WI Web Staff
Mural to Honor Brown vs. Board of Education
TOPEKA, KANSAS -- Rep. Valdenia Winn (D - Kansas City), chairperson of the Capitol Preservation Committee, is issuing a national call for artists/artistic teams to submit a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to design a mural in the Kansas State Capitol commemorating the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Brown v Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.
"The significance of the Oliver L. Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas is known throughout the world and one that has paved the way for the modern revolution for human rights in the United States," said Winn. "The story of the families from Kansas, Virgina, South Carolina, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., must be remembered for the sacrifices that they made so that we all could reach our greatest potentials. This mural will be a legacy for all!"
In 2010, the Kansas Legislature passed Senate Bill 54, which created the Capitol Preservation Committee and authorized the Committee to develop plans for the placement of a mural within the Kansas State Capitol to commemorate the landmark court case that ended the "separate but equal" law across the United States.
Project parameters can be found here:
www.washburn.edu/main/mulvane/files/Brown%20Mural%20Call%20for%20Artists%20RFQ.pdf
The deadline for submitting an RFQ is 5 p.m. CST on May 1. The Capitol Preservation Committee will invite selected artists to provide a Request for Proposal (RFP) to more specifically outline their plan for the mural.
The contact person for submitting an RFQ is Cyndi Morrison at the Mulvane Art Museum. Her e-mail is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ;Phone, 785-670-1124.
The mural will be paid for by private dollars, projected completion in October 2014.
Dance Theatre of Harlem Comes to Southeast D.C.
Monday, 12 March 2012 23:02 Published in Arts & Entertainment
The Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble will appear in a rare performance in Southeast Washington.
The event is slated for 5 p.m., Sunday, April 8 at THEARC Theater, 1901 Mississippi Ave.
This is the company's first full show at THEARC Theater after conducting a lecture demonstration to the community in 2011, and it's one of the few professional dance concerts the theater has presented to its community since the campus opened in 2005.
Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim, encompassing a performing Ensemble, a leading arts education center and Dancing Through Barriers®, a national and international education and community outreach program.
Each component of Dance Theatre of Harlem carries a solid commitment towards enriching the lives of young people and adults around the world through the arts.
On Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, Rep. John Lewis Cites Current Voting Rights Struggle
Sunday, 11 March 2012 23:48 Published in National
WASHINGTON -- On March 7, 1965, some 600 non-violent protestors led by John Lewis, then chair of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, and Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) walked two-by-two in silent protest across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Their intention was to march all the way to the state capital in Montgomery to highlight the need for voting rights protection in Alabama.
On that bridge, they were beaten in a bloody confrontation later named Bloody Sunday. Outcry against the event eventually led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which opened up voting access for African Americans, language minorities, seniors, the disabled, Latino, Asian and Native Americans who all experienced limited access to the polls. Bi-annually, Rep. John Lewis leads a congressional pilgrimage to Alabama managed by The Faith and Politics Institute to immerse legislators in the history of contemporary struggle around the right to vote in America. On this anniversary, Rep. Lewis made this statement:
"Forty-seven years ago, people had to pass a so-called literacy test, pay a poll tax, even count the number of bubbles in a jar of soap so they could register to vote. The Voting Rights Act ended those abuses, but it did not end attempts to suppress access to the ballot box today. On this anniversary, we cannot rest. We must honor those who gave their lives for the right to vote in this country by getting informed and getting involved.
"Right now there are only six states in America which have no voter ID requirement and no pending voter ID legislation. Forces are gathering to make it more difficult for as many as 21 million Americans who have no government -issued ID and 5 million registered voters to cast a vote in this election.
"They have launched litigation aimed at the U.S. Supreme Court with hopes to gut section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires pre-clearance of voting changes in states with a history of discrimination by the Justice Department to stop voter suppression before it becomes law. Democracy is not a state. It is an act. It requires the continued vigilance of us all to ensure that we continue to create an ever more fair, more free democracy.
" Get up-to-date on the voting requirements in your state. Mobilize to take action to make sure everyone who is eligible to vote has the ID required so they can vote without restriction on Election Day. And join in the struggle to combat every attempt to suppress the vote in your area."
Long before the famed Apollo in Harlem and the Regal in Chicago, there was the Howard Theatre in D.C.
Now after being closed for more than 30 years, the historic edifice -- where scores of musicians like Duke Ellington and comedic, dance and other performers have performed -- is poised for reopening on April 12.
The theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Located at 7th and T streets in Northwest, it served for more than a century as a centerpiece in the Howard-Shaw community. In preparation for next month’s grand opening, the theatre underwent renovations to the tune of $29 million, raised by the nonprofit Howard Theatre Restoration group.
The grand openng will commemorate the theatre’s its 101st anniversary, and at that time, a sculpture of Duke Ellington will be unveiled. Raheem DeVaughn Savion Glover and Dick Gregory are among celebrities scheduled to perform.
Williams Sisters, Hingis Headline as Kastles Defend Championship
Sunday, 11 March 2012 01:13 Published in Sports
Coming off a perfect season and their second World TeamTennis title, the Washington Kastles' 2012 home schedule kicks off against Martina Hingis and the rival New York Sportimes before concluding with consecutive matches featuring Serena and Venus Williams.
The Kastles, who in 2011 became the first team in the 36-year history of WTT to go 16-0, will host seven home matches in a 13-day span, including an unprecedented five straight home matches from July 15 through July 22.
"After last year's undefeated season, league championship and record-breaking attendance, this season may be the most anticipated in Kastles history," said Kastles' owner Mark Ein. "We are thrilled to bring another summer of exciting tennis to our amazing fans in Washington as the Kastles battle to defend their WTT championship.
"We are especially excited that tennis superstars Serena and Venus Williams will again be playing for the Kastles, and that our fans will have the last chance to see them play before the start of the Olympic Games in London on July 28."
The Kastles, led for the fourth consecutive year by Coach Murphy Jensen, will begin their title defense on the road July 9 against former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport and the Orange County Breakers. The team then takes on the Springfield Lasers July 11 in Missouri.
The first Kastles home match on July 12 will feature the Washington's biggest rivals -- the New York Sportimes – who will be led by 15-time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis. This will be a rematch of Washington's dramatic win over the Sportimes in a Supertiebreaker last season, during which the Kastles saved five match points to preserve their undefeated record.
The Kastles then travel to Boston to play the Lobsters on July 13 in a rematch of the 2011 WTT Eastern Conference Championship, which Washington won 23-15.
The five-match homestand will begin on July 15 when Washington celebrates USTA Family Night against Philadelphia. This much-anticipated evening includes fun activities for children and parents alike around the grounds of Kastles Stadium at The Wharf.
The Boston Lobsters will then take on the Kastles in D.C. on July 16. The Sacramento Capitals come to town on July 18, followed by an important match against the Orange County Breakers on July 20. Tennis Hall-of-Famer Chris Evert will return to Kastles Stadium at The Wharf that night to meet and greet Kastles fans.
Serena Williams and Venus Williams will join the Kastles for their final two home matches of the 2012 season. Serena will lead Washington against the Kansas City Explorers on July 22. Venus returns to D.C. on July 24 when the team takes on the Philadelphia Freedoms.
With a Williams sister in their lineup, the Kastles have won 14 consecutive matches dating back to their inaugural 2008 season.
The Kastles finish the regular season with a road trip to New York on July 25 to take on John McEnroe and the Sportimes. They then travel to Kansas City on July 27 to compete against the Explorers. The final regular season match is on July 28 against the Springfield Lasers.
The 2012 WTT Finals Weekend will be held following the conclusion of the Olympic Games and the US Open, September 14-16 in Charleston, S.C.
African Diaspora for Change Launches 'Beyond the Vote'
Sunday, 11 March 2012 00:01 Published in National
Initiative to Engage Black Immigrants in the Civic Process and Immigration Reform Debate
WASHINGTON, DC — From the African Union and the World Bank, to USAID and the UN, there is a growing focus on the role of the African Diaspora here in the United States as a key constituency. In fact, the United Nations declared 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent. As a continuation of that theme, African Diaspora for Change (ADC) has designated 2012 as the Year of African Ascent—an opportunity to engage a growing and increasingly influential population.
On March 29, in Washington, D.C., at Atlas Theater for Performing Arts, the African Diaspora for Change(ADC) will host the Spirit of the Diaspora Extravaganza, a multicultural feast of the sights, sounds and people of the African Diaspora. The event is a celebration of the spirit of the people of the African Diaspora and their ascent into greatness in 2012, as well as the official launch of ADC's upcoming "Beyond the Vote" Initiative to engage Black immigrants in civic participation and the immigration reform debate.
"Our organization began as an initiative to get Black immigrants out to vote in 2008. It was a successful effort; however, once people voted, there was a lack of continued engagement in the civic process," says Julian B. Kiganda, ADC president. "Given that we're now in the next presidential election cycle, this is an ideal opportunity for us to develop a platform for education and continued involvement of Black immigrants in civic engagement, advocacy, and the immigration reform debate in which we have been a missing voice."
Invited speakers and honorary host committee members include African Union Ambassador to the U.S., Amina Salum Ali, South African Ambassador to the U.S. Ebrahim Rasool, Congresswoman Yvette Clark (D-NY), Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL), Thomas Debass, Director of Global Partnerships for the U.S. Department of State, and Dr. Julius Garvey (son of the late Marcus Garvey), to name a few. In the tradition of ADC's programs, various artists of the Diaspora from Brazil, South Africa, the U.S. and Uganda, and many others will be highlighted.
The mission of African Diaspora for Change is to educate, empower and engage the next generation of leaders in order to affect change in perception and policy.
Blacks Still Shoulder Weight of High Unemployment
Saturday, 10 March 2012 18:20 Published in National
Despite reports of a rebounding economy, joblessness among Africa Americans – like gas prices -- have continued to dip, then escalate.
According to the latest U. S. Labor Department findings, as of February 2012 the unemployment rate for blacks hovered at 14.1 percent compared to 13.6 for January, and 15.8 percent the month before.
With more 200,000 jobs created last month by the economy, the fluctuations -- which likewise impacted Latino workers -- have been difficult to explain.
The jobless rate among black teens also increased to 17 percent in February – and overall, the statistics indicate there probably won't be much change for blacks or Latino job seekers as the year progresses.
Bill Rodgers a Rutgers University economist who studies racial inequities, said in an interview that the labor department's unemployment data exemplifies a sausage-like quality. He added that it's better to consider unemployment trends over 12-month periods.
Acording to Rodgers, the black employment outlook is mixed.
Black men appear to have gained jobs since February 2011 in manufacturing, construction and the service sector. And while government employment held steady this month, deep staff cuts in state and local government have hit black women particularly hard. Indeed, government agencies, a sector that has slashed about 500,000 jobs since February 2010, employed just over one-quarter of black women before the recession began. That has caused the number of black women with jobs to fall, although that number held steady in February, Rodgers was attributed to saying in the recent Huffington Post interview.
Former Prince George's County councilmember Leslie Johnson -- convicted of destroying evidence in her husband's pay to play scheme – has reported to the all-women Alderson Federal Prison.
Johnson reported Friday (March 9) to the facility in rural Western Virginia, that's known as "Camp Cupcake," and where TV hostess Martha Stewart served a sentence on federal charges.
Upon entering the facility, Johnson, 60, began serving a one –year and one-day sentence that was imposed late last year. She admitted in November 2011 to following her husband's instructions to flush a $100,000 check from a developer down a toilet and hiding nearly $80,000 in her under wear.
Johnson's is married to former Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson, 63, who reported to prison in February after being convicted in the long-running scheme that netted him as much as $1 million in bribes and favors.
In honor of Black History Month, NBC4 honored The Washington Informer for 47 years of publishing positive news about the African-America community. The event took place Feb. 28 during a reception at the TV station's studios in Northwest.
NBCUniversal President and General Manager Jackie Bradford (c) joined news anchor Pat Lawson Muse (l), who presented an award to Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes (2nd right) and staff members (l-r) Shevry Lassiter, Charles Sutton and Ron Burke. Standing between Muse and Rolark Barnes is McDonald's franchise owner Isaac Green, sponsor of the NBC4 Black History videos featuring The Washington Informer which aired during the month of February.
The "Wiz Kids" are the Washington Wizards official kid's dance team. The team consists of 26 boys and girls ages 7-13 from the D.C. area who amaze Wizards fans with their high-energy performances and impeccable dance skill! On Saturday, March 3, the "Wiz Kids" entertained fans during the half-time period of the Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game. In this photo, the "Wiz Kids" exit the basketball court after their performance./Photo by John E. De Freitas.
More UDC basketball photos at www.informerphotos.com
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