Eighth graders at Hart Middle School in southeast Washington eagerly came into the library, quickly picked a headset, a laptop and sat quietly at a table. The guidance counselor was teaching a class about developing ideas for careers. “I love to do my work in this library,” said 13-year old, Niya Williams. “It’s beautiful.” Although […]
Category: Washington D.C. News
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Barry Brings Employment Services to the ‘Hood’
About 200 Ward 8 residents checked in to a job fair on Dec. 2 before going into the southeast human resource building. It was part of a new strategy by Council member Marion S. Barry (D-Ward 8) to get 10,000 more southeast residents employed. In partnership with the Department of Employment Services (DOES), Barry launched […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Maryland’s Ugly Segregated Past Must Be Shown
Among the rulings U.S. District Court Judge Catherine C. Blake made during Tuesday’s pre-trial hearing were that historical reports from as far back as 1937 could be admitted into evidence and that the leaders of two of Maryland’s historically Black colleges could testify at the hearing that begins next month. Regarding the documents, representatives for […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Housing Development Director Wants Effective, Efficient, Ethical Department
John E. Hall, the new director of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) hopes to make it stronger, more user-friendly and accountable to District residents. Hall, who accepted the position April and was confirmed by the Council in July, is no stranger to this arena. He previously served in the U.S. Department of […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
The Battle to Correct the Historical Inequities Against Maryland’s Black Colleges
The road has been an arduous one, but a lawsuit filed more than five years ago seeking $2.1 billion to remedy what it contends are disparities between Maryland’s historically Black colleges and universities and its traditionally White institutions is nearing trial in Baltimore. Its outcome could affect higher education for decades to come. “The best […]
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Gap in D.C.’s Black-White Educational Achievement is Widest in the Country, Study Shows
The gap between Black and White educational achievement is wider among D.C. Public School (DCPS) students than anywhere else in the U.S., a federally funded study has concluded. The 2011 National Assessment of Education Progress released Dec. 7, based on reading and math exams taken this year by fourth- and eighth-graders, revealed a 57-point and […]
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Tougher Ethics Standards Tentatively Clear D.C. Council
The D.C. Council tentatively approved an ethics reform bill Dec. 6 that would bring tougher sanctions against corrupt elected officials, but several amendments likely will be submitted before final passage of the bill. In addition to establishing an ethics panel, the bill would bar felons from serving as mayor or council members, allow the city’s […]
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Survivors
Streets across America have become the sounding board for the majority that refuses to remain silent in such turbulent economic times. The cry is for jobs, for economic justice, for a fair shake at making a decent living. AFRO reporters hit the streets of Washington D.C. to engage those who are struggling with unemployment and […]
Posted inD.C. Community, Washington D.C. News
TLOD Making a Difference in the Community
The Top Ladies of Distinction (TLOD) is a national, nonprofit, educational and humanitarian organization. Their main thrust includes mentoring youth through their Top Teens of America chapters, enhancing the status of women, enriching the lives of senior citizens and community beautification. The Empowerment in P.I.N.K. (Purposeful -Involvement-Necessary-Keeping Community Service First) is an annual fun filled […]
Posted inD.C. Community, Washington D.C. News
Lezla Alease Gooden Wins Prestigious Media Scholarship
Lezla Alease Gooden, of Mitchellville, Md., is one of several 2011 recipients of the prestigious, highly competitive Emma L. Bowen Foundation Scholarship for Minority Interests in the Media. The Foundation received 3,000 applications nationwide, and Lezla won a select spot as a paid intern with C-SPAN television in Washington, D.C. In addition to having an […]
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Fairfax Home For Homeless Female Veterans
FAIRFAX, Va. (WUSA) — A 4,000 square foot home in Fairfax is plenty of room for three homeless female veterans. They are part of an effort by Final Salute Inc. to help women in uniform find housing. According to the nonprofit, there are an estimated 13,000 homeless female veterans, including about 700 in the greater […]
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Three DHCD housing projects meet the needs of the community
To fulfill its mission of creating, preserving affordable housing in the District, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) opened three housing facilities recently. The SeVerna, Artspace and Milestone Russell each unique to the revitalization of underserved communities are one of many affordable housing projects. “These projects are part of the District’s overall efforts […]
