June 2020 - Page 2 of 6 - The Archive Site for The Baltimore Times

‘If Loving You Is Wrong’ Actress Edwina Findley Talks Tyler Perry, Passion and Protest

Like many Americans of late, Washington DC native and actress Edwina Findley has become more politically active recently The actress who is fresh off of closing out her role on Tyler Perry’s series “If Loving You Is Wrong” has also appeared on Shots Fired starring Sanaa Lathan, Ava DuVernay’s Middle of Nowhere, and Red Tails about the Tuskegee Airmen.

Findley, driven by the recent incidents of police brutality and of course, the death of George Floyd has taken to the streets with thousands of others to make her voice be heard. The actress explained to The Baltimore Times that though she has always been an activist in other ways such as her public speaking, or acting in projects like Shots Fired, “This time, I really felt like, in addition to those things, protesting was important. Being out there, being seen was important. It was another method of joining in this fight for justice.”

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“If Loving You Is Wrong”

Findley studied theatre and classical music at storied high school Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC. It was a place she knew she wanted to go since she was a little girl. “When I was eight, I begged my mom to let me go to Duke Ellington,” she recalls. It was a bit too early for eight year-old Edwina but there were plenty of other opportunities in the area for Edwina to start training in the performing arts. “There were all these different programs around town specifically for young predominantly African American artists to help us find our voice and cultivate our talents. For that I am honestly grateful. Growing up in DC is something that I will always treasure.”

After graduating NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Findley cut her TV acting teeth playing Tosha Mitchell in HBO’s classic drama “The Wire.” She says, “It was wonderful. I was working at the Shakespeare Theater in DC when I got the role of Tosha so I was in Baltimore during the day robbing drug dealers and then running back to DC in the evening to do Shakespeare!”

Findley also feels fortunate to have worked on the Tyler Perry created, written, and directed soapy drama, “If Loving You is Wrong,” for five years as “Bright-eyed, somewhat naive, dream-filled” Kelly Isaacs. It was her first time working in that genre and the loyalty and passion of soap fans was one of the best parts of the whole experience for her. “When I go somewhere and I see them, they tell me all the ways in which they wanted to defend me from these crazy lovers. I love how invested the African-American demo that watches the show have been in the plotlines and the characters. They love the drama, the twists and turns, and they love us!”

She also feels fortunate that the show allowed her to get to know Perry and Oprah Winfrey, on whose network the show aired. “Humility is personified in him in the most beautiful way. My experience of Tyler has been that it’s been as important for him to bring other people up as it has been for him to be successful himself. He takes great pride in sharing that success with others. When you’re in his presence you never feel like he’s doing all the things he’s doing. He’s right there with you. And I feel the same about Oprah.”

Though Black Lives Matter felt intensely personal for many of us, it truly hit Findley close to home. Her cousin and his friends, who all attend Morehouse and Spelman, were recently targeted by police. “They were absolutely brutalized by police with no provocation at all. You can be as upstanding as you want, that doesn’t protect you from police brutality or racism.”

Though her cousin is physically okay, she shares that he battles with the after effects. “The level of fear now imposed on him is not fair. He wasn’t walking around the world like that before.”

Edwina and the family have stepped in to help her cousin cope with the trauma. “We’ve been trying to assure him he’s surrounded by people who are here to protect him and care for him.”

Even with the misfortune, Findley is optimistic about the impact the protests have had. “I think we all feel it. This time something is different. This movement is both public and behind the scenes. We’re seeing people who have not historically paid attention, pay attention and I’m encouraged seeing the changes.”

Black workers more likely to face retaliation for raising coronavirus concerns

As more corporations jump into the fray, offering statements of support for African Americans in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd and the ensuing protests, a new study reveals that many companies’ actual policies and practices contradict their public statements. With just a small amount of research, short-term marketing and public relations positioning using words proclaiming empathy, understanding and support of black causes can too often be found to be in direct contrast of long-term human resources dictates.

A survey by the National Employment Law Project (NELP) about working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic confirms that corporate America has treated black workers categorically worse than White workers during the pandemic.

African Americans were twice as likely to answer “Yes,” or “Maybe,” when asked if they or anyone at their company had been punished for raising COVID-19 safety concerns. The survey found that black workers were roughly twice as likely to have been retaliated against by their employers for speaking up about health concerns and requesting time off work.

For instance, Amazon fired black and brown workers who have organized to demand more substantial health and safety protections. Thousands of Instacart workers, many of whom are women of color, are reportedly waiting for facemasks and hand sanitizer promised months ago.

Three out of four black workers who took the survey said they showed up to work during the pandemic even though they believed they might have been seriously risking their health or the health of family members. Less than half of White workers said they had done the same.

“Our results suggest that virus transmission in the workplace may be exacerbated by employer repression and that the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on black communities may be related to greater exposure of black workers to repressive workplace environments,” the study’s authors wrote.

“While black workers at any given worksite tend to be treated worse than their white counterparts, the study’s authors suggest that black workers, as a whole, tend to work in more repressive environments than white workers,” noted vice.com.

The higher likelihood of retaliation that black workers face means fewer of them feel safe reporting concerns or have had their concerns addressed.

The survey found that black workers were more than twice as likely to have unresolved concerns about coronavirus at their workplace than their white counterparts.

Thirty-nine percent of workers surveyed reported that they had either raised concerns to their employer and did not receive a satisfactory response or did not out of fear of retaliation.

Meanwhile, only 18 percent of white workers found themselves in the same position.

“This is saddening to hear and somewhat unsurprising. I can’t believe the world we live in. Still, as I have lived in it for a great number of years, I am actually thankful that such practices are coming to light now,” Andrew Taylor, the director of the Net Lawman. This firm provides legal document templates and law-related services to individuals and businesses who are looking for an alternative to using a traditional firm of lawyers.

“My thoughts on this study pushed me to ask about the segregation of employment and where these people are working. Obviously, we must focus on the roles black workers are in to make changes from here.”

Amit Raj said he was working part-time as a pharmacist earlier this year when he raised concerns.

“As we were working within an office within a warehouse where there were

almost no changes to working practice despite the pandemic. Since we were deemed an ‘essential service,’ we were also not allowed to work from home,” Raj stated in an email.

“Despite bringing this up on many occasions and management being aware, I was first just ignored. And was soon

demoted from an assistant manager position,” he said. “However, the reason given for the demotion was that my

part-time hours were not allowing me to manage effectively. I have now decided to place my focus on my digital marketing business.”

Raj has since founded Amit Digital Marketing.

Talia Fox, the CEO of KUSI Training, a global transformational leadership development firm, said in an email that the study concerns her mostly because of her two sons who have to work in the current environment.

“I have two sons and wear three hats, mother, black woman, leadership strategist. If I am honest, I am afraid, afraid of the challenges my two young black men will face in the world,” Fox noted via email.

“When my fear settles, it turns to anger, and I wonder why people are not doing anything. I want to blame someone, anyone for the injustices in the world,” Fox noted. “Then, my anger leads me to look in the mirror. What do I have to give? What is my role in this? I am a leadership strategist and an educator. I have seen knowledge, understanding, and strategy, and implementation transform businesses and inspire people to drive and lead change, which anchors my hope that a better future is possible for my two black men.”

Running a business and a household in the age of remote working

News & Experts— The question of where work life ends and home life begins took on new meaning when COVID-19 forced people to work from home while simultaneously caring for children whose schools and daycare centers shut down.

But as people struggle to balance the two, they may find there are more similarities between work and home than they realized, says Marsha Friedman, an entrepreneur, wife, mother of four, and founder and president of News & Experts, a national PR firm.

“I’ve always felt that running a business and running a household have a lot in common,” says Friedman, who is also the ForbesBooks author of Gaining the Publicity Edge: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Growing Your Brand Through National Media Coverage.

“It’s become even more apparent now that we are running our businesses from our households. In both situations you have budgeting, planning, and one-on-one sessions to discuss challenges you are facing.”

Friedman says being willing to rethink roles is important for working couples raising families under the current situation where the home temporarily has

become the office.

“Suddenly, you are managing both your work and your personal life in ways you did not have to before,” she says.

Friedman says one way for couples to bring better balance to their lives is to apply some workplace strategies to the home, both during this crisis, and once it’s over. She suggests:

•Consider your division of labor. At work, people are assigned specific jobs and responsibilities based on the needs of the business. The same is true in the household, Friedman says. Jobs around the house need to be delegated, just as they are in an office. Prioritize what tasks must be done, she says, and decide who takes on each responsibility, whether it’s the wife, the husband or the children.

•Be thoughtful about the way you delegate those jobs. “In business, my philosophy is matching up the interests and skills of the person to the needs of the company,” Friedman says. “You can do the same with household chores.” One spouse might enjoy cooking; the other might like shopping. Consider whether one person is better skilled at a certain task or brings more passion to it.

•Understand and appreciate each person’s role. In business, you interact with other employees and attend team-meetings, which give you insight into the scope of other people’s jobs and an appreciation for what they do. That can happen at home as well. “Even these days, in many families the spouse at work in an office doesn’t always see everything that’s involved in running a household,” Friedman says. “This stay-at-home period has allowed them to see what happens at home when they are away. This can add a lot to the quality of the relationship.”

Eventually, most people will ease back into some form of their old life, where once again there’s physical separation between work and home. When that happens, don’t forfeit the progress you made improving that work life-home life balance, according to Friedman.

“If you made this work during the pandemic,” she says, “you don’t want to lose the ground you gained in your relationship.”

Marsha Friedman, the ForbesBooks

author of “Gaining the Publicity Edge: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Growing Your Brand Through National Media Coverage,” is a businesswoman and public relations expert with nearly 30 years’ experience developing publicity strategies for celebrities, corporations and professionals in the field of business, health and finance. Using the proprietary system she created as founder and President of News & Experts, an award-winning national public relations agency, she secures thousands of top-tier media placements annually for her clients. For more information, visit: www.newsandexperts.com

After virtual ceremony, P-TECH grad looking forward to college in the fall

Virtual graduations have been all the rage— and the only option— during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, and it was no different at P-TECH Carver in Baltimore.

“The virtual graduation the district hosted was okay, but nothing compares to in-person graduation,” said Jai’Marri Moulden, who graduated with both his diploma and an associate’s degree in cybersecurity in just four years. “I was expecting to walk across the stage having the feeling of completion, but now I have to turn something that’s abnormal into something positive. I’m not the first of my siblings to graduate high school, but I can definitely say I was the first in my family to graduate virtually.”

Moulden plans to attend McDaniel College in the fall— virtually or in the brick and mortar building— to study computer science.

“My expectations in going to McDaniel College are to, of course, have in-person classes and just to have things revert to some sense of normalcy so that I can enjoy my college experience,” the new graduate stated.

He said he is grateful for the experience at P-TECH, which is a unique program where students have the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and no-cost associate degree in fast-growing STEM fields.

P-TECH Baltimore in Carver Vocational-Technical High School serves 138 students who complete the blended high school and community college coursework in four to six years.

Moulden counted among 29 students to graduate this year— 12 of whom received an associate’s degree and a high school diploma simultaneously.

Moulden also received the honor of speaking at IBM’s virtual graduation celebration for all P-TECH graduates on June 24, 2020.

He noted the challenges of virtual school during the pandemic.

“I’ve always been a person who’s had to overcome many adversities, so overcoming this pandemic and still graduate

wasn’t new to me,” Moulden said. “Of course, it was difficult, but I believed in myself and used my circumstances as motivation instead of being complacent. My biggest challenge may have been my time management because I had so much, yet so little, time on my hands. It was very easy to fall behind, so I had to make sure I was where I needed to be.”

He called his field of choice— cybersecurity— interesting and exciting.

“Being able to stop cybercrimes with cybersecurity excites me. I’m very

excited about the future, and I just know that I’m going to be very successful, and I want to have my own business and give back to my community,” Moulden said.

The graduate also offered thoughts on future P-TECH students.

“I want the future P-TECH grads to know that life isn’t easy, and you shouldn’t expect it to be,” Moulden said. “Know that you are in control of your own actions and stay hungry for success. Never forget where you come from so that you can help your community and bring success to the world.”

Biracial educator pens anti-racism book

A new book hitting shelves this month is designed to help guide children, teens and adults in their discussion about racism. Tiffany Jewell has penned, “This Book is Anti-Racist,” in which she notes that some have given the impression that individuals are wrong and even stirring trouble when they discuss racism.

“Racism is a problem, a very serious problem, and it needs to be talked about because it isn’t going away if we do nothing,” said Jewell, who describes herself as a “biracial writer, parent and Montessori educator who has been doing the work of dismantling white supremacy for 12 years.”

The co-founder of #AntiRacistBookClub, Jewell, says the book’s importance is underscored by the demonstrations and protests that are taking place globally in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis.

She ys while the philosophy of anti-racism has been growing in awareness in the last few years, “This Book is Anti-Racist,” is the first about anti-racism for teenagers, and aims to empower young people to disrupt racist systems that previous generations have put in place.

“Anti-racism has helped me to have a clearer understanding of the world around me, how we got here, and it has helped me to shape a clear vision of what an anti-racist, just society could and will be like,” Jewell said. “These questions do not only arise when injustice is being discussed in the news; bias and racism are not only new today. They are foundational in this country. They are issues of our past, our present, and our tomorrow.” Jewell added that she wrote the book for everyone.

“This is the book I wish I had when I was nine years old, sitting in a classroom with a racist teacher. I wrote this for all my former students who always want to know more and want to know that, even though they’re young, they do have the agency to make impactful change,” she said. “And, this is the book I want my children to read. I wrote this book for parents and families for educators and administrators. I wrote it for all the students and children who live in our racialized society— which is everywhere.” Jewell insists— “this book is for our ancestors. It’s for our futures. It’s for all the young black, indigenous and people of color, like Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and Tamir Rice, who [were] murdered by the hands of those we are supposed to go to for help. Our young ancestors should not be simply memorialized in our hashtags— they deserve more than that.”

Jewell says many white adults are just now coming to terms that racism harms everyone. She noted that they’re dealing with the fact that, to undo a system that strips us of our humanity, they’ll have to relearn who they can be and redistribute

resources, privilege and wealth children of color may live in a more equitable and just world.

“Because the adults are scared and uncomfortable, it is immediately assumed that the children will be too— and they cannot handle the truth,” Jewell said. “They can. Talking with children about race, their identities, and sharing truths with them is very developmentally appropriate. Keeping children innocent reinforces white supremacy culture. Children [of color] are not afforded the same innocence white children are allowed to have.

“Not speaking the truth reinforces racism. It allows us to believe it’s normal. If we don’t talk with our children about injustice and systemic oppression, they’ll still have their questions and form their answers, which can be inaccurate and confusing.”

To purchase “This Book is Anti-Racist,” visit: www.amazon.com.

Can’t stay home, can’t keep curfew: People experiencing homelessness caught in pandemic, curfews and violence

People experiencing homelessness in the United States— already at heightened risk and with fewer resources due to the pandemic— now face even greater challenges as a result of the both the violence sweeping many city streets and the curfews many are imposing in an effort to control. While people take to the streets across the country to protest police brutality and the killings of unarmed Black Americans, we urge lawmakers, police units, and neighbors to do more to provide people experiencing homelessness with shelter and safety.

Without homes to shelter in place, and with limited access to already-burdened emergency shelter, people experiencing homelessness are left to fend for themselves. The Centers on Disease Control (CDC) has issued guidance urging cities to house unsheltered people whenever possible, avoid sweeping encampments, and reconfigure shelters to conform to social distancing and sanitation guidelines. Unfortunately, compliance across the nation has been spotty at best, and people experiencing homeless have remained at extraordinary risk.

Now, various cities have implemented curfews as an effort to curb violence conducted outside of protests against police brutality. Unfortunately, curfews have created further challenges, as unsheltered people, already subject to laws criminalizing acts such as sleeping in public, are at risk of arrest for yet another “crime”—violating an order to stay inside after curfew when they have nowhere inside to go.

People experiencing homelessness are disproportionately people of color in the United States— 40 percent are black, despite only being 12 percent of the national population—and thus are already at greater risk of being targeted by police.

Increased police presence on the streets means increased risk of arrest and attacks during perceived curfew violations as well as preexisting laws that criminalize sleeping or that criminalize basic life sustaining activities.

“We call on cities across the country to follow the CDC guidance by housing people experiencing homelessness immediately—and to protect them from arrest, violence, and further trauma,” said Maria Foscarinis, founder and executive director of the Law Center.

In addition to putting our unhoused neighbors at greater risk, the curfew further

restricts access to basic services such as food, sanitation and bathrooms. The lack of services will further jeopardize the health and safety of homeless people, who are

already suffer from more chronic diseases due to stress and trauma, and who, if

infected, are twice as likely to die of COVID-19 than housed people.

The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (the Law Center) is the only national organization dedicated solely to using the power of the law to prevent, and end homelessness. With the support of a large network of pro bono lawyers, we address the immediate and long-term needs of people who are homeless or at risk through outreach and training, advocacy, impact litigation, and public education.

Brandon Scott poised to become Baltimore’s next mayor after winning Democratic primary

After a week-long wait, Brandon Scott has sealed the Democratic nomination for mayor, confirming his on the evening of June 9, 2020.

Former mayor Sheila Dixon initially held a sizable lead over Scott after the first set of ballots were counted. The Baltimore City primary election, held June 2, 2020, was riddled with a number of issues, including a “small proofing error” on ballots in District 1, difficulties with incorrect mail-in ballots and wrong dates being printed on some ballots which led to counting delays.

However, as updated results were released over the weekend into the early part of this week, the numbers showed that Scott narrowed the deficit and retained a lead on his way to victory.

As of the night of June 9, Scott edged Dixon by a margin of nearly 2,400 votes, sealing the win for the 36-year-old from Park Heights. According to the state board of elections, Scott has 42,798 votes (29.4 percent) to Dixon’s 40,418 (27.7 percent).

He delivered an acceptance speech outside of his grandmother’s home in Park Heights amongst family, supporters and community members at a press conference on June 10, 2020.

Scott began his remarks by expressing his lifelong desire to serve Baltimore and his intentions to build a new way forward for the city, highlighting gun violence, rebuilding trust in local government, public safety and investing in the youth as some of the prominent issues he plans to address as mayor.

“Our campaign was about showing that we could bring people together around a shared vision for Baltimore,” he said. “Our campaign was about proving to the world that a young Black man who grew up in the forgotten Baltimore here in Park Heights could survive everything that you have to live through in Baltimore… to be the leader of this city.”

He went on to commend Dixon, who served as the city’s first female mayor from 2007 to 2010 before resigning.

“To Mayor Dixon, I want to say thank you. I want to say thank you for running a clean race about the future of Baltimore City; thank you for showing people that Baltimore does believe in second chances; and thank you for remaining committed to the city of Baltimore for your entire service and your entire life,” Scott said.

Scott, who fueled his campaign on the slogan “a new way forward,” was endorsed by The Baltimore Sun and emerged as the favorite in a field of more than 20 Democratic mayoral candidates, also including Mayor Bernard “Jack” Young, Mary Miller, Thiru Vignarajah, T.J. Smith and Carlmichael Stokey Cannady.

Young, who took over in the stead of former mayor Catherine Pugh after she resigned in 2019, also received acknowledgements from Scott.

“To my good friend Mayor Young— I want everyone to join me in thanking the mayor,” Scott said. “The mayor who took over city government amidst another corruption scandal, who immediately faced the issues around the cybertech in Baltimore, who had to deal with the continuing gun violence epidemic and now a global health pandemic. His service to the city of Baltimore during these trying times has been very admirable and we owe him a debt of gratitude.”

As the sitting city council president, Scott, along with fellow council members, is immediately tasked with addressing the city’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021.

Scott will face off against Republican nominee Shannon Wright, former city council president candidate and former vice president of the Yonkers (N.Y.) NAACP, for the mayoral seat in the Nov. 3 general election. Bob Wallace, an entrepreneur with multiple businesses in Mount Vernon, will run as an independent against Scott and Wright.

Delegate Nick Mosby (District 40), formerly a District 7 representative on the city council, comfortably won the Democratic nomination for council president over Councilwoman Shannon Sneed and former 12th district councilman Carl Stokes.

“Baltimore, I am incredibly excited and grateful for the outcome of last week’s election. We secured more than 40 percent of the vote in a crowded race and over 50,000 Baltimoreans supported our #NickForPrez campaign,” wrote Mosby in a June 11 Instagram post. “To the Mayor, City Council President, City Council, Comptroller, Police Commissioner and all the men and women who serve our city on the frontlines of governmental services- I support you and I want to partner with you to make our city better.”

Cyber security engineer Jovani M. Patterson ran unopposed for the Republican nomination and will face Mosby in November. For the comptroller spot, District 4 Councilman Bill Henry topped incumbent Joan Pratt, who has been comptroller for the last 25 years.

Democrats reportedly outnumber Republicans 10 to one in Baltimore, making Scott the presumptive mayor and Mosby the presumptive city council president. Because the Republican party

Happy Daddy Day to All the Fathers with Love!

Hello everyone! Hoping all is well with you and your family. Hoping that you are safe and healthy during this Coronavirus Pandemic. I understand and know that this year Father’s Day will be different than any other Father’s Day you have ever live through, but there is a rainbow at the end of this tunnel. Normally I would suggest that the children, grand-children; nephews, nieces, wives or the significant other take their loved one out to dinner to his favorite eatery, take him to a jazz or music concert or like my husband, give him a few hundred dollars to go to the casino, but I am not suggesting any of the above. As far as I am concerned it is too dangerous to do any of that right now. Instead you can first get a very special card dedicated to him with a little “something-something” in it; maybe buy him that favorite tool or lawn equipment he has been hinting around about all year or surprise him with that wide screen television he has been talking about to put into his man-cave. You can fix his favorite meal or if he is a seafood lover, you can surprise him with a family and close friends crab feast cook-out in your backyard, but it is mandatory that everyone should wear a mask unless they are eating and honor social distance.

If you wish good food carry-out only for right now, than I suggest Colin’s Seafood & Grill owned by Dante at his second location, 1728 E. Northern Parkway in the Loch Raven Shopping Center. He will open for full services soon. Call 443-708-1680 to put your order in. He also caters for special events, such as Father’s Day. You don’t have to cook— the will do it for you and deliver. Dante, I am looking for your Grand-Opening of your new restaurant and congratulations.

Remember stay safe if you choose to go out to the public places that are opening up this week, please protect yourself, wear your mask and gloves.

Enjoy this Father’s Day Weekend!

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Walter Carr, Jr.

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Bryant Haysbert

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Cleve Brister

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Gamel “DJ MEL” Moore

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Dr. Marcelina Albuerne

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Dwight Pettit

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James “Big Jim” Staton

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Judson Hughes

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Kweisi MFume

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Larry Gibson

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Lenny Moore

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Michael Haynie

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Travis Winky

‘May The Work I’ve Done Speak For Me’ Remembering WEAA’s Tyra Phillips Womack

There is an old hymn entitled, “May The Work I’ve Done Speak For Me” The song’s lyrics speaks to the works of a person serving as a testament of the life they lived after they have passed on. This song epitomizes the late Tyra Phillips Womack, a radio announcer on WEAA Gospel Grace Afternoon.

“Tyra’s legacy is as wide as it is deep,” said Derryck Fletcher, Gospel Director for WEAA and host of Gospel Grace Morning Show. “Her legacy is all of the many folks who stand on her shoulders. Tyra always took joy in supporting other people and helping them to fulfill their fullest potential. Her primary legacy is Jerel her son. She gave him life, and she protected his life.”

The beloved 57-year-old who was known on the airwaves as “Tyra Phillips,” died June 10, 2020 after being shot outside her home in the 2400 block of Albion Avenue.

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Members of the Gospel Grace family: Derryck Fletcher, Ernestine Jones, Tyra Phillips, Joi Thomas, Jamal McCollum and Mark Waldrum.

The Baltimore Police Department released a statement saying, “This was a senseless, tragic murder, as many are, and it appears to have stemmed from a neighbor dispute. Investigators began receiving information almost immediately and have identified a person of interest.”

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for 56-year-old, Richard Sylvester Green. He was arrested June 16, 2020 in the 8600 block of Philadelphia Road, and has been charged with 1st and 2nd degree murder.

Womack, who was shot several times, reportedly died protecting her son Jerel Womack.

“There is literally a hole in our hearts over this senseless tragedy,” said Fletcher. “Seeing that Tyra made the ultimate sacrifice for Jerel was not surprising for me. She protected her son even until her last breath.”

A public viewing for Womack will be held Friday, June 19, 2020 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Apostolic Faith Church, 27 S. Caroline Street in Baltimore, where she was a long-time member.

A “Celebration of Life” will take place Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the same location (family members only). Services will be streamed via Facebook, firstapostolic.tv and YouTube.

“Tyra is literally the sweetest person you could ever meet,” said Fletcher. “I have known Tyra for 23 years. Tyra has had continuous service at the station since 1989. None of us on the team have ever experienced WEAA 88.9 FM without her.”

The Sunday following her death, WEAA dedicated the day’s programming to her memory.

“We all talked about the impact Tyra had on all of us,” said Fletcher. “She was so nurturing, maternal, and caring.”

Ernestine Jones is the host of Gospel Grace at Daybreak.

“Tyra did the Church Announcements for over 30 years,” said Jones, noting that Womack also worked as a mail carrier before becoming an administrative assistant for the U.S. Postal Service.

“When I came on board, she was already there doing church announcements. We would split them up. Tyra would always let me take mine first. She would say, ‘just leave me what’s left.’ She always put others before herself. She was very humble.”

Jones said that she, Womack and Joi Thomas, host of Gospel Grace Afternoon were often referred to as ‘The Church Girls’ and the ‘Divas of Gospel Grace.’

“Tyra had a saying, ‘Therefore, having obtained help from God, I continue unto this day.’” said Jones. “And that was what she did. I have a message Tyra texted to me six hours before her demise. I will never get rid of that text.”

Chanel Crowder said she has been a part of the Gospel Grace family since 1997.

“Tyra was so sweet and loving. She loved God so much and embraced everyone. We are devastated and shocked about what happened. Her faith, family, church, and Gospel Grace family were the things she most enjoyed. Tyra was a special person we will always cherish and remember.”

Heaven 600 AM on-air radio host Lee Michaels shared reflections about Womack.

“She was always a pleasant and warm spirit, whose signature dimpled smile exposed the love of God that was in her heart!” said Michaels.

Frederico Hemphill recalled working with Womack years ago on Video Hair Magazine, a television show that highlighted black hair and fashion. Hemphill said the two first met as students at the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland (BIM).

“I asked Tyra if she would host Video Hair Magazine,” said Hemphill. “We were an independent show with no money. She agreed to do it with no pay. Tyra just lit up the camera. She was a natural.”

He added, “I never met Tyra’s son. I only knew her daughter. But if her son possesses even a fraction of the qualities she possessed, I believe he is going to be a very powerful young man. Because of Tyra’s actions, another black man did not die that day.”

Kim Chase hosts WEAA’s Live and Uncut.

“Tyra was always smiling, pleasant, and agreeable,” said Chase. “She was always understanding, and carried herself as a Christian woman.”

Mark Waldrum is the host of Gospel Grace Instruments of Praise.

“Tyra was organized and dedicated”, said Waldrum. “She was God-fearing, professional and took her craft seriously. She did everything to a tee. She was a wonderfully Godly woman. She was proud of her son, family and church.”

He added, “The way she left us saddens me. I think it highlights we must do something about the violence. We are totally fed-up. Tyra was such an influencer of young people. That’s her legacy.”

Protests, Police Reform, Confederate Flag Bans and More But…Where Do We Go From Here?

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Former Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin, who was caught on video pressing his knee to Floyd’s neck, has been charged with second-degree murder. Chauvin was fired along with the other three officers on the scene— Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao. They were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Floyd’s death while in police custody has powered a movement around the globe against police brutality and racial injustice. The chant of “Black Lives Matter” has grown even louder and fiercer as people of all colors stand in solidarity to oppose the killing of blacks at the hands of police officers.

Other high-profile recent deaths include: Ahmaud Arbery, who was killed in Georgia on February 23, 2020 after being pursued and shot by two white men, and Breonna Taylor, an EMT worker who was killed in Louisville, Kentucky by police on March 13, 2020.

Amid already heightened tension over these deaths, Rayshard Brooks, 27 was killed in Atlanta on June 12, 2020, by an Atlanta officer following a field sobriety test. Brooks was killed after he snatched an officer’s Taser and pointed it back at the officer while fleeing. The Wendy’s restaurant where the incident happened was set ablaze, and Brooks’ death has sparked new protests.

In the aftermath of these killings, there have been growing demands for change. Among them, calls to defund police departments. Locally, the Baltimore City Council cut $22 million from the police department’s budget. Nationally, NASCAR has announced plans to ban Confederate flags at its events, and in states across the country, monuments, and statues that many feel symbolize white supremacy and oppression are being taken down. On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, President Donald Trump signed an executive order addressing policing reforms.

Amidst the civil unrest, politicians, activists, lawyers, celebrities, and others have also voiced their thoughts and opinions about what needs to happen next. What do you think? This week, The Baltimore Times took to the streets to ask the question: Where Do We Go From Here?

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Carizma Williams Social Worker, MSW “Now that we have gotten the media and leaders’ attention, the next step is to educate. We can do that in multiple ways. We need to cater to everyone’s different learning styles. Not everyone understands why there is such a large group of people upset. The narrative is ‘Black Lives Matter,’ but all minorities who have been mistreated in any form or fashion should also be included. We may not be able to change the past, but going forward, we need to unite the community. We lack unity. We unite when it comes to protests and riots, but we are not on the same page when it comes to leadership and politics. As for the police, they need to incorporate some customer service education and people skills. They are so quick to grab their guns. They need different training. I also believe those we vote in, want to do well, but the system blocks them to an extent. Change will not come if we don’t see something wrong.”

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Leonard Stepney, Jr., Retired “I feel we protest because our struggle and obstacles have been so great. The metaphoric ‘knee on our necks’ have kept black Americans in a cycle of crime, unemployment, under-employed, under-educated, and and unhealthy. Systematically, we have been considered less then since 1619. There have been strides, but it’s the heart that has to change. We’ve had A Black president, and civil rights laws have been enacted, but the death of those at the hands of police illustrate that things haven’t changed much. Where do we go from here? Police reform, police training, laws that make police accountable for their actions, voting out those who are against the agenda of peace, equality, and justice for all, and of course prayer. Prayers that changes the heart of those who want to do us harm. Prayer changes things.”

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Alliya Dabo Student (Morgan State University) “I think we can’t go back to normal because we now face someone else’s normal. The only difference is that it is being recorded. I think change needs to happen immediately instead of waiting for a riot, protest, or for Social Media to be outraged for changes to be made. For example, with Breonna Taylor, the police came into her house unannounced, but it took rioting and retweeting in order for the ‘No Knock Warrant’ to be banned. For Ahmaud Arbery, when he was gunned down, the case was closed, but once people became more aware of it, the more evidence came out, such as the video. Once the media and public gets ahold of something, you can be held accountable. We need to take the initiative as soon as something happens.”

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Carol Williams “I think the next step is to begin to turn the finger on ourselves. We have to show respect and love, and stop killing each other. If we as black people can’t respect ourselves, how can we expect other people respect us? Proclamations and laws to stop police from killing us, won’t stop us from killing us. If we treat ourselves like animals, other people will do the same. We all need to pray and come together as one.”