Washington Informer

World-renowned microscopic sculptor, Willard Wigan, British native is on his second USA tour. His opening night, Friday, Aug. 3 at Parish Gallery-Georgetown in Northwest, will feature "The Half Century Collection."

This must-see exhibition includes 10 new pieces of micro-sculptures released into the American market that are so tiny they fit in the eye of a needle. Wigan's rare art works have been described as "The Eighth Wonder of the World." The sculptured pieces are housed in cases incorporating microscope lenses focused on the work. An appreciation of the size of the work is only achieved by viewing 'in the flesh'.

Suffering from dyslexia and learning difficulties, Wigan struggled at school, finding solace in creating art of such minute proportions that it virtually could not be seen with the naked eye.

"It began when I was five years old," says 55-year-old Wigan. "I started making houses for ants because I thought they needed somewhere to live. Then I made them shoes and hats. It was a fantasy world I escaped to where my dyslexia didn't hold me back and my teachers couldn't criticize me. That's how my career as a micro-sculptor began."

For further information, call 202-944-2310 or visit www.parishgallery.com Misty Brown.

ri·val·ry/ˈrīvəlrē/

Noun: Competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.

Washington, D.C. – The on-field rivalry between Morehouse College and Howard University continues this fall when the two football programs meet for the 35th time in the second annual AT&T Nation's Football Classic™ at RFK Stadium on Saturday, September 1 in the season opener for both schools. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m.

Bragging rights are at stake for the two teams whose combined rosters include 12 preseason All-Conference selections. The return of outstanding players such as Bison All-American linebacker Keith Pough and Maroon Tigers running back David Carter, coupled with the memories of last year's inaugural Classic thriller in which Howard pulled out a nail-biting 30-27 win, promises to make this year's rematch even more competitive. The Bison hold a 22-10-2 advantage in the series including four straight wins.

"The sense of tradition between these two schools inspires a classic college football experience that we are happy to once again bring to our nation's capital," Erik A. Moses, managing director of Events DC's Sports and Entertainment Division. "Last year's game was exciting for both schools and their fans. We expect the same determination and drive from both teams to come out victorious and register their first win of the season."

Whereas last year's inaugural game started a great sports tradition in our nation's capital, the Bison victory set the stage for another enticing match-up this year. Howard Head Coach Gary "The Flea" Harrell will look to Pough for defensive leadership. Pough, who is included on most preseason football honors lists, was named a 2012 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Preseason All-American and the College Sports Madness Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Pough is also one of 20 finalists for the highly coveted Buck Buchanan Award presented annually to the best defensive player in the FCS. With a strong season, Pough could break the FCS record for both total tackles and tackles for a loss in a career. Assisting Pough on the defensive side of the ball is red-shirt senior defensive back DeCarlos Knight. Knight, a 2012 preseason All-MEAC Second Team Selection, recorded 46 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a pair of blocked kicks in the 2011 Season.

Offensively for the Bison, quarterback Greg McGhee, last year's MEAC Rookie of the Year, College Sports Networks "Inside the Huddle" 2011 Black College Freshman of the Year and inaugural Classic MVP, will be back under center for his sophomore season.

"Last year's victory over Morehouse was a huge win for us and was a catalyst for a great season for us," said Harrell. "With this year's Classic being the season opener for both teams, the energy and level of play is going to be that much more intense."

On the opposing sideline, the Maroon Tigers have reason to be confident as they were picked to win the East Division in the 2012 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Football Preseason Poll. Eight Maroon Tigers were selected to the Preseason Football All-Conference Team including 2011 SIAC Player of the Year and AFCA All-American running back David Carter, who returns for his senior season. Carter is just 150 rushing yards shy of setting the career rushing yards record at Morehouse currently held by John David Washington (son of actor Denzel Washington) with 3,669 total yards. Last season, the Morehouse defense finished the season ranked second in total defense in the SIAC, and with three first team All-SIAC members they will aim to finish the 2012 season on top. They will look to build on a 2011-2012 season record of 8-2 as they seek redemption from last year's Classic nail-biting loss.

"Last year was the kind of game that football fans love to see, especially in an inaugural HBCU classic," said Morehouse Head Coach Rich Freeman. "While we didn't come out on top, I know our team played hard until the very last snap. As a coach, that's all you can ask for and

this rivalry inspires the best performances out of our young players. We are looking forward to traveling back to the nation's capital, playing in this year's Classic and bringing the trophy home to Atlanta."

Morehouse's eight SIAC Preseason All-Conference selections include running back David Carter, offensive linemen Jan-Michael Coke, Marlon Jones and Shea Martin, defensive lineman Scottie Williams, defensive back Justin Oliver and linebackers Brandon Houston and Elijah Anderson.

Howard's four MEAC Preseason All-Conference selections include quarterback Greg McGhee, offensive lineman Cory Gwinner, linebacker Keith Pough and defensive back DeCarlos Knight.

Individual tickets for the football game are priced $25 to $50 (plus applicable fees), and on sale at ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, the Howard University Box Office located at Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore. Group tickets, suites and premium tickets are available by calling the ATTNFC Hotline at 202-608-1135. Credit card payments accepted only (Mastercard and VISA).

The JW Marriott Washington, DC is the headquarters hotel and will serve as the hub for AT&T Nation's Football Classic™ activity during the weekend. Promotional rates for this hotel, and other participating Marriott properties, can be reserved at www.nationsfootballclassic.com or 800-266-9432 (use reference code: NFF).

For more information on the AT&T Nation's Football Classic™, please visit www.nationsfootballclassic.com.

Pageant finals 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 13 at the University of the District of Columbia

The Miss Black USA Pageant and Scholarship Foundation is redefining the 2012 edition of Miss Black USA to emphasize all attributes that contribute to today's successful African American woman – mind, body and spirit. The Miss Black USA Pageant finals are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. at the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C.

Karen Arrington, CEO of Miss Black USA, said that the scholarship pageant, with the theme "Black Women Redefined," reflects the American black woman's rising role in leadership.

"For the first time in history, we have an African American First Lady, a black woman on the top of the Forbes Richest Women in Entertainment list, and African American women who are in positions of prestige and power at organizations like Xerox, Care USA, Microsoft, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The World Bank," she said.

She added that this year's 30 Miss Black USA contestants, from 28 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands, accurately represent the theme. More than 80 percent of the contestants are enrolled in graduate or professional school. Miss Black Nevada has a doctorate in physical therapy and is a practicing physical therapist. Miss Black Georgia is a practicing attorney.

Miss Black USA was founded in 1986 to provide educational opportunities to outstanding young African American women. To date, the pageant has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships.

Deya Smith, Miss Black USA 1994 and producer of the nationally syndicated radio program the Tom Joyner Morning Show, will co-host the pageant along with R & B recording artist Brian Christopher. Sponsors include the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, School of Film & Television, Heart & Soul Magazine, Black Opal Cosmetics and Arik Air.

The pageant will kick off with a VIP Red Dress Reception at the Washington Hilton Hotel to raise awareness of heart disease, the leading killer of women. Miss Black USA is a national partner of the Heart Truth Campaign, as well as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Leading up to the pageant, visitors to the Miss Black USA website, missblackusa.org, may cast votes for their favorite contestants in the 2012 People's Choice contest. The winner will be announced at the pageant finals on Aug. 13. Voting, through 11:59 p.m. Aug., 12, costs $1 per vote, with no limit on votes. Tickets for the pageant are on sale now at wepay.com.

Washington, D.C. – Saturday, Aug. 18 will be a date to go down in Washington, D.C. and Go Go history as more than 10 monumental Go Go bands will grace the same stage, on the same day at the same time for an all-day event dedicated to honor the Godfather of Go Go Chuck Brown.

An event of this magnitude hasn't occurred since Go Go LIVE at the Capital Centre in 1987; Chuck Brown Day will be taking place at the Washington Convention Center and will feature old and new Go Go band performances.

The event which will be hosted by R&B crooner Christopher Williams and Brown's daughter KK, is being presented by the Lifestyle Empowerment Symposium K. Performances will include EU featuring Sugar Bear, The Original Soul Searchers, The Original Pleasure Band, Suttle Thought, Trouble Funk, Junkyard, Backyard, India Arie, Dwele, Calvin Richardson and other special surprise performances. It will mark the first time the original Soul Searchers and Pleasure's all -girl band have performed together in years. The performances will also pay homage to the fallen Go Go soldiers.

For more information please visit www.symposiumdc2012.com. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite, The Cherry Lounge, DTLR locations and the Washington Convention Center.

Feature More Local Artists

Thank you for your article, "Moroccan artist Hamid Kachmar Opens 3rd Solo Show", July 19, 2012, by Misty Brown. Coverage of the visual arts in the Washington area is vital to artists who live and work in the District and surrounding jurisdictions. I very seldom see where any of the other local newspapers review or write articles about our small black owned galleries or the artists they feature.

The Washington area is full of wonderful artists who are working very hard to get noticed. I am just so happy to see the Washington Informer choosing to take a look at the artwork created by one of those artists.

Keaton Johnson

Brentwood, Md.

No Comment Doesn't Sit Well with Parents

I have seen quite a few articles about the D.C. Public School system and Chancellor Kaya Henderson in the Informer over the past few months. However, the only article in which she has actually had something to say was during an editorial board meeting with Washington Informer staff last summer. The story appeared in the paper on June 2, 2011.

Regarding the controversy surrounding the principal at Phelps High School and now the school libraries, the chancellor has chosen not to have any comments or provide any explanation to parents about her decisions. Let her try something like that on a school located west of Rock Creek Park.

The mayor, the city council and those parents would have Henderson packing her bags so fast she wouldn't know what happened. She rides roughshod over our community because she thinks she can get away with it. It seems as if her attitude is that only she knows what's best for our students and she doesn't need any input from parents. Our community and our students deserve better.

Justin Brown

Washington, D.C.

Promising Student Sustained Massive Injuries Saving Relatives’ Lives

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF) has contributed $10,000 toward the college education of a promising young man who risked his life to save his relatives in a tragic hit-and-run accident.

Matthew Brown, from Chicago Heights, Illinois who sustained massive injuries that resulted in his left leg being amputated, was officially presented the check by Alpha Kappa Alpha’s international president Carolyn House Stewart during EAF’s luncheon that was held during the Sorority’s biennial meeting in San Francisco. The check is a “President’s Scholarship” that Stewart presents to those whose heroism and achievements are extraordinarily remarkable.

The scholarship is being set aside for his college education and will be used to pay Matthew’s expenses at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, where he plans to major in criminal justice.

In making the announcement, Stewart applauded Brown for his rare courage and will to continue to excel despite the massive injuries he sustained.

The tragedy that led to Brown’s hospitalization took place on March 17 when a driver came barreling down a Chicago street. Seeing that his relatives were in danger, Matthew pushed them out of harm’s way. In committing this act of bravery and love, he took the full force of the impact. In the aftermath of this tragedy, his right leg was amputated.

The tragedy was heightened because the driver never stopped and remains at large.

Matthew underwent several operations and will continue to endure months of rehabilitation. However, in a show of determination and indomitable courage, he worked, pushed and endured pain and grueling physical rehabilitation so he could achieve his ultimate goal: to attend his high school graduation from Bloom Township High School just eleven weeks after his -accident. As he mounted the stage in his wheelchair to receive his diploma, the audience erupted in applause.

When AKA’s international president learned of the tragedy, she directed Barbara Sutton, EAF’s executive director, to explore ways the Sorority could help ease his hardships and help him realize his dreams.

After talking to Brown and his mother, the pair indicated that he wanted to realize his dream to attend Prairie State College to pursue an associate’s degree in criminal justice and to later earn a bachelor’s degree. His ultimate dream is to become a crime scene investigator.

When they learned of his wishes, President Stewart and Sutton put plans in motion to grant the scholarship. As a show of love, they visited with Matthew at Hope Children’s Hospital in Chicago to announce the award and to wish him good cheer. They were heartened that he was in good spirits and that he was grateful for the scholarship that will substantially help in underwriting his college expenses.

The formal announcement of the scholarship was made at the Luncheon that 1,000 members of the Sorority attended.

Because of his injuries, neither Brown nor family members attended the luncheon. However, they expressed their appreciation through a pre-recorded video.

“Matthew Brown is the very embodiment of the word ‘hero’”, declared Stewart. “His singular act of courage has earned the admiration of all who have heard his story. By establishing this Scholarship Fund, Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc. is helping to assure that he receives the assistance to attend college. Alpha Kappa Alpha will continue to follow his progress and will continue to be a source of uplift and support as he continues his journey to recovery.”

Katherine Jackson, mother of the famed Jackson family, is reportedly safe asnd resting in Arizona with relatives following more than a week of questions pertaining to her whereabouts.

The 82-year-old matriarch was reported missing late last week by a nephew who was staying at her house  -- and where the late Michael Jackson's three children also live. Katherine Jackson was awarded custody of Prince Michael, 15, Paris 14, and Blanket, 10, after their father died in June 2009. Their grandmother was also appointed guardian over her son's estate.

Jermaine Jackson recently tweeted that his mother was resting on the orders of a doctor in Arizona.

"This is our mother and her health is paramount. We are not inventing or plotting anything," he posted. "We are following doctor's advice. Period."

Sherman Hemsley who played the arrogant, opinionated and succesful African-American businessman on the 1970s-80s sitcom, "The Jeffersons," died on Tuesday at his home in El Paso, Texas. He was 74. His body was discovered by an assistant who initially thought he was sleeping. But it was later determined that Hemsley died of natural causes, according to a police report. 

Hemsley, who never married and had no children, got his big break in TV after being noticed by producer Norman Lear while acting in the Broadway hit, "Purlie." Hemsley also had a talent or singing and dancing and was eventually introduced to the cast of All in the Family, where he played the outspoken neighbor of bigot Archie Bunker.

His role in that show led to the creation of "The Jeffersons," one of several breakout sitcoms at the time that featured a largely African-American cast. His wife "Weezie" was played by the late Isabelle Sanford.