Robin Ventura thinks so much of this second-year player that he gave him a free pass to have his pitcher face one of the most professional hitters in all of baseball. Harper’s development may overshadow anything that’s going on right now with the ballclub, but being slighted the way he was, it was only right that Zimmerman put the game on ice with a two-run double after the intentional walk, helping the Nats complete the three-game sweep, 7-4. Dan Haren had a much better second start (albeit he gave up 10 hits in only five innings) and Soriano shut the door with his fifth save of the season, third save in three consecutive games.

(April 12-April 13)--Braves Deal Nats a Wake-Up CallThis weekend series against the Atlanta Braves served as a

wake-up call and an early season barometer of what’s to come whenever the Nats have to face such a great ballclub. Washington will have to face Atlanta 19 times this season, and game one of the series this weekend reminded Nats fans that indeed there are some concerns about the team.

In the Friday April 12 game, after squandering a sterling effort by starter Ross Detweiler, in which he gave up just one run in seven innings, the Nats’ heralded bullpen blew the game. The performance

was underscored by an awful throwing error by Ryan Zimmerman. Washington fell apart in the extra innings of game one and lost, 6-4.

Also wasted was Bryce Harper’s team leading fifth home run, an opposite field blast and another solid performance by leadoff hitter Denard Span, who has been as good as advertised as the place-setter for the lineup. He currently has an on-base percentage (OBP) of .476 percent.

Washington’s bullpen has not been a strength so far this season. Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen and Raphael Soriano have not been sharp, and because this team has been so solid in the pen for the last four years or so, watching the pen blow leads the way they have these last two weeks is worrying.

The other factor that needs to be addressed is the defense. In 11 games so far this season, the Nats have committed 10 errors, a totally unacceptable rate if you want to have the opportunity to compete in October.

Saturday’s match-up was played under perfect conditions and only the fifth sellout crowd in team history as veteran Tim Hudson outdueled Stephen Strasburg mostly because of an throwing error by Ryan Zimmerman with two outs in the third inning that pulled Adam LaRoche away from the first base bag to field the throw and allowed Braves rookie Evan Gattis in the next at-bat to just destroy a high fastball from Strasburg, giving the Braves a 2-0 lead. The Braves held their two-run advantage for the rest of the game and took a 3-1 victory back to Atlanta.

Player of the Week: Denard SpanAs stated earlier, Denard Span has so far exceeded expectations

with an on base plus slugging (OPS) percentage of .467 percent, and on defense he has seemingly made every catch in center field seem very ordinary. He’s becoming the most consistent player on the roster not named Bryce Harper. Kudos to general manager Mike Rizzo for the pickup in the off-season.

Nats Sweep White Sox, But Run into Problems with BravesWashington Nationals Weekly–2

TYPESET: Tue Apr 16 11:36:47 EDT 2013

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITYINVITATION TO BID

INVITATION NO. 130040Water Main Infrastructure Repair and Replacement Contract

for Fiscal Years 2013-2016

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) is soliciting bids forInvitation No. 130040: Water Main Infrastructure Repair and Replacement Contractfor Fiscal Years 2013-2016.

The following listing enumerates the major items of work included in the contract:0 Emergency Repair Work;0 Repair/Replacement Work of various sizes of Pipeline, Gate Valves, ButterflyValves, Fire Hydrants, Fire Hydrant Leads, Fire Hydrant Control Valves, Multi-Stemmed Valves, Valve Casings, Valve Boxes, Fittings, Extra Fittings, ThrustBlocks, Harnessing and Appurtenances;0 Replacement of Water Service Lines and Lead Service Lines;0 Cleaning Water Mains (Various Sizes);0 Cleaning and Lining Water Mains (12 inch Diameter and Smaller); Including WaterBypass Pumping and Access Pits;0 Curb stop / Curb Stop Boxes, Meter Box and penetration through building wall andconnection to first inside the building including up to 5´ feet of piping, installation of ashut-off valve and pressure reducing valve.

The project requires completion within 1095 consecutive calendar days.

This project is estimated to cost between $15,000,000 and $20,000,000.

DC Water will receive Bids until 2:00 p.m., local standard time on May 15, 2013.

A Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be conducted on May 1, 2013.

Bid for this project will be procured in the open market with preference given for theutilization of local and local small business enterprises.The Davis-Bacon wagedeterminations shall apply.DC Water Owner Controlled Insurance Program willprovide insurance.

Bid documents are available at the Department of Procurement, 5000 OverlookAvenue, SW, Washington, DC 20032. Sets of Bidding Documents can be procuredfor a non-refundable $50.00 purchase price each, payable to DC Water. Paymentmust be in the form of a money order, certified check or a company check.Documents can be shipped to Bidders providing a Federal Express account number.

The DC Water Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant is a securedfacility. Persons intending to pick-up Bidding Documents are to contact the Depart-ment of Procurement at 202-787-2020 for access authorization.

For procurement information contact Mr. Carlo Enciso; email [email protected], (voice 202-787-2029).

For technical information contact: [email protected].

View DC Water website at www.dcwater.com for current and up coming solicitations.

LEGAL NOTICE

Continued on B6

Page 14: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

LC Homes – Building Quality New Homes in Delaware for 66 Years

LC HomesDelaware Home Builder Receives 2013 Builder

of Integrity AwardFrom Quality Builders Warranty Corporation

LC Homes Receives 2013 Builder of Integrity Award

Wilmington, DE – LC Homes, a third generation family owned residential home builder headquartered in Wilmington, DE has received the 2013 “Builder of Integrity” award from Quality Builders Warranty Corporation (QBW). Recipients of this exclusive award demonstrate a commitment to excellence in customer service and quality construction.

As a member of the QBW Program, LC Homes has undergone a strict screening process to ensure their commitment to technical excellence, professional dealing, ethical practice, and financial stability. All members of the program are screened thoroughly on a regular basis, to ensure their continued dedication to quality. From that group, only a small number of homebuilders nationwide receive the “Builder of Integrity” award. As a member of the QBW Program, LC Homes has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in customer service that has gone above and beyond the industry norm.

Quality Builders Warranty Corporation, a national ten-year new home warranty program, has been enrolling builders of the highest skill and integrity into its premier program since 1985. QBW members provide a 10-year warranty insured by Liberty Mutual on all of their homes.

A proud member of the National Association of Home Builders and the Home Builders Association of Delaware, LC Homes has been building quality new homes in Delaware for 66 years and currently offers 13 new home communities including single family, multi-family, and condominiums throughout Delaware in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties. Visit www.LCHomesDE.com for more information.

LC Homes105 Foulk RdWilmington, DE 19803http://www.LCHomesDE.com

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DONATE ATUOS, TRUCKS, RV’S, LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY. Your donation helps local families with food, clothing, shelter. Tax deductible. MVA licensed. Lutheran Mission Society, org. 410-636-0123 or toll-free 1-877-737-8567.

Need to reach a large demographic in Maryland, Delaware and DC! Advertise your business, your products and services in 82 newspapers in Maryland, Delaware and DC. Reach 4 Million readers with a business-size ad with just one call. Call 1-855-721-6332x6 or email [email protected] or visit our website: www.mddcpress.com.

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Wanted To Purchase Antiques & Fine Art, 1 item Or Entire Estate Or Collection, Gold, Silver, Coins, Jewelry, Toys, Oriental Glass, China, Lamps, Books, Textiles, Paintings, Prints almost anything old Evergreen Auctions 973-818-1100. Email [email protected]

AUTOMOBILEDONATIONS

TYPESET: Tue Apr 02 11:48:00 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2012ADM927

Genneter GravesDecedent

Deborah Cason Daniel503 D Street NW # 200Washington DC 20001Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Deborah Cason Danielwhose address is 503 DStreet NW #200 WashingtonDC 20001, was appointedpersonal representative ofthe estate of GennetterGraves, who died on October24, 1997 without a Will, andwill serve with Court supervi-sion. All unknown heirs andheirs whose whereaboutsare unknown shall enter theirappearance in this proceed-ing. Objections to suchappointment (or to the pro-bate of decedent´s will) shallbe filed with the Register ofWills, D.C., 515 5th Street,N.W., 3rd Floor Washington,D.C. 20001, on or beforeOctober 5, 2013. Claimsagainst the decedent shall bepresented to the under-signed with a copy to theRegister of Wills or filed withthe Register of Wills with acopy to the undersigned, onor before October 5, 2013, orbe forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 5, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashington LawReporter

Deborah Cason DanielPersonal

Representative202-737-4466

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/5, 4/12, 4/19TYPESET: Tue Apr 02 11:48:21 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM247

Hilda L. ThomasDecedent

Thomas H. Queen Esq530 Eighth Street SEWashington DC 20003Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Khalid Abdul Kareem andSheryl A. Thomas whose ad-dresses are 611 Penn AveSE Ste 333, Washington DC20003 and 2530 36th Pl SEWashington DC 20020, wereappointed personal repre-sentatives of the estate ofHilda L. Thomas, who diedon January 30, 2013 withouta Will, and will serve withoutCourt supervision. All un-known heirs and heirs whosewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointmentshall be filed with the Regis-ter of Wills, D.C., 515 5thStreet, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 5, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 5, 2013, orbe forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 5, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashington LawReporter

Khalid Abdul KareemSheryl A. Thomas

PersonalRepresentatives

202-544-4200TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/5, 4/12, 4/19

TYPESET: Tue Apr 02 11:48:43 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM266

Arthur Willard BradleyDecedent

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Arthur R. Bradley whose ad-dress is 5062 Fielding Lane,Temple Hills MD 20748, wasappointed personal repre-sentative of the estate of Ar-thur Willard Bradley, whodied on January 24, 2013without a Will, and will servewithout Court supervision. Allunknown heirs and heirswhose whereabouts are un-known shall enter theirappearance in this proceed-ing. Objections to suchappointment shall be filedwith the Register of Wills,D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W.,3rd Floor Washington, D.C.20001, on or before October5, 2013. Claims against thedecedent shall be presentedto the undersigned with acopy to the Register of Willsor filed with the Register ofWills with a copy to theundersigned, on or beforeOctober 5, 2013, or be for-ever barred. Persons be-lieved to be heirs or legateesof the decedent who do notreceive a copy of this noticeby mail within 25 days of itsfirst publication shall so in-form the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 5, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashington LawReporter

Arthur R. BradleyPersonal

Representative301-630-0711

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/5, 4/12, 4/19

TYPESET: Tue Apr 02 11:49:01 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM275

Orlena Faye WoodallDecedent

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Minner Ree Woodall whoseaddress is 761 Wheeler HillDrive SE Washington DC20032, was appointed per-sonal representative of theestate of Orlena FayeWoodall, who died on Feb-ruary 26, 2013 without a Will,and will serve without Courtsupervision. All unknownheirs and heirs whosewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointmentshall be filed with the Regis-ter of Wills, D.C., 515 5thStreet, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 5, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 5, 2013, orbe forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 5, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashington LawReporter

Minner Ree WoodallPersonal

Representative202-563-5920

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/5, 4/12, 4/19

PET SUPPLIES

VACATION RENTALS

TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:38:07 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM282

Anna Margaret SmithDecedent

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Zechnolvia Gerald, GlindaGregg-Culbreth, and Valen-cia Roach, whose addressesare 4367 Varnum Place, NEWashington DC 20017, 662024th Place, Hyattsville MD20782 and 614 All isonStreet, NE Washington DC20017 were appointed per-sonal representatives of theestate of Anna MargaretSmith, who died on January30, 2013 without a Will, andwill serve without Court su-pervision. All unknown heirsa n d h e i r s w h o s ewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointmentshall be filed with the Regis-ter of Wills, D.C., 515 5thStreet, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 12, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 12, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 12, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Zechnolvia GeraldGlinda Gregg-Culbreth

Valencia RoachPersonal

Representative202-269-6023301-559-4948202-210-6926

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/12, 4/19, 4/26

TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:37:28 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM261

Jacques Rene MorganDecedentPeter N. Mann1350 Connecticut AveNWWashington DC 20036Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Valerie Monica Morgan,whose address is 2467 18thStreet, NW Washington DC20009 was appointed per-sonal representative of theestate of Jacques Rene Mor-gan, who died on November26, 2012 with a Will, and willserve without Court supervi-sion. All unknown heirs andheirs whose whereaboutsare unknown shall enter theirappearance in this proceed-ing. Objections to suchappointment (or to the pro-bate of decedent’s Will) shallbe filed with the Register ofWills, D.C., 515 5th Street,N.W., 3rd Floor Washington,D.C. 20001, on or beforeOctober 12, 2013. Claimsagainst the decedent shall bepresented to the under-signed with a copy to theRegister of Wills or filed withthe Register of Wills with acopy to the undersigned, onor before October 12, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 12, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Valerie Monica MorganPersonal

Representative202-265-9194

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/12, 4/19, 4/26

TYPESET: Tue Apr 02 11:48:21 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM247

Hilda L. ThomasDecedent

Thomas H. Queen Esq530 Eighth Street SEWashington DC 20003Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Khalid Abdul Kareem andSheryl A. Thomas whose ad-dresses are 611 Penn AveSE Ste 333, Washington DC20003 and 2530 36th Pl SEWashington DC 20020, wereappointed personal repre-sentatives of the estate ofHilda L. Thomas, who diedon January 30, 2013 withouta Will, and will serve withoutCourt supervision. All un-known heirs and heirs whosewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointmentshall be filed with the Regis-ter of Wills, D.C., 515 5thStreet, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 5, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 5, 2013, orbe forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 5, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashington LawReporter

Khalid Abdul KareemSheryl A. Thomas

PersonalRepresentatives

202-544-4200TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/5, 4/12, 4/19

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

TYPESET: Tue Apr 02 11:47:15 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2012ADM1015

Teresa Diggs Granisonaka

Teresa D. GranisonDecedent

Alan D. Titus, Esq2846 Meadow LaneFalls Church, VA22042Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Paulette Granison Savoywhose address is 7710 Han-o v e r P a r k w a y, # 1 0 2 ,Greenbelt MD 20770 was ap-pointed personal representa-tive of the estate of TeresaDiggs Granison aka TeresaD. Granison, who died onJuly 21, 2012 with a Will, andwill serve without Court su-pervision. All unknown heirsa n d h e i r s w h o s ewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointment (orto the probate of decedent´sWill) shall be filed with theRegister of Wills, D.C., 5155th Street, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 5, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 5, 2013, orbe forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 5, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashington LawReporter

Paulette Granison SavoyPersonal

Representative240-350-8270

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/5, 4/12, 4/19

TYPESET: Tue Apr 02 11:47:41 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM65

Christopher P. DemosDecedent

Henry Docter Esq,Henry Docter PLLC3617 Idaho Ave NWWashington DC 20016Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Paul C. Demos whose ad-dress is 32 Partridge Drive,Blairstown, NJ 07825, wasappointed personal repre-sentative of the estate ofChristopher P. Demos, whodied on December 25, 2012without a Will, and will servewithout Court supervision. Allunknown heirs and heirswhose whereabouts are un-known shall enter theirappearance in this proceed-ing. Objections to suchappointment shall be filedwith the Register of Wills,D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W.,3rd Floor Washington, D.C.20001, on or before October5, 2013. Claims against thedecedent shall be presentedto the undersigned with acopy to the Register of Willsor filed with the Register ofWills with a copy to theundersigned, on or beforeOctober 5, 2013, or be for-ever barred. Persons be-lieved to be heirs or legateesof the decedent who do notreceive a copy of this noticeby mail within 25 days of itsfirst publication shall so in-form the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 5, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashington LawReporter

Paul C. DemosPersonal

Representative973-476-7626

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/5, 4/12, 4/19

Page 15: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

TYPESET: Tue Apr 02 11:50:29 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

ColumbiaCivil Division

Case No. 2013CA973IN RE:Marion Sanders JonesApplicantAMENDED ORDER OF

PUBLICATIONMarion Sanders Jones hav-ing filed a complaint for judg-ment changing Marion Sand-ers Jones name to MarianSanders Wright and havingapplied to the court for an Or-der of Publication of the no-tice required by law in suchcases; it is by the Court this26th day of March 2013,herebyORDERED, that a copy ofthis Order be published oncea week for three (3) consecu-tive weeks, in The Afro-American Newspapers, anewspaper of general cir-culation of the District ofColumbia; and it is furtherORDERED, that the publica-tion must began no later than12 days after the filing of theapplication; and is furtherORDERED, that the FINALHEARING on this applicationto change name will be heldin Judge- in-Chambers,Room 4220 in the District ofColumbia at 500 IndianaAvenue NW Washington DC20001, on the 14th day ofMay 2013 at 2:30 pm.If anyperson desires to oppose thisapplication, that person or hisor her attorney must be pres-ent at the hearing or file writ-ten detailed objections five(5) days in advance of thehearing with Judge-in-Chambers and mail a copy ofthe applicant or applicant’scounsel; and it is furtherORDERED0 that the applicant must sendthe application for change ofname and notice of finalhearing to the applicant’screditors personally or byregistered or certified mailand show proof of service byfiling the affidavit/declarationor service.SO ORDEREDJUDGE

4/5, 4/12, 4/19

April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013, The Afro-American B7

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICESTYPESET: Tue Apr 02 11:49:26 EDT 2013

SUPERIOR COURT OFTHE DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIAPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131Foreign No.2013FEP28

Date of DeathFebruary 15, 2009

Clarence Silas ScottDecedent

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENTOF FOREIGNPERSONAL

REPRESENTATIVEAND

NOTICETO CREDITORS

Kathy Mancusi whose ad-dress is 4423 Lehigh Road#433 College Park MD20740 was appointed per-sonal representative of theestate of Clarence SilasScott, deceased, by the Or-phan’s Court for PrinceGeorge’s County, State ofMaryland, on March 12,2013.Service of process may bemade upon Nathan A. Neal,3108 Cherry Road NE,Washington DC 20018whose designation as Districtof Columbia agent has beenfiled with the Register ofWills, D.C.The decedent owned the fol-lowing District of Columbiareal property: (strike preced-ing sentence if no real estate)one-half of 5627 Eads St.N E , W a s h i n g t o n D C20019-6920.Claims against the decedentmay be presented to theundersigned and filed withthe Register of Wills for theDistrict of Columbia, BuildingA, 515 5th Street NW 3rdFloor Washington DC 20001within 6 months from the dateof first publication of this no-tice.

Kathy MancusiPersonal

RepresentativeTRUE TEST COPY

REGISTER OF WILLSDate of first publication:April 5, 2013Name of newspapers and/orperiodical:The DailyWashingtonLaw ReporterThe Afro-American301-220-4382

4/5, 4/12, 4/19TYPESET: Tue Apr 02 11:49:47 EDT 2013

SUPERIOR COURT OFTHE DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIAPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131Foreign No.2013FEP31

Date of DeathMarch 24, 2011

Lillie C. HemingeayDecedent

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENTOF FOREIGNPERSONAL

REPRESENTATIVEAND

NOTICETO CREDITORS

Carrie E. Lester whose ad-dress is 321 Fifth Ave.,Rankin PA 15104 was ap-pointed personal representa-tive of the estate of Lillie C.Hemingway, deceased, bythe Orphan’s Court for Al-legheny County, State ofPennsylvania, on April 11,2012.Service of process may bemade upon John E. Scheuer-mann Esq, 700 E Street SEWashington DC 20003whose designation as Districtof Columbia agent has beenfiled with the Register ofWills, D.C.Claims against the decedentmay be presented to theundersigned and filed withthe Register of Wills for theDistrict of Columbia, BuildingA, 515 5th Street NW 3rdFloor Washington DC 20001within 6 months from the dateof first publication of this no-tice.

Carrie E. LesterPersonal

RepresentativeTRUE TEST COPY

REGISTER OF WILLSDate of first publication:April 5, 2013Name of newspapers and/orperiodical:The DailyWashingtonLaw ReporterThe Afro-American412-271-7302

4/5, 4/12, 4/19

LEGAL NOTICES

TYPESET: Tue Apr 02 12:02:59 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM276

Margaret C. NelsonDecedent

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Viola T. Cornelius whose ad-dress is 9404 SheridanStreet, Seabrook, MD 20706,was appointed personal re-presentative of the estate ofMargaret C. Nelson, whodied on February 13, 2013with a Will, and will servewithout Court supervision. Allunknown heirs and heirswhose whereabouts are un-known shall enter theirappearance in this proceed-ing. Objections to suchappointment (or to the pro-bate of decedent´s will) shallbe filed with the Register ofWills, D.C., 515 5th Street,N.W., 3rd Floor Washington,D.C. 20001, on or beforeOctober 5, 2013. Claimsagainst the decedent shall bepresented to the under-signed with a copy to theRegister of Wills or filed withthe Register of Wills with acopy to the undersigned, onor before October 5, 2013, orbe forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 5, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashington LawReporter

Viola T. CorneliusPersonal

Representative301-577-0514

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/5, 4/12, 4/19TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:39:15 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2012ADM492

Caroline FrenchDecedentWesley L. Clarke1629 K Street NWSuite 300Washington DC 20006Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Beverley Wiggs, whose ad-dress is 612 Ray StreetSelma, NC 27576 was ap-pointed personal representa-tive of the estate of CarolineF r e n c h , w h o d i e d o nDecember 6, 2011 with a Will,and will serve without Courtsupervision. All unknownheirs and heirs whosewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointment (orto the probate of decedent’sWill) shall be filed with theRegister of Wills, D.C., 5155th Street, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 12, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 12, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 12, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Beverley WiggsPersonal

Representative919-901-8700

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/12, 4/19, 4/26

TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:39:39 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM298

William S. CampbellDecedentArnettia S. Wright EqWright Law Group PC444 North Capitol StNW, Suite 605Washington DC 20001Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Jerenze A. Campbell, whoseaddress is 2811m EnterpriseRoad, Bowie MD 20721 wasappointed personal repre-sentative of the estate of Wil-liam S. Campbell, who diedon June 12, 2012 without aWill, and will serve withoutCourt supervision. All un-known heirs and heirs whosewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointmentshall be filed with the Regis-ter of Wills, D.C., 515 5thStreet, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 12, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 12, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 12, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Jerenze A. CampbellPersonal

Representative240-353-4566

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/12, 4/19, 4/26TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:40:06 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2012ADM1123

Shirley Mixon EarnesDecedentWesley L. Clarke1629 K Street NWSuite 300Washington DC 20006Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Wesley L. Clarke, whose ad-dress is 1629 K Street NWSuite 300 Washington DC20006 was appointed per-sonal representative of theestate of Shirley Mixon Ear-nes, who died on September18, 2012 without a Will, andwill serve without Court su-pervision. All unknown heirsa n d h e i r s w h o s ewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointmentshall be filed with the Regis-ter of Wills, D.C., 515 5thStreet, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 12, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 12, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 12, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Wesley L. ClarkePersonal

Representative202-257-9730

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/12, 4/19, 4/26TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:34:52 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

ColumbiaCivil Division

Case No. 13-0002394IN RE:Brent KhristopherJaime GwathneyApplicant

ORDER OFPUBLICATION

CHANGE OF NAMEBrent Khristopher JaimeGwathney having filed acomplaint for judgmentchanging Brent KhristopherJaime Gwathney name toBrent Khristopher MichaelThorpe and having applied tothe court for an Order of Pub-lication of the notice requiredby law in such cases; it is bythe Court this 3rd day of April2013, herebyORDERED, that a copy ofthis Order be published oncea week for three (3) consecu-tive weeks, in The Afro-American Newspapers, anewspaper of general cir-culation of the District ofColumbia; and it is furtherORDERED, that the publica-tion must began no later than12 days after the filing of theapplication; and is furtherORDERED, that the FINALHEARING on this applicationto change name will be heldin Judge- in-Chambers,Room 4220 in the District ofColumbia at 500 IndianaAvenue NW Washington DC20001, on the 16th day ofMay, 2013 at 3:15 pm.If anyperson desires to oppose thisapplication, that person or hisor her attorney must be pres-ent at the hearing or file writ-ten detailed objections five(5) days in advance of thehearing with Judge-in-Chambers and mail a copy ofthe applicant or applicant’scounsel; and it is further0 the applicant must send theapplication for change ofname of an adult and noticeof final hearing to the ap-plicant’s creditors personallyor by registered or certifiedmail and show proof of ser-vice by filling the affidavit/declaration of service.SO ORDEREDJUDGE

4/12, 4/19, 4/26

TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:38:26 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM288

Margo A. SmithDecedentDiana R. EngelLiotta, Dranitzke andEngel1666 Connecticut AveSuite 250NW, WashingtonDC 20009Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Melanie Felton, whose ad-dress is 775 Tramore Place,Milton GA 30004 was ap-pointed personal representa-tive of the estate of Margo A.Smith, who died on March12, 2013 with a Will, and willserve without Court supervi-sion. All unknown heirs andheirs whose whereaboutsare unknown shall enter theirappearance in this proceed-ing. Objections to suchappointment (or to the pro-bate of decedent’s Will) shallbe filed with the Register ofWills, D.C., 515 5th Street,N.W., 3rd Floor Washington,D.C. 20001, on or beforeOctober 12, 2013. Claimsagainst the decedent shall bepresented to the under-signed with a copy to theRegister of Wills or filed withthe Register of Wills with acopy to the undersigned, onor before October 12, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 12, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Melanie FeltonPersonal

Representative706-224-2125

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/12, 4/19, 4/26TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:38:48 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM278

Killis Thomas HoustonDecedentTina Smith Nelson EsqLegal Counsel for theElderly601 E Street NWWashington DC 20049Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Mary R. Nunn, whose ad-dress is 1437 Monroe Street,NE Washington DC 20017was appointed personal re-presentative of the estate ofKillis Thomas Houston, whodied on March 30, 1986 with-out a Will. All unknown heirsa n d h e i r s w h o s ewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointmentshall be filed with the Regis-ter of Wills, D.C., 515 5thStreet, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 12, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 12, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 12, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Mary R. NunnPersonal

Representative202-832-3065

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/12, 4/19, 4/26TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:35:37 EDT 2013

SUPERIOR COURT OFTHE DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIAPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2012ADM401

Estate ofJosephineWitherspoonTeagueakaJosephine W.TeagueDeceased

NOTICE OFSTANDARDPROBATE

Notice is hereby given that apetition has been filed in thisCourt by Barbara L. Lucas forstandard probate, includingthe appointment of one ormore personal representa-tive. Unless a complaint or anobjection in accordance withSuperior Court Probate Di-vision Rule 407is filed in thisCourt within 30 days from thedate of first publication of thisnotice, the Court may takethe action hereinafter setforth.0 order any interested personto show cause why the provi-sions of the lost or destroyedwill dated April 5, 1993should not be admitted toprobate as expressed in thepetition.0 appoint a supervised per-sonal representative

Register of WillsClerk of the Probate DivisionDate of First PublicationApril 12, 2013Names of Newspapers:WashingtonLaw ReporterWashingtonAFRO-AMERICANWilliam A. Bland Esq1140 Connecticut AveNW #1100Washington DC 20036202-452-8080Signature ofPetitioners/Attorney

4/12, 4/19

TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:35:13 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

ColumbiaCivil Division

Case No. 13-0002489IN RE:Althea Bonita FlackApplicant

ORDER OFPUBLICATION

CHANGE OF NAMEAlthea Bonita Flack havingfiled a complaint for judgmentchanging Althea BonitaHarshaw name to AltheaBonita Flack and having ap-plied to the court for an Orderof Publication of the noticerequired by law in suchcases; it is by the Court this5th day of April 2013, herebyORDERED, that a copy ofthis Order be published oncea week for three (3) consecu-tive weeks, in The Afro-American Newspapers, anewspaper of general cir-culation of the District ofColumbia; and it is furtherORDERED, that the publica-tion must began no later than12 days after the filing of theapplication; and is furtherORDERED, that the FINALHEARING on this applicationto change name will be heldin Judge- in-Chambers,Room 4220 in the District ofColumbia at 500 IndianaAvenue NW Washington DC20001, on the 21st day ofMay, 2013 at 2:45 pm.If anyperson desires to oppose thisapplication, that person or hisor her attorney must be pres-ent at the hearing or file writ-ten detailed objections five(5) days in advance of thehearing with Judge-in-Chambers and mail a copy ofthe applicant or applicant’scounsel; and it is further0 the applicant must send theapplication for change ofname of an adult and noticeof final hearing to the ap-plicant’s creditors personallyor by registered or certifiedmail and show proof of ser-vice by filling the affidavit/declaration of service.SO ORDEREDJUDGE

4/12, 4/19, 4/26TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:36:01 EDT 2013

SUPERIOR COURT OFTHE DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIAPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2011ADM127

Estate ofDOLLY B. JOHNSONDeceased

NOTICE OFSTANDARDPROBATE

Notice is hereby given that apetition has been filed in thisCourt by Dianne J. Dunlap,Donald Johnson for standardprobate, including theappointment of one or morepersonal representative. Un-less a complaint or an objec-tion in accordance withSuperior Court Probate Di-vision Rule 407is filed in thisCourt within 30 days from thedate of first publication of thisnotice, the Court may takethe action hereinafter setforth.0 in the absence of a will orproof satisfactory to theCourt of due execution, enteran order determining that thedecedent died intestate0 appoint a supervised per-sonal representative

Register of WillsClerk of the Probate DivisionDate of First PublicationApril 12, 2013Names of Newspapers:WashingtonLaw ReporterWashingtonAFRO-AMERICANJulius P. Terrell1455 Pennsylvania AveNW #400Washington DC 20004202-349-554Signature ofPetitioners/Attorney

4/12, 4/19TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:36:25 EDT 2013

SUPERIOR COURT OFTHE DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIAPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM306

Estate ofCatherine L.J. PoeakaCatherine L. PoeDeceased

NOTICE OFSTANDARDPROBATE

Notice is hereby given that apetition has been filed in thisCourt by Bruce E. Gardnerfor standard probate, includ-ing the appointment of one ormore personal representa-tive. Unless a complaint or anobjection in accordance withSuperior Court Probate Di-vision Rule 407is filed in thisCourt within 30 days from thedate of first publication of thisnotice, the Court may takethe action hereinafter setforth.0 order S. Mayfield who is al-leged to have custody of thewill dated December 19,2011 to deliver it to the Court0 Ordered any interested per-son to show cause why theprovisions of the lost or de-stroyed will dated December19, 2011 should not be ad-mitted to probate as ex-pressed in the petition0 in the absence of a will orproof satisfactory to theCourt of due execution, enteran order determining that thedecedent died intestate0 appoint a supervised per-sonal representative

Register of WillsClerk of the Probate DivisionDate of First PublicationApril 12, 2013Names of Newspapers:WashingtonLaw ReporterWashingtonAFRO-AMERICANBruce E. Gardner, Esq1101 Penn Ave. NWSuite 600Washington DC 20004202-271-0552Signature ofPetitioners/Attorney

4/12, 4/19

TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:36:45 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM285

Birdie Lucille BrownakaBirdie L. BrownDecedent

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Charles H. Brown, whose ad-dress is 2322 16th Street SE,#3, Washington DC 20020was appointed personal re-presentative of the estate ofBirdie Lucille Brown akaBirdie L. Brown, who died onOctober 19, 2010 without aWill, and will serve withoutCourt supervision. All un-known heirs and heirs whosewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointmentshall be filed with the Regis-ter of Wills, D.C., 515 5thStreet, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 12, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 12, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 12, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Charles H. BrownPersonal

Representative202-271-6612

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/12, 4/19, 4/26TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:37:07 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM255

Ruth P. HancockDecedent

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Gwendolyn Hancock-Woods, whose address is2400 Queens Chapel Road#1014, Hyattsville MD 20782was appointed personal re-presentative of the estate ofRuth P. Hancock, who diedon December 30, 2012 with aWill, and will serve withoutCourt supervision. All un-known heirs and heirs whosewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointment (orto the probate of decedent’sWill) shall be filed with theRegister of Wills, D.C., 5155th Street, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 12, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 12, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 12, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw ReporterGwendolyn Hancock-Woods

PersonalRepresentative301-648-4402

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/12, 4/19, 4/26TYPESET: Tue Apr 09 11:37:48 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM270

Estephana EloiseWilliamsDecedent

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

J. Arthur Brown, whose ad-dress is 4506 Saint BarnabasRoad, Temple Hills, MD20748 was appointed per-sonal representative of theestate of Estephana EloiseWi l l iams, who died onJanuary 26, 2011 with a Will,and will serve without Courtsupervision. All unknownheirs and heirs whosewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointment (orto the probate of decedent’sWill) shall be filed with theRegister of Wills, D.C., 5155th Street, N.W., 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 12, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 12, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 12, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

J. Arthur BrownPersonal

Representative301-316-5246

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/12, 4/19, 4/26

afro.com

TYPESET: Tue Apr 16 11:32:21 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM289

Beulah Lee CrawfordDecedentWilliam A. Bland, Esq1140 Connecticut AveNW, #1100Washington DC 20036Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Stephanie Louise Crawford,and Beulah Denise Crawfordwhose addresses are 1011Higgins Way, West Hyatts-ville, MD 20782 and 4704 5thStreet, NW Washington DC20011 were appointed per-sonal representatives of thee s t a t e o f B e u l a h L e eCrawford, who died on Feb-ruary 1, 2013 with a Will, andwill serve without Court su-pervision. All unknown heirsa n d h e i r s w h o s ewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointment (orto the probate of decedent’swill) shall be filed with theRegister of Wills, D.C., 500Indiana Ave. NW, Washing-ton, D.C. 20001, on or beforeOctober 19, 2013. Claimsagainst the decedent shall bepresented to the under-signed with a copy to theRegister of Wills or filed withthe Register of Wills with acopy to the undersigned, onor before October 19, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 19, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Stephanie Louise CrawfordBeulah Denise Crawford

PersonalRepresentatives

301-559-9855TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/19, 4/26, 5/3TYPESET: Tue Apr 16 11:32:45 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM290

Larry S. SmithakaLarry Scott SmithDecedentWilliam A. Bland, Esq1140 Connecticut AveNW, #1100Washington DC 20036Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

S h a w n L . S m i t h a n dChristopher S. Smith whoseaddresses are 920 48thStreet, NE, Washington DC20019 and 337 NicholsonStreet, Washington DC20011 were appointed per-sonal representatives of theestate of Larry S. Smith akaLarry Scott Smith, who diedon November 20, 1999 with-out a Will, and will serve withCourt supervision. All un-known heirs and heirs whosewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointment (orto the probate of decedent’swill) shall be filed with theRegister of Wills, D.C., 500Indiana Ave. NW, Washing-ton, D.C. 20001, on or beforeOctober 19, 2013. Claimsagainst the decedent shall bepresented to the under-signed with a copy to theRegister of Wills or filed withthe Register of Wills with acopy to the undersigned, onor before October 19, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 19, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Shawn L. SmithChristopher S. Smith

PersonalRepresentatives

202-422-1832TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/19, 4/26, 5/3TYPESET: Tue Apr 16 11:36:23 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

ColumbiaCivil Division

Case No. 13-0002298IN RE:Kiara Subrema SmithApplicant

ORDER OFPUBLICATION

CHANGE OF NAMEKiara Subrema Smith havingfiled a complaint for judgmentchanging Kiara SubremaSmith name to Kiara Sub-rena Gaines and having ap-plied to the court for an Orderof Publication of the noticerequired by law in suchcases; it is by the Court this28th day of March 2013,herebyORDERED, that a copy ofthis Order be published oncea week for three (3) consecu-tive weeks, in The Afro-American Newspapers, anewspaper of general cir-culation of the District ofColumbia; and it is furtherORDERED, that the publica-tion must began no later than12 days after the filing of theapplication; and is furtherORDERED, that the FINALHEARING on this applicationto change name will be heldin Judge- in-Chambers,Room 4220 in the District ofColumbia at 500 IndianaAvenue NW Washington DC20001, on the 16th day ofMay, 2013 at 3:30 pm.If anyperson desires to oppose thisapplication, that person or hisor her attorney must be pres-ent at the hearing or file writ-ten detailed objections five(5) days in advance of thehearing with Judge-in-Chambers and mail a copy ofthe applicant or applicant’scounsel; and it is furtherSO ORDEREDJUDGE

4/19, 4/26, 5/3

TYPESET: Tue Apr 16 11:33:50 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM311

Dorothy Mae LewisCollinsakaDorothy L. CollinsDecedent

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Derrick B. Collins whose ad-dress is 9214 Morley Road,Lanham MD 20706 was ap-pointed personal representa-tive of the estate of DorothyMae Lewis Collins aka Doro-thy L. Collins, who died onFebruary 11, 2013 with a Will,and will serve without Courtsupervision. All unknownheirs and heirs whosewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointment (orto the probate of decedent’swill) shall be filed with theRegister of Wills, D.C.,Building A, 515 5th StreetNW, 3rd Floor, NW, Washing-ton, D.C. 20001, on or beforeOctober 19, 2013. Claimsagainst the decedent shall bepresented to the under-signed with a copy to theRegister of Wills or filed withthe Register of Wills with acopy to the undersigned, onor before October 19, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 19, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Derrick B. CollinsPersonal

Representatives301-731-0314

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/19, 4/26, 5/3

TYPESET: Tue Apr 16 11:33:06 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM291

Carolyn SmithakaCarolyn V. SmithDecedentWilliam A. Bland, Esq1140 Connecticut AveNW, #1100Washington DC 20036Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

S h a w n L . S m i t h a n dChristopher S. Smith whoseaddresses are 920 48thStreet, NE, Washington DC20019 and 337 NicholsonStreet, Washington DC20011 were appointed per-sonal representatives of theestate of Carolyn Smith akaCarolyn V. Smith, who diedon December 16, 2012 with-out a Will, and will serve with-out Court supervision. All un-known heirs and heirs whosewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointment (orto the probate of decedent’swill) shall be filed with theRegister of Wills, D.C., 500Indiana Ave. NW, Washing-ton, D.C. 20001, on or beforeOctober 19, 2013. Claimsagainst the decedent shall bepresented to the under-signed with a copy to theRegister of Wills or filed withthe Register of Wills with acopy to the undersigned, onor before October 19, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 19, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Shawn L. SmithChristopher S. Smith

PersonalRepresentatives

202-422-1832TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/19, 4/26, 5/3TYPESET: Tue Apr 16 11:33:28 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM286

Sheriel LorraineSexciusakaSheriel SexciusDecedentWesley L. Clarke1629 K. StreetSuite 300Washington DC 20006Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Lucretia Sexcius whose ad-dress is 229 QuackenbosStreet NW, Washington DC20011 was appointed per-sonal representative of theestate of Sheriel LorraineSexcius aka Sheriel Sexcius,who died on February 23,2013 with a Will, and willserve without Court supervi-sion. All unknown heirs andheirs whose whereaboutsare unknown shall enter theirappearance in this proceed-ing. Objections to suchappointment (or to the pro-bate of decedent’s will) shallbe filed with the Register ofWills, D.C., Building A, 5155th Street NW, 3rd Floor, NW,Washington, D.C. 20001, onor before October 19, 2013.Claims against the decedentshall be presented to theundersigned with a copy tothe Register of Wills or filedwith the Register of Wills witha copy to the undersigned, onor before October 19, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 19, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Lucretia SexciusPersonal

Representatives202-257-9730

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/19, 4/26, 5/3

TYPESET: Tue Apr 16 11:35:20 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2013ADM305

Mary HunterDecedent

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Carroll Green whose ad-dress is 205 Sheridan StreetNW, Washington DC 20011was appointed personal re-presentative of the estate ofMary Hunter, who died onMarch 12, 1998 with a Will,and will serve with Court su-pervision. All unknown heirsa n d h e i r s w h o s ewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointment (orto the probate of decedent’swill) shall be filed with theRegister of Wills, D.C.,Building A, 515 5th StreetNW, 3rd Floor, NW, Washing-ton, D.C. 20001, on or beforeOctober 19, 2013. Claimsagainst the decedent shall bepresented to the under-signed with a copy to theRegister of Wills or filed withthe Register of Wills with acopy to the undersigned, onor before October 19, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 19, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw Reporter

Carroll GreenPersonal

Representatives202-723-6063

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/19, 4/26, 5/3TYPESET: Tue Apr 16 11:35:41 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

District of ColumbiaPROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C.20001-2131

Administration No.2012ADM237

Mary Lou WatsonDecedentDavid C. Harty9900 E Greenbelt RdUnit 125Lanham MD 20706443-858-1335Attorney

NOTICE OFAPPOINTMENT,

NOTICE TOCREDITORS

AND NOTICE TOUNKNOWN HEIRS

Alice Faye Brailey Torrientewhose address is 10 EastLee Street, Unit 107, Bal-timore MD 21202 was ap-pointed personal representa-tive of the estate of Mary LouWatson, who died on Novem-ber 20, 2011 with a Will, andwill serve without Court su-pervision. All unknown heirsa n d h e i r s w h o s ewhereabouts are unknownshall enter their appearancein this proceeding. Objec-tions to such appointment (orto the probate of decedent’swill) shall be filed with theRegister of Wills, D.C.,Building A, 515 5th StreetNW, 3rd Floor, NW, Washing-ton, D.C. 20001, on or beforeOctober 19, 2013. Claimsagainst the decedent shall bepresented to the under-signed with a copy to theRegister of Wills or filed withthe Register of Wills with acopy to the undersigned, onor before October 19, 2013,or be forever barred. Personsbelieved to be heirs orlegatees of the decedent whodo not receive a copy of thisnotice by mail within 25 daysof its first publication shall soinform the Register of Wills,including name, address andrelationship.Date of Publication:April 19, 2013Name of newspaper:Afro-AmericanWashingtonLaw ReporterAlice Faye Brailey Torriente

PersonalRepresentatives1-410-727-0755

TRUE TEST COPYREGISTER OF WILLS

4/19, 4/26, 5/3TYPESET: Tue Apr 16 11:36:03 EDT 2013

Superior Court ofthe District of

ColumbiaCivil Division

Case No. 13-0002533IN RE:Elstenia GrantPresidentApplicant

ORDER OFPUBLICATION

CHANGE OF NAMEElstenia Grant Presidenthaving filed a complaint forjudgment changing ElsteniaGrant President name to El-stenia Grant and having ap-plied to the court for an Orderof Publication of the noticerequired by law in suchcases; it is by the Court this9th day of April 2013, herebyORDERED, that a copy ofthis Order be published oncea week for three (3) consecu-tive weeks, in The Afro-American Newspapers, anewspaper of general cir-culation of the District ofColumbia; and it is furtherORDERED, that the publica-tion must began no later than12 days after the filing of theapplication; and is furtherORDERED, that the FINALHEARING on this applicationto change name will be heldin Judge- in-Chambers,Room 4220 in the District ofColumbia at 500 IndianaAvenue NW Washington DC20001, on the 31st day ofMay, 2013 at 2:30 pm.If anyperson desires to oppose thisapplication, that person or hisor her attorney must be pres-ent at the hearing or file writ-ten detailed objections five(5) days in advance of thehearing with Judge-in-Chambers and mail a copy ofthe applicant or applicant’scounsel; and it is further0 the applicant must send theapplication for change ofname of an adult and noticeof final hearing to the ap-plicant’s creditors personallyor by registered or certifiedmail and show proof of ser-vice by filling the affidavit/declaration of service.SO ORDEREDJUDGE

4/19, 4/26, 5/3

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Page 16: Prince Georges AFRO-American Newspaper April 20 2013

B8 The Afro-American, April 20, 2013 - April 26, 2013

The other day, I listened to a professor’s class discussion about the phenomenon of African-Americans acting or talking “White.” “Moving topic,” I thought. To her credit, the professor deftly engaged the students, ensuring that each cultural perspective represented had its say.

I listened intently as students relayed their

experiences regarding this issue. A series of African-American students began by telling their stories. Many described the stigma associated with being “Black” and talking or acting “White.” Some gave detailed accounts of how they would often “dumb down” their language, so as not to appear “White.” Others shared how they downplayed their accomplishments.

My discomfort in hearing these exchanges was followed by curiosity as students recently migrating from Africa struggled to appreciate the phenomenon. Some said they didn’t understand the concept. To them speaking standard English was neither a “Black”

nor “White” construct.First, I noted the

concept stimulated looks of bewilderment from some of the African students. Next, I conveyed that the issue seemed to raise questions of identity with many of the African American students. I found this fact quite troubling. As a professor of communication, I understand how difficult it is to move forward if you fail to understand who you are. One of the many ways we build healthy self-images is through what we tell ourselves or label ourselves -- whether consciously or unconsciously.

Contrarily, when we know who we are, we can see communication as a

tool: “Communication is the transfer of meaning.” So the goal of communication should be toward effectively conveying meaning. If we accept that all language has utility, and that we can segment language based on standard and non-standard dialects; then, we can easily see the utility each dialect has in its proper setting. Nowhere are distinctions made suggesting all “Whites” speak the standard dialect and all “Non-Whites” speak non-standard dialects.

Successful communicators speak many dialects and transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries with relative ease. We accept that in all cultures standard

dialects are spoken in business and academia. The languages we use informally are often termed slang. Regardless of what we call our dialects, they each have merit in context. Using the wrong language in the wrong context increases opportunities for failure.

Communication is a tool demanding self-awareness, cultural understanding, and specific linguistic and behavioral proficiency. We should not seek to be defined by language, but to use language as a tool to construct the wholeness of our world. We don’t describe a sculptor by the tools he employs to craft his art. Instead, we look at how well he uses his tools to create the art he intends.

The more tools at his avail, the greater flexibility he has to extend the range of his craft.

The same holds true for human communication. Why fall victim to the limitations of describing language or behavior as Black or White? It’s nothing more than a tool that fails to raise the question: To be or not to be?

My Take is a social commentary feature that allows AFRO readers to share their insight into a range of topics. Please submit your 250-450 word entries, with My Take typed into the subject field, to [email protected]. Include your name, age, occupation and daytime phone number. The AFRO reserves the right to edit or reject any entry.

Behaving White in Black America: ‘To be or not to be?’ Is that really the question?

My Take

By Frank J. Phillips