Washington Informer

First lady Michelle Obama had a lot to say during her commencement address Friday at Bowie State University (BSU) in Maryland, regarding what young African Americans should be focused on to be successful.

"More than 150 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, more than 50 years after the end of "separate but equal," when it comes to getting an education, too many of our young people just can't be bothered," Mrs. Obama said. "Today, instead of walking miles every day to school, they're sitting on couches for hours playing video games, watching TV. Instead of dreaming of being a teacher or a lawyer or a business leader, they're fantasizing about being a baller or a rapper.

"Right now, one in three African-American students are dropping out of high school. Only one in five African Americans between the ages of 25 and 29 has gotten a college degree — one in five."

Not unlike her address at the Democratic Convention last year in Charlotte, the first lady spoke about how her family dealt with paying for her education.

"When it came time for my brother and I to go to college, most of our tuition came from student loans and grants. But my dad still had to pay a small portion of that tuition each semester, and he was always determined to pay his share right on time — even taking out loans when he fell short, because he couldn't bear the thought of us missing a registration deadline because his check was late," she said.

The first lady also echoed a theme that President Obama has spoken on: turning off the TV and focusing on serious issues.

"When it comes to your own kids, if you don't like what they're watching on TV, turn it off. If you don't like the video games they're playing, take them away. Take a stand against the media that elevates today's celebrity gossip instead of the serious issues of our time. Take a stand against the culture that glorifies instant gratification instead of hard work and lasting success," the first lady added.

"Please stand up and reject the slander that says a black child with a book is trying to act white. Reject that," she added.

During the convocation ceremony, the university conferred Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degrees on Valerie Simpson and the late Nickolas Ashford, and the honorarium was followed later in the evening with a special tribute for both monumental singers.

Other performers for the event included Jean Carne, Freddie Jackson and Al Johnson of the Unifics, with Simpson joining them onstage.

Meanwhile, an Ashford and Simpson scholarship program has been launched at the university for music students and others studying fine arts.

(Sources: Politic365, WI Staff Writer Barrington M. Salmon)

Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson and D.C.'s attorney general have applauded Wednesday's ruling by a U.S. District court judge that prevents the closing of 15 public schools by the end of next year.

"In this case, there is no evidence whatsoever of any intent to discriminate on the part of Defendants, who are actually transferring children out of weaker, more segregated, and under-enrolled schools," Judge James E. Boasberg stated in a 31-page opinion, which analyzed each of plaintiffs' claims. "Children—along with thousands of others—are moving to better performing, more integrated schools."

Henderson said Boasberg's opinion now allows the school system to move forward with the "critical work to improve all our schools and provide more resources across the District."

Attorney General Irvin Nathan added that the judge's "powerfully written" decision amply demonstrates that plaintiffs have no likelihood of success on the merits.

"In light of this finding, we think it would be much more productive if the community activists would work with the city to make these consolidations work for the best educational interests of our children and allow our educators to focus on that difficult task and not be diverted by meritless litigation," Nathan said.

Empower DC and other activists sued the District of Columbia Public Schools system earlier this year in an effort to halt the school closings – most of which are in Ward 8 where some of the District's most impoverished communities are located.

Empower DC's attorney, Johnny Barnes – who is expected to appeal Boasberg's ruling -- has argued that children of color and those living in low-income households will be disproportionately affected. He also said that DCPS's plan violates several civil rights laws.

Mayor Vincent C. Gray has extended his congratulations to D.C. Department of Health (DOH) Interim Director Dr. Saul Levin for being named the American Psychiatric Association's new CEO and medical director.

Dr. Levin has led DOH since last July, when Dr. Mohammed Akhter, took a leave of absence to serve on the executive board of the District's new Health Benefit Exchange Authority.

Levin's last day with DOH will be July 12.

"While this is a great loss for the District government, it is a great gain for the American Psychiatric Association," Mayor Gray said. "Dr. Levin has done an exemplary job leading DOH in this interim period, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his good work for us."

Prior to serving as Interim Director of DOH, Levin served as senior deputy director of the Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration.

Previously, he was the American Medical Association's (AMA) Vice President of for Science, Medicine and Public Health.

Levin's professional career also includes serving as a special expert appointee in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. At SAMHSA, he led the initiative to integrate primary care, substance abuse, mental health and HIV/AIDS response.

Levin received his medical degree in 1982 from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. He completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of California, Davis Medical Center. He received his Master's in Public Administration (MPA) from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government in 1994.

D.C. Councilmember Tommy Wells plans to formally announce on Saturday his mayoral campaign during a rally in Northeast, according to The Washington Business Journal.

Wells, who represents Ward 6, will join council member Muriel Bowser who announced her candidacy in March.

Reports have also stated that Robert Bobb, a former city administator, has been quietly considering entering the race a well.

Meanwhile, incumbent Vincent Gray has yet to say if he will seek a second term.

Gray Announces Drivers Safety Act

Legislation Would Improve Public Safety, Help Alleviate Economic Hardships for Immigrant Families

Mayor Vincent C. Gray recently announced the District of Columbia Drivers Safety Amendment Act of 2013, which would enable the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue a driver's license, learner's permit, or identification card to undocumented District residents who meet certain criteria.

"This legislation is the right thing to do for our undocumented residents and our entire community," Mayor Gray said in announcing the bill on May 2 to the D.C. Coiuncil "With this legislation, undocumented District residents will be able to obtain a driver's license by submitting the proper documentation and taking the same tests the DMV requires of all drivers. This promotes the safe operation of motor vehicles on our streets, and reduces incentives for criminals to sell fake IDs on the black market. Most importantly, it alleviates burdens on immigrants by opening the door to legal automobile ownership – an economic lifeline for many hard-working families."

• To obtain a credential, undocumented residents must:

• Show proof of residency for at least six months or more;

• Demonstrate they are ineligible to obtain a Social Security number;

• Obtain an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) from the Internal Revenue Service;

• Be unable to present documentation from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services authorizing his or her presence in this country; and

• Submit a valid unexpired passport from their home country or a foreign birth certificate.

In addition to ensuring that all residents can safely operate vehicles on the District's roadways, this legislation will also allow for the registration of insured vehicles.

The Cleveland, Ohio, man who has become a hero in the rescue of three young women who were held captive for 10 years, visited Ben's Chili Bowl Friday night.

Charles Ramsey, the neighbor who helped free the women -- Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight – who'd been held hostage for a decade by Ariel Castro, was in the District this past weekend to appear on the Rock Newman Show.

A video of Ramsey being interviewed on May 6 after the rescue, has gone viral and inspired mash-up music videos on youtube.com.

"She (Berry) said get me out of here. Who are you? Hurry up...he might be coming back," Ramsey recounted on the Rock Newman Show.

Castro now faces multiple kidnapping and rape charges, and if convicted, could face life in prison.

(Source: WJLA)