WI Web Staff
A City Council retreat this week at the Washington Convention Center turned into a profanity-laced shouting match between Council members Marion Barry and David Catania.
The Valentine's Day incident was sparked by a discussion on the United Medical Center in Southeast. And, while it wasn't the first time Barry and Catania have traded barbs, the verbal fight -- that included insults -- might have represented a new height of animosity between the pair, according to reports.
Barry said in an interview afterward that Catania had been "disrespectful and rude." Catania countered that Barry "has cussed me more times than Carter's got liver pills."
In the end, as the Council closed out its planning for the upcoming legislative agenda, Vincent Orange good-naturedly walked around the conference room handing out Valentine's gift bags to his peers.
Kenyan McDuffie Candidate Ward 5 Special Election
Wednesday, 15 February 2012 15:11 Published in Local
Washington, DC – Kenyan McDuffie has announced his candidacy for the Ward 5 special election to fill the post on the D.C. City Council that was vacated last month by Harry Thomas Jr.
With an army of volunteers and supporters, McDuffie has collected all the necessary signatures to appear on the ballot for the May 15 election, according to a statement his office issued this week.
McDuffie's campaign motto is "Restoring Our Faith in Leadership."
"I look forward to confirming my name on the ballot," says McDuffie. "I will continue to work with residents across Ward 5 and listen to their priorities and concerns as I remain focused on my commitment to bringing integrity to the D.C. Council."
Throughout his career, McDuffie has developed a comprehensive understanding of local and federal governmental processes. His career in public service began by accepting an opportunity to work as an aide for Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District's Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. More recently, McDuffie served as a legislative and policy advisor to the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, where he assisted in shaping legislation that improved the quality of life in the District of Columbia.
A former criminal prosecutor and experienced civil rights attorney, McDuffie is a proven community leader whose campaign is focused on restoring Ward 5 residents' faith in their elected leadership. For more than a decade, Kenyan has dedicated himself to improving the lives of Ward 5 residents and the collective life of the Ward 5 community.
For more information on Kenyan McDuffie visit: www.KenyanMcDuffie.com.
Sears Holdings Empowers African-American Entrepreneurs to Own a Sears Store
Tuesday, 14 February 2012 19:23 Published in National
Program Provides Opportunity to Own a Part of the Iconic Brand
HOFFMAN ESTATES,ILL. – Sears Holdings will Share the Word™ of empowerment through entrepreneurship in 2012. The Share the Word™ platform was created to promote and honor the legacy of African-Americans by providing valuable resources and information to enhance the lives of Sears and Kmart customers. Now in its fifth year, the program will focus on empowering African-Americans by presenting opportunities for entrepreneurs through the "Own a Sears Store" program.
A recent study in entrepreneurship found that African-Americans are 50 percent more likely to start a business than any other race or ethnicity. And, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2011, the number of Black-owned businesses increased at triple the national rate over the past five years2.
"The desire and interest in owning a business is huge among African-Americans; and, in terms of sheer number, Black-owned businesses are one of the fastest growing segments of our economy," said Alfred Edmond, Jr., senior vice president and editor-at-large of" Black Enterprise" magazine. The "Own a Sears Store" program presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to work with one of America's most trusted and recognized brands.
Sears offers extensive training and ongoing support for retail franchise concepts including Sears Appliance Showrooms, Sears Appliance & Hardware Stores and Sears Auto Centers. Each franchisee is given a business model to follow, strategic insight and creative support for marketing and competitive pricing on premier brands such as Kenmore®, DieHard®, Maytag®,Whirlpool®, Samsung®, Craftsman®, Michelin® and Goodyear®.
Statistics show that seven out of 10 African Americans regularly access a social media account. As the role of social media in business continues to evolve, entrepreneurs can take advantage of the opportunities presented to engage customers in real-time dialogue and personally respond to questions and comments. Share the Word™ will bring the "Own a Sears Store" message of entrepreneurial empowerment to life through social platforms including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn with engagement opportunities such as tweet-up events and sharable video content.
Additionally, in-store materials and signage will provide a QR code which links to the "Own a Sears Store" homepage. For more information on Sears Holdings Share the Word™ or "Own a Sears Store" programs visit:http://www.kmartepk.com/sharetheword and www.ownasearsstore.com
Efforts have officially begun to recall Mayor Vincent Gray and City Council Chairman Kwame Brown.
A special meeting was held Feb. 13 by the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics (BOEE) to approve the two petitions to recall Gray and Brown. However, that doesn't mean such a vote will take place: In order to garner a recall, more than 45,000 signatures have to be obtained by 5 p.m., Aug. 13, and elections officials can only schedule a vote once the signatures become certified.
Petitioners such as Northwest D.C. resident Frederick Butler -- who is spearheading the recall efforts -- have 180 days to gather signatures from 10 percent of registered voters from across the city, according to BOEE spokeswoman Alysoun McLaughlin.
"But no one has successfully gathered enough signatures before," said McLaughlin, who alluded to similar bid that was aimed at former Mayor Adrian Fenty. "A recall was done on Fenty but it didn't go through," she said.
Butler, 28, -- who reportedly needs some $170,000 to effectively launch a recall -- has cited a scandal-plagued year at Wilson Building in downtown D.C. that include federal investigations surrounding the 2008 and 2010 campaigns of Brown and Gray, respectively.
Meanwhile, both Gray and Brown have dismissed Butler's efforts as baseless, with Gray stating that most of his detractors were Fenty supporters.
D.C. Public School Enrollment Up for Third Straight Year
Monday, 13 February 2012 19:23 Published in Local
2011 - 2012 D.C. Public School Enrollment Audit Complete
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Current enrollment in public schools (District of Columbia Public Schools and Public Charter Schools) is up 2% (1,767) from last year, to 76,753, and numbers have been steadily increasing over the past three years, according to audited data by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
"The new enrollment numbers clearly show that parents have confidence in District schools," said Mayor Vincent C. Gray. "I am hopeful that as we continue to make improvements in our schools, the numbers will continue to grow."
A summary of the trends for 2011 is as follows:
· Categories that saw notable increases were Pre-Kindergarten ages 3 and 4 (13%), Kindergarten (6%) and grades 1-3 (4%).
· Public Charter School enrollment increased by 8%, from 29,356 to 31,562 (2,206 students) and saw the greatest increases overall in the Pre-Kindergarten ages 3 and 4 categories (24%).
· DCPS enrollment had a slight decrease of 1%, from 45,630 to 45,191 (439 students).
"States across the country look at early childhood enrollment numbers to determine future trends and to gauge the trust parents have in their school system," added Hosanna Mahaley, state superintendent of education. "Our amazing growth in the early grades and Pre-Kindergarten is a testament to the work of our school leaders, as well as the mayor's relentless early childhood efforts."
"This year's enrollment increase will no doubt become a driving force for continuous and permanent progress."
Samuel L. Jackson: 'I Voted for Obama Because He's Black'
Monday, 13 February 2012 18:45 Published in Arts & Entertainment
Actor Samuel L. Jackson says in an interview for the March issue of Ebony magazine that he became a supporter of Barack Obama in 2008 because of his race.
According to the interview, the Oscar-nominated screen legend admits that his decision to vote for Obama had nothing to do with his political beliefs.
"I voted for Barack because he was black. 'Cuz that's why other folks vote for other people — because they look like them," Jackson was quoted as saying.
'That's American politics, pure and simple,' he added. "[Obama's] message didn't mean **** to me. In the end, he's a politician. I just hoped he would do some of what he said he was gonna do," Jackson continued. "I know politicians say ****; they lie. 'Cuz they want to get elected."
The actor also went on to defend his use of the N-word, explaining it was used at home while he was growing up.
Said Jackson: 'When it comes down to it, they wouldn't have elected a n*****, because what's a n*****? A n***** is scary. Obama ain't scary at all. N****** don't have beers at the White House. N****** don't let some white dude, while you in the middle of a speech, call [him] a liar. A n***** would have stopped the meeting right there and said, "Who the **** said that?"
Prince George's Housing Agency to Get HUD Assistance
Monday, 13 February 2012 16:19 Published in Local
The Prince George's County housing department is about to get a long-overdue makeover.
According to a published report, the department which was the focus of former County Executive Jack B. Johnson's long-running pay-to-play scheme, will receive assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the county's efforts improve its management of housing programs and other community revitalization projects.
Governance of Prince George's -- which has had the distinction of being one of the most affluent black enclaves in the country -- came under scrutiny in the wake of Johnson's arrest more than a year ago. Under Johnson's administration, the housing department was cited for questionable practices and poor management. The agency, which currently has a $92 million operating budget, eventually loss some $2 million in unspent federal funding due to those and other concerns that have included lack of leadership and training for staff members.
County Executive Rushern Baker, who sought help from federal officials, is expected to sign an agreement this week with HUD that will help put the housing department back on track.
Mercedes M. Marquez, HUD's assistant secretary for community development, said in an interview that Baker sought her out for federal assistance.
"He came to my office, essentially saying, 'This is now on my watch, and I want to be a model for the country' and put the county's history behind it," Marquez was quoted as saying.
The coroner's office reported Sunday that no signs of foul play were found surrounding the death of singing legend Whitney Houston.
According to wire reports, Whitney Houston's stylist, hairdresser and two bodyguards were among the people in the room at the time. They reportedly became worried about Whitney because she had been in the bathroom for over an hour and it was time to start getting ready for the Clive Davis party.
According to sources, they began to knock on the door and there was no answer. The hairdresser, who is female, went in to check on Whitney. She immediately screamed and, according to sources, one of the bodyguards came running in and pulled her out of the tub.
According to Beverly Hills police officers, various prescription drugs — and no sign of illegal ones — were present in Whitney's room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton hotel and she could have possibly drowned in the bathtub. EMTs on the scene said that her body had already been removed from the water so an autopsy [would be] needed to determine exact cause of death.
Whitney Houston's body was removed from the Beverly Hilton Hotel early Sunday morning, reports ABC. Bobby Kristina came to see her mother before her body was taken to the morgue for autopsy.
Washington Informer publisher Denise Rolark Barnes (center) was among more than 80 leaders from Prince Georges County, Md., and Washington, D.C., who attended the Radio One D.C. Station's "Meet/Greet/Tour" of the facility on Feb. 2.
WI's African American Heritage Tour Feb. 18: Sold Out!
Wednesday, 15 February 2012 05:00 Published in African-American Heritage Tour
The Washington Informer presents its annual "African American Heritage Tour" on Feb. 18.
The tour which is hailed as an "expedition through the fight for freedom," celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
Participants will meet at THEARC and enjoy an opening presentation before embarking on a tour of the African American Civil War Museum.
Tour sponsors include Pepco, Southwest Airlines, Verizon, Kaiser Diversity Mid Atlantic and the D.C. Lottery.
The schedule is as follows:
• Continental Breakfast at THEARC: 8:30 AM
• Opening Program/ Special Presentation: 9:15-9:45 AM
• Depart for Tour: 10 AM
• Return to THEARC: 12 PM
• Lunch: 12-1 PM
• Special Guest Speaker
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.
They can be purchased at the Washington Informer Office: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE Washington, DC 20032
To purchase tickets, visit: http://heritagetour2012.eventbrite.com
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