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Shoppers Warehouse Workers Protest

Union workers at Shoppers Food Warehouse continue to protest. Many are worried about their jobs as store closings are announced.

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The protest from Shoppers Food Warehouse Grocery store workers continue. Shopper’s parent company has announced it will close its stores, some converting to Giant grocery stores. Workers at Shoppers say they’re still in the dark about whether they will have jobs. Members of the workers union will protest outside Shoppers’ stores in Landover, Takoma Park and Rockville today.

Jack Evans Wants To Make His Case

DC Councilman Jack Evans wants to keep his chairmanship on the DC Council. Evans asked the council chairman for an opportunity to address the council.

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DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has not ruled out removing Jack Evans from his Finance Committee chairmanship. Evans is under federal investigation over accusations he used his position on the Council and Metro’s Board for personal gain. Today, Evans asked for a chance to plead his case, telling Mendelson that if the council heard his side of the story, he answered of all its question, Mendelson would not take any action against him at this time.  Evans is scheduled to chair a meeting on DC sports betting tomorrow.

Text Of Jackson Estate Statement On 10th Death Anniversary

But we best remember Michael by paying tribute to his legacy of philanthropic work and ask music fans everywhere to make a difference in their community — whether it’s planting a tree, volunteering at a shelter, cleaning up a public space or helping someone who is lost find their way.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Statement to The Associated Press from Michael Jackson’s estate on the 10th anniversary of his death.

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Ten years ago today, the world lost a gifted artist and extraordinary humanitarian. The entire global community joined in grieving during a powerful and emotional memorial service witnessed by more people than had ever viewed a live event before. Messages of condolences from Nelson Mandela and others were read as was a poem written for the occasion by the esteemed Maya Angelou. Berry Gordy Jr., founder of Motown, eulogized his protégé by saying, ”. the King of Pop is not big enough for him. I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived.” United in grief, the world wept not only at the loss of an artistic genius but at the void left by the loss of a father, son and brother.

A decade later, Michael Jackson is still with us, his influence embedded in dance, fashion, art and music of the moment. He is more important than ever. But the true measure of Michael was his giving to others, which came in many forms. He comforted the unfortunate at hospitals, in long term care facilities and at halfway houses. He equipped Neverland Ranch with medical facilities to accommodate patients seeking refuge from their lonely hospital rooms, and thousands came. He visited troops on bases around the world serving their country. Guinness World Records acknowledged his efforts with an award for Most Charities Supported by a Pop Star.

In a world where numbers are the measure of a man, Michael Jackson is a resounding success, whether by his 16 No. 1 singles and eight No. 1 albums in the U.S or the fact that his album “Thriller” is owned by more people on the planet than any album ever made and “Thriller” the short film is the only music video to have been inducted into the National Film Registry. And when mastery of a craft is the measure, Michael Jackson’s divine abilities remain the yardstick by which others are measured and against which today’s masters still measure themselves.

But we best remember Michael by paying tribute to his legacy of philanthropic work and ask music fans everywhere to make a difference in their community — whether it’s planting a tree, volunteering at a shelter, cleaning up a public space or helping someone who is lost find their way.

“I believe each person can make a difference in the life of someone in need,” he said. This is how we honor Michael.

Tributes To Michael Jackson Flow On 10th Death Anniversary

“Ten years ago today, the world lost a gifted artist and extraordinary humanitarian,” the Jackson estate said in a statement to The Associated Press. “A decade later, Michael Jackson is still with us, his influence embedded in dance, fashion, art and music of the moment. He is more important than ever.”

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Jackson’s estate paid tribute to his artistry and charity Tuesday as fans make final preparations for gatherings to celebrate his memory on the 10th anniversary of the King of Pop’s death.

“Ten years ago today, the world lost a gifted artist and extraordinary humanitarian,” the Jackson estate said in a statement to The Associated Press. “A decade later, Michael Jackson is still with us, his influence embedded in dance, fashion, art and music of the moment. He is more important than ever.”

The estate has doggedly worked to protect and enhance Jackson’s legacy, a task made more challenging this year when two men accused Jackson of molesting them as boys in the HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland,” sparking new scrutiny of years-old claims that Jackson preyed on children. Jackson was acquitted of abuse allegations in 2005 and always vehemently denied such allegations, and the estate and his family angrily refuted the men’s claims when the documentary was released in March, noting the men had at one time been among Jackson’s biggest defenders and one testified on his behalf at his criminal trial.

The estate is using the anniversary of Jackson’s death to celebrate and accentuate Jackson’s vast humanitarian work. It called on fans to honor Jackson’s memory by engaging in charitable acts “whether it’s planting a tree, volunteering at a shelter, cleaning up a public space or helping someone who is lost find their way. … This is how we honor Michael,” the statement read.

Fans plan to gather at Jackson’s last home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, where the singer received a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol on the afternoon of June 25, 2009 from his doctor. Jackson was declared dead at a hospital at age 50.

They also plan a vigil at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, where Jackson was laid to rest two months later.

Some planned to gather around Jackson’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One group of fans planned a Hollywood rally Tuesday to declare his innocence of molestation allegations.

Co-executors John Branca and John McClain, both major figures in Jackson’s career when he was alive, have taken his badly debt-ridden estate and grossed over $1.3 billion through various Jackson-related projects in the past decade, including the film “This Is It,” a pair of Cirque du Soleil shows and the sale of Jackson assets that included The Beatles catalog.

Jackson left everything to his mother, his children and charity in his will.

The singer’s father, Joe, died last year and is buried in the same cemetery as his son, but Michael’s 89-year-old mother, five brothers, three sisters and three kids remain alive and well 10 years later .

The death of Jackson was a massive cultural phenomenon, bringing an outpouring of public affection and revival of his songs and largely erasing the taint that remained after his criminal trial, despite his acquittal.

It was one of the earliest instances of the mass mourning on social media that would soon become common, and a massive worldwide audience both on TV and online watched his July 27, 2009 public memorial that included touching tributes from family members including daughter Paris and performances from Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie.

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This story has been corrected to note Jackson died in 2009, not 2019.

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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton

It’s Important To Know Your Status

National HIV Testing Day is Thursday, June 27th

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HIV/AIDS remains a real issue in our community and this morning we are highlighting National HIV Testing Day, which is coming up this Thursday.  I have details about a big event and how you can take part in knowing your status.

My guests are  Phronie Jackson – Executive Director of the Ward 5 Health Coalition and Gail Oliver – Executive Director of Damien Ministries

National HIV Testing Day is June 27thand the Ward 5 Health Coalition, WHUR and a host of others are teaming up again this year to provide free HIV Testing from 11am to 7pm at Damien Ministries @ 2200 Rhode Island Avenue, NE.  Free Confidential Testing plus a free $10 gift card while supplies last.  More information can be found here:

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.

Follow me on facebook, twitter and Instagram at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.

 

Bullying In The Workplace

Identifying and addressing issues of bullying in the workplace.

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You probably saw your first bullies as a child on the playground.  They were there in grade school whether they bothered you or others.  Just when you thought dealing with bullies was over… they show up on your job.  What does that look like?  Who are these people and how do you deal with them?

Resources:

Dr. Mildred Peyton

Donald Temple, Atty At Law

Guests:

Dr. Mildred Peyton, PhD, Workplace Bullying Expert
Donald Temple, Esq.

 

No Charges Against Man In Taser Incident

Metro taser incident

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There will be no charges filed against a man who was tased by a Metro Transit police officer over the weekend.  Officers were responding to a call Saturday evening about juveniles threatening riders with sticks. The situation escalated when a man who was not involved in the incident, started asking police questions. One officer deployed his taser and pinned the man to the ground, claiming he was interfering with the investigation. An online video of the encounter has sparked outrage and has been posted by groups like Black Lives Matter DC. Metro Transit Police are launching an internal investigation as to how the officer handled the incident and whether his force was appropriate.

More Tough Talk For Buttigieg

 Buttigieg criticized at emotional town hall after shooting.

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Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg faced criticism Sunday from angry residents of South Bend, Indiana, at an emotional town hall meeting a week after a white police officer fatally shot a black man in the city where he is mayor.
Buttigieg  said he would call for an outside investigation of the shooting of 54-year-old Eric Logan by Sgt. Ryan O’Neill.


The 37-year-old mayor said he would send a letter to the federal Department of Justice’s civil rights division and notify the local prosecutor that he’d like an independent investigator appointed. He conceded that his administration had failed on two key initiatives.
“The effort to recruit more minority officers to the police department and the effort to introduce body cameras have not succeeded and I accept responsibility for that,” Buttigieg said.
Prosecutors investigating said that the shooting was not recorded by O’Neill’s body camera.
The town hall grew contentious when some community members questioned whether the mayor had done enough to reform the police department in the city of 100,000 people, which is about a quarter black.
“Get the people that are racist off the streets,” one woman in the audience said. “Reorganize your department. You can do that by Friday.”
Buttigieg left the campaign trail for several days to deal with the reaction to the shooting, holding a late night news conference, meeting with the family of the man killed and addressing a protest rally where he was heckled by some in the crowd.
The June 16 shooting happened after O’Neill responded to a call about a suspicious person going through vehicles, a prosecutor investigating the case said. O’Neill spotted Logan leaning inside a car. When confronted, Logan approached O’Neill with a 6- to 8-inch knife raised over his head, the prosecutor said. O’Neill fired twice, with the other shot hitting a car door.
Violence flared again in South Bend early Sunday when a shooting at a pub left a Michigan man dead. Police identified the man as Brandon Williams, 27, of Niles, Michigan. Another 10 people suffered gunshot injuries in South Bend Sunday, the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit said. Five of the wounded remained in hospital in stable condition later Sunday. County Sheriff William Redmond said his officers assisted South Bend police in controlling a crowd of more than 100 “upset and angry citizens” who came from the pub to the hospital where the wounded were taken. It was not immediately clear what prompted the shooting.
Asked after the town hall meeting about the latest shootings, Buttigieg described them as a “reversal” after progress in curbing violence in South Bend earlier this year and in 2018.
Buttigieg had surged from obscurity to become a top-tier candidate in a crowded Democratic presidential field. But he has struggled to connect with minority voters.
The white mayor has had a sometimes-tense relationship with the black community dating back to his first term in office, when he fired the city’s first black police chief. He has also faced criticism for his handling of police misconduct cases, including a case involving an officer who was twice disciplined for civil rights violations but not fired, and for not having a police department that reflects South Bend’s diversity. The police department is almost 90 percent white.
In the wake of the shooting, Buttigieg called on his police chief to remind officers to have their body cameras on at all times when they are engaging with citizens.
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AP writer Sara Burnett in Chicago contributed to this story.

Michael Jackson’s Popularity Endures, Even After New Scandal

There’s been no rescinding honors like has happened to Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein, or mass movements to stop playing Jackson’s music, as R&B singer R. Kelly has faced.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — The documentary “Leaving Neverland” presented a disturbing depiction of Michael Jackson as a child molester, but the initial wave of negative publicity hasn’t greatly diminished the King of Pop’s image or the enduring popularity of his music.

Many believe Jackson’s musical legacy is still going strong as Tuesday’s 10th anniversary of his death approaches. Backlash to the documentary that aired in March on HBO and Britain’s Channel 4 prompted radio stations in Canada to stop playing his music and the producers of “The Simpsons” to remove an episode that featured Jackson’s voice.

But that’s been the most visible extent of the backlash.

There’s been no rescinding honors like has happened to Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein, or mass movements to stop playing Jackson’s music, as R&B singer R. Kelly has faced.

Jackson’s massively popular “Thriller” album and the theatrical version of its music video still reside in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. His music is still featured in commercials and is a part of a Cirque Du Soleil show in Las Vegas.

Museums in Detroit and Tennessee keep images and artifacts of Jackson on display, and his memorabilia continues to sell.

“He still commands prices compared to most any other celebrity,” said Darren Julien, president and CEO of the Culver City, California-based Julien’s Auctions. He said his auction house has sold around $15 million of the superstar singer’s property including his white glove that went for $480,000 in 2009 and a jacket, which was recently bought for $75,000.

Julien said Russia, Asia, Middle East, Canada and America are some of the key markets where buyers are willing to spend money on Jackson’s merchandise.

“He’s the only celebrity where we would have lines of people to get in whenever we had stuff of his to auction,” he continued. “There’s only one person that compares to Marilyn Monroe in collectability, and that is Michael Jackson.”

Billboard senior editor Gail Mitchell isn’t surprised by support for Jackson, who she has met before. For a recent story, the veteran music journalist said she and a colleague interviewed about 30 music executives who believe the singer’s legacy could withstand the “Leaving Neverland” controversy.

“Some saw the film, others didn’t want to,” she said. “Many said that (Jackson) is not here to defend himself the way R. Kelly is here. … The jury is always probably going to be out. But all of the execs said his legacy will be fine.”

Mitchell recently attended Janet Jackson’s residency performance in Las Vegas where the singer played several of her brother’s songs that had “people dancing and buzzin’” as the “crowd went wild” during classic songs from The Jackson 5, which she called “one of the highlights of show.”

“There was an aura about him,” Mitchell said of Jackson. “He had an energy in terms of his talent and the dancing, and I still think that aura still exists to a point. I know it’s been tarnished, but I think overall that there is no denying what he brought to the table.”

Jackson died at the age of 50 from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol on June 25, 2009. In an instant, Jackson’s popularity surged after years of being tarnished by sexual abuse allegations and a 2005 child molestation trial, which ended with his acquittal. After Jackson’s death, the criminal case nearly became an afterthought until “Leaving Neverland” was released.

The documentary focused on two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who denied Jackson abused them while the singer was still alive. Both have said having their own children forced them to face the truth.

Jackson acknowledged befriending numerous children, including some he invited into his bed, but denied he molested any of them.

His estate has also vigorously denied Robson and Safechuck’s allegations, calling the documentary a retread of proven falsehoods from men seeking money. A lawsuit was filed against HBO.

Despite the documentary, Jackson’s music streaming numbers continued to soar, according to Ian Drew, consumer editorial director at Billboard. He said Jackson’s estate has been smart about keeping his music relevant, but it could be diminished over those being “creeped out” by allegations.

Jackson’s nephew said his legacy will never be destroyed.

“No lie can destroy what was given to us as a blessing from God, and that’s what my uncle was,” said Sigmund “Siggy” Jackson, son of Jackson’s eldest brother, Jackie Jackson. “You can never destroy his legacy with a petty lie. He will be here. And even after God calls us home, his legacy will live on and never be torn down.”

Film producer Jodi Gomes agrees. She believes Jackson’s legacy will live on from this generation to the next, no matter what.

Gomes said the family had been working on a documentary on The Jackson 5′s 50th anniversary. The contract was ready to be signed with a network, but she said it backed out after “Leaving Neverland.”

“The 50th anniversary was planned and the whole family was participating and it was a celebration of what started the whole entire Jackson brand. And now, that has gotten lost in the shuffle,” said Gomes, who worked on the 2009 reality series “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty” and the 1992 miniseries “The Jacksons: An American Dream.”

Siggy Jackson said his uncle’s legacy will continue to win despite the “haters,” but understood the logic of some companies not affiliating themselves with anything Michael Jackson.

“That’s standard business. You wait until the heat burns down, so you can see after the smoke goes down,” he said. “I don’t fault anyone from backing off. But as far as the family, it doesn’t stop anything. The plans don’t stop. My uncle’s legacy will never go away. Our family will make sure of that.”

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Associated Press Writer Amanda Lee Myers contributed to this report.

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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Jonathan Landrum Jr. on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrLandrum31

Wife Of Reality TV Bounty Hunter In Medically Induced Coma

The family asked the general public to “please pray for Beth” while also sending “sincere thanks to everyone for their prayers throughout Beth’s battle with cancer,” the statement said.

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HONOLULU (AP) — The wife of reality TV bounty hunter Duane “Dog” Chapman is in a medically induced coma, a report said.

Beth Chapman is in the intensive care unit of Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Sunday.

A representative for the family released a statement Saturday night saying that only immediate family have been given access to the 51-year-old.

The Chapmans starred in the reality TV series “Dog the Bounty Hunter” and recently appeared in “Dog & Beth: On the Hunt,” both of which were filmed in Hawaii.

Chapman was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 2017 and said in November that the cancer had returned despite surgery.

Chapman was hospitalized in April because of fluid accumulation in her lungs and underwent a procedure to relieve pressure, the family said.

The couple’s Da Kine Bail Bonds office in Honolulu and a storefront for a Dog the Bounty Hunter shop closed in January.

The family asked the general public to “please pray for Beth” while also sending “sincere thanks to everyone for their prayers throughout Beth’s battle with cancer,” the statement said.

Wendy Williams, Alicia Keys And Spike Lee To Receive Stars On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Walk of Famer and committee member Vanessa Williams made the announcement alongside Rana Ghadban, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Entertainers can be recognized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the five categories: motion pictures, television, recording, live performance and radio.

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Contributed by Ciana Moore

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Walk of Fame Selection Committee announced on Thursday, June 20th, that they would be honoring 35 new entertainers with stars in 2020. Walk of Famer and committee member Vanessa Williams made the announcement alongside Rana Ghadban, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Entertainers can be recognized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the five categories: motion pictures, television, recording, live performance and radio. The Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2020 will include:

Motion Pictures: Mahershala Ali, Batman, Ruth E. Carter, Laurence Fishburne, Chris Hemsworth, Spike Lee, Julia Roberts, Octavia Spencer and Lina Wertmüller

Television: Christina Applegate, Andy Cohen, Cindy Crawford, Terry Crews, Harry Friedman, Kathie Lee Gifford, Nigel Lythgoe, Milo Ventimiglia, Burt Ward, Wendy Williams, Dr. Phil McGraw and Andy Kaufman (Posthumous)

Recording: Elvis Costello, Sir Lucian Grainge, Billy Idol, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Alicia Keys, Andy Madadian, Mo Ostin, Bobby Rydell, Alejandro Sanz, Tanya Tucker and Muddy Waters (Posthumous)

Live Performance: Dave Chappelle and Billy Porter

Radio: Susan Stamberg

For those chosen to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, they have two years from the date of selection, to schedule their star ceremonies. Congratulations to all chosen to receive this honor!

Memorial Service For Prince George’s County Woman Who Died In Dominican Republicin

A memorial service for Cynthia Day held today in Upper Marlboro. Day died in the Dominican Republic while vacationing with her fiance.

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A memorial service was held today for a Prince George’s County woman who died while on vacation in the Dominican Republic. Cynthia Day and her fiance Nathaniel Homes, died last month in their Dominican hotel room from respiratory failure, according to Dominican officials. The families of both victims dispute those findings.  Cynthia Day’s service was held at The First Baptist Church of Glenarden.

BET Awards Honor Mary J. Blige, Nipsey Hussle, Tyler Perry

“Mommy, I love you and I want to thank you for your love and understanding,” Blige said as her mom teared up in the audience.

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The 2019 BET Awards featured a number of contemporary pop and rap stars who are dominating the charts, from Cardi B to Lil Nas X. But the show belonged to artists viewed as icons in the black community, including singer Mary J. Blige, filmmaker Tyler Perry and the late rapper Nipsey Hussle.

Hussle, a respected and beloved community activist in South Los Angeles who was shot to death on March 31, posthumously earned the Humanitarian Award on Sunday night. His family, including his mother, father, grandmother, children and fiancée, actress Lauren London, accepted the honor on his behalf.

“I just want to thank you guys for all the love and support, and the marathon continues again,” London said onstage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

John Legend, DJ Khaled, YG and Marsha Ambrosius celebrated Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom, with a performance. Hussle also won best male hip-hop artist, besting Drake, J. Cole, Travis Scott, Meek Mill and 21 Savage.

Blige, who earned the Lifetime Achievement Award, ran through her hits during a lengthy performance, which featured Lil Kim and Method Man. The R&B star went from “My Life” to “No More Drama” to “Just Fine,” when audience members turned the aisles into “Soul Train” lines as they showed their best dance moves while the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul sang onstage.

Rihanna presented Blige with the award, who earned a standing ovation as she walked to the stage.

“Yeah, I know, a lot of hair,” she said in her curly blonde-do. “It’s a big day.”

“Mommy, I love you and I want to thank you for your love and understanding,” Blige said as her mom teared up in the audience.

The nine-time Grammy winner and two-time Oscar nominee went on to thank her father, saying she was happy their “relationship is healed.” She also thanked her siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends, including longtime collaborator Diddy.

Another standing ovation during the nearly four-hour show came when The Exonerated Five — whose profiles were recently raised with the release of a Netflix series based on their lives — introduced a performance by R&B singer H.E.R. and rapper YBN Cordae. Korey Wise, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Antron McCray spoke onstage as audience members got out of their seats to cheer them on. Directed by Ava DuVernay, “When They See Us” tells of the wrongful conviction of five black and Latino teenagers for the 1989 assault on a white female jogger in Central Park.

The audience also erupted in cheers for media mogul Tyler Perry, who earned the Ultimate Icon Award, presented to him by Taraji P. Henson.

“When I built my studio, I built it in a neighborhood that is one of the poorest black neighborhoods in Atlanta so that young black kids could see that a black man did that, and they could do it too,” Perry said. “The studio was once a Confederate army base … which meant that there were Confederate soldiers on that base plotting and planning on how to keep 3.9 million negroes enslaved. Now that land is owned by one negro.”

Lil Nas X also got the loud applause from the crowd when he brought his global country-rap hit “Old Town Road” to life with a performance at a makeshift Western saloon alongside country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. In a yellow fringe jacket, yellow chaps and a black cowboy hat, Lil Nas X worked the stage as dancers in denim shorts, leather vests and cowboy hats performed behind him.

Lizzo also had a fiery performance with “Truth Hurts,” which featured her playing the flute while twerking. Cardi B, the most nominated act with seven, kicked off the show with an explosive performance. She won two prizes — best female hip-hop artist and album of the year for her major-label debut, “Invasion of Privacy.”

“I’m glad I made an album that your sister, your mother, your grandmother (likes),” she said of the project, which also won the Grammy for best rap album earlier this year.

Childish Gambino, who didn’t attend the show, won the top prize — video of the year — for “This Is America.” Beyoncé was named best female R&B/pop artist, and Bruno Mars won best male R&B/pop artist.

Actress Regina Hall, who hosted the show, told a number of jokes throughout the night. She was hilarious after Regina King — who won an Oscar this year for her role in “If Beale Street Could Talk” — was announced as the winner of best actress, an award Hall was also nominated for.

“She said King? So I lost?” Hall asked when a producer followed with: “We need you to announce the next performance.”

“Why am I announcing the next performance? That’s why I hosted (the awards show),” Hall said. “You tell them I said, ‘You can go to Beale Street and get the (girl) who won and you let her introduce it.’”

Winners Of The 2019 BET Awards

A list of winners at the 2019 BET Awards, which aired live Sunday from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A list of winners at the 2019 BET Awards, which aired live Sunday from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

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— Video of the year: Childish Gambino, “This Is America”

— Best female R&B/pop artist: Beyoncé

— Best male R&B/pop artist: Bruno Mars

— Best female hip-hop artist: Cardi B

— Best male hip-hop artist: Nipsey Hussle

— Best new artist: Lil Baby

— Best group: Migos

— Best collaboration: Travis Scott featuring Drake, “Sicko Mode”

— Album of the year: Cardi B, “Invasion of Privacy”

— Viewers’ choice award: Ella Mai, “Trip”

— Lifetime achievement award: Mary J. Blige

— Humanitarian award: Nipsey Hussle

— Ultimate icon award: Tyler Perry

— Dr. Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award: Snoop Dogg featuring Rance Allen, “Blessing Me Again”

— Best actress: Regina King

— Best actor: Michael B. Jordan

— Best movie: “Blackkklansman”

— Youngstars award: Marsai Martin

— Sportswoman of the year: Serena Williams

— Sportsman of the year: Stephen Curry

— BET HER award: H.E.R., “Hard Place”

— Video director of the year: Karena Evans

— Best international act: Burna Boy (Nigeria)

— Best new international act: Sho Madjozi (South Africa)

Baby Formula Recalled

More than 20-thousand containers of baby formula are being pulled from Walmart’s shelves. The formula is Parent’s Choice Advantage Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron.

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A baby formula sold only at Walmart is being recalled due to the “potential presence of metal foreign matter.” The company Perrigo is recalling the 35-ounce, 992-gram containers of Parent’s Choice Advantage Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron. But, the recall only affects a single lot of the formula, amounting to just over 23-thousand containers.  At this time, there are no reports of sickness or injury from the formula.

Tasing By Metro Transit Police Under Investigation

Metro Transit Police tased a man police say said was impeding their investigation at the U Street Metro Station. Police were responding to juveniles harassing riders with sticks.

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An investigation is under way after video showing Metro Transit Police using a taser on an unarmed man at the U Street Metro Station. Saturday, officers responded to a call of juveniles threatening riders with sticks. Police say the man, who was not involved in the incident, began interfering with their investigation. He was then tased. The juveniles were not charged. Video of the incidents has spread across social media.  Police say an internal investigation is being conducted.

15 Days of Music, Film, Dance and Visual Arts

The DC Black Theatre & Arts Festival is in it’s 10th year running through July 7th.

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The DC Black Theatre & Arts Festival kicks of its 10thyear of performances and creative works of art this weekend and I have all the details about this arts celebration that’s packed with music, film, dance, and more.  My guest is Nana Malaya – The Dancing Diplomat.  Nana will be a big part of the DC Black Theatre & Arts Festival

The DC Black Theatre & Arts Festival kicks off its 10thyear of performances and creative works of art June 21st– July 7th.  The 15-day arts celebration is packed with music, film, dance, and visual arts.  More information here: 

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.

Follow me on facebook, twitter and Instagram at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.

 

Black Women’s Roundtable

Women’s panel addresses trending social issues

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Movie director Ava Duvernay is pushing back on the “Auntie Ava” label on social media earlier this month.  Oprah Winfrey and CBS News Anchor Gail King chimed in an  Oprah Magazine interview saying they don’t like it either.  Is this much ado about nothing or is this about women trying to define themselves for the masses?  Our women’s roundtable discuss it and and related issues.

Guests:

Dr. Sharon Allison Ottey, MD, Physician, Author, Speaker
Lauren Evette, Fashion Blogger

Ayo Sekai Rosier, PhD Student, Howard University Department of Political Science

Jack Evans Target of DC Council Investigation

DC Council To Investigate Evans

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(Washington, DC) — The DC Council will launch an investigation into councilmember Jack Evans. DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announced today he would remove Evans as Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Revenue and will appoint a committee to investigate Evans’ alleged ethics violations. This comes after the FBI searched Evans’ home this morning. Yesterday, a confidential memo was released saying Evans used his position as chairman of the Metro board to help a company that was secretly paying him 50-thousand dollars per year.

Don’t Call It A Comeback: New Jagged Edge Music On The Way

R&B group Jagged Edge is back with new music for their fans.

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Contributed by Taylor Ardrey

R&B group Jagged Edge is back with new music for their fans. Recently the group released a visual for their latest single “Closest Thing To Perfect.”

It is clear that this group has not missed a step since the early 2000s. Directed by RoyalRae, the music video is a modern twist of the group’s original swagger. One thing is for sure, the appreciation for women of the group’s music is consistent.

Watch the new video below.

The group also announced their tenth studio album, A Jagged Love Story, that is set to release July 15th, 2019.

Fans are ready for a new project and “baby making” music. JE’s last album, Layover, dropped back in 2017.

Jagged Edge is known for dominating the R&B charts in the early 2000’s. After signing with Jermaine Durpi’s Soso Def Recordings, the group is known for multiple hits like “Let’s Get Married”, “Promise”,”He Can’t Love U”, and “Where The Party At.”

The group won two Soul Train Awards in 2001; “Let’s Get Married” for the Best R&B/Soul Single, Group Band or Duo category and J.E Heartbreak for the Best R&B/Soul Album, Group Band or Duo category.

You can catch Jagged Edge on tour this year and buy tickets for their upcoming shows.

Announced Jagged Edge Tour Dates:

June 21: Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica- Cleveland, OH

June 22: Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill- Sterling Heights, MI

June 30: Colonial Life Arena- Columbia, SC

September 21: The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resorts Casino- Mantucket, CT

 

 

 

Janet Mock Shatters Barriers With New Netflix Deal

“And I think that I never imagined that that could happen for someone like me. I never saw someone like me with the power and ability to green light her own projects.”

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Contributed by Taylor Ardrey

“Pose” director, producer and writer Janet Mock is knocking down doors and breaking barriers. She has become the first open transgender woman to sign a multi-million deal with a major content company. Mock agreed to a three- year deal with Netflix for first dibs for her future television series and films.

Under this deal, Mock will continue to work and executive produce with her mentor Ryan Murphy on his upcoming Netflix series called ‘Hollywood.’ Despite her new connections with Netflix, Mock will be able to write and producer on on Murphy’s FX series, “Pose.”

“Pose” is a LGBTQ drama based in the 80’s and 90’s revolved around the growth of New York City’s ballroom community. “Pose’ airs on Tuesdays at 10pm on FX.

The Netflix and Mock partnership was announced on Netflix’s Strong Black Lead instagram. Mock is committed to using her platform to give a voice to marginalized communities especially for trans women. Her future content is constructed to give the trans community a voice on a more global scale.

“When they tangibly called me and said this is the deal point and this is what we’re going to offer you, it was life changing,” Mock tells Variety. “And I think that I never imagined that that could happen for someone like me. I never saw someone like me with the power and ability to green light her own projects.”

Prior to her directing career, Mock was an author. She wrote a memoir back in 2014 on her transition journey. She is also a human rights advocate,and  former editor at People magazine.

Congrats Janet.

Detroit Honors Temptations’ Member David Ruffin

Motown legend and lead singer of the group The Temptations David Ruffin will have a street where he grew up, Parkside Street renamed David Ruffin Avenue.

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Today kicks off a three-day celebration for Detroit’s own Temptations member David Ruffin.

Motown legend and lead singer of the group The Temptations David Ruffin will have a street where he grew up, Parkside Street renamed David Ruffin Avenue.

In 1989 the R&B Motown artist was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame as both a solo artist and a member of The Temptations.

Ruffin died from a drug overdose in 1991. He is survived by his four children three by his wife Cheryl, Nedra and Kimberly Ruffin and also his son David Ruffin, Jr by his girlfriend.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Charles Co. Police Search For Suspects Throwing Rocks At Cars

Three cars were hit along the St. Charles Parkway at October Place. The incidents happened Thursday between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.

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Charles County Police have issued a warning to residents about someone who has been throwing either bricks or rocks onto cars.

Three cars were hit along the St. Charles Parkway at October Place. The incidents happened Thursday between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. One person was injured from the broken glass.

Police are concerned that if this person or individuals are not brought to justice someone could be seriously injured or killed. The Charles County Sheriff’s Department is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. You can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

The FBI Is Searching The Home Of Council Member, Jack Evans

Evans the longest-serving lawmaker on the city council has been under increased pressure following information that he used council email to drum up business for his law firm.

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Right now law enforcement has converged on the home of embattled DC Councilmember Jack Evans.

News sources are only saying that the activity at his home in Georgetown is connected to a “court issued order”. There is police tape around the home and a section of the street is blocked from pedestrian and vehicle travel.

Yesterday, Evans submitted a letter to the Chair of the City Council Phil Mendelson informing him that he was resigning as the chair for Metro’s Board. His letter of resignation follows the Washington Post publishing a confidential 20 -page memo written by an independent law firm that was hired to look into claims of ethic’s violations.

Evans the longest-serving lawmaker on the city council has been under increased pressure following information that he used council email to drum up business for his law firm. The council voted to reprimand him and to strip him of his chairmanship of the powerful Finance and Revenue Committee.

WHUR will keep you up to date on this developing story.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Should America Pay Slavery Reparations?

How should America the issues slavery reparations?

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More than half a dozen activists and intellectuals testified before the House Judiciary Committee about HR-40.  The bill is designed to create a commission to discuss reparations for the descendants of slaves.  The critical questions include should america pay reparations for it’s original sin of slavery?  If so, how?  We examine the historic hearing and issue.

Guests:

Dr. Clarence Lusane, Chair, Howard University Department of Political Science

Marion Cohen, 18th and 19th Century Historian

Roy Moore Runs for Alabama U.S. Senate Again

Roy Moore Announces 2020 Senate Race Run.

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(Montgomery, AL) — Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore is set to make an official announcement this afternoon on his plans for the 2020 U.S. Senate race. Moore ran as the Republican candidate in the 2017 special election for Alabama’s Senate race, which he lost to Doug Jones. His campaign was dogged by allegations of sexual misconduct.

Grosso Wants Evans To Quit Metro Board

Grosso calls on Jack Evans to resign from Metro board.

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(Washington, DC) — DC  At-Large Councilmember David Grosso is call for Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans to resign from the WMATA Board.  This comes after Evans is acknowledging he violated the board’s ethics code by not disclosing a conflict of interest. The Washington Post reports Evan’s admission is a reversal from comments he made Tuesday, in which he claimed the board’s ethics committee had cleared him of all violations.  In a statement, Grosso said, “Councilmember Jack Evans’ reputation and ability to faithfully represent the people of the District of Columbia to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority are beyond repair and he should resign from the Board of Directors immediately.”

Evans also previously claimed his decision to not seek reelection as chairman had nothing to do with the investigation. An independent investigation found evidence of multiple violations by Evans. The board’s ethics committee cited him on only one violation. His term ends June 30th.

Celebrating Volunteerism

The Volunteer Celebration Festival is calling on all Greek Organizations to support and participate.

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Calling on the Devine Nine. The Capital Area Food Bank is hosting a huge celebration for Greek Letter Organizations.  My guest is Thomas Vines – Capital Area Food Bank.

The Capital Area Food Bank Volunteer Celebration Festival is Saturday June 22nd from 12pm to 5pm.  WHUR is the radio sponsor of the event.  More information at: www.capitalareafoodbank.org

 

 

Supreme Court Upholds Cross On Public Land In Maryland

“For some, that monument is a symbolic resting place for ancestors who never returned home. For others, it is a place for the community to gather and honor all veterans and their sacrifices to our Nation. For others still, it is a historical landmark. For many of these people, destroying or defacing the Cross that has stood undisturbed for nearly a century would not be neutral and would not further the ideals of respect and tolerance embodied in the First Amendment. For all these reasons, the Cross does not offend the Constitution,” he wrote.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A World War I memorial in the shape of a 40-foot-tall cross can continue to stand on public land in Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

The justices, in ruling 7-2 in favor of the cross’ backers, concluded that the nearly 100-year-old memorial’s presence on a grassy highway median doesn’t violate the First Amendment’s establishment clause, which prohibits the government from favoring one religion over others.

The case had been closely watched because it involves the place of religious symbols in public life. Defenders of the cross in Bladensburg had argued that a ruling against them could doom of hundreds of war memorials that use crosses to commemorate soldiers who died.

“The cross is undoubtedly a Christian symbol, but that fact should not blind us to everything else that the Bladensburg Cross has come to represent,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote.

“For some, that monument is a symbolic resting place for ancestors who never returned home. For others, it is a place for the community to gather and honor all veterans and their sacrifices to our Nation. For others still, it is a historical landmark. For many of these people, destroying or defacing the Cross that has stood undisturbed for nearly a century would not be neutral and would not further the ideals of respect and tolerance embodied in the First Amendment. For all these reasons, the Cross does not offend the Constitution,” he wrote.

Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissented.

The cross’ challengers included three area residents and the District of Columbia-based American Humanist Association, which includes atheists and agnostics. They argued that the cross, in a suburb near the nation’s capital, should be moved to private property or modified into a nonreligious monument such as a slab or obelisk.

Defenders included the American Legion, which raised money to build the monument honoring area residents who died in World War I. Other backers included the Trump administration and Maryland officials who took over maintenance of the cross nearly 60 years ago to preserve it and address traffic safety concerns.

Maryland officials had argued that the cross, sometimes called the “Peace Cross,” doesn’t violate the Constitution because it has a secular purpose and meaning.

In the past, similar monuments have met with a mixed fate at the high court.

On the same day in 2005, for example, the court upheld a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas Capitol while striking down Ten Commandments displays in Kentucky courthouses.

After those rulings and others the Supreme Court has been criticized for being less than clear in explaining how to analyze so-called passive displays such as Maryland’s cross, that are challenged as violating the Constitution’s establishment clause.

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Follow Jessica Gresko on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jessicagresko

Engaging Millennials For A Better America

Join in the conversation as Millennials discuss they’re strategy, thoughts and ideas for making America Better for all.

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What’s on the minds of Millennials and how do they get socially and politically engaged? Thats the topic of an upcoming town hall meeting “Millennials For A Better America”, today June 20th at the Busboy and Poets in Hyattsville, MD.

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show.  Follow me on facebook, twitter and Instagram at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.

Marijuana Use Doubles In US Pregnant Women To 1 In 14

“Because we don’t know exactly how harmful it is, it’s better to err on the side of caution,” said Volkow, one of the authors of the government study. Marijuana use during pregnancy “is not worth the risk,” she said Tuesday.

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CHICAGO (AP) — Pot use in pregnancy has doubled among U.S. women and is most common during the first trimester, government research shows.

Overall, 7% of pregnant women, or 1 in 14, said they used marijuana in the past month. That’s from a nationally representative health survey in 2016-17 and compares with a little over 3% in 2002-03.

Some studies have linked marijuana use during pregnancy with increased chances of premature birth and low birthweight. Animal studies have linked high doses early in pregnancy with fetal brain abnormalities, but whether typical use in humans poses similar risks is unknown, said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

“Because we don’t know exactly how harmful it is, it’s better to err on the side of caution,” said Volkow, one of the authors of the government study. Marijuana use during pregnancy “is not worth the risk,” she said Tuesday.

The study was presented at a medical meeting Tuesday and published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

First trimester use jumped from almost 6% to 12%. Many women may have used pot before they learned they were pregnant, or used it to ease morning sickness, although few women said a doctor had recommended it, Volkow said.

Among women who weren’t pregnant, the rate of marijuana use increased from almost 7% to nearly 12%, or 1 in 8.

The results are based on health surveys involving nearly half a million U.S. women who were questioned during a period when rising numbers of states legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use. It’s legal in 10 states for both uses but remains illegal federally.

A separate study on marijuana use among pregnant Canadian women, published in the same journal, adds to evidence suggesting that pot use in pregnancy may lead to premature birth. A journal editorial notes that like similar previous studies, the Canadian research can’t rule out whether other factors that may have contributed.

The editorial warned against relying on imperfect data to make judgments about potential harms from marijuana use and said more rigorous research is needed. Volkow said U.S. government restrictions on marijuana research are “very much an issue” and have hampered efforts to answer fundamental questions about pot use.

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Follow AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner at @LindseyTanner.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Beyonce’s Dad Claims Career Benefited From Her Lighter Skin And Kelly Rowland’s Suffered

“In the music industry there’s still segregation,” said Knowles. “Programmers, especially at pop radio, have this imagery of what beauty looks like. … If you look back even at Whitney Houston, if you look at those photos, how they lightened her to make her look lighter-complexioned … Because there’s a perception and a colorism: the lighter that you are, the smarter and more economically (advantaged)… There’s a perception all around the world about color — even with black folks, there’s a perception.”

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Beyonce‘s dad, Mathew Knowles, addressed colorism in the music industry. Variety reports:

In the interview with “The Clay Cane Show” on SiriusXM Urban View, Knowles said he taught a college class that did its own research study on “colorism” in music spanning a period of 15 years and found that, “overwhelmingly,” light-skinned black women fared better than darker-toned divas, especially at Top 40 radio. Among the beneficiaries of the perceived bias cited by Knowles or Cane were Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Beyonce.

“In the music industry there’s still segregation,” said Knowles. “Programmers, especially at pop radio, have this imagery of what beauty looks like. … If you look back even at Whitney Houston, if you look at those photos, how they lightened her to make her look lighter-complexioned … Because there’s a perception and a colorism: the lighter that you are, the smarter and more economically (advantaged)… There’s a perception all around the world about color — even with black folks, there’s a perception.”

Asked by Cane if that prejudice toward lighter tones had any impact on Beyonce’s career, Knowles said, “I think she would have had — I think it would’ve affected her success. And I use Kelly Rowland as an example. She’s a great example. But you know, the great thing is, Kelly did exceptional outside of America, especially in Australia. Kelly sold over 4 million records. She just got off-script.”

Rowland has addressed the issue in the past. In 2013, in an interview with Cnikky.com, she acknowledge a period of insecurity about her look — even as it was coveted by many of her fans and admirers — and said, “You know what, I had great women in my life to help me overcome that. I remember I went through a period where I didn’t embrace my ‘chocolatiness.’” Rowland attributed her change of attitude in part to a conversation with Beyonce’s mother, Tina Knowles.

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Booker Vows To Pursue Clemency For Nonviolent Drug Offenders

The New Jersey senator’s clemency plan would affect offenders serving time for three categories of crimes: those related to marijuana; those whose sentences would have been reduced if the criminal justice overhaul signed by President Donald Trump last year were applied retroactively; and those affected by the disparity between sentences for possession of crack versus powder cocaine.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker says if he’s elected, he plans to use the powers of the office to pursue clemency for what his campaign estimates is more than 17,000 prisoners incarcerated for nonviolent drug crimes.

The New Jersey senator’s clemency plan would affect offenders serving time for three categories of crimes: those related to marijuana; those whose sentences would have been reduced if the criminal justice overhaul signed by President Donald Trump last year were applied retroactively; and those affected by the disparity between sentences for possession of crack versus powder cocaine.

One Dead Following Beltway Accident

An autopsy will be performed on the driver.

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State Troopers in Virginia are still investigating a deadly accident on the outer loop of the beltway this morning.

According to reports the 18 wheeler left the right side of the roadway at I- 495 and I-66 and slammed into a concrete barrier at a high rate of speed. Upon impact, the truck burst into flames. The outer loop that has since been reopened, was closed for hours this morning.

An autopsy will be performed on the driver. Police have not released the name of the victim or the cause of the accident.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

George Mason Honor’s Hidden Figures’ Mathematician

Katherine G. Johnson, Dorthy Vaughan and Mary Jackson were apart of NASA’s all black female computer team that successfully calculated the flight path for Sputnik that sent the first America into 50 years ago.

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George Mason University in Virginia is honoring one of the women highlighted in the movie “Hidden Figures” scientist Katherine G. Johnson. Leaders have decided to rename the largest building on campus after Johnson.

Johnson was apart of a team of African American human computers at NASA who helped them send the first American into space. An achievement that had eluded the country for years.

The building is currently named the Bull Run Building. It will soon bear the name The Katherine G. Johnson Building. Johnson is currently 100 year’s old. She was played by actress Taraji P. Henson in the movie. Johnson is the only one of three women that the move was made about that is still alive.

Katherine G. Johnson, Dorthy Vaughan and Mary Jackson were apart of NASA’s all black female computer team that successfully calculated the flight path for Sputnik that sent the first America into 50 years ago.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Your Children and Interactions with Police

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In the era of questionable interactions with police… it’s hard enough for adults to know what to do or what to say.  But what about minor children?  What should they do and what are their rights… especially if parents are not around?  We examine the issue after an incident recently in Montgomery county.

Guests:

Tiffany Kelly, Parent and Special Needs Child Advocate
Will Jowando, Montgomery County Councilmember-at-Large

Bobby Henry, Esq., Criminal Defense Attorney, Community Activist

Made In DC Pop-up Shop Opens At National Airport

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Washington, D.C. (June 19, 2019) – Shop til you drop or should we say til you fly.  A new retail shop is now up and running at Reagan National Airport.  It’s part of a partnership between the District’s Department of Small and Local Business Development and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and it features items made right here in the nation’s capital.

Photo courtesy of James Partlow, IV at DSLBD

The grand opening of the Made in DC retail pop-up at Reagan National Airport was held last week, providing a new national and international presence for local makers and small business owners.

“This partnership between the District’s Made in DC program and the Airport Authority reflects Mayor’s Bowser’s strong commitment to supporting local brands and promoting their growth and success,” said DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield. “The ‘maker movement’ is alive and well in the District of Columbia, and we are excited to see the Made in DC retail pop-up become a reality.”

The Made in DC pop-up, which is implemented in conjunction with the airport’s concessions management contractor MarketPlace Development, will feature a rotating variety of products throughout its stay at the airport.

“We are proud to collaborate with our partners in Washington, D.C., to showcase makers and artisans from our nation’s capital and give travelers the opportunity to bring a piece of the National Capital Region home with them,” said Warner Session, chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors.

All of the Made in DC products featured in the retail space are from DC businesses that are members of the DSLBD program and include apothecary, apparel, art, food, jewelry and stationary items created by 12Past7, Bailiwick Clothing, Cu

Photo Courtesy of James Partlow, IV at DSLBD

lture Socks, Bicycle Trash, Definition Studio, Harper Macaw, Little Likes Kids, Mischo Beauty, O-Mazing Food, Shea Yeleen and The Nineteenth DC.

“We hope the Made in DC pop-up shows all the travelers who think Washington, D.C., is a federal government ‘company town’ that a lot more goes on here than the creation of laws and federal policies – we are also home to a high number of entrepreneurs and creative talent,” said Jack Potter, president and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

Made In DC program member, Rahama Wright, founder and CEO of Shea Yeleen Health and Beauty, curated the first round of local makers for the retail pop-up’s airport debut. Wright is also founder of the Pop-Up Collaborative, a collective of women and minority-owned businesses in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area aiming to provide inclusive business opportunities. The businesses represented in the retail pop-up are all part of the Collaborative as well.

“A favorite African proverb ‘If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together’ is the inspiration behind the Pop-Up Collaborative. We are a space that uplifts and supports women and minority-owned brands because together we are stronger,” said Rahama Wright. “Working with the Airport Authority, the Made in DC program and MarketPlace Development is an incredible opportunity for us to go far.”

To shop any of the products featured in the pop-up store, visit the kiosk, located pre-security in Reagan National Airport Terminal B/C.

Slavery Reparations Hearing On The Hill

House Judiciary Debates Compensating Descendants Of Slaves

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(Washington, DC) — Lawmakers are studying how the United States might compensate the descendants of slaves. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said rights for black Americans have advanced enough to render reparations unnecessary. Testifying before the House Judiciary Committee today, actor Danny Glover said justice for black people cannot be achieved without “radical change to the structure of our society.” Writer Ta-Nehisi Coates condemned McConnell’s statement, adding the Kentucky Republican was alive for much of the civil rights movement. Senator Cory Booker argued black Americans deserve compensation for slavery, domestic terrorism, segregation, and redlining, a practice used to block black people from obtaining mortgages.

Meanwhile… the American Civil Liberties Union and the National African American Reparations Commission held a national forum at the historic Metropolitan AME Church in DC.  Civil Rights activists, attorneys and political commentators debated the issue of slave reparations.  The Forum was design to educate the public about the many layers of HR-40, the House bill written to form a commission to study reparations.

Howard University Leads 2019 HBCU Award Nominations

“It is fitting for Howard University to lead this year’s sterling panel of nominees,” says HBCU Digest Founding Editor Jarrett Carter. “They had an extraordinary academic year highlighted with several individual and collective accomplishments that represented the best of America’s flagship historically black institution, and the spirit of the HBCU mission at large. The Howard community and the District of Columbia should take great pride in HU’s work this year.”

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WASHINGTON (June 19, 2019) – Howard University leads with 12 finalist nominations in the 2019 HBCU Awards, including nominations for College of the Year, Male President of the Year, Best Student Government Association and Best Board of Trustees. Presented by HBCU Digest, The HBCU Awards is the first and only national awards ceremony honoring individual and institutional achievement at historically black colleges and universities throughout the United States.

“It is fitting for Howard University to lead this year’s sterling panel of nominees,” says HBCU Digest Founding Editor Jarrett Carter. “They had an extraordinary academic year highlighted with several individual and collective accomplishments that represented the best of America’s flagship historically black institution, and the spirit of the HBCU mission at large. The Howard community and the District of Columbia should take great pride in HU’s work this year.”

The 2019 HBCU Awards will be held on Friday, August 2 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. The winners are selected by a panel of previous winners, journalists, HBCU executives, students and alumni for the merit of accomplishment and for generating positive coverage for HBCU campus communities.

“It is an honor to receive 12 nominations in the 2019 HBCU Awards. HBCUs produce many of the best and brightest scholars and these nominations reflect the hard work of our students, faculty, staff and alumni to embody Howard University’s mission of Truth and Service,” says President Wayne A. I. Frederick.

Howard’s full list of nominations includes:

Best Research Center– Howard University Data Science and Cybersecurity Center

Best Business Program – Howard University School of Business

Best Social Work Program – Howard University School of Social Work

Best Student Newspaper – The Hilltop

Best SGA– Howard University Student Association

Female Student of the Year – Jaylin Paschal, immediate past editor of The Hilltop

Female Faculty of the Year – Keneshia Grant, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science

Alumna of the Year – Ezinne Kwubiri, H&M head of Inclusion and Diversity, North America

Alumnus of the Year – Charles D. King, MACRO founder and CEO
Male President of the Year – Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA

Board of Trustees of the Year – Howard University Board of Trustees

HBCU of the Year – Howard University

Steve Harvey Goes In On Senator Mitch McConnell Over Reparations

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Washington, D. C. (June 19m 2019) –  Comedian, Actor and Syndicated Radio Host Steve Harvey, heard weekday mornings on WHUR 96.3FM, always ends his show with some final thoughts for the day.  His message is usually uplifting and provides inspiration to help motivate us through the day.  Harvey’s comments today are being described by many as bold, profound, and quite frankly nothing but the truth. 

To mark Juneteenth, Harvey used his radio platform this morning to check Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R.Ky) for his comments about reparations.  On Tuesday, McConnell came out against reparations, arguing that “none of us currently living are responsible” for slavery. “I don’t think reparations for something that happened 150 years ago for whom none of us currently living are responsible is a good idea,” McConnell told reporters yesterday.

Harvey went in on McConnell for nearly 10-minutes, providing this clap back  and what amounted to a history lesson for listeners.  Here’s how Steve Harvey so eloquently checked the Senator Majority Leader.

 

Harvey’s comments came on the same day as The House of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties met to discuss H.R. 40, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D. Texas).  The measure seeks to do right a number of wrongs.  According to Lee, the bill will address the “fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery” in the United States, establish a commission to study and consider a national apology, and reparations proposal for slavery and racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and make recommendations to Congress.

Hundreds of people lined up outside the hearing room and filled the overflow room to watch today’s proceedings.

 

Steve Harvey can be heard weekdays right here on WHUR 96.3FM and www.whur.com from 6am to 10am.

 

 

 

McConnell On Reparations For Slavery: Not A ‘Good Idea’

“We tried to deal with our original sin of slavery by fighting a civil war, by passing landmark civil rights legislation, elected an African American president,” Barack Obama, in 2008, McConnell said. “I don’t think we should be trying to figure out how to compensate for it. First of all, it would be hard to figure out whom to compensate.”

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday rejected reparations for slavery in part because it would be hard to know whom to pay.

The Kentucky Republican spoke to reporters on the eve of a rare House hearing on what compensation, if any, the U.S. might owe for the economic and other damage done by slavery. The session Wednesday before a Democratic-led subcommittee is Congress’ first on the issue in years.

Asked about reparations, McConnell responded: “I don’t think reparations for something that happened 150 years ago, for whom none of us currently living are responsible, is a good idea.”

“We tried to deal with our original sin of slavery by fighting a civil war, by passing landmark civil rights legislation, elected an African American president,” Barack Obama, in 2008, McConnell said. “I don’t think we should be trying to figure out how to compensate for it. First of all, it would be hard to figure out whom to compensate.”

A review of public reports by The Associated Press suggests it’s the first time since McConnell was elected to the Senate in 1984 that he has discussed reparations for slavery in the U.S.

McConnell spoke a day before a Democratic-led House subcommittee was scheduled to hold a hearing on reparations, featuring testimony from actor Danny Glover and author Ta-Nehisi Coates, among others.

Wednesday is “Juneteenth,” a celebration of the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news that the Civil War was over, and that all remaining slaves in Texas were free.

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Associated Press researcher Jennifer Farrar contributed to this report.

Dwyane Wade Talks About The Importance Of Supporting His Son In Miami Pride

“I don’t really talk about it much because it’s Zion’s story to tell,” Wade told Variety. “I think as a family, we should support each other. That’s our job. And my job as a father is to facilitate their lives and to support them and be behind them in whatever they want to do.”

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Dwyane Wade opened up to Complex about the significance of supporting his son, Zion, at Miami Pride.

In April, Wade’s 12-year-old-son Zion shared photos of himself attending the annual Miami Beach Pride march with his siblings and stepmother, Gabrielle Union. Wade, who was at an away game in Toronto, shared a photo on his Instagram Stories with the caption, “We support each other with Pride!” 

Zion’s older brother Zaire also showed support by sharing photos of them at the parade on his Instagram Story and writing, “Love you lil bro no matter what.”

“I don’t really talk about it much because it’s Zion’s story to tell,” Wade told Variety. “I think as a family, we should support each other. That’s our job. And my job as a father is to facilitate their lives and to support them and be behind them in whatever they want to do.”

When asked if he had any advice for parents during Pride month, Wade said, “I’m asked a question about my kids a lot from a sports perspective.” He continued, “I think people expect you to parent each kid the same. They are all different, and I have to get to know them and where they are. I have to say to most parents, get to know your kids. Don’t put your wants and needs on them.”

Wade said he was surprised when he received backlash on social media. “This is my job as a father,” Wade said. “I’m very uneasy about accolades that come from supporting my kids or the negativity that comes from it. I’m doing what every parent has to do. Once you bring kids into this world, you become unselfish. It’s my job to be their role model, to be their voice in my kids’ lives, to let them know you can conquer the world. So, go and be your amazing self and we’re going to sit back and just love you.”

Kamala Harris Boosts Outreach To Historically Black Colleges

“As we look to realize the promise of the first African American female president, we must be intentional about organizing these communities to ensure they feel part of this campaign and incentivized to take political action going forward,” Missayr Boker, Harris’ national political director, told The Associated Press.

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Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is stepping up her campaign outreach to the black community.

The California senator is seeking to mobilize students and graduates of historically black colleges and universities — known as HBCUs — as well as the country’s nine black fraternities and sororities.

The effort getting underway Wednesday includes adding a new section to her campaign website that will make it easier for people connected to these groups to organize and to advance her candidacy.

Supporters will be encouraged to host events that could feature Harris’ senior campaign members or surrogates.

HBCUs and black Greek organizations are a natural constituency for Harris. She graduated from flagship HBCU Howard University and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, America’s oldest sorority started by and for black women.

Since getting into the 2020 race in February, Harris has visited more HBCUs than any other candidate.

The new outreach is a recognition that she needs to do more to organize this network of schools and Greek organizations.

“As we look to realize the promise of the first African American female president, we must be intentional about organizing these communities to ensure they feel part of this campaign and incentivized to take political action going forward,” Missayr Boker, Harris’ national political director, told The Associated Press.

Montgomery County Is Considering A Citizen Panel To Monitor Police

Council member Will Jawando has sponsored his own bill to deal with police transparency and trust.

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Leaders in Montgomery County are seriously considering a bill that has been introduced that would create a panel of citizens to oversee the police departments practices and policies.

Council member Hans Riemer is the main sponsor of the bill to create the Policing Advisory Commission. Under the measure, each council member would get to appoint a resident to the commission. In turn, they would answer to the county council.

Council member Will Jawando has sponsored his own bill to deal with police transparency and trust. His bill, however, calls for the creation of an independent investigation in matters of police shooting deaths. It follows his disturbing stop by a state trooper earlier this month.

Jawando’s Policing Advisory Commission would review the departments training and discipline policies as well as strategies that officers adhere to.

Both leaders seem to agree that their police department is good but no department is perfect and there is always room for improvement.

A public hearing on Riemer’s citizen advisory committee is set for July 9th.

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DC Council Adds Millions To Schools Set To Lose Funds

The move is a tweak to the council’s $15.5 billion dollar budget for fiscal 2020.

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Tuesday the DC City Council voted to add more than $5 million dollars to schools set to be hit hard by budget cuts.

31 campuses will benefit from the $5.4 million dollars being redirected to them. It’s important to note that most of the schools bracing to lose vital funds are in Wards 7 & 8, which has the highest concentration of poverty.

The move is a tweak to the council’s $15.5 billion dollar budget for fiscal 2020. The Budget Support Act also includes money for public safety and transportation.

This council’s plan still needs Mayor Bowser’s approval.

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Ask The Lawyer

Attorney Andy Bederman answers questions about personal injury accidents.

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Summer weather, summer driving… summer accidents.  What do you do if you’re in one? Who do you call? Do you call the insurance company, a lawyer, the police, all three?  We’re asking the lawyer about that.  Andy Bederman with the law firm Greenberg and Bederman is back.

Resources: Greenberg and Bederman

Andy Bederman, Managing Attorney, Greenberg and Bederman, LLC
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Meeting Today In Phoenix Over Viral Video

City of Phoenix to hold meeting tonight at the arrest of black couple over stolen doll.

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(Phoenix, AZ) — The African-American couple shown in a viral video being aggressively confronted by Phoenix police will be speaking during a meeting with Mayor Kate Gallego. During the meeting tonight, Dravon Ames and his fiancee Iesha Harper will be joined by Gallego and other community members who say they’ve experienced police brutality. Gallego announced the meeting over the weekend and asked the police chief to be present to listen directly to the concerns of the community.

Acting Defense Secretary Stepping Aside

Patrick Shanahan Out As Acting Defense Secretary.

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(Washington, DC) — Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is stepping aside. President Trump tweeted today that Shanahan is removing himself from consideration for a confirmed appointment as defense chief. Trump said the former Boeing executive will now be devoting more time to his family. The President announced that Army Secretary Mark Esper will be the new acting secretary of defense. He previously announced his intention to nominate Shanahan as defense secretary, but never sent the paperwork to the Senate.

Trump last week was reported to be having second thoughts about Shanahan. Shanahan was named acting defense secretary after the resignation of Secretary James Mattis.

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Alsobrooks Names News CEO Of Public Schools

She takes over the states 2nd largest school system

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The wait is over. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks named Dr. Monica Goldson as the permanent CEO of Public Schools.

The announcement this morning ends months of speculation on whether the county would keep her at the helm or go outside of the current school system.

Goldson who has been the Interim CEO since May when Dr. Kevin Maxwell resigned will take over as the leader of the state of Maryland’s 2nd largest school system.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963