Washington Informer

Feature More Local Artists

Thank you for your article, "Moroccan artist Hamid Kachmar Opens 3rd Solo Show", July 19, 2012, by Misty Brown. Coverage of the visual arts in the Washington area is vital to artists who live and work in the District and surrounding jurisdictions. I very seldom see where any of the other local newspapers review or write articles about our small black owned galleries or the artists they feature.

The Washington area is full of wonderful artists who are working very hard to get noticed. I am just so happy to see the Washington Informer choosing to take a look at the artwork created by one of those artists.

Keaton Johnson

Brentwood, Md.

No Comment Doesn't Sit Well with Parents

I have seen quite a few articles about the D.C. Public School system and Chancellor Kaya Henderson in the Informer over the past few months. However, the only article in which she has actually had something to say was during an editorial board meeting with Washington Informer staff last summer. The story appeared in the paper on June 2, 2011.

Regarding the controversy surrounding the principal at Phelps High School and now the school libraries, the chancellor has chosen not to have any comments or provide any explanation to parents about her decisions. Let her try something like that on a school located west of Rock Creek Park.

The mayor, the city council and those parents would have Henderson packing her bags so fast she wouldn't know what happened. She rides roughshod over our community because she thinks she can get away with it. It seems as if her attitude is that only she knows what's best for our students and she doesn't need any input from parents. Our community and our students deserve better.

Justin Brown

Washington, D.C.

Promising Student Sustained Massive Injuries Saving Relatives’ Lives

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF) has contributed $10,000 toward the college education of a promising young man who risked his life to save his relatives in a tragic hit-and-run accident.

Matthew Brown, from Chicago Heights, Illinois who sustained massive injuries that resulted in his left leg being amputated, was officially presented the check by Alpha Kappa Alpha’s international president Carolyn House Stewart during EAF’s luncheon that was held during the Sorority’s biennial meeting in San Francisco. The check is a “President’s Scholarship” that Stewart presents to those whose heroism and achievements are extraordinarily remarkable.

The scholarship is being set aside for his college education and will be used to pay Matthew’s expenses at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, where he plans to major in criminal justice.

In making the announcement, Stewart applauded Brown for his rare courage and will to continue to excel despite the massive injuries he sustained.

The tragedy that led to Brown’s hospitalization took place on March 17 when a driver came barreling down a Chicago street. Seeing that his relatives were in danger, Matthew pushed them out of harm’s way. In committing this act of bravery and love, he took the full force of the impact. In the aftermath of this tragedy, his right leg was amputated.

The tragedy was heightened because the driver never stopped and remains at large.

Matthew underwent several operations and will continue to endure months of rehabilitation. However, in a show of determination and indomitable courage, he worked, pushed and endured pain and grueling physical rehabilitation so he could achieve his ultimate goal: to attend his high school graduation from Bloom Township High School just eleven weeks after his -accident. As he mounted the stage in his wheelchair to receive his diploma, the audience erupted in applause.

When AKA’s international president learned of the tragedy, she directed Barbara Sutton, EAF’s executive director, to explore ways the Sorority could help ease his hardships and help him realize his dreams.

After talking to Brown and his mother, the pair indicated that he wanted to realize his dream to attend Prairie State College to pursue an associate’s degree in criminal justice and to later earn a bachelor’s degree. His ultimate dream is to become a crime scene investigator.

When they learned of his wishes, President Stewart and Sutton put plans in motion to grant the scholarship. As a show of love, they visited with Matthew at Hope Children’s Hospital in Chicago to announce the award and to wish him good cheer. They were heartened that he was in good spirits and that he was grateful for the scholarship that will substantially help in underwriting his college expenses.

The formal announcement of the scholarship was made at the Luncheon that 1,000 members of the Sorority attended.

Because of his injuries, neither Brown nor family members attended the luncheon. However, they expressed their appreciation through a pre-recorded video.

“Matthew Brown is the very embodiment of the word ‘hero’”, declared Stewart. “His singular act of courage has earned the admiration of all who have heard his story. By establishing this Scholarship Fund, Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc. is helping to assure that he receives the assistance to attend college. Alpha Kappa Alpha will continue to follow his progress and will continue to be a source of uplift and support as he continues his journey to recovery.”

Katherine Jackson, mother of the famed Jackson family, is reportedly safe asnd resting in Arizona with relatives following more than a week of questions pertaining to her whereabouts.

The 82-year-old matriarch was reported missing late last week by a nephew who was staying at her house  -- and where the late Michael Jackson's three children also live. Katherine Jackson was awarded custody of Prince Michael, 15, Paris 14, and Blanket, 10, after their father died in June 2009. Their grandmother was also appointed guardian over her son's estate.

Jermaine Jackson recently tweeted that his mother was resting on the orders of a doctor in Arizona.

"This is our mother and her health is paramount. We are not inventing or plotting anything," he posted. "We are following doctor's advice. Period."

Sherman Hemsley who played the arrogant, opinionated and succesful African-American businessman on the 1970s-80s sitcom, "The Jeffersons," died on Tuesday at his home in El Paso, Texas. He was 74. His body was discovered by an assistant who initially thought he was sleeping. But it was later determined that Hemsley died of natural causes, according to a police report. 

Hemsley, who never married and had no children, got his big break in TV after being noticed by producer Norman Lear while acting in the Broadway hit, "Purlie." Hemsley also had a talent or singing and dancing and was eventually introduced to the cast of All in the Family, where he played the outspoken neighbor of bigot Archie Bunker.

His role in that show led to the creation of "The Jeffersons," one of several breakout sitcoms at the time that featured a largely African-American cast. His wife "Weezie" was played by the late Isabelle Sanford.

More than a Dozen Elected Officials Attend UDC's 3rd nAnnual Congressional Reception

Amidst last minute changes to the House calendar and scheduled votes on the Pentagon's budget, over a dozen Members found time to stop by the University of the District of Columbia's Third Annual Congressional Reception to show their support the only public university in the Nation's Capital.

Attendees included Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), who co-hosted the event, Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D- W.Va.), Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.), Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.), Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.), Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.), Rep. David Price (D-N.C.), Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calf.), Rep. Tim Holden (D-Pa.), Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), the District of Columbia's shadow Senator, Paul Strauss, and D.C. Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6).

"Each year this event keeps getting better and better," said Aimee Occhetti, Vice President of Government Relations at the University, "it is great to see such a large and diverse group of members actively supporting what we are doing at the University."

The University's President, Dr. Allen L. Sessoms, delivered remarks to the attendees.

"To see over a dozen Members of Congress here tonight is a real statement on the strong relationship the University has with our friends on Capitol Hill. We are right down the road from each other, so it only makes sense that we work together." Dr. Sessoms also highlighted some of the partnerships the University is building with the federal government, from a new internship program to utilizing the USDA's land-grant program in the urban environment.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) also addressed the audience.

"I am thrilled to see so many of my colleagues joining me in support of our city's public university. Under Dr. Sessoms leadership, I have watched the University make genuine changes. The Community College, which Dr. Sessoms started out of his hip pocket with no additional funding, now enrolls

thousands of District residents. This event is a testament to how the Congress and the District can really work together on important issues. Our students in the District deserve a world-class public university that they can call their own—the University of the District of Columbia and its community college are delivering on that promise."

The event, held in the wood paneled House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure hearing room, included a jazz performance by University student and Rep. Danny K. Davis staffer Dante Pope, as well as a soaring rendition of "God Bless America" by University alumnus and opera singer Abby Koya.

Public officials, health care leaders, community leaders, project partners, and Ward 7 residents joined Sharon Baskerville and Vincent Keane on July 11 at the groundbreaking celebration for the Unity Health Care - Parkside Health Center.

The soon-to-be-constructed health center will be a three-story building, approximately 80,000 square foot, which will include two floors of underground parking. It will be LEED-certified Silver and have a green roof. The new center replaces Unity's Hunt Place Health Center, which is a 13,500 square foot, run-down building with no windows, delivering services to 15,000 patients per year. Officials anticipate that the new facility will have the capacity to schedule more than 50,000 patient visits, representing a major transformation in primary health care for the District.

 "This city's been on a tear for health care centers, I've never seen anything like it," said District Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. "Of late, there have been nothing but groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings for health care facilities; nothing could give me more pleasure. Ever since the stimulus funds came down, and the first lady came to [Unity's Upper] Cardozo, the city has kept going to see to it that everybody has a medical home. And Parkside was not to be overlooked!"

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray remarked that the new development probably has the greatest potential of any tract of land in the District of Columbia.

"This [facility] is going to be a wonderful addition to health care. "We have done the right thing with Tobacco Settlement dollars," Gray said. "We have invested all of our dollars in the District of Columbia in health care purposes, and that is why we're going to have this [Parkside] clinic here." "This is a dream come true."

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The Howard Theatre's Restoration Community Committee will salute home town guitar legend Charles "Skip" Pitts, with a tribute concert on Tuesday, July 17.

Pitts, a native Washingtonian and one of the greatest wah-wah pedal players in the history R&B, blues and jazz, died on May 1 of this year.

Pitts learned to play guitar at age 11, while receiving guidance from his neighbors Bo Diddley and Greg Gaskins. "He was known for having his own unique style, a one of a kind", recalled producer and musician Scott Bomar.

Pitts played with such artists as Albert King, Wilson Pickett, The Isley Brothers and Gene Chandler. He was a long time session musician at Stax Records. In 1971, Pitts became a collaborator with Isaac Hayes that spanned 37 years. That same year Pitts performed the popular wah-wah riffs on the theme music from "Shaft". His credits also include an Oscar winning film, "Hustle and Flow", and two Grammy nominated albums. He concluded his accomplishments as an actor in three films.

Among those  performers for the benefit concert are:

• Bobby Parker's Blues Band

• Al Johnson backed by the Mousey Thompson Band

• Tanya Blount

• Robert "Mousey" Thompson & The James Brown Experience

• Jimi Smooth and the Hit Time Band

• Denyse Pearson

• The Greg Gaskins Experience

• Gene Chandler will make a cameo appearance

The event will begin at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $25. Half of the proceeds will go towards retiring the debt incurred by Pitts' hospitallization. For more information visit: www.howardtheatre.org.