By Frances (Toni) Murphy Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher My mother, Frances L. Murphy II, was a winner and a role model to many- especially aspiring Black journalists. For most of her life she enjoyed two professions: working at the AFRO founded by her grandfather, John H. Murphy Sr., and teaching. She began her newspaper […]
Author Archives: Frances Toni Draper AFRO Publisher
Posted inBaltimore News
A little celebrated first: Dr. Francis Marion Wood
By Frances M. Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher Tall. Dark. Handsome. Family man. No nonsense, but fair. Philanthropist. Ph.D. Farm Owner. Founder of a camp for children. Community leader. Beloved by students and teachers alike. These are just some of the words and phrases I’ve heard to describe my paternal grandfather, Francis Marion Wood. My […]
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Vashti Turley Murphy: A freedom fighter in her own right
By Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper AFRO CEO and Publisher There is also a wonderful story about my maternal grandfather, Carl James Greenbury Murphy, long-time AFRO publisher and editor (1922-1967). A prolific writer of hard-hitting editorials, as well as inspirational prayers, Carl Murphy was small in stature, but stood tall and fought hard for civil and […]
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Someday at Christmas: A look into how the world celebrates
By Frances Murphy (Toni) Draper CEO and Publisher One of my all-time favorite Christmas albums is Stevie Wonder’s first Christmas album (1967) Someday at Christmas. Someday at Christmas men won’t be boys Playing with bombs like kids play with toys One warm December our hearts will see A world where men are free Someday at […]
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This digital immigrant loves technology
By Frances Murphy (Toni) Draper CEO and Publisher Let me say from the outset that I love technology. Some might even call me an early adopter, and I’ve been told by my Gen X children and Gen Z grands that I’m tech-savvy. But, make no mistake about it, I am a digital immigrant (more about […]
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Life happens…but you can finish
AFRO Publisher Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper By Frances “Toni” Draper AFRO CEO and Publisher Seven years ago, Dr. Pamela Love Manning and I compiled stories of 12 Black women who successfully fulfilled their dreams and aspirations, despite tremendous obstacles. Many of these women experienced unbelievable trauma stemming from childhood abuse or abusive relationships or poor […]
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The great divide over COVID vaccine
Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher By Frances “Toni” Draper AFRO Publisher and CEO Unless you’ve been in a deep Rip Van Winkle sleep over the past few months, I do not need to tell you that there is a great divide, especially in the Black community, over the efficacy and effectiveness of […]
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HBCUs filled the educational gap that racism demanded
Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher (Courtesy Photo) Although the Supreme Court ruled in 1954 (Brown v Board of Education) that laws establishing racial segregation in public schools were illegal even if the segregated schools were equal in quality, it neither provided funds and protections to facilitate enactment; nor did it provide […]
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The game is not over until the playing field is level
Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher The game is not over until the playing field is level Kudos to Managing Editor Dorothy Boulware and her dedicated hard-working team of writers and editors for another outstanding “We’re Still Here” edition – this time focusing on Black athletes and how they’re changing the game: from […]
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From aria to soul: I love it all
Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher By Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper As a ‘child’ of the sixties, I listened to a lot of Motown music from Stevie Wonder to Mary Wells; from the Temptations to the Supremes; from the Miracles to the Marvelettes; from Gladys Knight and the Pips to Marvin Gaye, just […]
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Thank God for Wednesdays
Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher Is it Wednesday yet? Will there be Smithfield ham, fried chicken, roast beef, sweet potatoes, string beans, homemade rolls, Hendler’s ice cream, little cakes with lots of sweet icing on top? These are the questions my brother, sister and I asked each other every week before we traveled […]
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Examining historic Black businesses, the wealth gap, financial literacy
Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher Over ten years ago, Black Enterprise magazine published what I’m calling Ten Wealth Principles: l will live within my means. I will maximize my income potential through education and training. I will effectively manage my budget, credit debt and training. I will save at least 10% of my […]