D.C. Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) will, once again, stand before a judge on Sept. 12 as he fights a federal bribery charge that’s jeopardizing his freedom and re-election prospects.
In preparation for that legal battle, White, and several religious leaders, are turning to a higher power.
On Sept. 7, dozens of people converged on Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast for “Prayers of Redemption,” an event that The Rev. Dr. Willie F. Wilson hosted in support of White.
After Wilson, White and several religious leaders walked into the main sanctuary of Union Temple, Wilson set the tone with scripture and what he called a reminder to those critical of the beleaguered Ward 8 council member.
“We can redeem…with love,” Wilson, pastor emeritus of Union Temple, said to guests. “Each of us has fallen short. We are here to show love and intercede so that [Councilmember White] can be redeemed. We’re walking about reclaiming a life. Nothing is more precious than that, to be redeemed. We’re not here to adjudicate what happened, but to give honor to almighty God.”
FBI agents arrested White at his Navy Yard penthouse on Aug. 18. He later stood before a judge who read a criminal complaint alleging that he agreed to accept bribes in exchange for leveraging his political power to secure a contract renewal for a vendor working with the Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE).
That criminal complaint included photos of White accepting $35,000 in cash payments from a man identified as Confidential Human Source 1.
Earlier this week, a grand jury indicted White for the federal bribery charge. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years of imprisonment.
Clergy in attendance at “Prayers of Redemption” included: the Rev. Tony Lee of Community of Hope AME Church in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland; Min. Calique Barnes of Prayer and Praise Ministries in Forestville, Maryland; Crystal Gray of CenterPoint Baptist Church in Camp Springs, Maryland; the Rev. Donald Isaac of Southeast Tabernacle Baptist Church in Southeast; Bro. Abdul Khadir Muhammad of Muhammad’s Mosque #4 in Southeast; and the Revs. Kendrick and Karen Whitney Curry of Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church in Southeast, D.C.
While most of the religious leaders focused on White’s spiritual upliftment, some like the Rev. Kendrick Curry and Min. Muhammad took aim at the FBI. Both mentioned the Counterintelligence Program (COINTELPRO) that dismantled Black liberation movements of the 20th century, and Muhammad facetiously asked the FBI agents in the audience to stand.
Many community members and friends took on a similar tone, thanking White for carving out time for families of murder victims and constituents dealing with immediate quality-of-life issues.
Jimmie Jenkins, founder of ManPower DC and one of the council member’s closest confidantes, lamented not seeing a larger turnout.
“This is a direct attack from the devil, not people,” Jenkins said. “I’m ashamed that this room is not filled because we’re talking about prayer for our brother. Since I’ve known him, he’s on the frontline… This thing is bigger than politics. It’s bigger than black and white. The enemy understands [Trayon’s] power and the direction our city is going in. We need to band together.”
In recent weeks, community members have been mulling over whether to support write-in candidates for Ward 8 seat in the general election or support White, the Democratic nominee, to stave off a Republican victory east of the Anacostia River. Others have criticized White, calling for a higher standard of ethical leadership in Ward 8.
Those conversations sparked after D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) stripped White of his chairmanship of the council’s Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs, and the Bowser administration launched an internal investigation into DYRS and ONSE.
Mendelson also launched an ad-hoc committee, composed of all of White’s council colleagues. Upon the council’s return from summer recess, the committee, led by D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (I-At large), will examine the complaint, and questions about White’s residency (seeing as his penthouse is located in Ward 6) before deciding whether to recommend reprimand, censure or expulsion.
After the “Prayers of Redemption” event, White, who wiped tears from his eyes during the prayers, didn’t speak about his political future. He instead focused on his state of mind.
“I’m humbled,” he told The Informer. “ It’s in God’s hands and I appreciate the love, support and encouragement of the people.”
“Prayers of Redemption” ended with the small group of congregants joining religious leaders and White in a circle where they lifted White in prayer once again. But not before Al-Malik Farrakhan of Cease Fire, Don’t Smoke the Brothers and Sisters, implored them to show up to the courtroom on Sept. 12 early and in full force.
Earlier in the program, Farrakhan issued a warning to those who he said have become too comfortable in the age of social media.
“Y’all do all the prayers but prayers do nothing without action. Be down there at the court before any of them Europeans or devils can get them seats,” Farrakhan said.
“We’re not leaving this man. We got to be down there deep on the inside and outside. If you truly love justice, then we got to stand up. I don’t see y’all fighting. Y’all on the internet. They respect hands and they respect faces.”
I really liked the lede, emphasizing a “higher power.” I appreciate the various religious leaders giving their opinions and Sam teased us a bit when he mentioned Rev. Kendrick Curry bringing up COINTELPRO, the infamous FBI program designed to disrupt Black liberation movements. It seems that the Washington Informer was the only media that covered this event fully and that should be appreciated.
Sorry, no disrespect, but the man is guilty as sin. He should have watched the company he keeps. Furthermore, I feel real sorry for those pastors that supporting him.
White needs to resign, Ward 8 deserves better. Stop defending blatant crimes and elevate a strong candidate to replace White in this Council seat. “Be down there at the court before any of them Europeans or devils can get them seats” … How does this rhetoric support Ward 8 residents????
We are a lost people. He took the money and we want to blame others except the man who was greedy