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Bowser Carries on Obama ‘Keeper’ Initiative

WASHINGTON INFORMER — The Obama administration has become a part of history but its signature social initiative, “My Brother’s Keeper,” has continued in the District and Mayor Muriel Bowser has made mentorship a key component. On Sept. 5, the city’s Office on Public Service and Volunteerism hosted the mayor’s “My Brother’s Keeper Summit and Volunteer Fair” at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest, where over 400 people listened to speakers and visited the booths of government agencies and nonprofit organizations that deal with the problems of young Black males.

Published

7 years ago

September 25, 2019

Oakland Post

Thomas Penny III talks with mentee Arturo Evans at the My Brother's Keeper Summit & Volunteer Fair at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest on Sept. 5. (James Wright/The Washington Informer)

By James Wright

The Obama administration has become a part of history but its signature social initiative, “My Brother’s Keeper,” has continued in the District and Mayor Muriel Bowser has made mentorship a key component.

On Sept. 5, the city’s Office on Public Service and Volunteerism hosted the mayor’s “My Brother’s Keeper Summit and Volunteer Fair” at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest, where over 400 people listened to speakers and visited the booths of government agencies and nonprofit organizations that deal with the problems of young Black males.

Ayris T. Scales, chief service officer of the Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships, said she structured the one-day program in a deliberate manner.

“We wanted to show the public, private and nonprofits who are working to help young Black boys and men to succeed,” Scales said. “We have heard from some people who say that government has all of the answers and that is simply not true. Our volunteer fair has government programs such as The Mayor’s Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys and non-profits like Bread for the City and Horton’s Kids that help Black young men to be the best they can be.”

One panel featured D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee, Police Chief Peter Newsham, Councilman Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) and Clinton Lacey, director of D.C. Youth Rehabilitation Services.

Ferebee said he mandates that educators go to the homes of students to meet their families and get to know the communities they live in.

“Home and school need to work together,” he said. “They need to talk to each other in order to help Black boys succeed in school.”

Ferebee also encouraged Black parents, especially fathers, to read to their children at an early age.

“We need to let our young Black boys know that it is OK to read,” he said.

Newsham said re-instituting the “Officer Friendly” program, in which police officers engage the people whom they protect, has become a priority of his.

“Young kids will be able to develop a relationship with the officers in their neighborhoods,” the chief said.

Newsham talked about the police cadet program at Anacostia High School that gives young people a pipeline to becoming a D.C. police officer.

McDuffie said Black boys and men are “suffering under government policies that have intentionally not benefited them.” He said businesses, large and small have challenges reaching out to Black males.

“Small businesses would like to reach out but don’t have the resources to do so,” the council member said. “Large corporations have the resources but lack the connections to communities where Black boys live.”

All of the speakers spoke about the need for more mentors for young Black males.

The summit presented Thomas Penny III, president of Donohoe Hospitality Services division, as a mentor and Arturo Evans as a mentee.

Penny said he met Evans several years ago at a school event and was impressed by him.

“I spoke at this school and, like I always do, I handed out my business card,” Penny said. “Arturo was the only one who called me and we developed a relationship. I introduced him to the hotel business and he has worked in it since.”

Arturo, with Penny’s encouragement, went to the prestigious William F. Harrah Hospitality Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and presently works at a District hotel as a front desk associate. Evans said Penny has made the difference in his life and considers him a role model.

Penny said mentorship “definitely helps young Black men.”

“Young Black men need to know that there are people who look like them succeeding and who do care about them,” he said. “I care about Arturo’s development as a man. I have a wife and three kids and my wife says I pay more attention to Arturo than to them. I am committed to seeing him succeed.”

This post originally appeared in The Washington Informer.

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.