Washington Informer

Online Editor

The No. 1 New York Times bestseller, "The Help," by Kathyrn Stockett which details the lives of a group of black maids in civil-right era Jackson, Miss., makes its debut on the big screen in August.

Starring Viola Davis; Cicely Tyson; Octavia Spencer; and Aunjanue Ellis, the film is already reported to be stirring Oscar buzz.

Davis, who plays the role of Aibileen, is the first maid to open up about how it has been working for white employers – taking care of their children, preparing meals and cleaning their homes. Teaming with Skeeter (played by Emma Stone) who has just returned home from college to begin her career as a journalist, Aibileen eventually gets more maids to come forward to tell their stories.

While The Help" is also funny and poignant, it largely resonates with the seriousness of race relations during the time Medgar Evers was slain and Martin Luther King Jr. was galvanizing African Americans for the March on Washington.

The Huffington Post lauded "The Help" as a publishing success story of 2009, reporting that more than 1.9 million copies had been printed.

The March of Dimes held its annual Signature Chefs Auction of D.C. October 26 at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC Hotel. The Washington Informer was media sponsor for the event, which featured more than 30 of Washington, D.C.’s, top chefs and bartenders for an evening of culinary and beverage tastings. The live and silent auctions included unique dining packages, event tickets, hotel stays and weekend getaways. The event raised more than $136,000 for the March of Dimes Maryland-National Capital Area Chapter.

The Washington Informer partnered with NBC 4 on the 2011 celebration of Black History Month. The annual NBC4 Black History Essay Contest honors 9 -12 grade students who accepted the invitation to write an essay on “Why is Black History Month Important”.

The Black History Essay Contest is one of three heritage month essays contests that are sponsored by NBC4, because of their commitment to acknowl-edging the rich and diverse heritages throughout our community. The goal of the Black History Month Essay Contest is to continue to motivate study and thought.

The Washington Informer is proud to publish the winning essays from the 2011 NBC 4 Black History Month Essay Contest. Of the many entries that were received, the following four essays were judged to be the cream of the crop and are published here un-edited.

Videos

We consider each and every finalist to be a winner, and our sponsors and partners have helped us to reward every one of them. We humbly ask that you support our sponsors, partners, and advertisers.

2012 Spelling Bee Sponsors and Partners

Southwest Air

Giant Food

The Nielsen Company

McDonalds

Microsoft

DC Public Schools

NBC4

Champion Trophy

Coca Cola

Washington Nationals

Pepco

Inspire BBQ and Catering

McMillon Communications

The Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education Inc. (FAME)

Jack H Olender and Associates

Lunch Provided by Inspire BBQ and Catering

 

 

Please feel free to contact The Washington Informer with any questions, concerns, suggestions for next year, or if you would like to personally thank any of our sponsors.

Denise Rolark Barnes, Publisher

Ron Burke, Advertising and Marketing Director