Washington Informer

George E. CurryOstracizing Black Leaders Who Criticize Obama

The Bible is filled with characters who started out on shaky ground – Paul, David and Solomon, among them – before being transformed into epic figures. But it seems that Black leaders who dare to criticize President Obama don't get second chances. Instead, they are the object of widespread ridicule and condemnation.

I spent some time last week with two such leaders – Cornel West and Jesse Jackson – at the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) national convention in Chicago. Although their standing among African-Americans has slipped, their analysis of where Blacks have been and need to go is as incisive as ever.

Neither Jackson nor West should be viewed in isolation. The Black community does not want to hear anything bad about Barack Obama, even if it's true. If a White president had been as dismissive of African-Americans' interests as Obama has been, Blacks would have been ready to march on the White House. As Michael Eric Dyson says, "This president runs from race like a Black man runs from a cop."

The Library of Congress' first-ever two-day National Book Festival, Sept. 24-25 on the National Mall, Washington, D.C.

"Waiting to Exhale" author Terry McMillan to participate in national book fest./Courtesy Photo

Co-chaired by President Obama and Mrs. Obama, this year's event draws an impressive lineup of authors, including Toni Morrison, Terry McMillan, Dave Eggers, Hoda Kotb, Julianne Moore and a host of other well-known writers. Visit www.loc.gov/bookfest to view the complete author lineup.

Mystics Chief Operating Officer, Greg Bibb, presented Lucille Wise Hester, with the Capital One Bank Community Champion Award at the half-time period of the Washington Mystics vs L.A.Sparks basketball game on Tues.Aug.23. " Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication in your community"said Bibb. Photo by John E De Freitas.Presented to Lucille Wise Hester, Counselor and Athletic Director at Hardy Middle School, in the D.C. Public School System and Executive Director of Youth Visions Inc.

Youth Visions, Inc., a 501c3 international leadership program providing youth the opportunity and the means to travel abroad, to acquire valuable experience, and to establish relations academically, economically, artistically, and athletically at no cost to participating youth. The youth in this program are selected based on their conduct and accomplishments, and have ventured to sports, artistic, and cultural events in countries around the world, including but not limited to, Sweden, Germany, Israel, Ghana, South Africa and Japan.

Throughout her life, with an amazing eye for sport talent, both tapped and untapped, Hester has mentored numerous young adults who have gone on to hold positions in the educational, medical, business and sports world. These men and women work in schools, colleges and universities, and in professional sports as administrators, coaches, journalists, attorneys, and sports agents

This year marks Ms. Hester's 50th year of consecutive employment in education where she still makes a difference in the lives of children, adults and communities, nationally and internationally. Ms. Hester's community impact is so powerful in the opportunities she offers to youth, adults and the community at large, all on a voluntary basis, such as, incorporating the community to be apart of activities that becomes life time careers.

ARIES You are often superb at exercising good judgment and rational decision-making. Yet sometimes you are rash. Flip to the observant side of your mentality this week. You will soon find yourself in a situation where there will be strife if you are not careful. Soul Affirmation: A cheerful soul should be wrapped in a cheerful package. Lucky Numbers: 18, 36, 44

TAURUS Just to prove to yourself once again how lucky you are you should fly into the face of bad predictions. Gamble this week in business, relationships, love -something. Remain truly confident that things will come out in a way that will satisfy you. Soul Affirmation: Change is my middle name. Lucky Numbers: 4, 28, 37

The National Symphony Orchestra celebrates the beginning of its 2011–2012 season with its annual Labor Day Capitol Concert featuring new NSO Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke in Legends of Washington Music, a musical tribute to John Philip Sousa, "Duke" Ellington, and Chuck Brown, the "Godfather of Go-Go."

New Identity Boosts Economic Development Efforts, Unifies Citywide Marketing

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Convention and Sports Authority has adopted a new name and visual identity as part of its ongoing campaign to attract more events and provide greater economic benefits for the nation's capital. Now called Events DC, the Authority introduced the brand this morning at a news conference with city, business and community leaders at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

The Washington Convention and Sports Authority resulted from the merger of the Washington Convention Center Authority and the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission in October 2009. The organization's new brand reflects its broader mission and expanded portfolio of venues.

"Events DC embodies our true identity as one united organization offering customers an extensive array of options for events of all kinds. It underscores our position as the premier source of Washington, DC's event experience," said Events DC President and Chief Executive Officer Gregory A. O'Dell.

At the same time, Events DC complements and reinforces two other brands that are central to the District's meetings and tourism industry: Washington DC and Destination DC, the city's tourism arm. The logos for all three entities feature the bold block letters DC, joined by a central star.

The Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum held it's 44th Anniversary luncheon at the Museum, located in Southeast Washington DC, Thursday,September 16, 2011. The current exhibition features artist BK Adams, standing here between two of his favorite paintings, he poses with his palm up, which was the inspiration for the painting on the left. He shares his story with museum director Camile Giraud Akeju. Photo by Victoe Holt.

Mayor Vincent C. Gray and the District of Columbia have signed a partner pledge to become a participant in the Better Buildings Challenge, a national energy-efficiency-leadership initiative proposed by President Barack Obama to make commercial buildings 20 percent more energy-efficient by 2020.

The pledge was signed on Dec. 2, and according to the following statement from Mayor Gray’s communications office, the endeavor will make D.C. a more competitive city.
 

“I’m tremendously excited that the District of Columbia is a partner in the Better Buildings Challenge,” said Gray. “Incorporating this national challenge into our local Sustainable DC Initiative will advance our efforts to make the District a more competitive city and better place to live, work and play.”