Washington Informer

The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation (WRCF) and NRG Energy rewarded more than 100 third-graders at Glenridge Elementary School in Prince George's County on for their commitment to reading with an April 16 "Power to Read Pizza Party."

Throughout the 2012 football season, students across the Washington, D.C. metro area participated in the Redskins Read Book Challenge powered by NRG. Students who read 10 or more books during the season were invited to have a parent, guarding or teacher nominate them for a reading certificate.

"We are committed to working with the Redskins excited about this opportunity to celebrate our students and the reading they have done this year," said Glenridge reading specialist Paddy Gordon. "This is a wonderful example of a community partnership that promotes literacy."

From among all the students and schools who completed the challenge, Glenridge's students read the most books and had the most children participate.

"We are passionate about helping our students develop reading proficiency and a love of reading," said Glenridge principal Gloria McCoy. "We are very excited and grateful that the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and NRG Energy share our enthusiasm and will reward the hard work of our students and the encouragement of our teachers."

The Redskins Read Book Challenge was created by the WRCF and NRG Energy to encourage and incentivize kindergarten through sixth grade students to explore the joys of reading.

"Congratulations to all of the students for their hard work!? said Manny Rodriguez, vice president of Sponsorships, Events and Charitable Giving, NRG Energy. "We are excited to be a part of this vital program and are committed to working with the Redskins to promote literacy within the community."

For more information on the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation's programs and events or to donate, visit www.redskins.com/community or follow the Foundation on twitter at @WRFoundation.

Mayor Vincent Gray said late Monday, that while proceeding today with the celebration of the District's Emancipation Day, he and city officials continue to monitor the situation that took place at the Boston Marathon.

The mayor added that in commemoration of the day on which schools are closed and city employees get time off as a paid holiday, extra precautions are in place to ensure the safety of the city, its residents and visitors.

"The District of Columbia celebrates each April 16 as Emancipation Day where we commemorate our nation's hard-fought battle for freedom and equal justice under the law," Gray said in a statement. "In a modern context, Emancipation Day also provides time to reflect on the District's current struggle for budget autonomy and full representation in Congress."

The D.C. Compensated Emancipation Act, which officially abolished slavery in the nation's capital in 1862, was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, and paid D.C. slave owners up to $300 to give up their slaves and ultimately freed more than 3,000 slaves, according to the U.S. Senate website.

The act set a precedent for the Emancipation Proclamation that would come several months later, according to City Councilman Vincent Orange, who is the chair of the event's oversight committee.

"It's the only time in history that the federal government paid $1 million in 1862 to free the slaves," Orange told ABC News. "Clearly, that was part of Lincoln's strategy to win civil war."

This year, the city will be honoring the day through the standard parades and fireworks, and even a battle of local university bands and workshops on the day's history, organized by Orange.

Emancipation Day was made an unpaid furlough day in 2011 to save the city much needed funds. Almost 22,000 city employees were eventually paid back after the city ended the year on a fiscal surplus, according to the mayor's office.

(Source: ABC News)

BOSTON — A series of explosions was reported near the finish line at the Boston Marathon on Monday, leaving two people dead and at least two dozen injured, according to the Boston Police Department.

The explosions from two bombs went off more than four hours after the start of the men's race, which meant that there were still several thousand runners yet to finish the race.

A third explosion was heard just before 4 p.m., about an hour after the first two blasts. The police were apparently aware of that device before the explosion occurred.

The blasts took place about four hours after the start of the men's race, which meant that there were still several thousand runners yet to finish the race. One senior counterterrorism official said it was too soon to tell whether the explosions were related to terrorism.

The Boston Marathon is one of running's most storied events, established in 1897 and one of the six World Marathon Majors. The event typically attracts an estimated 500,000 spectators and requires certain qualifying times for runners to compete.

(Source: The New York Times)

African American investors report high levels of confidence in their financial future, along with optimism about the political and economic future of the country, according to a recent Wells Fargo nationwide survey. Despite proactive planning and intentional cuts in spending, African American investors remain focused on day-to-day living expenses, with a large majority concerned about having enough money to retire.

Three in five (60%) African American investors express confidence in their own financial future, slightly higher than the national response (52%), while half (52%) report they are better off now than they were three years ago, same as the general population.

"The optimism and confidence articulated by African American investors is encouraging, particularly as those surveyed are feeling financially better off than they were three years ago," said Jeff Cosby, Financial Advisor and Vice-President, Investment Officer in the Bloomington, Minnesota office of Wells Fargo Advisors, Wells Fargo.

"Where we see the biggest opportunity is helping people really consider how they are approaching saving and planning for retirement. It is important for financial advisors to help investors think through long-term strategies for investment planning, while also providing guidance on common concerns like how to balance paying off debt while continuing to save for retirement."

While African American investors have made progress in retirement planning and preparation, most are concerned about having enough money to retire. African American investors are taking necessary steps toward preparing for retirement, as 45% of those surveyed have cut back on their spending to put away money for retirement (compared to 36% of the national population), and two in five (40%) non-retired African-American investors have a retirement savings plan in place (similar to the national population, 42%). Among non-retired African-Americans, having a plan is most prevalent among those earning over $100,000 annually (68% earning more than $100,000 have a plan vs. 35% of those earning less than $100,000.).

Compared to the US overall, African American investors are less likely to consider themselves financially comfortable (38% vs. 51% overall). More than a third (36%) of non-retired African American investors surveyed report that their biggest financial concern is paying their monthly bills; saving for retirement ranks second at 22%, followed by healthcare costs at 15%. Three in five African American investors are more focused on debt reduction (59%) than saving for retirement. And just over half (52%) of those surveyed are concerned they won't have enough saved for retirement (similar to all adults). African-American investors less than 50 years old are particularly concerned (64%, vs. 39% of those ages 50 and over).

Just over a third (36%) of African American investors are confident in knowing where to invest in today's market (similar to the national population, 31%).

"All investors -- regardless of age or level of savings -- should be focused on planning for retirement, and turning plans into actual saving and investing," said Cosby. "Many African American investors, much like the general population of overall investors, find investing in today's economy daunting. It's important to seek advice from a trusted professional to help navigate the ups and downs of the market, with an eye on long-term financial goals. It can be scary, but with all the resources and tools available, it can be done."

Living in multi-generational households also has a significant impact on African American investors' savings, as a number of respondents are caring for their own children, as well as aging parents or grandparents. One in five (20%) African American investors surveyed report living in three-generational households. Three in four (77%) African American adults surveyed who live in three-generational households are concerned they will not save enough to support themselves in retirement, compared to just 46% of those outside of multi-generational households.

Almost three quarters of African American investors (73%) are optimistic about the political direction of the country, significantly higher than the general population (43%), while four in five (83%) feel the U.S. economy will improve in the next two years (compared to 47% of the general population). Seventy-two percent of those surveyed expect their local economy to improve in the next two years (compared to 45% of the overall adult population), and nearly three in four see improvements in their local housing market (71%, vs. 54% nationally).

As part of Wells Fargo's proactive outreach to the segment, the company is focused on providing financial education for African American consumers to empower them to achieve financial success. Wells Fargo has developed a comprehensive financial education platform that offers guidance on financial topics that resonate with the segment.

Through relationships with national and community organizations and media outlets nationwide, Wells Fargo uses print, digital and workshop formats to deliver financial solutions to a broad range of audiences. An additional Wells Fargo resource is My Financial Guide, an online resource consisting of articles, videos and tools aimed at helping consumers become more confident and knowledgeable in money management.

These survey findings are based on an online survey conducted November 9 - December 3, 2012 among adults nationwide (N=1,105) and African American adults (N=500). Qualified respondents were non-students, ages 25-75, who are the primary or joint financial decision-maker in the household with household investable assets of at least $10,000. Survey results are weighted to reflect Census data for gender, age, race/ethnicity, region and household income to ensure representativeness. Assuming no sample bias, the maximum margin of error for the National sample is � 2.9% and � 4.4% for African American adults. Complete survey results are available upon request.