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Diverse, Spry Centenarians Hailed at Annual Luncheon

WASHINGTON INFORMER — In the not-too-distant past, if someone reached the age of 100, society considered that person to be ancient and functionally useless. Today, those who reach 100 are not considered to be outliers but a standard of living that should be aspired to. That message came through clearly at the 33rd annual Salute to Centenarians at the Kellogg Conference & Hotel Center on the Northeast campus of Gallaudet University on April 29.

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7 years ago

May 4, 2019

James Wright

By James Wright

In the not-too-distant past, if someone reached the age of 100, society considered that person to be ancient and functionally useless.

Today, those who reach 100 are not considered to be outliers but a standard of living that should be aspired to. That message came through clearly at the 33rd annual Salute to Centenarians at the Kellogg Conference & Hotel Center on the Northeast campus of Gallaudet University on April 29.

“Today, we recognize the extraordinary D.C. seniors who got us to where we are today and continue to help move us forward,” Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) said to the 61 honored guests and their family and friends. “My administration is committed to making the investments that keep D.C. an age-friendly city where we grow together, age together and, like we did today, celebrate together.”

The Social Security Administration says there are 300 centenarians living in the District. In 2014, a report for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 72,197 Americans were 100 or older, and that number has likely increased because studies over the past three decades have shown that people are living longer and the death rate has fallen in recent years.

Thelma Ferbish, 70, stirs coffee for her mother Viola Harrison, 102, who was one of the centenarians honored at the D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living luncheon at the Kellogg Conference & Hotel in northeast D.C. on April 29. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

The centenarians who attended the luncheon did not fit the stereotype of wrinkled, half-dead people afflicted with ailments, failing eyesight and hearing. During the luncheon, they sang along as the band played music, bobbing their heads and swinging hips. Inez Robertson, 102, even got on the floor and danced to “When the Saints Go Marching In” by the band Bruther’s Plus One.

Vanilla P. Beane, an internationally recognized milliner, received special attention because of her well-known nickname as “The Hat Lady.” Beane opened up her hat shop on 3rd Street NW in 1978 and it still operates under her watchful eye.

Beane’s hats are displayed in the Black Fashion Museum in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in the District acquired five of her hats for permanent display. She designed many hats for Dr. Dorothy Height, the iconic former president and chair of the National Council of Negro Women.

Marilee Asher, born in 1912, was recognized as the oldest of the 61 present, while Viola R. Harrison, 102, received a lot of attention because of her family of long-livers and her career success. Harrison’s grandmother died at the age of 109 in 1955 and her grandfather died in 1947 aged 114.

Harrison also had three cousins who have lived past 100, one of whom lived to be 108. In addition, she worked for the same New York bank location for 60 years and presently owns two apartment buildings, one home in Kingston, N.Y., and one in the District.

Harrison has a simple philosophy for living long and well.

“Treat people right, live right and you will live a long time,” said her daughter, Thelma Ferbish, quoting her mother. Ferbish manages her mother’s properties but Harrison remains the owner and keeps abreast of developments.

A documentary about her mother, Ferbish said, is in the works.

The centenarians consisted of published authors (Cora Satcher Parker), a former Senior Olympics swimmer (John Tatum) and a graduate of West Point Military Academy (Peter Russell).

Laura Newland, the director of the District Department of Aging and Community Living, personally congratulated each centenarian while the master of ceremonies, Carroll “Mr. C” Hynson Jr. of WHUR-FM (96.3), read shortened versions of their biographies.

Newland, who distributed medals and certificates to the participants, said she enjoyed the luncheon and understood its importance.

“This event helps us as a community to grow closer,” she said. “No matter how long one has lived or lived in the District, we have to recognize everything they have done for us.”

This article originally appeared in the Washington Informer.

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Sale of Coliseum to African American Developers Moves Toward Completion

The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

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6 hours ago

June 16, 2026

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The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

‘This is on the precipice of actually occurring,’ said Ray Bobbitt, buyers’ representative

By Post Staff

After many months of complex negotiations, the Oakland Coliseum development deal is finally nearing an agreement that will open the way for new owners – the African Americans Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) – to revitalize the sports complex and the Hegenberger Corridor in East Oakland.

On May 28, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a non-binding agreement to dispose of the County’s portion of the complex for $115 million in a deal with AASEG, with a closing date set for June 30.

“People are seeing that this is on the precipice of actually occurring,” said Ray Bobbitt, founder of the AASEG and an East Oakland native. “People feel that this needs to happen for Oakland, for East Oakland in particular,” Bobbitt said, as reported in the East Bay Times.

The agreement would transfer ownership of the 112-acre Coliseum complex property, which was owned 50-50 by Alameda County and the City of Oakland, to Oakland Acquisition Company, which is AASEG’s real estate wing.

The County’s approval marks an important step in the sale of the property, even though concerns about environmental liability remain. Under the terms of the non-binding agreement, the county will pay $115 million to Coliseum Way Partners, the corporate entity of the Oakland Athletics that had previously purchased the county’s half of the property for $85 million.

AASEG will then pay $115 million to the County in three annual payments, with 5% annual interest paid on any outstanding balance, according to the term sheet.

AASEG already negotiated a purchase of the city’s half of the property for $125 million in 2025, awaiting the sale of the county’s half.

A strong supporter of the sale, Supervisor Nate Miley said he was not “breaking out the champagne” until the sale was final. This is not perfect, but it is good.

“It’s good because the County ends up with more money,” Miley continued. “It’s good because an African American team takes ownership of the property, and they’ve got a lot of potential in terms of what they want to do with the property.”

A remaining disagreement between Alameda County and the AASEG involves environmental concerns.

AASEG wanted a “carve-out” for environmental concerns so that it would not face liability for the release of groundwater into San Francisco Bay without a permit. Obtaining a permit could be time-consuming and expensive, requiring the need for consultants, studies, and an oversight process by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

County supervisors unanimously supported the non-binding agreement without the carve-out, though Bobbitt said delaying or excluding the carve-out creates timing risks for the project.

“The motion is to accept the terms as presented, excluding the carve-out,” Board of Supervisors President David Haubert said. “Noting that it’s a non-binding term sheet and terms can always be discussed going forward. It’s been pointed out that that could affect the deal, timing, which we’ve been at this for nine years, but what’s a little more time?”

“The arena represents an anchor of the site,” said Babbitt. “This arena … has become a pop culture mecca, and the opportunity to enhance that and expand that is critical to the overall process.”

Speaking at the Board of Supervisors meeting, Miley explained the County’s reasoning behind some of the complex negotiations. He asked interim County Counsel Andrea Weddle:

“In layman’s term’s who’s on the hook for the environmental (cleanup)” under the current deal with the Oakland A’s?

“When the county with a former board entered in the deal with the (A’s), we took on all of the environmental obligations,” Miley said. “Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about the environmental conditions of the Coliseum.”

“If we do a deal with Coliseum Way Partners (the A’s), we remain on the hook,” she said. “If we do a deal as we’ve currently structured with OAC (AASEG), we have eliminated some or hopefully all (or) as much as we can of that liability and aligned our deal with the terms of the city.”

Bobbitt, despite his concerns, supported the nonbinding agreement. He said the public has waited nearly a decade to come to this point.

“The community support has been overwhelming,” he said. “We’ve used a lot of P-words: patience, perseverance, persistence. And we’ve just had to do it, and we understand how complex this has been.”

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Celebrating Juneteenth – Frederick Douglass on education and resistance

This video from BlackPressUSATV explores the significance of Juneteenth, focusing on the enduring wisdom of Frederick Douglass. It delves into his powerful perspectives on the vital role of education as a tool for liberation and empowerment. Douglass’s words are presented as a cornerstone for understanding the ongoing struggle for equality and the importance of continuous […]
The post Celebrating Juneteenth – Frederick Douglass on education and resistance appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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12 hours ago

June 16, 2026

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The content highlights how education and active resistance are intertwined, drawing parallels from historical movements to contemporary challenges. This exploration of Frederick Douglass’s teachings offers valuable insights into the spirit of Juneteenth and its relevance in today’s fight for justice and human rights.

The post Celebrating Juneteenth – Frederick Douglass on education and resistance appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 6.19.26 7PM EST

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June 16, 2026

Oakland Post

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