washington d.c. afro-american newspaper, july 17, 2010

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Volume 118 No. 49 www.afro.com 75 CENTS

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JULY 17, 2010 - JULY 23, 2010

Continued on A6

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Join theAFROonTwitter and Facebook

Extraordinary LifeBon Voyage B1

Miamis Triple-Threat Coup MaySignal End of NBADraft B7

S.C. Senate

CandidateCleared A2

Capitol HillsBeauty Oasis B3

Continued on A5

Echoes of DredScott in the OscarGrant Verdict A9

Opinion

Continued on A6

By Dorothy Rowley

AFRO Staf Writer

Members of a grass rootsorganization determined to

make affordable housing

more accessible to Districtresident are taking Mayor

Adrian Fenty to task.

They say two years ago hepromised to build some 94

units from $7.8 million ofcity funding but they have not

Tent City Erected to Protest Lack o Afordable Housing

Photos by Dorothy Rowley

A sign posted at Tent City conveys sentiments over

the citys alleged failure to provide adequate aordablehousing for its low-income residents.

By David Rushing

Special to the AFRO

In the spirit of the Freedom Riders, 22District-area African-American and Jewish

high school students recently embarked on a

journey to retrace the steps their ancestors tookin their shared trek toward equality, justice and

racial harmony.The students, participants in Operation

Understanding, D.C.s initiative to create new

social justice leaders, will this month visitbattlegrounds of the civil rights movement and

explore the diversity of the Black and Jewish

communities.The trip is the second phase of the

annual, year-long program, which begins

with a six-month classroom stint, in which

students participate in workshops, meetings,lectures and activities all geared toward

building leadership skills and developing an

understanding of the African-American andJewish histories.

No one is born a tremendous leader,

said Rachael Feldman, executive directorof OUDC. Many of our students recognize

Martin Luther King Jr. as an icon, but theydont realize that he started out as a 25-year-

old pastor.

Students will learn more about Kingand his legacy at the Lorraine Hotel in

Memphis, Tenn., which is one of their 15

stops throughout the country on their journey.Students also make stops in New York City;

Greensboro and Charlotte, N.C.; Atlanta and

Clayton, Ga.; Birmingham, Montgomery, andSelma, Ala.; and Philadelphia,

Jackson, Sunower, Greenwoodand Greenville, Miss.

OUDCs main goal is for

students to put what theyexperience on the journey into

context through the knowledge

theyve gained in the previoussix months.

Theyve learned all about

slavery, reconstruction and theHolocaust, said Feldman. But

during this journey, we reallywant the academic information

to jump off the page and come

to life for them.During their tour students

District Students Explore Race Relations

Photo courtesy OUDC/Lloyd Wolf

Operation Understanding D.C. trains Black and Jewish

students in the metro area to be social justice leaders.

materialized.According to Rosemary

Ndubuizu, a coordinator for

the tent city set up this pastweekend on a vacant public

lot also known as Parcel 42

ONE DC has vowed not toleave the site at Seventh and

R streets until a satisfactory

response is received from cityofcials.

We anticipate going aslong as we can to put out the

message that we shall not be

moved and that affordablehousing needs to be

specically dened for people

who make less than $50,000annually, said Ndubuizu.

We think that the resources

being used now for affordablehousing [arent] necessarily

getting to the root cause

of the acute housing crisisthats affecting low-income

residents.Ndubuizu said about 100

people participated in the

tent city event, which was

preceded on July 9 with ablock party in the area. A

press conference was held toexplain why the organization

took over Parcel 42.

Ndubuizu said Parcel 42was a promised community

benet agreement uponwhich housing was to have

been developed for residentswith incomes of about

$25,000 to $50,000.

A CNN poll revealedlast year that the average

cost of homes in the District

was around $380,000, andthat the average rent for a

one-bedroom apartment was

$1,100.According to the

U.S. Housing and UrbanDevelopment, the generally

accepted denition of

affordable housing is when

Obama HIV/AIDSStrategy UnveiledAdvocacy groups questionfunding adequacy

Event coordinators Rosemary Ndubuizu and DominicMoulden chat with onlookers at site of Tent City.

With Filing Deadline Over, RacesBecome More Interesting

Continued on A5

By Dorothy Rowley

AFRO Staf Writer

Now that the ling

deadline has passed forcandidates to toss their

hats into the 2010 mayoralrace, an intense campaign is

shaping up . The two major

contenders incumbentMayor Adrian Fenty and City

Council Chairman Vincent

Gray have already lockedhorns over a variety of issues

that have long plagued the

city. Chief among them is thestate of the Districts public

education system and the

safety and stability of the

Metro bus and rail systems.

Ron Walters, retiredUniversity of Maryland

political analyst, said it lookslike Gray is the frontrunner.

I keep looking for signs that

Fenty is picking up popularsupport but I dont see it,

Walters said. Instead, I see

that Gray is steadily moving

ahead and if we had a goodsurvey, thats probably what

it would show.Also in contention for the

mayors post is former TVreporter Leo Alexander, a

small business owner whose

platform focuses on attackingthe root causes of generational

poverty in the District.

Alexander, 46, describedas a very formidable

candidate by a loyal legion of

supporters, showed in at least

one mayoral forum last monththat he can hold his own

against Fenty and Gray.We need to understand

that this race is about threecandidates and not just about

two, said Deborah Daniels,

a native Washingtonianand staunch supporter of

Alexander. Leo is the

only candidate thats reallyhonestly addressing some of

the major issues in this city

that the other candidates arenot addressing for purely

political reasons. Daniels

said those issues include lack

of affordable housing and

jobs. Leo has a solid plan forimproving the District . . . so

that it is not essentially a cityfor the rich and powerful, she

said.

But while Fenty, 39, is inline for a serious challenge

from the 66-year-old Gray

and Alexander, the contest for

City Council chairman alsoa powerful position in the

city is poised to become acontest of methods and tactics.

At-large Councilman KwameBrown, 39, and former Ward 5

Councilman Vincent Orange,

53, will go head to head in therace for Council chairman.

It seems like a lot of dirty

politics are happening in bothraces, said District resident

and human rights activist Ron

Moten. I just dont think

some candidates are trying torun off their records.

Moten added that whileresidents tend to rely on

what theyve seen or heardof Fenty, the real question

centers on Gray.

We need to understand that this race isabout three candidates and not just abouttwo...

By David RushingSpecial to the AFRO

The Obama administration took a monumental leap

forward Tuesday by announcing the countrys rst-

ever National HIV/AIDS strategy (NHAS), activistssay. However, they wonder if $30 million is enough to

adequately address the epidemic.

The plan, which aims to reduce the annual number ofnew HIV infections by 25 percent within ve years, was

announced by Secretary of Health and Human ServicesKathleen Sebelius, Diplomatic Policy Council Director

Melody Barnes, Ofce of National AIDS Policy Director

Jeffrey Crowley and Health and Human Services Assistant

Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh.Each year, 56,000 Americans are infected with HIV,

which has led to over 1.1 million Americans living with thedisease today. Almost every 10 minutes, someone becomes

infected with HIV.

Because of these staggering statics, the Obamaadministration has committed itself to crafting the United


2/20

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

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

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

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

campaign.Though he did no

campaigning and nofundraising, Greeneconvinced more than100,000 South Carolinians

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

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

He clearly does not have someone paying him. He just

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

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

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

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

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

Democratic primary.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

According to the report, Allen said Huffmans position may

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

NAACP $700, 000.

N.C. Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Presents Check

to State HBCUsThe North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation

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

This years two-day conference and fundraising event

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

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

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

students nancial assistance is key because of the falteringeconomy.

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

AFRO National BriefsYour History Your Community Your News

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Alvin Greene

Courtesy Photo

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


3/20

,

Identification StatementsBaltimore Afro-American (USPS 040-800) is published weekly by The Afro-AmericanNewspapers, 2519 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4602. Subscription Rate:Baltimore - 1 Year - $30.00 (Price includes tax.) Checks for subscriptions should be madepayable to: TheAfro-American Newspaper Company, 2519 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD21218-4602. Periodicals postage paid at Baltimore, MD.

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

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By Dennis J. Freeman

Special to the AFRO

Los Angeles, Calif. Anger. Rage. Disappointment. Pain.

Heartbreak. These were some of the emotions expressed by the

family of Oscar Grant after the verdict was read at the criminaltrial of Johannes Mehserle, the White Bay Area Rapid Transit

(BART) police ofcer charged with shooting and killing the

Black man in the wee hours of New Years Day, 2009.In less than a week the non-African-American jury came back

with an involuntary manslaughter conviction of Mehserle forshooting the 22-year-old Grant in the back as he lay face down

at a BART station in Oakland, Calif. Contempt for the verdict,

which came down at the end of the day on July 8, came swiftly.Its an injustice, said Jack Bryson, whose son, Jack

Bryson Jr., testied in the racially-tinged trial that received

national media attention. It was done to Sean Bell. It was doneto Oscar Grant. There is no justice. This just gives them (law

enforcement) a free pass to do whatever they want.

The conviction, which carries up to four years in prison,may have also given looters a free pass to do what they wanted.

While demonstrations in Los Angeles resulted in peacefulprotests, the city of Oakland was hit by looters and mobs of

people wanting to vent their frustration over the verdict.

Attorney John Burris, who has led a $50 million wrongfuldeath and civil rights lawsuit against BART, Mehserle and

other transient ofcers, on behalf of Oscar Grants family, was

outraged at the outcome. Despite a settlement earlier this yearwith BART for monetary damages awarded to Grants daughter

($1.5 million), there has been no settlement with Wanda

Johnson, Grants mother.Burris, who said the jurys verdict was compromised,

hopes Grants family can get the justice theyve been seeking ina civil court.

The family is extremely disappointed in this verdict,

Burris said. It is not a true representative of the facts. The factshere support a murder conviction. Involuntary manslaughter

is the lowest form of conviction you can have. Its almost like

Mehserle got off, because he is not being punished for what hedid. Were very unhappy.

Their [jury] minds were sort of made up; its easy to make

up your mind in a case like this because the video was there.This case turned on the video, plus Mehserle. Once Mehserle

testied and gave his statement, then you have the video ...

thats where the case was. All this other stuff didnt matter.

The trial centered on police brutality and a heightened lookat law enforcement abuse. Grant, who worked as a butcher in

the Oakland area, was out on New Years Eve, celebrating with

a group of friends. An altercation broke out on one of the trainsat the Fruitvale BART Station where Grant and his friends

were. BART Police were called to scene. Grant and his friends

were detained.For a moment there was calm; then chaos. A video taken by

a passenger cell phone shows Grant on the ground, face down,

with Mehserle and another BART ofcer planted on his back.The video then shows Mehserle jumping up, stepping back,

grabbing his weapon and ring a single shot into Grants back.

Mehserle, who gave a tearful testimony on the witness stand,told jurors he believed he was pulling out his Taser, not his

service weapon.Mehserles tearful plea and defense attorney Michael

Rainess maneuvering in his closing argument may have

swayed the jurors decision.He did not intend to shoot his rearm, Raines said.

Thats why there is no murder (charge). Thats why there is

no manslaughter (charge). There has to be an intent or intent tokill. This is an accident, folks plain and simple. This is what

the evidence shows. We dont have here evidence of criminal

negligence.Thats not the way Cephus Johnson, Grants uncle, sees it.

Johnson, who serves as the family spokesman, said his nephew

was murdered plain and simple. After sitting in the courtroom

every day, listening to all evidence presented and testimony

given, Johnson was kept out of the courtroom because he wasa minute late and had to stand outside as the verdict was read.

Im hurt, said Johnson. The verdict is not what we wanted

Its a slap in the face.The jury began deliberations on July 2 and was to continue

July 6. That turned out to be a wash as one juror was reportedly

sick and another left for a pre-planned vacation. They brieycontinued on July 7, before going into recess until the day the

verdict was read.The jury was faced with handing down a murder, second-

degree murder, manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter or not

guilty verdict in the case. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 6.A big part of the reason why the family did not get the verdict

they wanted was the makeup of the jury, Bryson said. There were

no Black jurors or alternates in the case. That is an issue thatshould be closely looked at, said Bryson. If youre a Black man

or a Black woman ... if you get pulled over by a police ofcer,

youre excluded from the jury, Bryson said. Its like if youvebeen arrested, you cant get a job because youre a felon. People

keep wondering why you cant get Black people on the jury.Well, thats because you exclude them because [they have to

answer yes] every time you ask them if theyve been in contact

with the police. What Black person hasnt been racially-proled?Now youre excluded from the jury.

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

Photos by Dennis J. Freeman

Wanda Johnson, the mother of Oscar Grant, is emotionalas she speaks with reporters following the reading of

the verdict in the criminal trial of former Bay Area Rapid

Transit police ocer Johannes Mehserle, who shot her sonin the back.

AP Photo/Nick Ut

In this June 14 photo, supporters hold posters of Oscar

Grant during a protest in Los Angeles. In Oakland, riots

ensued after Grants killer was found guilty of involuntarymanslaughter instead of murder.


4/20

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

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Continued from A1

District Students

Continued from A1

Obama HIV/AIDS Strategy

Special to the AFRO

WASHINGTON Gerome

Samuel knew that he should

have gotten an examination

for colon cancer after he

turned 50, but he didnt. I

just kept putting it off, and

putting it off and putting

it off, said Samuel, 58, a

retired Washington-area

construction worker, husband

and father of two.

Four weeks ago, at the

insistence of his primary

care physician, and more

than a year after being

diagnosed with prostate and

throat cancer, Samuel nally

scheduled a colonoscopy at

Howard University Hospital.

It was a good thing he did.

Dr. Duane Smoot, chief of

the Gastroenterology Division

of Howard University Cancer

Center, discovered and

removed a large polyp with

early cancer, one of the

largest I have ever taken out,

he said.

He was fortunate, Dr.

Smoot added. We caught

it in time before it had

spread. Otherwise, were

talking about surgery and

chemotherapy.

Unfortunately, millions of

Americans arent screened

early enough for the disease,

the third most diagnosed

cancer in men and women.

Consequently, nearly

50,000 people, nearly half

of those diagnosed annually

with colorectal cancer,

die from the disease each

year. Additionally, African

Americans have the highest

mortality rates for colorectal

cancer.

Early screening could

change that number, experts

say. The survival rate for

colorectal cancer is 90

percent, but only when the

disease is detected early,

Smoot said.

The American Cancer

Society recommends

colonoscopies for all adults

over 50, but too often people

dont follow those guidelines,

either because of income or

lack of information.

To help, Howard

University Cancer Center,

under grants from the District

of Columbia Department of

Health and the DC Cancer

Consortium, is offering free

colon cancer screening to

District of Columbia residents

between the ages of 50 and

64.

The free exams are for

those who are uninsured or

whose insurance does not

cover the procedure. The

Center will be focusing on

adults in Wards 4, 7 and 8,

but all D.C. residents are

welcome.

The Cancer Center will

also be providing information

to all Washington-area

residents, regardless of age or

insurance status, on colorectal

cancer and the need for early

detection.

Samuel says he has

certainly learned the

importance of early screening.

I tell everybody, Dont put

it off, he said. It probably

saved my life. If they hadnt

found it in me when they

did, it could have spread to

my colon and just eaten me

alive.

For more information or

to schedule an appointment

for an examination, call 202-

865-7741.

A Colonoscopy Can Save Your LifeProcedure oered free at Howard University Cancer Center

Photo by Justin Knight

Dr. Duane Smoot and Duane Calloway take a look Calloways charts during a follow upappointment.

will meet pillars of various movements for equality, past and

present including: James Young, the recently-elected rst

African-American mayor of Philadelphia, Miss.; Joe Levin,

co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center; and the Rev.

Samuel Billy Kyles, who was with Martin Luther King Jr.

during his last moments.

Upon returning from their journey, students will engage in

OUDCs speechmaking and facilitation retreat, where theyll

learn to speak publicly, to facilitate discussions, lead diversity

workshops, and handle racist remarks effectively.

This program has changed our students lives in terms of

empowering them, said Feldman. Many of the gures they

learn about and meet made an impact on the world when they

were young, high-school students. This program has taught

them not to sit back and rest on their laurels, but to get up,

speak out, and take action.

Program alum Monique McCants said upon her return last

summer, In learning about our own histories and social justice

movements, I have become inspired to change society for the

better. Imagine a world without discrimination, racial proling

or sexism? Is it even possible? I have high expectations for the

members of my OUDC class, as well as for my generation.

With a worthy cause and a passion, we truly can create change

in our nation and the world, just as the youth of the past did.

Photos courtesy OUDC/Lloyd Wolf

Operation Understanding D.C.s class of 2010

States into a country where HIV infections are rare, no matter

the age, race, gender or religion.To bring this vision to fruition, the Obama administration has

focused on three primary goals at the center of its comprehensive

plan: reducing the number of new infections; increasing access to

care, and optimizing health outcomes for people living with HIV

and reducing HIV-related health disparities.

This plan is a culmination of a great deal of work, said

Barnes. President Obama promised, as a nation, domestically

we would focus on this issue. There hasnt been enough

attention on what were doing in this country, and for that

reason, were launching our national plan today.

In order to accomplish these goals, a coordinated national

response is necessary, which is why the NHAS includes a

federal implementation plan. The plan essentially outlines key,

short-term actions the federal government will execute. This

plan has an ambitious vision, said Sebelius. This national

plan is not just a document its not just white paper, its a

detailed action plan.

While the administration is obviously high on the potential

of the strategy, it isnt alone in its praise of the new plan.

I applaud the president for developing this new National

AIDS strategy and laying out a roadmap for how our country

must address this devastating disease, said CaliforniaDemocrat Barbara Lee, chairwoman of the Congressional

Black Congress, in the organizations press release. The

Congressional Black Congress and our members look forward

to working with the president and his administration, as well as

our state and local governments, to expand and improve access

to prevention, care and treatment services and address the

needs of our communities.

Not all organizations are satised with the NHAS. Housing

Works, the largest community-based AIDS organization in the

United States, expressed deep frustration and disappointment

with the new plan. The presidents plan is so awed that

it might actually represent a step backwards in combating

HIV and AIDS in the United States, said president and CEO

Charles King in a press release.

Housing Works feels the plan sets insufciently ambitious

goals for reducing the number of annual HIV infections in the

U.S. while failing to provide adequate funding to reach even

the modest HIV prevention and treatment goals it sets out.Im astonished that, after 15 months of intensive study

by his administration, the president believes that the United

States is only capable of reducing annual HIV infections by 25

percent, continued King. Would President Obama suggest

that we only clean up 25 percent of the Gulf oil spill? Never.

Concerns like those of King illustrate that the plan

is a beginning, not an end. Needless to say, patience will be

necessary.

Koh stressed teamwork is also necessary to make the

strategy successful. You dont have to be infected to be

affected by this disease, Koh said. Our success requires the

entire nation to come together.

There hasnt been enough attention onwhat were doing in this country, and for

that reason, were launching our nationalplan today.


6/20


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Continued from A1

Candidates

residents pay no more than

30 percent of their annualincome for accomodations.

The agency further states that

families who pay more than30 percent for housing are

considered cost burdened

and may have difcultyaffording food, clothing,

transportation and medicalcare.

For the past four years

ONE DC has championed the

need for adequate housing forno- to low-income families

in the nations capital.Ndubuizu said the group

believed it scored a victory in

2008 when the mayor agreedto develop new homes with

city subsidies.

But the city had a differentview on what was dened as

affordable housing, Ndubuizu

said. To have the Fentyadministration tell it, affordable

housing is providing for people

whose income exceeds $60,000a year.

Dominic Moulden, a

member of Organizing

Neighborhood Equity, addedthat taking over Parcel 42

would be ONE DCs rst act

of consistent efforts to occupypublic property until the

city government changes its

policy on affordable housing.The critical issue is that

35,000 people are currentlyon waiting lists looking forpublicly subsidized housing,

Moulden said. At this time,

the Fenty policy has failedto address the issue that

while half of the city makesless than $35,000 a year,

affordable housing is being

built for people who make$60,000 and above.

Ndubuizu said the c itys

housing crisis was acute forseveral reasons and chief

among them is the denition

of affordable housing. Forone thing, the denition is

too broad and not necessarily

focusing on the fact that low-income families are paying

over half of their income on

housing, she said. We think

that is another sign that citysubsidies are not helping

or are not going as far and

not reaching as deep as theycould.

Fentys ofce was

contacted for comment buthad not responded by press

time.Meanwhile, the District of

Columbia Housing Authority

owns and operates 8,000

units under its public housingprogram and supplies 11,000

federal vouchers as well as750 city-funded vouchers that

assist residents with rental

properties.Spokeswoman Dena

Michaelson said she was only

vaguely familiar with theefforts of ONE DC. She said

her agency provides a subsidy

to about 10 percent of thecitys population that offers

affordable accommodations

through both public housingand vouchers.

Weve been activelyworking the last couple

of years to increase the

number of public housingunits and affordable housing

communities, Michaelson

said, and weve alsopartnered with a large number

of nonprots to get about1,000 new units that are

affordable and which have

services such as counseling togo along with them, through

the local rent supplement

program which was launchedthree years ago.

Michaelson said that inaddition, the Authority iscurrently working with HUD

through the Replacement

Factor Funds program toestablish other housing

initiatives aimed at low-income residents. I believe

that were up to about 1,040

units that are city funded andthat are now either in use or

under production as far as

ongoing efforts to ease theproblem, she said.

Continued from A1

Tent City

No one really knows atthis point who Vince Gray

is, Moten said. But withthis race they are about to nd

out, and if they do, he [Gray]

loses.As for the Orange and

Brown race, Moten saidtheres no clear contender atthis point. There are a lot of

things going on behind the

scenes, Moten said. NeitherBrown nor Orange are bad

guys, but it just so happensthat for the moment, Brown

has the name recognition,

he said, and that will end upgiving him more pull.

Meanwhile, the primary

takes place Sept. 14 and thegeneral election is Nov. 2.

Because the District is

a heavily democratic townwith all four candidates

themselves, avowed

Democrats, whichevercandidate wins the primary, is

generally the one who coastsinto the top spots.

Moton and others

acknowledge the excitementgenerated by Grays entry

into the race, but see Fentys

issues being more aboutFenty. Support for Fenty

uctuates between staunch

uncertainty among Blackswho overwhelmingly voted

him into ofce four yearsago and glowing favoritism

among the citys White

residents. Many Whiteresidents credit Fenty with

successfully lowering thecrime rate and luring morebusinesses and residents to

the District.

Gray, according to that

core group of politicalwatchers, has far less political

experience than Fenty. And

as such is hopeful of takingadvantage of allegations of

corruption and cronyism

leveled at the mayor earlierthis year in the wake of

revelations that several

Department of Parks andRecreation contracts had been

awarded to Fentys friendsand associates.

But Jeff Smith, executive

director of the schoolsadvocacy group, DC Voice,

was thinking more in terms

of the c itys opportunityto achieve full throttle

educational reformation.

He said that with Orangehaving served a stint on the

governing body and Brown

having been a formidable forcethere for the past six years,

residents have seen the best ofwhat both have to offer.

But with regard to public

education reform policy, we

shouldnt expect any surprises

regardless of the outcome [ofboth races], Smith said.

I think the mayors race

does present us with a starkcontrast as to what to expect

next, whereas clearly for

[Schools Chancellor] MichelleRhee, Mr. Gray has been her

antagonist on the Council. I

dont think it would surpriseanyone though, if [Gray] won

and kept her around.In other Council races, two

of the four At-Large seats are

up for grabs. They include theposts held by Phil Mendelson,

being challenged by Clark

Ray, and Independent DavidCatania, who holds one of

the two seats reserved for the

non-majority party on theCouncil.

Also facing re-election

are Ward 1 CouncilmanJim Graham, Ward 3

Councilwoman MaryCheh, Ward 5 Councilman

Harry Thomas and Ward 6

Councilman Tommy Wells.

Photo by Dorothy Rowley

According to a supporter of one of the mayoral

candidates, District residents should keep in mind thereare three contenders rather than City Council Chairman

Vincent Gray (far left) and incumbent Mayor AdrianFenty (center). In recent weeks, Leo Alexander (right), as

was the case in this forum, has taken his two opponents

to task over a variety of issues.


7/20


KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) Olympic

and world 100-meter champion Shelly-Ann

Fraser has been provisionally suspended by the

IAAF after a positive test for a painkiller she

claims she took to alleviate a toothache.

The president of Frasers track club, Bruce

James, said the Jamaican sprinter tested

positive for oxycodone at theDiamond League meet May

23 in Shanghai.

Fraser found out about the

provisional suspension hours

before she was scheduled to

compete in the 100 meters

at the Athletissima meet in

Lausanne, Switzerland, on

July 8.

She broke into tears in

her hotel room upon hearing

about the decision, her

manager said, and was afraid

of what the public would

think.

She was so

disappointed, Adrian

Laidlaw said in a phoneinterview with The

Associated Press. From

a perception standpoint,

she was concerned. But

sometimes there are certain

rules where people become a victim of a

rule. All we can do is hope that good sense

prevails.

Fraser had a dental procedure performed

in May and then ew to China for the meet.

The up and down in pressure (during the

ight) caused the pain to go from terrible to

unbearable, James said.

A slight infection had set in, Laidlaw

said, and Fraser was given medication by a

physician to alleviate the pain. When that

didnt work, her coach gave her a painkiller

before the race, a drug that Fraser failed to

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

wouldnt have been an issue.

Fraser ran a sluggish race,

nishing second as Carmelita

Jeter of the United States surged

past her. It actually makes you

perform more slowly, it makes

you nauseous, lethargic and

tired, James said. Its a sad

and unfortunate oversight on her

part.

Still, Laidlaw never expected

it to reach this point. He gured

at most she would be publicly

reprimanded. She forgot to put

it on the form, Laidlaw said.

Its like the kid going into a

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

In effect, you punished yourself,

put yourself at a disadvantage.

Its in that context I view what

took place. ... Shes like, Here

I am being penalized for something that made

me run slow.

Fraser will y back to Jamaica and seek

a hearing before her national federation as

soon as possible. She wants to have her name

cleared, James said.

International Briefs

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AP Photo/Markus Schreiber

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

photo wearing medals

rom the World AthleticsChampionships

Olympic 100m Champ Tests PositiveFor Painkillers

International Court Charges SudanPresident With GenocideBy Mike CorderAssociated Press Writer

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The

International Criminal Court on Mondaycharged Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir

with three counts of genocide in Darfur,

a move that will pile further diplomatic

pressure on his isolated regime.

The decision marked the rst time the

worlds rst permanent war crimes tribunal

has issued genocide charges.

An arrest warrant for al-Bashir said there

were reasonable grounds to believe that

since April 2003 Sudanese forces attempted

genocide against the Darfur tribal groups Fur,

Masalit and Zaghawa.

Last year, judges issued a warrant against

the president for crimes against humanity,

but refused to indict al-Bashir on genocide

charges as sought by prosecutor Luis Moreno

Ocampo. The prosecutor appealed that ruling,

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

wrong.

Prosecutors then led their case again, and

on Monday judges issued an arrest warrant

charging al-Bashir with three counts of

genocide: by killing, by causing mental and

physical harm, and by deliberately inicting

conditions of life calculated to bring about

physical destruction.Genocide, the gravest crime in

international law, requires proof of an intent

to wipe out in whole or in part a racial,

religious or ethnic group. Moreno Ocampo

accuses al-Bashir of keeping 2.5 million

refugees from specic ethnic groups in Darfur

in camps under genocide conditions, like a

gigantic Auschwitz.

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

ve-year term earlier this year, refuses to

recognize the courts authority and has

repeatedly said he will not turn himself in

to stand trial. He was charged in March

2009 with ve counts of crimes against

humanity and two of war crimes for allegedly

orchestrating atrocities in Darfur.

The United Nations estimates 300,000

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

rebels rose up in 2003, accusing Sudans

Arab-dominated central government of

neglect and discrimination.

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

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP)

An al-Qaida-linked Somali

militant group suspected in

twin bombings in Ugandas

capital, that hit crowds

watching the World Cup nal,endorsed the attacks July 12

but stopped short of claiming

responsibility, while the death

toll rose to 74.

The blasts came two days

after a commander with the

Somali group, al-Shabab,

called for militants to attack

sites in Uganda and Burundi,

two nations that contribute

troops to the African Union

peacekeeping force in

Somalia.

The attacks on two soft

targets lled with civilians

also raise concerns about the

capabilities and motives of

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

a terrorist organization. If

conrmed that the group

carried out the attacks, it

would be the rst time al-

Shabab has struck outside

Somalia.

Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa, an

al-Shabab commander, told

The Associated Press early

Monday that he was happy

with the attacks in Uganda

but refused to conrm or

deny that al-Shabab was

responsible. Uganda is one

of our enemies. Whatever

makes them cry, makes us

happy. May Allahs anger beupon those who are against

us, Sheik said.

Kampalas police chief,

Kale Kaihura, said he

believed al-Shabab could be

responsible. One of the targets

was an Ethiopian restaurant

a nation despised by the al-

Shabab militants.

Ugandan government

spokesman Fred Opolot

said Monday there wereindications that two suicide

bombers took part in the late

Sunday attacks, which left

dozens wounded. Opolot said

the death toll also had risen

to 74.

Blood and pieces of esh

littered the oor among

overturned chairs at the

scenes of the blasts, which

went off as people watched

the game between Spainand the Netherlands. The

attacks appeared to represent

a dangerous step forward by

al-Shabab, analysts said, and

could mean that other East

African countries working

to support the Somali

government will face attacks.

Ugandan President Yoweri

Museveni toured the blast

sites Monday and said that the

terrorists behind the bombingsshould ght soldiers, not

people who are just enjoying

themselves.

We shall go for them

wherever they are coming

from, Museveni said. We

will look for them and get

them as we always do.


8/20


July 15

Senior FridaysDC Public Library,

Woodridge Branch, 1801

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

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

information and activities. For

more information: 202-541-6226.

July 17

Reggae Wine FestivalLinganore Winecellars,

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

and enjoy the sounds of thetropics without ever leaving

town at this festival. Enjoy

an afternoon of great musicand great wine. For more

information: 301-831-5889.

Circle of DistinctionBobby Vans, 1201 New

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

members of Congress aswell as other corporate

professionals at this elegant

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

July 18

Mixed-Media Art WorkshopThe Smithsonian

Anacostia CommunityMuseum, 1901 Fort Place,

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

learn how to produce their

own media works underthe direction of local artist

Kamala Subranamian. For


The Classics-Reggae Album

Cover Art ShowLounge of III, 1013 U

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

the art of over 80 classicreggae music album covers

and mingle with other art/

music lovers in the area. Formore information: www.

gmoney77wordpress.com.

Arts on the Waterfront:Mambo Combo

Bladensburg Waterfront

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

evening event, celebrating

the unique art in the areaas the sun sets over the

urban watershed. For more

information: 301-779-0371.

July 21

Diva Network Five-Minute

SpotlightWest End Library, 1101

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

p.m. At this event, learn

how to brush up on yourpresentation skills and

promote your business. For

more information: www.divanetwork.org.

FantasiaBirchmere Music Hall,

3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.,

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

singer and American Idolwinner Fantasia. $59. For

more information: 703-549-

7500.

July 23

Genesis Girls Night OutThe Sunset Room,

National Harbor, 137 National

Plaza, Oxon Hill, Md. 6-11

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

get pampered and network.

For more information: 301-442-3600.

July 24

Create a Gullah CollageThe Smithsonian

Anacostia CommunityMuseum, 1901 Fort Place,

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

offer a collage workshop

inspired by the Gullahexperience. Witness the

Gullah creative spirit as youparticipate in this exciting

hands-on session. For more

information: 202-633-

4844.

Open Mic Artistry Jump-oThe Potters House, 1658

Columbia Road, N.W. D.C.

6-9 p.m. Bring your friends

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Community Calendarto this event featuring many

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

For more information: www.

eventful.com.

The First Lanham Arts

Infusion CelebrationLanham Sports Park,

7700 Good Luck Road,

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

community, music and art

lovers together to celebratethe cultural resources of

Prince Georges County. For



9/20


It is difcult at this

day to realize the state of

public opinion in regard to

that unfortunate race which

prevailed in the civilized and enlightened portions of the world

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

Constitution of the United States was framed and adopted;

but the public history of every European nation displays it in

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

century before been regarded as beings of an inferior order,

and altogether unt to associate with the white race, either

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

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

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

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

The recent verdict against a former Bay Area Rapid Transit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Subsequently desiring a fair trial for the former ofcer, the

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

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

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

America, but also whether juries are capable of rendering fair

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

Courts infamous 1857 Dred Scott decision.

Enshrined by Chief Justice

Taneys court that Blacks hadno rights which the white

man was bound to respect,

it appears that 153 yearsafter that legal opinion was

given, the same remains true

regarding police violence

against unarmed Black people.

While the Scott case codied

the denial of citizenship rightsto both free and enslaved

Blacks, what todays Grantcase has in common with the

former Scott decision is a

specic and callous disregardfor the lives of Black people in

the American legal system.

While it is interesting tonote that the Scott case has

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

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

alive and well in many United States courtrooms to this very

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

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

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

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

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

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

cold-blooded killing of unarmed and subdued civilians at the

hands of law enforcement.

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

racism that poisoned the foundation of American jurisprudence

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

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

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

codes focused more upon public accommodations, voting rights

and public access than with biases inherent to the legal system

itself.

The Dred Scott decision established that the rights of Black

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

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

mounts for the federal government to look into what many

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

Grants will there be in the Black community as increasingly

militarized police forces continue to excuse what they call

justiable homicide?

Brother William P. Muhammad is an author and a graduate

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

wisdomhouseonline.com

Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch

has a proposal for the

unemployed. He wants

them drug tested before they

can receive unemployment

benets. Hilarious! With

unemployment rates at 9.7

percent, with nearly six

million Americans out of

work for at least six months,

with more than a million

people without support since

their unemployment benets

have run out, Hatch proposes

drug testing for unemployed

people.

He and some of his colleagues are actually the ones who

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

prevent legislation that would have provided an unemployment

benet extension from moving forward? What could they

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

described the action as One of the worst moments Ive seen

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

trouble, our country expects Democrats and Republicans to

pull together.

This is politics at its absolute worst, with Republicans

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

Hatch wants drug testing. Given this vote on the unemployment

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

demonstrate that they were not impaired when they took their

vote.

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis was among the many blasting

the Republicans for playing games with peoples survival.

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

loss of unemployment benets for more than 200,000 people

a week would be devastating. Some Republican senators

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

amendments to pass. But debate on this legislation has lasted

for more than two months the House of Representatives

voted for unemployment benet extensions back in March. The

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

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

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

Afghanistan.

Unfortunately, the Republican senators are taking their

cues from those who are demonizing the unemployed.

Writing for the US Chronicle, Stephanie Lee reported that

online hostility toward the unemployed is notable, with those

who need help being called whiners and pathetic. Some

companies looking for workers indicate they will not consider

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

that is fascinating logic who needs work more than the

unemployed?)

In my own review of online responses to the failure

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

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

many of our unemployed brothers and sisters have posted

poignant accounts of what their lives are like after they

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

spend money on transportation for job search, of adjusting

expectations downward, of applying for positions for which

they are overqualied, only to be rejected because they are

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

United States Senate turns its backs on unemployed citizens to

play partisan games who should really be drug tested?

There is the possibility that the Senate will reconsider the

unemployment extension, perhaps passing it as a stand-alone

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

If unemployed people would share their ire with the Senate,

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

they have thumbed their noses at the nations unemployed. In

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

Julianne Malveaux is president of Bennett College for

Women in Greensboro, N.C.

(NNPA) It was1963. The nation was at

a virtual boiling point.

Despite marked gains in the

civil rights struggle fromintegrating lunch counters

and universities to equalizing

buses, the ght for justice

was far from over.As re hoses and police

dogs continued to beunleashed on those seeking

basic human rights, andfreedom riders testing

desegregation in the South

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

also candidly highlight the ills of society.

Although African Americans were free from the bondages

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

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

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

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

the 47th anniversary of this momentous occasion, we must

RECLAIM THE DREAM for it is still far from being truly

fullled.

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

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

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

simultaneously pay homage to our great civil rights leader and

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

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

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

of the entire nation.

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

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

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

Minneapolis, we cannot be satised. When parents cannot

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

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

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

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

the numbers on stops and frisks continue to racially prole

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

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

satised.

And when Blacks are unduly losing their employment and

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

satised. This is undoubtedly a distinct moment in history.

On one hand, African Americans have excelled to levels

never before imaginable culminating with the election of

President Barack Obama. But as Black business and political

leaders continue to crack the proverbial ceiling, unfathomable

inequities permeate around the country. Until we see a level

playing eld that truly grants everyone access to equal

education, health care, housing, employment and liberty and

freedom, we must march on.

In the struggle for basic human rights, there are and

always will be opponents and roadblocks along the way.

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

Glenn Beck will be convening conservative Republican and

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

those supporting him attempt to highjack the dream, we will

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

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

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

and legacy of our nations greatest civil rights leader, Beck

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

opponent of progress. We cannot be sidetracked by this

negativity and by those whose only purpose is to garner higher

ratings.

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

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

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

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

National Action Network.

Who Should Really Be Drug Tested?

William P.

Muhammad

Echoes of Dred Scott in theOscar Grant verdict

Rev. Al Sharpton

Opinion

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

Julianne Malveaux


10/20

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

2010 GMC Terrain

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11/20

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

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

Erica Hughes, Kelli Lawson (back) Anne Williams,

Lyntina Townsend and Rebecca Minorini

Virginia Williams, mother o

ormer mayor o the District o

Columbia Anthony Williams

Chilsea Pickens, Michelle

Prot, Nicole Venable, Montina

Anderson, Aundria Cosbyand Loida Jorge

Krishana Davis interviews young

ladies who departed or South

Arica on July 5.

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

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

Kristin, Zeer and Tia

Erica Hughes

and WDCW-TV

ashion guru,Paul Wharton

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

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

welcoming the guests

Dr. Rogue Gerald,

director, D.C. Child

and Family Services

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

Photos by Rob Roberts

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

based charitable organization which caters to

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

Bank o America Building in

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

remarkable young ladies as they prepared to

embark on an extra-ordinary journey to South

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

exposed the girls to the world beyond their

immediate surroundings, and introduced themto new cultures and ethnicities.

Stacie Turner is the ounder o XOL.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

wished everyone good health in true Jamaican yardie style.

Gennet Purcell, George Worrell and guest

Aleah Nathan and rst ladyMichelle Fenty

Shirley Ducksworth, Charlotte Ducksworth, Sherry Hicks and Roxane Harris

HSBC Tee-O sponsor Kevin Shaw,

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

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

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

Karen Dale and her daughter Tatiana

Jacqueline Watson, Leon Harris, WJLA 7

news anchor and Michelle Fenty

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

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

Stacey Harper, Hope Balamani

and Tashya Tummings

Sue Marshal l(let) and representatives o the

two grant recipients

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

who participated in the Hats O Contest

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

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

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

Photos by Nike


12/20

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

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13/20

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

www.aro.com

By AFRO Staf

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

childrens book family.

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

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

knew people would read it and love it.

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

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

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

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

administration and Spanish.

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

com/booksbyseth.

Courtesy Photo

Seth Fowler greets young readers at a book signing.

Young CEO Inspires withChildrens Book

By AFRO Staf

Throughout the month, the Prince Georges Arts Council

will host a series of family-friendly events featuring local

talent. From photographers receptions to a program

involving local political candidates, the month of July is

lled with entertainment in Prince Georges County.

July 15

The Photomania Arts Reception showcases the talents of

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

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

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

will be served.

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

Lanham Arts Infusion featuring the Billy Taylor Jazzmobile

from New York City with live evening performances by

Winard Harper, Marcus Mitchell Project, Shawn Allen and

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

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

Lanham, Md.

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

and Tomorrow with the candidates running for Prince

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

Smith Performing Arts Center, Joseph & Alma Gildenhorn

Recital Hall, located on the campus of the University of

Maryland, College Park.

Prince Georges ArtsCouncil PreparesMonth-Long Showcase

By Kam WilliamsSpecial to the AFRO

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

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

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

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

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

Long.

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

there?

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

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

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

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

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

Johnson question: What was the last

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

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

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

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

Tavis Smiley: In an Introspective Mood

Tavis Smiley

By Kristin GrayAFRO Managing Editor

Nestled in Capitol

Hills bustling corridors

is a veritable beauty oasis

shielded by an attractive,

but mundane storefront.

Women from all walks of

life converge here for a bevy

of beauty services bikini

waxing, eyebrow arching,

massages, facials in an

ambience that blends urban

sophistication with earthyelegance. Skin Beauty

Lounge a full-service spa

owned by District native and

esthetician Meka Mathis

is a beauty buffs dream I

experienced rsthand.An exotic fusion of

aromas greeted me as

I climbed the stairs to

Skins waiting area and

was greeted by a warm,

efcient receptionist. But

my road to relaxation began

minutes before the hour-

long massage and facial

treatment.

The waiting area is

swathed in soothing powder

blue and chocolate hues andimmaculately maintained.

My massage therapist,

Crystal, led me into a cozy

room illuminated only by

the midday sunlight and

acce

washington d.c. afro-american newspaper, july 17, 2010

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