Author Archives: Valencia Mohammed

(March 17, 2012) “Bully,” a documentary film addressing bullying among students, will be shown in D.C. public schools (DCPS), DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson said March 16 as she announced the creation of an anti-bullying committee. Her actions were prompted by a viewing of the film that tells the stories of students, parents and educators across […]

While many African Americans in DC’s Black community are talking about the neighborhoods that are gentrifying at a rapid pace, one beauty salon owner sees an opportunity to cash in on the new money. Chet Bennett, 43, CEO of Bennett Career Institute and founder of the C. Alan Salons and Spas decided to try his […]

Jackson Davis V, 12, is a typical-looking fifth grader with bright eyes, an infectious smile, eager to share ideas and an endearing attitude. Yet, this young African-American male is very serious about his work. Davis embarked on a campaign to alert congressional leaders and the hierarchy of the U.S. Postal Service that he had a […]

Members of Occupy D.C. vowed Feb. 5 to continue to press for an end to economic inequity after a weekend of arrests and inspection sweeps by U.S. Park Police that all but shut down the twin encampments less than two blocks from the White House. While in other cities Occupy movement protest camps have been […]

An Arlington County, Va. judge removed herself in the controversial case of an African- American woman on trial for booing at a high school play which depicted Blacks as inferior. Jackie Carter, whose protests during a racially-offensive dance segment performance last year at her daughter’s school led to her arrest, received a three month legal […]

A Black woman faces up to one year in jail for vehemently protesting a racially-insensitive middle school dance production skit in Arlington last year. Jackie Carter was charged with disorderly conduct in public places, a class-one misdemeanor. A hearing on Jan. 26 will determine the judge in the General District Court for Arlington County before […]

This holiday season was the greatest celebration ever when Jewel Stroman, 23, finally got her daughter back from DC Child and Family Services Administration (CFSA). It has been 15 long months since the mother and child have spent time together as a family. “This was long overdue. It feels good to be able to raise […]

For the first time since 2004, the District’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Parade was in full swing once again.  After an eight year hiatus, the well received parade greeted the changing neighborhoods of southeast. The parade returned with the collaborative efforts of Washington Informer publisher, Denise Rolark Barnes, whose family helped launch the first […]

Mariama Taifa-Seitu,17, a senior at School Without Walls, is teaching this time by highlighting the controversial issue of factory farmed meat production. Inspired in her freshmen year by a video she watched about factory farming, she was hooked that the way she felt about fast foods would change. Her vigilance to bring attention to this […]

While most people focus on the political and social grievances against government and corporate greed from protestors at Freedom Plaza in what has become known at Occupy DC, several homeless Black women who have taken up residence there say the movement’s agenda doesn’t include demonstrating for the homeless or the needs of Black people. The […]