March 2, 2013 - March 8, 2013, The Afro-American B1

Brothers singing the Omega hymn

Deltas: Denise Mitchell, Burnelle Herring, Venida Hamilton, Rosie Allen Herring and Mary Grant

Wobble Baby Wobble

Standing: Bob Howard, Barney Barnwell, Jackie Howard,Jimmi Barnwell and Joe Briggs; Seated - Dorothy Edmonds and Sue Briggs

Bro. Phillip W. Thomas, basileus, Alpha Omega Chapter, with the 2013 Mardi Gras Queen, Krystal Jenkins

Bro. Lloyd Jordan, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and Dr. Andrew A. Ray, 39th Grand Basileus, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

Lee and Ethel Walker

Tecoya Gordon, Miss Black D.C. USA, Edgar Brookins and Gloria Sawyer, the Queen’s chaperone

We are just having a soulful time at the Mardi Gras.

Standing: Carolyn Gordon; Charles Briggs; Shirley Briggs- Seated: Abraham Gordon; Gina Hicks; Lawrence Harris and Olivia Harris

Omega brothers sounding off

Kent Amos and A’Lelia Bundles

2013 Mardi Gras Court: seated - Ashley McPherson; Rachael Radley; 2012 Mardi Gras Queen, Leila M. Meliani; Krystal Jenkins and Nicole Thomas; Standing - Denville Myrie; Scott Thomas; Anthony Miller; DeAngelo Moody and Christopher Coy

The winning costume couple

In honor of Black History Month, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Southwest, Washington DC hosted the grand opening reception of BLACK POP CULTURE: Legends & Visionaries of Color, a group exhibition featuring the works of internationally and nationally known artists from diverse backgrounds celebrating the aesthetic visions of a new black pop culture. Exhibit artists included: Al Burts, Michael Cummings, Karl Graham, Betty Murchison, Carmen Torruella-Quander, Greg Scott, artist and curator of the exhibit, Kenya Scott, Alec Simpson, Francis Washington, Julian Weaver and Ann Marie Williams. This exhibition explores the transitions artists go through finding their voice and understanding their life experiences by exploring their own creativity in the arts. These artists take the viewer on a journey leading to different visual explosions of dynamism. During the reception, a special award was presented to Carmen Torruella-Quander, artist, curator and educator by her husband, Judge Rohulamin Quander. The reception was enjoyed by all; guests were able to meet the featured artists.

Photos by Brian Vaughn

Victoria Paytonwebber playing the harp

Elva Anderson, emcee addressing the guests

Linda Beltran, communications director, Oriental Mandarin Hotel and Elva Anderson, emcee

Two of the featured artists: Ann Williams and Gregory Scott

Judge Rohulamin Quander presenting artistic achievement award to Carmen Torruella Quander, his wife

Julian Weaver, artist, playing banjo he made from a cigar box

Karl Graham, Francis Washington, unidentified guest and Al Burts, some of the featured artists at the exhibit

Cynthia Greene, Rohulamin Quander and Richard Washington, Jr.

Willette Seaword, Brian Vaughn and Carmen Torruella Quander

Michael Holiday, M.D., with Gregory Scott, curator and featured artist

Alpha Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. hosted its 56th Annual Mardi Gras on Feb 8 at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Guests at the event, organized by chapter Basileus Phillip W. Thomas and Charles Briggs, chair of Mardi Gras committee, included D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and Omega Psi Phi Grand Basileus Dr. Andrew Ray.

Photos by Rob Roberts

March 2, 2013 - March 8, 2013, The Afro-American B1

Stories from the Struggle for Civil RightsOne of the last performances of this oral history program was held Feb. 23 at the Central branch of Enoch Pratt Free Library in downtown Baltimore. The project, involving history makers and students from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, served as a vehicle for

story telling and discussion and will eventually lead to a documentary detailing the journey from beginning to end.

A dozen Baltimore seniors told their stories around the region to reclaim the history but to also remind their audiences that the struggles they endured continue to be taken on by others.The project was organized by

Sandra Abbott and Harriet Lynn and involves UMBC students

Kate Edwards, Kata Frederick, Micke Gentis, Alexandra Shaw Macchi, Carrie Rennolds and Victor F. de M. Torres.

Cast taking last bow with a song

Deryck CharlesHarriet Lynn, directorJanice Grant

John Billy

Patricia B. Leak

Robert Houston

Shirley Billy

Woody Grant Lu Coleman

Participants in Stories from the Struggle for Civil Rights.

A. Adar Ayira

Award recipient Alycia A. Marshall

Award recipient Harold Reid

Award recipient Joan Jones

Award recipient Joy Hill Whitaker

Award recipient Marietta A. English

Award recipient Michael E. Cryor

Award recipient Rev. Debra Hickman

Award recipient Traviss A. Green

Baltimore City College Choir

J. Howard Henderson, president, CEO Greater Baltimore Urban League and Rev. Medgar Reid

Members of The Greater Baltimore Leadership Association

Rev. Anthony McCarthy, Bernard Jack Young, City Council president, Bishop Douglas L. Miles and Tony Randall-Verizon

Verizon hosted a free open house, Feb. 23, for guests of all ages at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in downtown Baltimore. The museum is a leading resource for information and inspiration about the lives of African-American Marylanders – from the state’s earliest history to the present and the future. The Baltimore City College Choir sang and the first 200 children received free educational gifts. Key Marylanders were also recognized for their contributions to the quality of life in this area.

Photos by Bill Tabron

Photos by J.D. Howard