Charnice Milton. (Milton McClenton family photo)
“We were silent out of respect for the family. We used silence to make the point that Charnice’s voice had been stilled.”
The words spoken to the AFRO by Charnice Milton’s managing editor Andrew Lightman gave credence to the silent vigil given on June 3 at the Washington Seniors Wellness Center in Southeast Washington, D.C.
A tree that lies in the center at the front of the Wellness building was used as a base for a ring of East of the River and Hill Rag magazines. Inside the publications were articles Milton had written; which were over 100 according to Lightman.
Silent vigil for Journalist Charnice Milton.
“She touched a lot of people,” said Maceo Thomas of the 27-year-old journalist who was gunned down May 27 on her way home from a monthly Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meeting.
Thomas along with Lightman arranged the silent vigil.
“I’m just a contributor, a Ward 7 neighbor,” Thomas added. “People are coming here to be silent for remembrance.”
Business owners Chancee′ Lundy and Veronica O. Davis were present at the vigil. They appreciated Milton for highlighting their business in an article she wrote. Lundy and Davis are the owners of Nspiregreen LLC, an environmental consulting firm involved in urban planning. The women received the Great Street Business Leadership Council Award in January 2014.
Silent vigil for Journalist Charnice Milton
“I feel Charnice was passionate about her writing,” Lundy said. “I think she cared I felt really special because of this.”
Three 11-year-olds came to the vigil also to take part. Isaiah Devers, whose mother brought the three said, “I’m here to celebrate, but also due to a young woman who died the way she did.”
“A lot of silence was needed because if people talked it would have been disrespectful,” said Justin Braxton. He and Devers attend Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Northeast.
Nia Alsop, from Basis Washington, D.C. school in Northwest, said, “It was very respectful. She had been killed and the remembrance is to think about what she went through.”
A bell sounded before the silent vigil began. The silence lasted for 20 minutes. The bell rang again to end the ceremony.
Approximately 100 people attended. Milton’s parents, Francine Milton and Ken McClenton, along with daughter Jasmine were present.
The wake for Charnice Milton will be at Living Wood Church at 4101 Martin Luther King Ave., SW. Viewing of the body will be on June 5 from 6-9 p.m. The family encourages supporters to attend the wake due to the church’s minimal space.
The funeral for Charnice Milton is June 6 at the church beginning at 11 a.m. Call 202-563-2125 for more information.
