By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

Marylanders Online, a free statewide program working to close the digital divide, hosted the second annual Maryland Statewide Digital Equity Summit at the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore on Oct. 15. The event convened digital inclusion leaders, experts and advocates from across the state to examine challenges, relay best practices and explore solutions to gaps in digital literacy and connectivity through a host of panel discussions. 

In a video message for the summit, Maryland Governor Wes Moore conveyed his belief that Maryland has the potential to become a national model for digital inclusion and equity. 

“We know that digital literacy is the key to economic progress, but a third of U.S. workers still lack fundamental digital skills and face significant barriers to digital inclusion, including here in Maryland. Recognizing this challenge our administration has been moving quickly,” said Moore. “We understand that digital inclusion is critical to health, education and economic opportunity, so this state is at the forefront of digital equity with others looking to us for leadership.”

Addressing Maryland’s Digital Equity Plan

In March 2024, Maryland released a roadmap for eliminating disparities in digital access, skills and affordability with the help of a $966,659 State Digital Equity Planning Grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). 

The essential elements of the vision included household access to affordable, reliable internet, access to devices and the ability to maintain them, opportunities for mastering digital skills,  guidance to stay safe online and state resources that are accessible online. The efforts are steered by principles, including inclusivity, equitable access, community engagement and collaboration, sustainability and evidence-based decision making. 

The 278-page plan is not a final product though. The state is seeking engagement. 

“It’s a working document, and we’re going to be updating it quarterly as we receive digital equity funding,” said Ronnie Hammond, director of Maryland’s Office of Statewide Broadband. “We can only do that from community feedback. We have a dedicated digital equity team and email to support comments on what’s working and what areas of opportunity we have.”

In July, the NTIA approved Maryland for $267.7 million in federal funding to support the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) plan. Once the state creates the requisite infrastructure to ensure every Marylander has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet, the rest of the money will be used for internet adoption, literacy training and workforce development programs. 

The plan is currently undergoing a challenge process in which local government, internet service providers and nonprofits from across the state can evaluate the veracity of existing broadband maps. This way, the state can ensure the maps accurately reflect broadband availability and speeds to deliver funds where they are most needed. 

Panelists pointed out that before the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced students to learn virtually and individuals to work remotely, little attention was given to digital equity and inclusion. Amy Huffman, policy director for the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, noted that she became the country’s first full-time digital inclusion and policy manager in 2019 while working for the state of North Carolina. 

“I don’t say that to brag, but just to say that five years ago, there were no states that had these positions in their offices except for North Carolina,” said Huffman. “Today, flash-forward five years later, and every state has a digital equity person on staff in a broadband office or an adjacent office, working to elevate digital equity at the state level and to provide funding.” 

“We have the most dollars in history going toward digital equity and broadband expansion. We have the biggest platform we’ve ever had,” she continued. 

Prior to 2021, Maryland had the Office of Rural Broadband, which was established by former Governor Larry Hogan in 2017 to provide high-speed internet access to the more rural parts of the state. With support from local jurisdictions, it was later reestablished as the Office of Statewide Broadband. 

“It not only put a focus on deployment, but also digital equity,” said Hammond. “For us, it’s not deployment versus equity, it’s equity in deployment.” 

Best practices for creating regional digital equity plans

As the pandemic shone a light on the stark digital divide across the state, leaders and organizations raced to provide resources to support the transition to remote work and learning. Samanatha Musgrave, interim executive director of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition, said localities could evaluate the efficacy of these efforts to inform their own digital equity strategies. 

“We can look at some of the work that was born out of early phase COVID-19 in terms of access to hotspots, access to internet services that are affordable and device access, and we can decide what was effective and what’s not working so well,” said Musgrave. “I’m very interested in learning more about how ‘big Chromebook’ has benefited from the pandemic, and I don’t use that term lightly. We are on the cusp of thinking about what’s next for useful device access.” 

One warning that several panelists gave when forming a digital equity plan is to refrain from dictating what individuals need without seeking their input. William Honablew Jr., digital equity coordinator for the city of Baltimore, said some leaders believe they already know what a community requires and fail to give them the power to voice their concerns. 

“One of the things that I’ve learned in the planning process is that it’s very easy for us to go into communities as colonizers. It is very easy for us to show up and say, ‘Hey, you guys need broadband. We’re going to give you all the broadband you need,’” said Honablew. “It is much more difficult to shut up, sit down and listen to the people you’re trying to help.” 

Individuals may encounter challenges that digital equity professionals have never thought of. By hearing them out and taking their grievances seriously a plan becomes much more comprehensive. 

Across the U.S., more than 20 million households benefited from the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided discounts for internet service and devices. Unfortunately, the program closed on June 1 due to a lack of funding from Congress. 

Though there have been widespread campaigns to refund the program, Musgrave said the state of Maryland should take it upon itself to plan for a new subsidy program to make connectivity more affordable. 

She also emphasized the importance of acknowledging the reason behind the digital divide when drafting strategies. 

“We are responsible for describing these problems for what they are, which is systemic racism in many ways and historic, intentional disinvestment in communities that greatly deserve and need access to resources that have been denied from them,” said Musgrave. “We need to take our own role and responsibility in solving those problems from our own perspectives.”

Developing successful models for digital skills training 

Having internet access does not mean a person knows how to use the internet or devices that come with it, especially for certain segments of communities like older adults, returning citizens and individuals with disabilities. With so many critical services online, people must know how to navigate technology to benefit from it. 

“As our world becomes increasingly digital, the importance of digital skills cannot be overstated,” said Quiana Bannerman, director of the Maryland Center for Computing Education. “From basic computer literacy to advanced programming and data analysis, digital skills are essential for individuals and organizations to thrive in today’s economy.” 

One crucial component in establishing training programs is thinking outside the box. Devin Jackson, founder of A Prosperous Tomorrow, said there are no cookie-cutter solutions to teaching people digital skills as everyone’s needs are different.

“I believe there should be custom-tailored solutions for those participants who are actually coming to the skills training you’re providing,” said Jackson. “When you look around the room, all of us are different. Oftentimes, we develop programming for everyone to be inclusive, but we also don’t account for those differences.” 

His nonprofit organization, based in Baltimore, conducts community assessments to understand needs and challenges on an individual level. Rather than pick a starting and end point for everyone, Jackson said the curriculum should be flexible to suit each person’s proficiency. 

To help inform curriculum development, panelists recommended using the National Skills Coalition as a resource. One of the organization’s focus areas is examining how the knowledge of digital skills leads to different outcomes as far as workforce and economic development. They also suggested leveraging the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ (IMLS) resources for information literacy. 

“IMLS comes from the premise that libraries are interested in basic literacy, the ability to read and write. From that component, there are many other areas in which you may move. Digital literacy is one, but there’s also financial literacy, health literacy and civic literacy,” said James Neal, senior program officer for IMLS.  “You have to be willing to learn, unlearn and relearn. That’s the only way you’re going to move ahead in the 21st century.” 

This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBC Universal. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) held its annual meeting on Oct. 10, celebrating local leaders who have been instrumental in the development and growth of the downtown area. 

Home to the Bromo Arts District and Central Business District, downtown Baltimore has nearly $7 billion in development projects in progress or planned before 2028. The state of Maryland is responsible for $30 million 

“I am here today to declare it’s Maryland’s decade, and it’s Baltimore’s time, but it’s downtown’s moment,” said Shelonda Stokes, president of DPOB. 

Stokes explained that two years ago, DPOB employed the Urban Land Institute, the oldest and largest network of multidisciplinary real estate and land use experts, to develop a blueprint for the future of Downtown. The top priorities that sprung from the effort were: energizing public spaces and improving the cityscape, enhancing public safety, connecting the city’s assets and harnessing collaborative leadership. 

“We took that, and we went to the state,” said Stokes. “Not only did the state commit to helping relocate more than 6,000 employees into the Central Business District—creating an opportunity in the old State Center to do redevelopment in that neighborhood, while infusing lifeblood into downtown— but they also awarded us with $10 million a year for three years to help catalyze development in downtown.”

The funding has supported DPOB’s Downtown Black-Owned and -Operated Storefront Tenancy (BOOST) Program, which provides grants, education, lease assistance and wraparound support to Black entrepreneurs who want to open a brick and mortar in downtown. It will also be used to finance the creation of the Eutaw Streetscape, Liberty Dog Park and the Strategic Operations Center, a central hub for coordinated crime response. 

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott touted several other accomplishments during the gathering. The CFG Bank Arena, which reopened in 2023 after a $250 million renovation, welcomed over 800,000 visitors in its first year. Violent crime is now down 26 percent, according to the mayor, putting the city on a record-breaking pace. The Baltimore Orioles also found new ownership in billionaire David Rubenstein, and the team has extended its lease at Camden Yards for at least 15 years. 

He also recalled that at last year’s meeting he, in partnership with DPOB and Governor Wes Moore, announced the concept for Downtown RISE, a 10-year vision to revamp downtown. Formally released in April 2024, the strategic action plan’s four focus areas are economic and community development; infrastructure development; arts, entertainment and culture; and public safety and cleanliness. 

“We are driving toward making downtown the heart of our dynamic city. Yet again, this includes a collaborative and strategic approach to all of our work— public and private partners alike— as we seek to effectively steward the historic investment that has been infused into our city,” said Scott. “Downtown RISE is ambitious, comprehensive, inclusive and seeks to catalyze the economic growth and development of downtown Baltimore in a way that engages all of our city.” 

Although downtown Baltimore covers just 3.8 percent of the city’s geographic area, it accounts for 75 percent of the city’s parking tax yield, 25 percent of city businesses, 85 percent of hotel rooms and 35 percent of city jobs. 

It is also one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Baltimore, with more than 41,000 residents within a mile radius of Pratt and Light Streets. 

The governor acknowledged that in order for the state of Maryland to thrive in the future, Baltimore must also thrive as the state’s largest city. 

“It’s downtown’s moment because we know that in order for this city to be able to excel, it means we cannot pick and choose who wins. It means we create opportunities for everybody to win, for everybody to participate, for everybody to feel belonging and for everybody to feel supported,” said Moore. “The downtown that we are building, the Downtown Partnership that Shelonda is leading, is one where everybody knows they are not just welcomed and accepted, but they are needed, and that’s why it is Baltimore’s time in this moment.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) has issued a statement following city officials’ decision to terminate their contract with the arts and culture organization. BOPA raised concerns about the city’s plan to transition the quasi-government agency’s services in just 90 days and the risk it poses to the local arts community. 

The response came on Oct. 18, two days after the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office sent a letter to the organization, relaying its intent to cut ties as a result of BOPA’s financial instability. 

“We want to be transparent with you, our valued stakeholders, about the steps we have taken to ensure the organization’s stability and future success,” wrote BOPA leadership in the statement. “We also want to be clear about the concern we hold for how the decision to terminate the contract, without a clear plan of how to manage a 90-day transition, places our organization and the arts community at extreme risk.”

In the Oct. 16 letter sent to BOPA, Marvin James, chief of staff for Mayor Brandon M. Scott, explained that the organization’s financial instability cast doubt about its ability to meet obligations to the city and local arts community. 

Mayor Scott said in a statement that “ending the city’s contractual relationship with BOPA is not a decision taken lightly.” 

“We are taking this step after deep and careful consideration following several years of turmoil within the organization,” he said. 

BOPA had already been in talks with the officials within the Scott Administration since the organization’s cash troubles became public in recent months. 

“Members of our executive committee met with the Mayor’s Office and left with the understanding that the city no longer desired to continue its relationship with BOPA in its current form, largely due to public discussion surrounding our finances,” wrote BOPA in the statement. “We acknowledged that some elements of the city contract put a strain on stabilizing the organization, and we agreed a transition of services would be necessary. However, we explained that our cash position could be resolved if the city released payments aligned with the timing of our expenses, noting that the current quarterly payment structure was a contributing factor.” 

Hours before the Mayor’s Office sent the termination letter to BOPA, the organization held a board meeting, which ended in votes to execute layoffs and establish a transition taskforce to reassess the contract. In the statement, BOPA said during the meeting, it presented a balanced cash flow through the end of its contract term in June, which demonstrated a “proper” payment cycle and settled overdue receipts. 

The organization said it was alarmed by the timing of the city’s cancellation notice. 

“We are concerned by the timing of the city’s notification just hours after our board approved a responsible path forward, a path that was approved by the mayor’s representatives on our board,” said BOPA in the statement. “This reduces what could have been a productive and responsible 8-month transition to 90 days—without any indication of a plan on how to maintain the services provided by BOPA— places the arts community at significant risk and impacts the interim board’s ability to support a healthy transition in their volunteer capacity.” 

BOPA is charged with producing a number of Baltimore’s top events, including Artscape, the Baltimore Book Festival and Martin Luther King (MLK)  Jr. Day parade. It is also one of the main sources of funding and support for local creatives in the city, as it routinely deploys grants to artists and organizations. 

BOPA has encountered significant financial challenges in recent years. According to federal tax filings, the organization held more than $5.8 million in net assets in 2019. By 2022, after years of canceling events due to the public health emergency engendered by the COVID-19 pandemic, that number declined to $1.5 million.

Its former leader, Donna Drew Sawyer, also publicly clashed with Mayor Brandon M. Scott in January 2023 following the organization’s attempt to cancel the MLK Jr. parade. She stepped down from her post after Scott told the board he lost confidence in her ability to lead the organization. 

Rachel D. Graham, former director of external relations for the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, was named CEO in February 2024. She officially stepped into the role on March 15. BOPA also acquired a new interim board, which included representatives from the Mayor’s Office in March. 

The new leadership was charged with understanding the organization’s cash position and devising a long-term strategy for fiscal sustainability. This included hiring an outside accounting firm to review BOPA’s financials dating back to 2019. 

The cancellation of BOPA’s contract is subject to approval by the Baltimore City Board of Estimates on Nov. 6. If approved, BOPA will lose its quasi-government status but continue to operate as a private nonprofit organization. 

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By Stacy Brown
NNPA Newswire

Rapper T.I. and singer Tameka “Tiny” Harris have emerged victorious in a major lawsuit against toy company MGA Entertainment, securing a $71 million judgment. The couple, alongside their music group OMG Girlz, accused MGA of violating their intellectual property rights by copying the group’s image and style for the company’s popular L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls.

The case, which spanned over three years, concluded when a jury ruled in favor of the Harris family. According to People magazine, Tiny, 49, was elated as she shared her thoughts in an Instagram Live video outside the Santa Ana, California federal courthouse. 

Reflecting on the years-long legal battle, she said, “It was a hell of a fight. We couldn’t be more happy.”

Tiny expressed profound gratitude to the jurors, who delivered a unanimous verdict. “They heard our story and they knew we wasn’t lying. It’s amazing,” she said.

The lawsuit, initiated in 2020, focused on more than a dozen L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls that strongly resemble the OMG Girlz, a group Tiny formed in 2009 with her daughter, Zonnique Pullins, along with Bahja Rodriguez and Breaunna Womack. According to the court, MGA had “infringed on the trade dress and misappropriated the name, image and likeness” of the group, particularly their outfits and hairstyles.

People magazine noted that the jury awarded $53.6 million in punitive damages in addition to the initial settlement, an outcome that surprised even Tiny. 

“I mean, wow. They did more than I thought they would,” she told Rolling Stone after the verdict. “I would have been happy with whatever. They blessed us more than beyond.”

The OMG Girlz themselves testified during the three-week trial, recalling specific public events and photos where the dolls copied their unique wardrobe and style. 

Womack shared her emotional reaction, telling Rolling Stone, “I’m so grateful and overwhelmed with joy.” 

Pullins added that when the jurors unanimously recognized the group’s memorable style, “We all silently cried.”

T.I. also reflected on the case, criticizing MGA for attempting to dismiss the lawsuit as a “money grab.” 

“That kind of condescension comes from when you’re not really in touch with the reality of culture,” he said in an interview with Rolling Stone. The rapper emphasized that MGA’s actions were exploitative, stating, “They were the ones that came and ripped us off, and expected us to not have the audacity to stand up and speak for ourselves.”

Despite MGA’s founder, Isaac Larian calling the claims baseless and referring to the Harris family as “extortionists,” the jury’s decision firmly supported the OMG Girlz, reinforcing the importance of protecting creative and cultural expression.

“We did this for the culture,” Tiny said outside the courthouse, a resounding declaration of their victory.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Black artists are feeling uncertain about the future of  Baltimore’s art scene following the city’s decision to end its relationship with the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA). The organization is responsible for organizing major festivals and initiatives such as Artscape, the country’s largest free arts festival. They also provide substantial support for the local arts scene. The Mayor’s Office sent a letter to the quasi-government agency on Oct. 16, initiating the 90-day termination clause in the city’s contract with the organization.

BOPA regularly deploys funding and resources for local creatives and arts and cultural organizations of every genre. It also hosts a variety of free events that enable Baltimoreans to engage and patronize the local arts community. The break-up with Baltimore has raised some concern.

“There are a lot of resources for artists in the city, but BOPA has been around for a long time, providing different needs around public arts grants and festivals,” said Mecca Verdell, a popular author, spoken word poet and actor. “There will definitely be an offset that a lot of artists will feel. We will have to adjust.”

Verdell also condemned public perceptions of BOPA CEO Rachel D. Graham, who only began leading the organization on March 15 after being selected in February. 

“I think there’s a narrative spreading that Ms. Graham is being dramatic or angry, which is horrible to label any Black woman,” said Verdell. 

The contract termination comes as BOPA continues to navigate a financial crisis. In the letter, Marvin James, chief of staff for Mayor Brandon M. Scott, explained that the organization’s financial instability casted doubt about its ability to meet obligations to the city and local arts community. 

“Ending the city’s contractual relationship with BOPA is not a decision taken lightly,” said Scott in a statement. “We are taking this step after deep and careful consideration following several years of turmoil within the organization.”

The end of the contract is subject to approval by the Baltimore City Board of Estimates (BOE). It seems that BOPA’s finances have been on the decline for the last few years. According to federal tax filings, the organization had more than $5.8 million in net assets in 2019. By 2022, after years of canceling events due to the public safety crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic, that number declined to $1.5 million. 

BOPA is responsible for producing events, like the Baltimore Book Festival, fireworks and the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day parade. In 2023, its former CEO Donna Drew Sawyer stepped down after a public squabble with Scott over the cancellation of the MLK parade. Most recently, its premier event, Artscape, was largely rained out with headline performances canceled on two of three nights.

The organization called two special board meetings in September to discuss its financial standing and devise a path forward. Graham did not confirm or deny whether BOPA had requested a bailout from the city officials when asked by the AFRO about rumors that the organization requested funds from the City.

On Oct. 1 Graham said there was no contention between the Mayor’s Office and the organization. 

“There is no dispute,” Graham told the AFRO on Oct. 1. “We’re wholly focused on working with the mayor and the administration on developing a path forward that operates in the best interest of Baltimore artists.”

On the morning of Oct. 16, BOPA’s board voted to layoff employees to address its financial situation. 

The AFRO requested additional comments from Graham but was told BOPA is still in the process of preparing a statement. 

“We’re grateful that we’ve found a way to address our immediate cash position, and we look forward to bringing resolution to some of the outstanding invoices,” said Andrew Chaveas, interim chair of BOPA board, during the meeting.

BOPA board members also voted to create a transition taskforce to reassess the organization’s contractual relationship with the city. The taskforce, which will comprise BOPA board members, representatives from the Mayor’s Office and community arts advocates, will now be tasked with transferring the organization’s services to the city.  It will also help to revamp BOPA’s role and mission and the arts and culture ecosystem in the city. 

BOPA will still put on the New Year’s Eve fireworks display and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, as laid out in its contract. If the BOE approves the city’s decision, the organization’s contract will end on Jan. 20. 

In the letter, James acknowledged that the termination may cause concern among BOPA’s staff and the city’s arts community, but Scott reaffirmed his commitment to Baltimore creatives.

“Most importantly, it is critical for Baltimore’s arts community to know that this step is being taken to aid support for their critical work in our city,” said Scott in a statement. “We will work diligently to ensure that the events, property management, and, most importantly, direct support for artists and their work is not significantly interrupted. Supporting our artists is critically important, and Baltimore will always do what is right to ensure our artists get the support they need.”

Lanise Stevenson, adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins’ School of Education, said she has mixed feelings about the cancellation of the contract. She is a member of the university’s Inheritance Baltimore project, a joint program and research effort to protect Black archives and curate Black arts and heritage. 

“While change can open the door to new opportunities, there is a genuine concern about how this will impact the arts community in Baltimore, especially when accessing free and easily accessible cultural experiences,” said Stevenson. 

She believes BOPA has played a critical role in fostering a sense of belonging for people from different neighborhoods, backgrounds and experiences through its events. Without BOPA, Stevenson worries that there will be fewer opportunities for residents to experience the arts in public space, which she believes is crucial to cultivating strong community connections. 

Regardless of the contract termination, Stevenson called on the city to preserve and expand the services and support BOPA has provided to artists. She said they must continue the legacy of inclusive, free cultural programming. 

“This means continuing to support large-scale events, like Artscape, but also investing in smaller, community-based arts initiatives that are accessible to all neighborhoods in the city,” said Stevenson. “The future of the arts in Baltimore depends on leadership that understands the value of art in creating belonging, healing and economic empowerment.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

After two decades in the education system as a math teacher, principal and administrator, Atiyah Harmon noticed a problem: young Black girls in middle school were increasingly disinterested in mathematics. 

Their lack of interest wasn’t due to challenges in grasping the subject but because it wasn’t perceived as “cool.”  

“It wasn’t that they didn’t have the skills, it was just that it wasn’t cool to be a math person anymore,” said Harmon. “I was very frustrated about this because I saw the lack of growth in the field.” 

Harmon decided she wanted to stop this cycle. In 2020, she created Black Girls Love Math (BGLM), an organization based in Philadelphia that seeks to eradicate racial and gender inequality in mathematics. It partners with schools to provide curriculum, exposes girls to women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers and holds competitions that challenge girls to solve social justice issues impacting their communities with math knowledge. 

According to a report from the American Association of University Women, many girls lose confidence in math by the time they reach the third grade. Teachers, who primarily are women, also tend to have math anxiety that they pass onto girls and grade girls harder than boys for the same work. 

“Educators are the major component of what can make or break a kid’s education,” said Harmon. “How educators feel about math and the way girls can succeed is something that you have to challenge at times.” 

Most recently, BGLM began providing culturally-responsive teacher development to ensure educators can affirm students’ identities and skills. 

Special education teacher Kezia Ellis enrolled her nine-year-old daughter, Chelsea, in the organization’s programming last January. She learned about the organization from a friend. After attending an open house, Chelsea asked Ellis if she would sign her up. 

“I just noticed from the pictures they showed us, there was a lot of smiling,” said Chelsea. “I could tell they had a lot of fun, and there was joy in their faces. I knew that this would be something I would enjoy.” 

Chelsea has never really enjoyed math, but she has always had a natural talent for it.

Recently, she took the New York state math test and earned a near perfect score. 

Chelsea praised her BGLM instructors, saying they are funny and kind. She said her friends in the program have become her “math sisters.” One of her favorite parts about BGLM has been reading the organization’s affirmational creed at the start and end of each session.

She offered a piece of advice to other girls who are interested in joining BGLM.

“Be yourself. Be the real you. You don’t have to act a different way in front of them,” said Chelsea. “When you’re around them, it’s like they’re family to you— but like a math family.” 

Ellis thinks BGLM has played a significant role in Chelsea’s confidence in math— something the educator believes is crucial. 

“A lot of our young people approach math with such anxiety because they’ve experienced a challenge with math and created the narrative that they’re not good at it. We need math in our everyday lives. It’s all around us,” said Ellis. “I’m all about breaking the stereotype that only men are good at math and other races are more proficient in math than Black people.” 

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By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

CultureCon, a unique homecoming gathering for creatives, returned to Brooklyn, New York, Oct. 5-6 for its seventh annual convening. CultureCon offers a vibrant platform for Black and Brown entrepreneurs, innovators, leaders and creatives to connect.

Thousands of patrons from diverse industries such as fashion, entertainment, technology and more gathered at this year’s convention. Many attendees were excited to hear from guest speakers such as fashion stylist Law Roach, actor Morris Chestnut, rapper Remy Ma and actress Yara Shahidi, among many others.

Morris Chestnut emphasized the importance of telling Black stories through movies and shows as he discussed his newest role on Hulu’s “Reasonable Doubt.”

“Everyone who’s watching the show, please continue to watch because I feel it’s an extremely quality show done by us,” said Chestnut. ” I’m telling you, I have not been on a show that has this many people of color in pivotal positions and pretty much across the board on the show.”

The weekend-long event was jam-packed with activities, workshops, panels and a creative job fair along with numerous opportunities to mingle, take photos and have a good time. Above all, it was a place where attendees were motivated and inspired.

“Meeting a lot of Black creatives in this space and seeing how excellence is so diverse has inspired me to look at how I create and approach creativity with a new lens of community and inclusion,” Florida native Jordan McNear told the AFRO.

For the first time, the convention established a theme: “CultureCon goes to Camp.” It invited everyone to be adventurous while also taking a moment to relax and enjoy the present. Many panel discussions focused on wellness, mental health, and the different ways poor mental health can manifest for creatives, such as writer’s block, burnout and more.

“When it comes to just prioritizing yourself, I think it’s also important to remember that self care is a form of productivity,” said Minaa B., a licensed social worker and mental health educator. “It’s not just tied to the system of work – taking care of yourself also is a productive mentality and a lifestyle that you should have.

“Don’t neglect yourself in exchange for doing things for others or doing things to engage in the system of work,” she added.  

This year’s presenting partner was Max, formerly known as HBO Max. Major partners were McDonald’s, Verizon, Amazon Prime, Shea Moisture, Netflix, Gucci Changemakers, Jordan Brand, Uber and many more.

Each year, the conference continues to grow, providing a space for people to be authentically themselves while also learning tips on how to maneuver in the industry. 

“Seeing so many people of color in the same space was very beautiful and encouraging. I had a good time,” Kathie Pilet shared with the AFRO.

For more information about CultureCon, visit theccnyc.com and follow them on Instagram @culturecon to get information for next year’s convention.

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By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

The District’s DC Circulator bus system, which has been a popular mode of transportation for riders throughout the Greater Washington Area, began laying off employees on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Ninety Circulator employees were laid off on Oct. 1. Seventy-eight employees have already secured positions within the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. However, they will lose their seniority, start at lower hourly wages and be assigned different shifts. Circulator drivers also learned that they will not be given preferential treatment in the hiring process. 

During a recent council transportation hearing with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and members of the D.C. City Council, Circulator spokespersons noted that employees who secure jobs with Metro could expect their hourly wages to decline from $40 to $28 while those who have worked their way up in seniority to get nights and weekends off, many of whom are now in their 50s and 60s, could be reassigned to graveyard shifts.  

The layoffs represent part of D.C.’s plan to phase-out the bus system, which has been around for 20 years. Last year, the D.C. Circulator bus system had 1.9 million riders and close to 300 employees. In recent weeks, transit workers and District residents have held rallies criticizing the shutdown, asking Metro to take over the beleaguered bus system to no avail. 

Union representatives, including Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, one of the unions that represents the workers, said it will continue to fight to retain current pay rates. ATU asserts that Circulator employees had five-year contracts that guaranteed job security through 2028. Nonetheless, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser slashed funding for the Circulator from this year’s budget. 

Riders on the Circulator bus system can expect to see changes and cancellations of service beginning in October. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Start off your October with these free events in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. 

Maryland 

Sweeten the Vote

Head to Sydney’ Ice Creams in Northeast Baltimore to register to vote and enjoy a free scoop upgrade. The Black-owned shop has teamed up with Black Girls Vote to make sure Baltimoreans are prepared to exercise their right on Nov. 5  

Date: Oct. 12

Time: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. 

Location: Sydney’s Ice Creams 

                  3432 Belair Rd. 

                  Baltimore, MD 21213 

Maryland Women’s Small Business Celebration 

October marks National Women’s Small Business Month. In honor of observance, the Maryland Governor’s Office of Small, Minority Women Business Affairs will host a celebration for the state’s women entrepreneurs. Diedre L. Windsor, founder of the Windsor Group, will serve as the keynote speaker and share tips on fostering healthy small business practices. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about state procurement opportunities.  

Date: Oct. 10

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: Montgomery Park 

                 1800 Washington Boulevard 

                 Baltimore, MD 21230 

HUD-approved Foreclosure Prevention Workshop

To support those who have fallen behind on their mortgage or encountered challenges with their mortgage provider, the St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center will lead a foreclosure prevention workshop. The session will feature counselors and legal experts approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Attendees will learn about the foreclosure timeline, opportunities for prevention, credit management and local resources. 

Date: Oct. 10 

Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. 

Location: St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center 

                 321 East 25th St. 

                 Baltimore, MD 21218

D.C. 

Zenith Gallery Presents: We Are Not Going Back

Sparked by Vice President Kamala Harris’ run for president and her selection of Governor Tim Walz as a running mate, this exhibit showcases artwork that’s been created to inspire hope for the future. The show features a range of media, including paintings, sculptures, mixed media and prints. 

Date: Daily through Oct. 12 

Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Location: Zenith Gallery 

                 1429 Iris St. NW 

                 Washington, DC 20012

A Speakeasy Evening 

The National Museum of African American History and Culture invites the Black community, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to an event honoring the 100th birthday of acclaimed writer James Baldwin. The event nods to the speakeasy clubs of the Harlem Renaissance. It explores the contribution of discos as an inclusive, safe space to dance and include a panel discussion, art-making, dancing and food. 

Date: Oct. 10

Time: 6:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Location: National Museum of African American History and Culture 

                 1400 Constitution Ave. NW 

                 Washington, DC 20001

Grounded: Plant Shop, Cafe, and Wellness Studio Grand Opening

Grounded welcomes all to their new space in Southeast D.C. It triples as a plant shop, wellness studio and cafe, making it the perfect place to wind down after a busy day. The grand opening will be filled with activities as visitors are invited to pick out plants,enjoy the cafe and engage in wellness activities.

Date: Oct. 12

Time: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Grounded 

                 1913 Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast 

                 Washington, DC 20020

Atlanta Fine Art Print Fair

Black Art in America’s (BAIA) annual Atlanta Fine Art Print Fair makes its first appearance in Washington, D.C. The multi-day market presents works from legacy and contemporary African-American printmakers, including D.C.-based artists Percy Martin, Lou Stovall, Ed McCluney and David Driskell. Attendees can talk to the artists and attend a panel conversation on Oct. 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Date: Oct. 11 – Oct. 13

Time: 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 11, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Oct 12 and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 13

Location: 1201 K Street Northwest 

                 Washington, DC 20005 

2024 Free Women, Wellness and Wealth Conference 

Wealth strategist Deborah Short presents a summit addressing women’s financial and physical health. The Women, Wellness and Wealth Conference features conversations on retirement planning, mental health care, steps to take if a medical physician dismisses your concerns and creating generational wealth. Attendees have the chance to win door prizes, money bags and free manicures and pedicures.

Date: Oct. 19 

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: The Harborside Hotel 

                 6400 Oxon Hill Rd. 

                 Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Black on the Block D.C.

Join Black the Block D.C. at the Nationals Park Field Plaza and enjoy food, drinks, music, workshops and plenty of activations. There will be giveaways as well as special guests. The event is in collaboration with Walmart’s Black & Unlimited Shoutout and AT&T Dream in Black.

Date: Oct. 20

Time: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. 

Location: Nationals Park Field Plaza

                 1500 South Capitol Street SE 

                 Washington, DC 20003

Virginia 

Black Maternal Health Legislative Summit

The Virginia Black Maternal Health Caucus, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott and Senator L. Louise Lucas take on the health crisis facing Black mothers across the country. The summit assembles legislators, experts and stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities in improving Black maternal health. 

Date: Oct. 18

Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Location: Virginia General Assembly 

                 1000 Bank St. 

                 Richmond, VA 23219

“Souls to the Polls”  by the Fairfax County Branch PAC Committee

FREE Fish dinner with “I Voted” Sticker

Date: Sunday, October 27th, 2024 

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Mount Vernon Governmental Center

2511 Parkers Ln

Alexandria, VA 22306

Hampton NAACP 4th Annual Souls to the Polls March and Celebration

Go early voting alongside your fellow citizens with the Hampton NAACP’s Annual Souls to the Polls Celebration. After marching to the Hampton Registrar’s Office, residents can enjoy live music, food and talks from guest speakers. Early voting ends Nov. 2 in Virginia. 

Date: Oct. 13

Time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: First Baptist Church 

                 229 North King Street 

                 Hampton, VA 23669

The post Upcoming events in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Youth aged six to 15 assembled at the Baltimore Museum of Industry on Oct. 7 to showcase their businesses in a one-day market for the community. The budding entrepreneurs featured everything from self-care kits, to skincare products, to accessory lines. 

This marks the eighth time the South Baltimore museum has hosted the event with The Baltimore Children’s Business Fair, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing young business owners in and around the Charm City area. 

“Today, kids are here hiring themselves and taking their future in their own hands. They each came up with a business idea with parent support, and they were able to create something to sell,” said Janear Garrus, director of the Baltimore Children’s Fair. “The goal is that it’s not something they buy and resell but something they make, develop and sell. The idea is that they do well enough to make a profit.” 

Garrus herself has school-aged children. Entrepreneurship has played a central role in her family for some time. In addition to the business fair, her organization holds camps, workshops and educational programs for youth seeking to become their own bosses. 

The nonprofit director said it was important for young people to understand that entrepreneurship can enable them to create opportunities for themselves. 

“It gives them the ability to know that they don’t have to wait for someone to tell them they can do something or that this is all they can have. They can create their own opportunities,” said Garrus. “The biggest thing is making sure they know that they don’t need someone to open a door for them, they can create the door.” 

Franki Osherow, 10, presented her comfort kits at the fair. The reusable bags, adorned with positive messages, feature items, including fidget toys, bookmarks, pens, notebooks, lotion and herbal tea bags. 

“I’ve struggled with mental health, and I wanted to share something that has helped me throughout my journey of mental health—something that has calmed me down and has made me feel better,” said Franki. 

This was the fifth grader’s second time participating in the business fair. As her business grows, she plans to donate a portion of her profits to organizations focused on mental health awareness. She shared her excitement for her fellow entrepreneurs. 

“Everybody’s business looks amazing,” said Franki. “I’ve seen some amazing kids do businesses so far, and I’m just excited that I get to be here.”

Bryan Trueblood, 9, has followed in his parents footsteps by becoming an entrepreneur. He said he took over his father’s moisturizer business last year. 

“It helps with dry skin and eczema,” said Bryan. “You can use it on your hair. It has shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, hemp oil and peppermint essential oil.”

Brother and sister Ellis and Blaise Walker showcased their ventures at the same booth. Blaise described her business, Hair Meadow Bows, as a line of bows that turn people’s hair into meadows. She makes the vibrant flower bows by hand and customizes each design. 

“When I was younger, I used to stick bobby pins under artificial flowers and tuck them into my hair,” said Blaise. “I decided to go off of that.” 

Ellis’ business, Gemstone Adventures, teaches kids about geology with gemstone dig kits. The 9-year-old developed an interest in minerals and gemstones after a trip to the Grand Canyon a few years ago. 

“I wanted to make something where people can learn a lot about rocks and geology,” said Ellis. “Now, I sell these nice kits with beautiful gemstones packed inside.”

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By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO

Herb Brown turned 100 years of age on Sept. 22 with all of the pomp and circumstance due to a centenarian of his caliber. The Baltimore business giant has been an active member of the Ashburton community for 62 years. 

Brown didn’t celebrate this milestone birthday alone. 

At noon on Saturday, Sept. 21, more than 125 of his friends and family gathered at the Baltimore Inner Harbor for a cruise on the water. The event was organized by his family and friends, who were excited to honor Brown.

“I have had the pleasure and honor of seeing Herb for the last 60 of his 100 years,” said Dan Henson. “It’s easy to think of your own mortality when you look at Herb and see his youthfulness.”

Henson said over the years, he has taken note of Brown’s ability to age with grace and style. 

“Three secrets to his longevity that I have noticed: One, he stopped drinking alcoholic beverages 50 years ago and replaced it with water–every Black bartender in Baltimore knows that. Two, he takes a nap every day and three, he gets dressed and does something daily that stimulates him physically and intellectually. I’m not saying these are the secrets to getting to 100, but they work for Herb and for me so far,” said Henson.

Among the many guests were Maryland Chief Judge Robert Bell, Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07), State Sen. Jill Carter (D-Md.-41), State Del. Samuel “Sandy” Rosenberg (D-Md.-41), Theo Rodgers, co-founder and CEO of A&R Development, and Att. Kenneth L. Thompson.  

“It is rare,” said Bell, “to be able to celebrate the 100^th birthday of someone with such immense importance to the development of our community and to be able to share it with so many of his mentees– including myself. This was really special.”

Carter echoed similar sentiments. “We don’t often get to share a centennial celebration with our living heroes. It was an honor to see him smiling and to show him that his commitment and contributions are appreciated.”

Brown was born in Winnsboro, S.C.  He is the youngest of three sons born to  Lawrence and Willie Mae Brown.  “He was about six months old when his family moved to Baltimore,” says his granddaughter, Erika Bessick, who stays close to her grandfather to spend time with him every day.  

Brown graduated from Douglass High School and from there went into the Army. After two years, he was discharged honorably as a sergeant. 

“They had two lines, one if you wanted to stay in the army and another if you wanted to leave,” says Bessick.  “Grandfather chose the line to leave. He became a salesman,” she tells the AFRO.

And Brown was quite a salesman. 

He spent a number of years in sales, selling everything from mini blinds and floor coverings to beer.  According to Bessick, Brown spent 12 years selling Ballantine Beer until the company was acquired and his position was eliminated.

“Herb was a businessman, but more than that, he is a tremendous human being. It was great seeing one of the legends of the early days of Black entrepreneurship,” said Attorney Ken Thompson.

In 1968, Brown founded the Mondawmin Travel Agency. He was one of only two Black businesses at the time to be located in the West Baltimore mall. The only other Black owned business at the time was the Pauline Brooks women’s dress shop, which had moved to Mondawmin from North Avenue in 1967. 

Brown became among the power brokers in Baltimore and a close friend of the Late Willie Adams. Brown took a special interest in Northwest Baltimore politics and was among the founders of the Vanguard Organization, which helped elect a number of Black politicians going back to Sen. Verda Welcome and Sen. Clarence Blount. 

Chuck Thompson, who turned 100 years old earlier this year, also made his way to the cruise along with Angela Gibson. Thompson served as president of Vanguard while Brown was its long-time treasure. 

“His role as a political power broker helped to build Black power in Northwest Baltimore and shape policies that elevated our community for generations,” said Carter.

Theo Rodgers also weighed in on how Brown’s hard work has impacted the city.

“Herb Brown has always been involved behind the scenes in activities that improved Baltimore’s Black community in business and politics. His positive attitude has been a motivation for me for over 50 years,” he said.

Eventually, Brown moved his office into his Ashburton home, where he continued to host the Vanguard Organization after selling his travel agency.

Today Brown spends most of his time with his family. 

“He loves having his grandchildren around, he likes the noise, and he enjoys watching them. On special occasions like my sister’s baby shower, he’ll put on his suede jacket and strut. He’s steadier on his feet then most people, even me,” said Bessick. 

Lenny Clay remembers Brown as a mentor to many young Black business people.  “He is someone we looked up to–such a snappy dresser,” said Clay, who’s been cutting hair in Baltimore for over 60 years.

“He is up early every day and ready to go. [He] gets dressed a little more casual than the days when he would walk around in his sports coats and suits. Button down shirts [and] sweaters are now the order of the day,” says Bessick.

Brown fathered three children and only his son, Kevin Brown, lives with him in his Ashburton home today. 

Brown and his son Kevin occasionally spend time at C and C’s Lounge watching the football games together. 

“It is a joy to be here and ride this out with him,” said his son.  “He says he is ‘going to 110.’ I laugh and asked him is that all you got?’ I’m overwhelmed to see so many people supporting him and remembering his contributions.”

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Faith is not just a part of their identity — it’s what made them decide to take a risk and start a business.

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware
Word in Black

More and more, entrepreneurs are stepping into the business world, driven not just by a passion for their products and services but also by a deep sense of faith. These “faith-filled” business owners see their work as a means to serve their communities, live out their beliefs and build a legacy for their families.

This is especially true for women of color.  According to the Minority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network, they account for 47 percent of all women-owned businesses — around 5.8 million in total — employing over 2.2 million people and generating $386.6 billion in revenue.

What courage it must take to step out and start a business, the success of which you are solely responsible for. And of course, that’s where faith steps in. Word In Black talked to three women entrepreneurs whose faith is not just a part of their identity — it’s the driving force behind their decision to take a risk and start a business. And each business is more than a livelihood; it’s a platform to serve, inspire and make a lasting impact on their communities.

Brittany Veney, founder of B. Real Creative Studio

One such entrepreneur is Brittany Veney, founder of B. Real Creative Studio, a branding and website design agency based in Baltimore that serves clients nationwide. For more than five years, Veney has helped individuals and organizations craft purpose-driven brands through strategic design and marketing. 

“We specialize in creating unique brand identities, user-friendly websites, and engaging marketing materials that resonate with audiences. Our mission is to transform ideas into strategic, actionable plans that elevate brands and foster genuine engagement,” Veney explains.

For Veney, faith is both a foundation and a compass, sustaining her, “by providing strength and resilience in the face of obstacles.” She says her faith encourages her “to trust the process and remain committed to my vision. I find solace in prayer and community support, which helps me navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. My faith also inspires me to give back to others, reinforcing my sense of purpose.”

Veney is set to launch “The Health Suite” this October, a new initiative within B. Real Creative Studio aimed at health-focused brands. 

“I was driven by my extensive background in the healthcare field where I’ve spent over a decade working behind the scenes, so I possess a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that health-focused brands face,” Veney says. 

She hopes to empower health professionals to effectively communicate their mission and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Shannon Davis, owner of Shay’s Cakes

Another faith-driven entrepreneur, Shannon Davis of Shay’s Cakes in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, remembers the moment she felt called to start her business. 

“I actually started after hearing a message from my pastor entitled ‘What’s in Your House?’” Davis recalls, relating it to a biblical story of a widow who multiplies her last bit of oil through faith. 

“I often think about that message and the push from family and friends to continue baking,” she says.

Davis bakes signature Bundt cakes. From micro-minis to 10-inch confections, she offers a range of flavors like carrot, chocolate, lemon, sweet potato, red velvet, 7Up and pound cake. Although her business is local, she ships nationwide through online orders and is currently working on expanding her media presence to grow her brand further.

Kim Dukes, owner of K. Monique Salon and Vintage Boutique

The average lifespan of a small business is only 8.5 years, according to Nav, a financial platform for entrepreneurs, but some faith-based entrepreneurs defy the odds.

Kim Dukes, owner of K. Monique Salon and Vintage Boutique in Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon area, has run her salon for over 33 years. As a cosmetologist, she’s offered varied hair services, with a specialty of short cuts. But there’s more.

”I also sell handpicked clothing and my own unique and stylish pieces,” she says. “My husband and I have an urban clothing line that’s featured in the boutique as well.” 

Dukes says she always knew she wanted to own a business, but didn’t know how to make it happen.

”I worked in several salons and learned the business. When it was my turn, I put feet to my faith and stepped out and did it.”

It was her faith that assured her she wouldn’t fail — and she didn’t.

”It literally was not an option. I believed I could and I did. And I still am. I’m always going to seek God and I believe that he’s a rewarder of those who seek him diligently.”

Beyond the salon, Dukes is a creative force — a singer and first-time author of a book called “Unmuted.”

“I’m a woman of faith and a creative,” Dukes declares. “With those two mixed together, I’m unstoppable.”

This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.

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By Tom Krisher
AP Business Writer

DETROIT (AP) — Some 45,000 dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports are returning to work after their union reached a deal to suspend a strike that could have caused shortages and higher prices if it had dragged on.

The International Longshoremen’s Association is suspending its three-day strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract. The union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies, said in a joint statement that they have reached a tentative agreement on wages.

A person briefed on the agreement said the ports sweetened their wage offer from about 50 percent over six years to 62 percent. The person didn’t want to be identified because the agreement is tentative. Any wage increase would have to be approved by union members as part of the ratification of a final contract.

Talks now turn to the automation of ports, which the unions says will lead to fewer jobs, and other sticking points.

The settlement pushes the strike and any potential shortages past the November presidential election, eliminating a potential liability for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. It’s also a big plus for the Biden-Harris administration, which has billed itself as the most union-friendly in American history. Shortages could have driven up prices and reignited inflation.

It will take a day or two for the ports to restart machinery and for ships waiting at sea to get to a berth, but even so, consumers aren’t likely to see any shortages because the strike was relatively short, said William Brucher, an assistant professor of labor studies and employment relations at Rutgers University who follows ports.

“I think the disruptions are going to be rather minimal and consumers aren’t really going to feel them,” Brucher said.

Supply chain experts say that for every day of a port strike, it takes four to six days to recover. That means it will take probably about 20 days to recover, said Brucher. But during those 20 days, Longshoremen will be gradually increasing their capacity to handle freight until they hit normal levels.

The union went on strike early Oct. 1 after its contract expired in a dispute over pay and the automation of tasks at 36 ports stretching from Maine to Texas. The strike came at the peak of the holiday season at the ports, which handle about half the cargo from ships coming into and out of the United States.

Most retailers had stocked up or shipped items early in anticipation of the strike.

“With the grace of God, and the goodwill of neighbors, it’s gonna hold,” President Joe Biden told reporters the night of Oct. 3 after the agreement.

In a statement later, Biden applauded both sides “for acting patriotically to reopen our ports and ensure the availability of critical supplies for Hurricane Helene recovery and rebuilding.”

Biden said that collective bargaining is “critical to building a stronger economy from the middle out and the bottom up.”

The union’s membership won’t need to vote on the temporary suspension of the strike. Until Jan. 15, the workers will be covered under the old contract, which expired on Sept. 30.

The union had been demanding a 77 percent raise over six years, plus a complete ban on the use of automation at the ports, which members see as a threat to their jobs. Both sides also have been apart on the issues of pension contributions and the distribution of royalties paid on containers that are moved by workers.

Thomas Kohler, who teaches labor and employment law at Boston College, said the agreement to halt the strike means that the two sides are close to a final deal.

“I’m sure that if they weren’t going anywhere they wouldn’t have suspended (the strike),” he said. “They’ve got wages. They’ll work out the language on automation, and I’m sure that what this really means is it gives the parties time to sit down and get exactly the language they can both live with.”

ILA President Harold Daggett has been seeking an outright ban on anything that would cost human jobs. But shipping companies want more flexibility to automate at a faster pace in order to compete against more efficient facilities that already use the technology, said Thomas Kochan, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Institute for Work and Employment Research.

Although automation does indeed eliminate some jobs, as workers legitimately fear, it also tends to create new ones, in part because equipment must be maintained and set up for different tasks, Kochan said. The companies could agree to include such jobs in the union membership.

“There are ways to address those fears both by providing job security for those people who are displaced and also the ability then to take on the new jobs that are created,” he said. “That’s the sweet spot that I suspect they are trying to find in these final negotiations over automation.”

Just before the strike had begun, the Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shippers, said both sides had moved off their original wage offers, a tentative sign of progress.

The Oct. 3 deal came after Biden administration officials met with foreign-owned shipping companies before dawn on Zoom, according to a person briefed on the day’s events who asked not to be identified because the talks were private. The White House wanted to increase pressure to settle, emphasizing the responsibility to reopen the ports to help with recovery from Hurricane Helene, the person said.

Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su told them she could get the union to the bargaining table to extend the contract if the carriers made a higher wage offer. Chief of Staff Jeff Zients told the carriers they had to make an offer by the end of the day so a manmade strike wouldn’t worsen a natural disaster, the person said.

By midday the Maritime Alliance members agreed to a large increase, bringing about the agreement, according to the person.

____

AP Writers Darlene Superville and Josh Boak in Washington and Annie Mulligan in Houston contributed to this report.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Teachers and aides at Ward 8’s Moten Elementary School just received more than $15,000 in classroom gifts from Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins. The WNBA player teamed up with the Lids Foundation, a philanthropic organization that provides direct support to local communities and other charitable nonprofits, to surprise the educators during an assembly on Sept. 16. 

This is Atkin’s second time organizing a teacher appreciation celebration in the District. 

“Our goal is to show gratitude to teachers and their aides by providing them with essential classroom items that could enhance their classroom environment, as well as the student’s experience,” said Atkins, in a statement. “We want them to feel appreciated and valued for the undeniable impact they make every day on their students.” 

The classroom gifts included general school supplies, decor, bean bag chairs, twinkle lights and interactive rugs. Teachers and aides also received Visa gift cards to splurge on themselves and Lids store gift cards to give out to students as classroom prizes. 

Moten Elementary Principal Akela Dogbe, who covertly retrieved wishlists from the educators, said the celebration came at the perfect time. 

“My teachers deserve to feel special,” said Dogbe. “It was great to be able to celebrate them now because this is about the fourth week of school for us. People start counting down to Thanksgiving break, and the excitement of a new school year has kind of worn off.”

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 94 percent of teachers dip into their pockets to purchase classroom supplies. On average, educators in urban communities spend $529 each school year. 

Dogbe said the school provides basic materials, like paper, pens and pencils. But, other personalized items that foster a warm, welcoming environment are left to the teachers to buy. Cultivating a comfortable environment in the classroom is important for students, according to the principal. 

“We always operate under the impression that the classroom is the second teacher,” said Dogbe. “Kids want to be in pretty spaces just like adults do. Infusing more colors, more places where they can lounge around and do their work and more flexible seating makes the experience better for them.” 

Dogbe disguised the assembly as a celebration for Moten Elementary’s performance on the 2023 D.C. Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). The school climbed 12 points in mathematics and eight points in English language arts. 

Dogbe said it has not made gains like that since before the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in learning loss for elementary and other students across the country. 

“We’re going to keep soaring and doing the things we know work. We’re going to keep having amazing tier-one instruction in our classrooms that are now so beautifully decorated,” said Dogbe. “We’re going to keep offering high-impact tutoring for every student in the building, and we’re going to keep climbing.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Nearly three years ago, Michael Smith’s digital divide organization, the Center for Technology Access and Training (CETAT), received a grant from the Baltimore-based Abell Foundation to teach youth in Sandtown how to code. 

The nonprofit decided to lean into game design to engage young people. The experience demonstrated the need for digital skills training and technology access in the neighborhood, which is predominantly Black. Since then, the center has relocated its headquarters to 1406 Laurens St., with a goal of delivering computer literacy training, coding education and troubleshooting services to residents in the community.

“If you look at the statistics in terms of some of the communities in Sandtown where we’re located, the rate of education, employment and access to high-speed internet is significantly lower,” said Smith. “We believe that technology can really be an equalizer for people in terms of being able to change their lives.”

According to the Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance, the median household income in Sandtown was $28,142 in 2022, with 54.2 percent of children living below the poverty line. The unemployment rate was 14.3 percent, more than three times the national average. Nearly 24 percent of residents aged 25 and older do not have a high school diploma or GED, and only 7 percent had a bachelor’s degree. Almost 40 percent of households had no internet. 

The statistics reflect decades of disinvestment and historical discrimination in the West Baltimore community, which is more than 90 percent African American. 

Smith, who studied computer science at Frostburg University, has been involved in technology for much of his career. He spent time working for a research hospital to gather statistics on autism and Huntington’s disease, and teamed up with nonprofits to usher them into the digital age. 

It was his experience with the Greater Baltimore Urban League that led him to join the fight for digital equity. There, he helped establish community technology centers for Baltimore communities with scant accessibility after the organization received a grant from the Department of Education. Smith quickly realized that it was not just internet and devices that residents needed, but training. 

“Initially, when people thought about the digital divide, they focused on having access to devices, then it broadened to the internet,” said Smith. “What we found over time is that it’s not just those two things, it’s also about having access to training to be able to use those things as well.”

He started CETAT back in 2013 and began by serving older adults in Prince George’s County. Bringing his work to Sandtown in 2021 was an opportunity to support community members with the least amount of access to technology and training.  

Smith said digital literacy is now required for most careers, not just those in the technology sector. It has become something employers, educators and others consider a fundamental skill, much like how to read and write.                                                                                                                                             

“We think about traditional literacy as a foundational skill for people. We believe the exact same thing in terms of technology literacy because it directly impacts people’s education, employment and access to information,” said Smith. “The same type of advocacy that people put forth for literacy should be put forth for technology literacy as well.”

Program Director Clifton Rogers was well-acquainted with barriers to technology and digital literacy. Growing up, he said he didn’t have a computer. Instead, he went to the library to send emails and access the internet. 

“We just didn’t have the resources at the time,” said Rogers. “I always told myself, when I get in the position, I’m going to make sure that people have access to technology.” 

Since moving to Sandtown, CETAT has collaborated with the local FutureCare, a rehabilitation and nursing facility, to teach older adults how to operate computers, cellphones and tablets. It has also hosted cyber security workshops to mitigate their vulnerability to attacks from scammers and phishers. 

During the summer, the center runs the Create Initiative to teach young people about music and video production, photography, coding and drones. Youth who complete the program receive a certification in drone operation through a Federal Aviation Administration exam. 

To enhance career skills, CETAT trains people in computer repair, Microsoft Office and web design. It also distributes refurbished computers to residents. Most recently, the center has ventured into hydroponics, a technique that allows people to grow plants indoors. It has a live vegetable wall and plans to teach students how to grow food in their homes. 

CETAT’s next objective is to familiarize Sandtown residents with artificial intelligence (AI), as autonomous systems and machine learning continue to grow. Rogers believes that understanding the technology can prepare people for jobs of the future. 

“Technology is everywhere, and people just use a small snippet of it. It’s in all of our lives, and yet so many people do not have access to it. This community in particular is hurting for that,” said Roger.  “They want their minds to be turned on and to learn something that can be beneficial for their lives.” 

This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBC Universal.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

And

By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Dockworkers and longshoremen of Baltimore have joined a strike taking place along the East and Gulf coasts. Protesters could be seen picketing and stopping car shipments from entering at the Port of Baltimore shortly after midnight on Oct. 1, when the union contract with the International Longshoremen Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) expired. Thousands of members of the ILA are protesting for a 77 percent pay increase over the next six years and job security as the use of automation is on the rise.

The ILA put out a statement the day the protest began, addressing the USMX and laying out why the two organizations couldn’t negotiate a new contract. 

“Many of our members are operating multi-million-dollar container-handling equipment for a mere $20 an hour. In some states, the minimum wage is already $15,” the statement read. “Furthermore, our members endure a grueling six-year wage progression before they can even reach the top wage tier, regardless of how many hours they work or the effort they put in.”

While the effects of the strike are expected to be felt nationwide, the work stoppage is sure to have a deeper impact for the Port of Baltimore, which already experienced a lengthy closure in 2024 due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced the full reopening of the Port of Baltimore only months ago, on June 12.

As a result of the strike, consumers could face a lack of products on the shelves or higher prices. Using data from Oxford Economics, JPMorgan Chase reports that an estimated $4.5 billion to $7.5 billion could be lost per week.

Tinglong Dai, the Bernard T. Ferrari professor of business at John Hopkins Carey Business School, discussed what he believes the overall impact of the strike on businesses will be in the region.

“Costs for operations will be higher, which will cause more of a problem for small businesses. But products should be able to make it in time for the holidays,” he said. “Assuming that the strike does not last through November, there should be no big loss of items.”

Charm City’s dock workers and longshoremen play an integral role in both the local and national economy. Moore spoke on the matter after an Oct.1 press conference, sharing that he supports the workers. 

“We continue to not just monitor the situation and negotiations, but we also stand with our workers. We had a massive and deadly tragedy that took place six months ago with the collapse of the Key Bridge and every single day we were standing with our ILA members,” he said. 

“These are incredibly important parts of our community and society. We hope that these negotiations move quickly because we both need to make sure that our workers are taken care of and also make sure that we can keep American commerce going because our ports are crucially important to the greater American economy,” continued Moore.

Maryland’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, Angela Alsobrooks shared a statement expressing her support of ILA members as well. 

“The longshoremen and our dockworkers at the Port of Baltimore are essential workers who deserve a fair deal. I strongly urge the USMX to come to the table and negotiate a deal that respects the incredible contributions that these workers have on Maryland families, our community, and our economy,” she said.

On the condition of anonymity, the AFRO spoke with port workers in the Baltimore area about their thoughts on the strike and how it could impact them as consumers. Per union rules, members of the ILA could not identify themselves in photos or make comments in the media about the strike. 

“People are rebelling and protesting for various reasons,” said a Baltimore woman on Oct. 2. “At the end of the day, it’s greed.”

Another Baltimorean told the AFRO that port operators should “pay the people their money,” and “pay them what they deserve.”

Though the strike has been mostly peaceful across the nation, in Baltimore, violence broke out on night one. 

“Around 4 a.m., officers responded to an incident involving a driver and striking workers outside of the Dundalk Marine Terminal,” said an MDTA spokesperson. “The incident remains under investigation.”

MDTA said police have not yet made any arrests in connection with the strike at the Port of Baltimore.

Support for the strike flooded the internet nationwide as both ILA members and those closest to them made posts expressing their frustrations, concerns and demands from these workers and contracts. 

“No Justice, no sleep! As a dues-paying Member of #ILA I am a proponent of #WorkersRights, not Corporate greed,” said Lashonda “L.J.” Holloway, of Jacksonville, Fla on Facebook. “People feed families, not robots! Profit over people is unacceptable! We are fighting for #FAIRwages and against the encroachment of automation!”

Calls for understanding what ILA members are fighting for came from the family members of longshoremen, explaining that this strike is long overdue. 

“For those of you who don’t know– I am the granddaughter of a longshoreman. I am the cousin of a longshoreman. We must protect and support our hardworking families and friends who work hard 24/7 to give us what we need,” said Maria Venuto Bulone, of Brooklyn, N.Y. on Facebook. “Let’s stand by them all, let’s support them.”

As the strike continues, the ILA has been insistent that they will stand firmly in their fight for justice and better work conditions. 

“Our position is firm: we believe in the value our incredible rank-and-file members bring to this industry and to our great nation. They deserve a contract that recognizes their contributions, secures their jobs, and reflects the profits generated by their labor.”

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By Emily Parks
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) has received nearly $10 million in federal funding to work in partnership — both with other schools at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) including the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and the University of Maryland School of Social Work, as well as external community organizations — to improve health equity in Baltimore and beyond. 

Through the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Common Fund Community Partnerships to Advance Science for Society (ComPASS) program, the PATIENTS Program has been awarded $9.4 million to serve as a health equity research hub. 

The Hub, using the extensive expertise at and resources from UMB, will provide technical assistance and scientific support to several NIH-funded Community-Led, Health Equity Structural Interventions (CHESIs) nationwide. The grant is led by C. Daniel Mullins, Ph. D, executive director of the PATIENTS Program and a professor of practice in sciences and health outcomes research at UMSOP.  

The goal of the Health Equity Research Hub at UMB is to provide resources and expertise to help the CHESIs achieve the goals of their ComPASS funded awards. The Hub also will guide the evaluation and reporting of community-led health equity research. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity to support CHESIs while modeling our longstanding community-academic partnership approaches,” says Mullins. “We can simultaneously achieve the overarching goal to serve as a catalyst for CHESIs to complete their ComPASS projects in a rigorously scientific manner, while supporting community-led health equity research. All CHESI projects address social determinants of health to advance health equity.” 

Rev. Franklin Lance, DMin, senior pastor at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church and community co-lead for the award, added, “We are the right team at the right place because we do this work already. We believe in this work and know how to let communities take the lead. We believe in equity and the shifting of power that needs to take place, and how, with authentic collaboration, research is better.”

The hub structure consists of three units. Each of these units is co-led and supported by a community partner and a UMB expert:

• Research Capacity Building and Training Unit
  • Community Co-Lead: Dwyan Monroe, BA, Training Manager, Institute for Public Health Innovation
  • UMB Co-Lead: Hillary Edwards, Ph. D, Director of Methodological Research and Evaluation, the PATIENTS Program, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
  • Support team members: Dan Frye, JD, Director of Employment and Professional Development and Patient Advocate, National Federation of the Blind and Jay Unick, MSW, Ph. D, Assistant Professor, Institute for Innovation and Implementation, University of Maryland School of Social Work 
• Research Methods and Data Management Unit
  • Community Co-Lead: Randal Pinkett, Ph. D, Founder, Chairman, CEO, and Managing Partner, BCT Partners
  • UMB Co-Lead: Brad Maron, MD, Executive Co-Director, University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing and professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine
  • Support team members: DeJuan Patterson, CEO, Bridge Advisory Group, LLC and Timothy O’Connor, Ph. D, Co-Director, The Program in Health Equity and Population Health (HEPH) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine  
• Community Engagement and Health Equity Practice Unit
  • Community Co-Lead: Frances “Toni” Draper, MBA, MEd, DMin, CEO, and Publisher, The AFRO American Newspapers
  • UMB Co-Lead: Claudia Baquet, MD, MPH, Affiliate Professor of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
  • Support team members: Joy Bramble, Owner and Publisher, The Baltimore Times, and Esa Davis, MD, Ph. D, Associate Vice President for Community Health and Lead Strategist for Health Equity, UM Institute of Health Computing at UMSOM 

All three units work with the co-leads in the Administrative and Coordinating Unit:

• Community Co-Lead: Rev. Franklin Lance, DMin, Senior Pastor, Mount Lebanon Baptist Church
• UMB Co-Lead: C. Daniel Mullins, Ph. D, Executive Director, The PATIENTS Program, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

The CHESIs served by UMB’s Health Equity Research Hub will be named this fall.

About the PATIENTS Program

The Patient-Centered Involvement in Evaluating the Effectiveness of Treatments (PATIENTS) Program is an interdisciplinary research team of community partners and researchers housed at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy that works to change the way we think about research by creating a path for health equity. We engage people from all communities, especially those from underserved and minority populations, in every step of the patient and community-engaged research process. Through our collective efforts and expertise in continuous engagement science, we create an effective learning health care community. The ComPASS Health Equity Research Hub at UMB Award 1UC2CA293782-01 is funded by the NIH Common Fund.

About the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Established in 1841, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is ranked 15th out of more than 140 schools of pharmacy by U.S. News & World Report. The School is a thriving center for professional and graduate education, pharmaceutical care, research, and community service. Its faculty create the future of pharmacy by pioneering new roles for pharmacists in advanced clinical practice and conducting cutting-edge research in drug discovery and development, comparative effectiveness and patient-centered outcomes, and disease management. A contemporary curriculum, innovative educational experiences, and strategic professional relationships help to inspire excellence in the School’s more than 1,000 students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows. The School offers 10 academic programs: Doctor of Pharmacy; PhD programs in Palliative Care, Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, and Pharmaceutical Sciences; and MS programs in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics, Palliative Care, Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacometrics, and Regulatory Science. With a research portfolio of more than $38.5 million in grants and contracts, the School is ranked 9th by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy amongst schools of pharmacy. In 2017, the School launched its exclusive Pharmapreneurship program, which describes the School’s commitment to supporting and best positioning both faculty and students to achieve their career aspirations and address our nation’s health care challenges.

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By Mae Anderson and Anne D’innocenzio
The Associated Press

U.S. ports from Maine to Texas shut down Oct.1 when the union representing about 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for the first time since 1977.

Workers began walking picket lines early Oct. 1, picketing near ports all along the East Coast. Workers outside the Port of Philadelphia walked in a circle and chanted, “No work without a fair contract.”

A lengthy shutdown could raise prices on goods around the country and potentially cause shortages and price increases at big and small retailers alike as the holiday shopping season — along with a tight presidential election — approaches.

What are the issues in the dockworkers strike?

The International Longshoremen’s Association is demanding significantly higher wages and a total ban on the automation of cranes, gates and container-moving trucks that are used in the loading or unloading of freight at 36 U.S. ports. Those ports handle roughly half of the nations’ cargo from ships.

The contract between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports, expired Tuesday. Some progress was reported in talks late Monday, but the union went on strike anyway.

The union’s opening offer was for a 77 percent pay raise over the six-year life of the contract, with President Harold Daggett saying it’s necessary to make up for inflation and years of small raises. ILA members make a base salary of about $81,000 per year, but some can pull in over $200,000 annually with large amounts of overtime.

Monday evening, the alliance said it had increased its offer to 50 percent raises over six years, and it pledged to keep limits on automation in place from the old contract. The alliance also said its offer tripled employer contributions to retirement plans and strengthened health care options.

Which ports are affected?

While any port can handle any type of goods, some ports are specialized to handle goods for a particular industry. The ports affected by the shutdown include Baltimore and Brunswick, Georgia, the top two busiest auto ports; Philadelphia, which gives priority to fruits and vegetables; and New Orleans, which handles coffee, mainly from South America and Southeast Asia, various chemicals from Mexico and North Europe, and wood products such as plywood from Asia and South America.

Other major ports affected include Boston; New York/New Jersey; Norfolk, Va.; Wilmington, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; Savannah, Ga.; Tampa, Fla.; Mobile, Ala.; and Houston.

Can the government intervene?

If a strike were deemed a danger to U.S. economic health, President Joe Biden could, under the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act, seek a court order for an 80-day cooling-off period. This would suspend the strike.

But Biden, during an exchange with reporters on Sept 29, said “no” when asked if he planned to intervene to plan a potential work stoppage impacting East Coast ports.

“Because it’s collective bargaining, I don’t believe in Taft-Hartley,” Biden said.

How will this affect consumers?

The strike could last weeks — or months. If the strike is resolved within a few weeks, consumers probably wouldn’t notice any major shortages of retail goods. But a strike that persists for more than a month would likely cause a shortage of some consumer products, although most holiday retail goods have already arrived from overseas. Shoppers could see higher prices on a vast array of goods, from fruit and vegetables to cars.

Businesses are making contingency plans

Since the major supply chain disruption in 2021 caused by pandemic bottlenecks, retailers have adapted to supply chain disrupters being “the new norm,” said Rick Haase, owner of a mini-chain of Patina gift shops in and around the Twin Cities in Minnesota.

“The best approach for Patina has been to secure orders early and have the goods in our warehouse and back rooms to ensure we are in stock on key goods,” Haase said.

Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, a Boca Raton, Florida-based maker of such toys as Care Bears and Lincoln Logs, has been monitoring the port situation for months and planned for it by shifting all of its container shipments to the West Coast ports, primarily Los Angeles and Long Beach, away from ports in New York and Newark, New Jersey. But he said the shift added anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent extra costs that his company will have to absorb. He noted that Basic Fun’s prices for the next 10 months are locked in with retailers, but he could see raising prices during the second half of 2025 if the strike is prolonged.

Daniel Vasquez, who owns Dynamic Auto Movers in Miami, which specializes in importing and exporting vehicles, increased inventory, specifically for vehicles that take longer to ship, in anticipation of a strike.

He has also stopped relying on one port or shipping partner and has expanded his relationship with smaller ports and shipping companies that can bypass congested areas.

How will a strike affect holiday shopping?

Jonathan Gold, vice president of the supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, said the strike arrives with the supply network continuing to face challenges from Houthi attacks on commercial shipping that have essentially shut down the use of the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

The uncertainty over the supply chain is taking place at the peak of the holiday shipping season for retailers, which traditionally runs from July through early November. Many big retailers, anticipating a strike, started shipping their goods to U.S. distribution centers in June, and Gold said that the majority of products ordered are already in the U.S.

But retailers will have a hard time replenishing items and are incurring extra warehouse costs to store goods longer. Gold also noted that carriers are already announcing surcharges on containers to address potential disruptions.

Greg Ahearn, president and CEO of The Toy Association, the nation’s leading toy trade group, noted that a strike would happen at an extremely critical time for toy sellers and makers — up to 60 percent of a toy company’s annual sales come during the fourth quarter.

The holiday shipping window for the toy industry is anywhere from six to eight weeks and started in July, though some toy companies tried to ship earlier or add more toys to shipments, Ahearn said.

“It hits many ways,” he said. “From a consumer perspective, it starts with delays in availability and then starts to surface as product shortages within toys. At retail for the toy industry, it results in potentially higher prices based on scarcity and increased costs.”

This article was originally published by The Associated Press.

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By Alexis Taylor
AFRO Managing Editor

The Enoch Pratt Free Library (EPFL) announced a new CEO and president on Sept. 30. 

Hailing from Mount Airy, North Carolina, Chad Helton has been selected to lead the organization, which was founded in 1882 by philanthropist Enoch Pratt.

Helton spoke with the AFRO on day one of his time in the new role.

“I’m very excited, said Helton. “I know all of the amazing work that was done before my arrival and I have big shoes to fill.” 

Helton said he’s committed to continuing the work being done by EPFL and also looking to further advance the library and services offered. His first order of business is to make himself available to staff and residents to promote understanding of who he is and the work he plans to do.

“I’m creating partnerships with staff, creating partnerships with elected officials and really creating a strong foundation with people that live in the city,” Helton told the AFRO. “I’m holding office hours and ‘Meet the CEO’ events at each individual branch library once a month, so that I can connect with residents of the city to hear from them directly and see what it is that they want from us. That’s one of the first things on my agenda–looking at some of our infrastructure needs and having conversations about facilities improvements and getting funding for facilities.”

Though Helton is now president and CEO of a major library system, he is clear in how others have played a role in his success, including his mother and father, James and Lillie Helton.

“My parents grew up in segregation,” he said. “The opportunities not afforded to them were afforded to me and my brother. I didn’t really understand that until I got older.” 

Not one to shy away from his past, Helton told the AFRO how, many years ago, his life looked completely different. 

“I dropped out of college for 10 years, and during that time period a lot of things happened,” he said. “My father passed away and I started having conversations with my mom. I started to have conversations with my grandmother, Jettie Mae Helton, who grew up in Jim Crow and lived to be 102 years old. Her grandmother, she remembered, was born into slavery.”

Helton said the poignant conversations put a spotlight on the many opportunities he was “squandering.”

“People really died for the right for me to be able to do anything in this world that I wanted to try and do, and I wasn’t taking advantage of that,” he said. That’s when a friend, Matt Wilburn, stepped in and changed his life. 

“Matt knew that I was chronically underemployed and couch surfing,” said Helton. “When you are chronically underemployed, you don’t have full time jobs. You’re working part-time job after part-time job, and they’re somewhat dead end jobs. Matt saw that I was really, really trying hard. For one of the first times in my life–I was really trying hard. He felt if he got me a job at the library delivering books with this golf cart, it would somehow influence me to go back to college, because I’d be back on campus. And he was right.” 

“I would not be where I’m at right now, had it not been for him taking that opportunity and really taking a chance on his friend. I’m forever grateful for that,” Helton said. “Let’s be honest, there’s so many people out in this world that work very, very hard, and the opportunities just don’t open up. Everything that I am is related to the opportunities and the faith that people had in me, and I wouldn’t be anything without that.” 

Helton is a long way from delivering library books to satellite libraries on the campus of University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He returned to school himself, found a new career path and hasn’t looked back since.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in African-American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he went on to get a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University.

“I really do feel that education is the great equalizer and the only way to make it in this world is to educate yourself,” said Helton, who admits he didn’t know there were degrees for careers related to the library system until he was in his late 20s. 

Helton said it’s important for Black students to see Black faces in leadership within the library systems of America.

“There aren’t a lot of Black men that do this work. At one point, there were less than 20 Black, male directors in public libraries in the United States,” he said. “When you think of all of the libraries that existed in this country, and the fact that there were less than 20, it’s very important to see Black men and Black faces doing this work and being in these roles. It’s really hard to make change when people don’t know that this is something that they can do. Being out there and having people see my face lets kids know that this is something that they themselves can do.” 

“I think it’s very important to be in this role, and be in a position to really start to make some systemic changes related to people getting involved in this particular field,” he added. 

Today, Helton leads a system that, in a different decade, would have scoffed at the notion of a Black man taking the helm. In the Sept. 13, 1930 edition of the AFRO,  the paper detailed how EPFL refused to hire Black employees– telling Black residents it was “needless” for them to apply for training to become employed by the organization. In the May 19, 1934 edition of the paper, the AFRO recorded how EPFL stood by their decision to segregate their bathrooms, upon receiving complaints from White patrons who thought African-American visitors should use a different restroom. 

Decades later, Helton joins a short list of EPFL directors. Since its founding more than a century ago, there have only been 13 EPFL presidents, including Helton. According to information released by the library, a total of three African Americans have led the organization. Anna Curry took the helm in 1981. After Curry, Dr. Carla Hayden, another African-American woman, took on the role in 1993. Helton now joins as the third Black director for EPFL, which boasts 21 branches throughout Charm City, in addition to a Central Branch, located at 400 Cathedral St.

“Chad Helton is the right leader for the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s next chapter,” said Christine Espenshade, chair of the Pratt Library’s Board of Directors, in a statement. “His deep industry experience and creative approach to addressing infrastructure needs will be invaluable as we work toward a bold future for the Pratt Library. We are confident that his leadership, coupled with a commitment to community, will ensure that the Pratt Library continues to thrive as a cornerstone of Baltimore. Chad’s expertise will help us build on the momentum we’ve already gained, including record-high library cardholders and circulation, as well as securing funding for ongoing infrastructure improvements.”

Prior to taking the EPFL position, Helton served as a library consultant and as a director in more than one library system. In Minnesota, he directed the 41 branches of the Hennepin County Library as they took on the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, he led Branch Library Services at the Los Angeles Public Library, which included oversight of 70 branches. In California, Helton served Contra Costa County Library as a deputy county librarian, and in Palo Alto he was the library services manager. 

“The Board of Directors is eager to support Chad as he leads the organization into a future defined by innovation and service,” Espenshade added. “Under his leadership, the Pratt Library will continue to be a welcoming and essential resource, empowering Baltimore’s residents through free access to critical resources and opportunities. On behalf of the entire Board, I also want to extend our deepest gratitude to Darcell Graham for her exceptional leadership as Interim CEO during this transitional period.”

Helton is looking forward to expanding EPFL’s capacity to deliver programming needed in the communities of Baltimore while also improving access to digital literacy programs and wellness resources. When asked about the role libraries play in addressing the needs of society, Helton said they are crucial.

“The library is a government entity that people willingly want to come to, and people are generally excited to come to. We have a responsibility to assist people with whatever their needs may be,” said Helton. “I think the work that we’re doing is foundational– being that we are strategically placed throughout the city to address needs for each individual community that we serve.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (LBS), a grassroots think tank in Baltimore, hosted a panel discussion on Sept. 19 to dissect a ballot question that would shrink the size of the Baltimore City Council from 14 districts to eight. The initiative, known as question H, has been spearheaded by People for Elected Accountability and Civic Engagement (PEACE), an organization led by Jovani Patterson and funded by the billionaire chairman of Sinclair Broadcast Group, David Smith. 

LBS and other opponents believe the measure would usurp political power from Baltimore’s Black communities, which make up the majority of the city’s population. 

“We know that if you reduce the number of council members for Baltimore City, it will have significant impacts on representation in our communities,” said Maryland Delegate Melissa R. Wells (D-40). “When you look at the differences in educational attainment and employment or unemployment, each block varies. There are a lot of blocks and communities that have significant needs to be met.” 

Baltimore has increasingly become known for the “Black Butterfly,” a metaphor coined by scholar Lawrence Brown to depict racial and economic segregation in the city. The term is used to describe the shape that appears on the map when marking areas of the city with disparities in healthcare, internet access and more. Black communities of Baltimore have faced long-standing disinvestment, greater poverty rates and limited access to resources. Several of these neighborhoods border predominantly wealthy, White neighborhoods.

Wells believes that by consolidating residents with distinct needs into larger districts, council members will not have the means to effectively serve their stakeholders. 

“I’m really concerned that decreasing the number of council members that represent parts of my district in West Baltimore, which is the heart of the ‘Black Butterfly,’ is going to make it harder for those constituents to get access and for their voices to be heard,” said Wells. 

One of PEACE’s arguments for the reduction of the Baltimore City Council is that larger, surrounding counties represent more people with less council members. Anne Arundel County, which serves about 590,000 residents, and Baltimore County, which maintains nearly 850,000 residents, only have seven council members. 

But, Baltimore County Senator Charles E. Sydnor (D-44) explained that some residents and officials are leading initiatives to increase the size of their county council. 

“We have been attempting to do just the opposite of what’s happening in Baltimore City, and that’s to actually expand our council,” said Sydnor. “Since Baltimore County was a charter county, it has had 7 elected council people. We were a part of an effort to increase it to 11 members.” 

The VOTE4MORE! ballot question is set to be voted on by Baltimore County residents this November. 

Andy Ellis, chair of Baltimoreans For Democracy (BFD), pointed out that while Baltimore County has less seats on its council, it also has no women and only one African American. He warned that a decrease in the Baltimore City Council could stifle diversity.

“It’s going to be more well-to-do White men and less women and less Black folks,” said Ellis. “We should take caution from what the Baltimore County Council looks like right now and make sure that we preserve our council so it can look like it does right now.”

Ellis also implied that a smaller council could give Smith greater political influence. The billionaire’s company currently owns two of the largest media outlets in the city, the Baltimore Sun and WBFF Fox45. The latter has long been known for its conservative leanings, much like the businessman. 

“It’s easier to buy a council [of] eight than it is to buy a council of 14,” said Ellis. 

Patterson, a frontman of question H, believes questioning the structure and effectiveness of local government is good for democracy. He said the ballot initiative is centered on ensuring that Baltimore’s government is accountable, efficient and representative of its current population. 

“Larger districts with more constituents create a stronger incentive to council members to be truly engaged and responsive to a broader section of their electorate,” wrote Patterson, in an email to the AFRO. “As it stands, many of Baltimore’s council members are elected with a relatively small number of votes, which can lead to disengagement from the broader needs of the community. Our initiative is about making sure that every voice is heard, not just those in small, select districts.” 

Patterson does not believe a smaller council will put racial diversity at risk. He noted that people of color already dominate the city’s government. Instead, he thinks the larger issue is the rise in departures from the city. He believes the exodus has been necessitated by the city council’s failure to address safety, education and economic challenges. 

“Ultimately, this initiative is about fiscal responsibility and ensuring that Baltimore’s resources are spent on addressing the city’s actual needs—improving education, public safety, and lowering the cost of living for residents—not maintaining a bloated council structure,” wrote Patterson. “We need to challenge the status quo and ask ourselves: is the current system working for the people of Baltimore, or is it perpetuating inefficiencies that prevent the city from thriving?”

The AFRO reached out to Sinclair Broadcast Group for comment, but did not receive a response. 

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

As the D.C. Circulator’s impending shutdown grows near, circulator employees and unions are taking to the streets to voice their concerns about how the shutdown has been handled.

“We’re going to get some answers,” said Darryl Hairston, D.C. Circulator supervisor, at a rally on Aug. 29.

Initially, circulator employees were assured that a five-year contract, finalized last year, would supply job security through 2028. However, after Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) suddenly cut Circulator funding from this year’s budget, workers were left scrambling to figure out what they were going to do.

The AFRO reached out to the mayor’s office and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) for comment, but did not receive a timely response.

The impact of the sudden change grew when the Circulator shutdown moved up from March 2025 to December 2024.

“I went out on sick leave. I returned on July 19 and on July 29 I received a letter saying I’ll be one of the people being laid off on Sept. 30,” said Natarsha Guest, a D.C. Circulator employee. “How are we supposed to rearrange our lives in 60 days and start over?”

Employees are demanding the city and RATP Dev, Circulator operator, ensure all D.C. Circulator employees retain their current pay rates if transitioned into the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Workers also want a five-year financial plan to support Circulator employees and a seat at the table during shutdown discussions.

Unions, including the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, have joined the call for better employee support and the absorption of the Circulator routes.

Since the announcement of the Circulator shutdown on July 29, the union has been vocal about the need for a transition plan, urging the mayor and DDOT to transition the services to WMATA.

DDOT has previously indicated that RATP Dev has had discussions with workers about their employment options since the announcement. Workers say those offers just aren’t enough.

“It be a tremendous pay cut for us because we have to start off from the beginning,” said Glynda Dansby, a D.C. Circulator dispatcher and supervisor. “Even if the Circulator has to leave, bring us in wherever we go, at our pay or close to it.”

Guest said some employees could lose around $10 to $12 an hour due to their positions not being directly absorbed into WMATA.

“If we’ve already been established at the job that we’ve had…why do we have to go back now and try to do two or three jobs to make ends meet?” questioned Dansby.

Though circulator employees have not yet gotten the responses they are looking for from the mayor’s office and DDOT, workers have received support from the D.C. Council.

“The employees who work for the D.C. Circulator have every right to demand better from D.C. government on how the end of the Circulator has been handled,” said Erik Salmi, deputy chief of staff for D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6). “DDOT has known this was a likely outcome for more than a year as budget constraints and improved WMATA operations made the end of the D.C. Circulator an attractive cut for the mayor. There are staff who have faithfully served D.C. residents for many years at the Circulator, and they don’t feel they are getting the support they deserve at this challenging time in their careers.”

As the official phasedown begins on Oct. 1, workers and unions show no sign of slowing down.

Phase one will include ending the Rosslyn-Dupont Circle route, altering bus arrival times to every 20 minutes instead of every 10 minutes and ending late-night service on the Woodley Park-Adams Morgan and Georgetown-Union Station routes.

By Dec. 31, all Circulator operations and employment will end.

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that they are awarding the Maryland Technology Development (TEDCO), an instrument of the state, $10 million to support small businesses.

With the funding, Maryland will create the Business Resource Information, Development and Guidance Ecosystem (BRIDGE) program. BRIDGE will provide specialized accounting, financial and legal advisory services to small businesses throughout the region.

During a Sept. 9 press call, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) acknowledged that it can be “difficult to become a successful entrepreneur.”

“When you start out, there are often more questions than answers,” said Moore. “How do you scale up a business model? How do you access the legal services that you need?”

He went on to emphasize that this initiative would help tackle those questions.

“It’s going to help us to create pathways for work, wages and wealth,” said Moore.

According to a 2023 Maryland small business profile by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, there are 639,789 small businesses in the state. Around 99 percent of Maryland businesses are small.

TEDCO plans to work with the University of Maryland to help the state develop and implement the new program. Both have already pledged to match almost $2.2 million to help support the initiative.

Troy LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO’s chief executive officer, emphasized how the BRIDGE program will help entrepreneurs throughout the region.

“It will give them back a minute. It will give them access to talent that they need to grow and scale their enterprises,” said LeMaile-Stovall. “The whole TEDCO team and this ecosystem is excited about this opportunity to put these resources to work, to help make this region the economic powerhouse it can and should be.”

Though Maryland will lead BRIDGE, it will be done in partnership with Delaware, Virginia and Washington D.C.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Amtrak’s multibillion Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program is in progress. The major infrastructure project intends to modernize a 10-mile section of the bustling Northeast Corridor and eliminate a rail bottleneck between D.C. and New Jersey.

The cornerstone of the development is the replacement of the aging Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) Tunnel, which was built in 1873. The new tunnel is named for the Maryland-born abolitionist who became known around the world for his speeches and writings about his time in bondage and the vile institution of chattel slavery.

Residents from predominantly Black neighborhoods along the construction path have some concerns about the project’s impacts on their homes, health and safety.  

“There are all different kinds of issues. We have property rights issues both above and underneath the ground,” said Amy Petkovsek, executive director for the Community Law Center (CLC). “We have environmental issues now during construction with people who can’t breathe and concerns for after these tunnels are built with the ventilation facilities being next to schools.” 

CLC is representing 10 community groups from historic West Baltimore neighborhoods, including Edmondson, Matthew Henson, Reservoir Hill and Sandtown. Petkovsek is acting as lead counsel. 

The West Baltimore communities have historically been damaged by past urban  renewal policies and infrastructure projects, like the Highway to Nowhere, that have severed them from vital resources and services. 

As the Frederick Douglass Tunnel project is funded by the federal government, Amtrak must meet certain community engagement requirements. But, Petkovsek said the meetings have been “horrific.” She maintained that the national rail service has been demeaning to residents in conversations. 

“Before CLC got involved, they were telling every neighborhood association something different, which has been done here and other places historically,” said Petkovsek. “It’s really unhelpful. By having group representation we can speak with one voice.” 

In February, Amtrak announced that initial demolition had started, which included the razing of 47 residential and commercial properties in Baltimore. The company said it planned to begin large-scale construction in the summer timeframe. 

“Major construction is slated to begin later this year, including utility relocations and work for the first of five bridges,” said Amtrak on its website. “Throughout tunnel construction, Amtrak will continue to keep the community informed and updated, perform real-time monitoring and undertake other industry-leading activities to protect adjacent properties.”

The AFRO reached out to Amtrak for comment but did not hear back. 

Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, president of the Matthew Henson Neighborhood Association, said he believes the Amtrak project is one of the most threatening issues he’s encountered after living in Baltimore for more than 70 years. Rail will travel under several of the neighborhood’s blocks. 

“I’m really frightened by this because our houses are over 100 years old,”said Cheatham. 

He alleged that Amtrak has approached older residents and offered $7,000 in compensation if the project destroys their homes. 

“We’re fearful because very few of us own our houses, and they’re making offers if something were to happen,” said Cheatham. “It’s a ridiculous fee that can’t cover anything.” 

He’s particularly concerned about blocks on Monroe Street, McKean Avenue, Presbury Street and Fulton Avenue. Digging started on Monroe Street about a month and a half ago, according to Cheatham, but he said the community was not notified before it began. 

“What we’re saying is we want to be given all of the information that we can,” said Cheatham. 

The Reservoir Hill Association has also been outspoken about its reservations over the construction project. In April, the community group filed a civil rights complaint to the U.S. Department of Transportation, alleging that it would have inequitable impact on their neighborhood. 

The complaint contends that Amtrak could have reached its objectives for the project through alternatives that are less discriminatory to Black residents. It cites documented information from the Federal Railroad Administration that acknowledged the selected route would have disproportionately high and adverse effects on minority and low-income communities. 

A major element of their concern is the construction and operation of a ventilation facility directly across from Dorothy I. Height Elementary School, the neighborhood’s sole 21st Century School. 

“It serves pre-kindergartners,” said Carson Ward, B&P Working Group chair for the Reservoir Hill Association. “Think about how susceptible their little, young lungs would be to an incident of emergency. There’s also questions about non-emergent ventilation.” 

According to the Baltimore City Health Department,13.7 percent of Baltimore adults have asthma, compared to 9 percent across the state of Maryland. For high school students, this number jumps to 33.3 percent, compared to 25.9 percent statewide. 

The Reservoir Hill community worries the ventilation facility, which could give off pollutants, may exacerbate these conditions. In their complaint, the group requested that DOT open a Title VI investigation into the effects of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program on Black residents, during which construction of the tunnel and ventilation facility would be put on pause. 

“Our foundational concern was that the decision to choose the specific alignment and manner in which they are rebuilding the B&P Tunnel was not done through scientific measurement,” said Keondra Prier, president of the Reservoir Hill Association. “They didn’t sit down and say this is the best way to go about repairing this tunnel that will have the least impact on people and fulfill the goals of Amtrak.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

After suffering four heart attacks and facing open heart surgery, former educator Tawanda Prince was told her heart functioned at just 25 percent of its normal capacity. The news transformed her world completely. 

Surviving the health scare led Prince to consider her mission in life. Through reflecting, she determined it was to help others identify, understand and live out their own purpose. In 2012, she became a certified life coach and began showing people how to find “the good life.” 

“Activities change, but purpose doesn’t. It just manifests differently,” said Prince. “Today, I might be doing this, and tomorrow, I might be doing that, but it’s still the same mission and purpose.”

Since taking on the moniker, the ‘Good Life Coach,’ Prince has published several motivational books and led visionary, leadership, career, relationship and transitional coaching sessions for individuals and organizations. 

As an entrepreneur herself, Prince understands the tribulations that come with running a business. The AFRO recently connected with Prince to learn how business owners can stay motivated and enhance their wellness. 

What sort of toll can running a business have on people?

Running a business is definitely not for the weak. You have to know that this is what you are called to do. If you are not operating in your divine purpose, then you’re swimming upstream. That’s not to say you can’t get it done, but if it’s not what God is calling you to do, you won’t prosper in the way that you should. When I say prosper, I don’t just mean that you have a lot of money. It’s about your whole self prospering and flourishing.

You have to learn what you need to know to run your business, and then find the people you need to know to run it. You need connection and support. No person is an island. 

How can entrepreneurs take part in self-care and manage their wellness?

You have to know when enough is enough. You have to build time for recharging and rejuvenating yourself. I make every effort to not do any business on Sunday. I don’t look at emails or take business phone calls unless it’s a situation where it absolutely cannot be avoided. 

You should also indulge in things that bring you happiness. I’m also an artist. I have an art studio in my home that is my happy place. You have to find things that bring you peace and joy and engage in them. 

I teach my clients that each day, you need to do something for your house, your health, your wealth, for yourself and for someone else. By practicing that, you maintain balance. Health could be exercise, having a cup of herbal tea, breathwork, managing your diet or taking your medications. Wealth is not just getting a bag, but also taking care of administrative tasks and managing your personal finances. Self-indulgence could be taking an extra long shower, shopping, eating with friends or even going on a date with your partner. 

Another simple thing is journaling. This is something I do on a daily basis. It’s therapeutic because it gives you a chance to capture everything that’s going on in your life. You can break down your day and write about the things you’re grateful for. 

What tips would you give entrepreneurs for staying motivated?

Use vision boards. Put the things you want to achieve on a goal poster along with motivational sayings or scriptures. You should also share your goal with the people who matter. That way there’s accountability and encouragement. 

Know that this is what you’re supposed to be doing. That helps me to continue on and stay the course even when I’m struggling. You should also keep track of what you’ve accomplished so far. That will become the motivation for the things you pursue in the future.

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Sponsored Content

What is your role at The Harbor Bank of Maryland Community Development Corporation (“CDC”)?

I am the Managing Director of The Harbor Bank of Maryland Community Development Corporation (“CDC”). And what that means is that I oversee the strategy and operations for the CDC; specifically, I support the real estate development platform.

Although I’ve been at the CDC for 6 years, it feels like a lifetime, because really, all of my career and experience has culminated into this position. Through my 20 years in the industry, as a real estate developer, I’ve offered technical assistance, education, and owners’ representation for minority real estate developers and minority-owned projects throughout the city.

How does the CDC correlate with The Harbor Bank?

The CDC is the nonprofit affiliate of The Harbor Bank of Maryland.

There are four entities that are affiliates with Harbor Bankshares Corporation; The Harbor Bank of Maryland, Harbor Bank Community Development Entities, which focus on New Market Tax Credits, Harbor Bankshares Capital Corporation, which is a private credit and asset management affiliate, and the Harbor Bank CDC, which is a public charity engaged in economic and community development.

The CDC complements the Bank’s services by providing support to borrowers. We also support future borrowers by helping them get their financial situation aligned before they go over to the Bank. Our affiliation with Harbor allows us to create a path so the Bank doesn’t have to turn anyone away who’s trying to gain support for their business. If they can’t be qualified for services through the Bank, they’re ultimately referred to the CDC for assistance. This is key to our community’s development because we have been traditionally locked out of capital, access to capital, investment capital, and venture capital. Furthermore, the CDC doesn’t lend money without technical assistance because we realize that may put the borrower in a bad position; we try to look at our clients holistically. Our technical assistance is one of the things that make us unique because we can not only lend and/or invest in entrepreneurs, but then we can follow it up with assistance to make sure their endeavors are successful.

Tell us about some of your biggest initiatives.

On the real estate development side, one of our biggest initiatives is the Emerging Developers Program (“EDP”), which is a 15-week, soup-to-nuts, commercial real estate development overview course. The main benefit of the program is that we teach students the correct process, methods, and strategies of real estate development, we are essentially creating new minority-owned development companies. The one thing that most minority-owned developers don’t have: experience. So, to come to this class and benefit from my experience freely, is tremendous for our students.

Secondly, we’re creating quality housing. We set standards for the Emerging Developers. We don’t create slumlords. There is a rule that you cannot rent an apartment that you yourself wouldn’t sleep in. So, we are creating and maintaining integrity amongst the minority real estate development world because we are the ones who are developing our community.

Lastly, we are deepening relationships with the Bank. People come through a lot of times, and their first connection with Harbor is through EDP, and the whole goal is that they come to get technical assistance and then qualify for funding through the Bank. The Emerging Developers Program has had 280 graduates so far in 10 cohorts, which I’m really proud of. 

Can you describe the history of the Haskins Center and the goal or principles it was founded on? 

The Joseph Haskins Jr. Center for Community and Economic Development, also known as the Haskins Center, was developed in 2017 after the Freddie Gray uprising. One of the needs that the community expressed was a safe space for social entrepreneurs to address the needs of the Black community in Baltimore City. So, our CEO & President John Lewis, and former CDC, Vice President, Calvin Young, got together with community organizations and entrepreneurs such as, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Black Girls Vote, and Project Pneuma. Collectively, they came up with the idea to create a coworking space here at the Haskins Center that organizations could operate from and share their common goal of responding to all of the outpour of anger that came from the Freddie Gray uprising. From there the Haskins Center opened on January 1st, 2018. There have been 50-plus tenants that have rotated through here in the past six years. Two of the original tenants are still here, Project Pneuma and Black Girls Vote.

The core principles behind the CDC are that Harbor Bank wants to wrap its arms around entrepreneurs to make sure they’re successful. Having organizations here on-site puts them in direct contact with resources and technical assistance all the way up to John Lewis. So, they have access to not only me as the Managing Director, but they also have access to the CEO & President.

What are you most proud of doing in your role?

I’m most proud of helping people. My goal in life is to be able to use my knowledge and resources to help push others forward. When I look back at the number of businesses that I’ve come into contact with over the past six years it’s over 1,000! Having the opportunity, the tools, and the platform that Harbor Bank affords me to help our community is one of my biggest accomplishments and my main goal.

What would you say are the specific current goals of the CDC moving forward?

One is to expand our entrepreneur technical assistance platform through the Black Founders Table and Black Tech Saturday activities. The Black Founders Table is an extension of the work that we’re doing with the Equity Brain Trust. They are wrapping their arms around 12 Black tech company founders in order to move the needle on how venture capital procurement and inclusion are handled and managed for minorities in Baltimore City. The other goal is to invest in, build, finance, construct, own, and manage commercial real estate for the benefit of the CDC operations and the communities in which the projects are located. 

Why is the Bank and CDC so important to Baltimore?

Well, we are the last minority-owned, Black-owned financial institution headquartered in the state of Maryland; and the only commercial bank founded and headquartered in Baltimore City. We are important to this city because traditionally, systematically, and legislatively, Black Baltimoreans have been denied access to capital, ownership rights, healthcare services, and community amenities. We are in the spirit of the Bank’s origin, which was to provide loans to businesses and individuals because they couldn’t get loans from other financial institutions.

That has evolved into the deployment of $500 million in New Market Tax Credits in key areas of the city. So, we’ve taken $2.6MM in capital in 1982, to now having created billions of dollars of economic impact to grow our communities. That’s why we’re all important, we want to continue being a part of the change that we want to see.

Is there anything coming down the line as far as events, campaigns, programming, or initiatives that you would like to alert the readers to?

We have several things on the entrepreneurial side, look out for Black Tech Saturdays! Our last event had over 200 people in attendance so the momentum is great. We’ll continue to support it, but we’re happy to see that it has now garnered support from state legislators, city government, and some other private philanthropists. So, we’re looking for that to really grow. Also, I would say look for bigger real estate development projects. We received a Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) Project C.O.R.E. grant of $250,000 for a 50-unit, mixed-use building that we’re doing in partnership with Okoro Development. Additionally, we are supporting Coppin State’s “Live Near Your Work” initiative with 13 single-family lots that are under contract to be renovated for faculty. The initiative provides down payment assistance to compensate employees, nonprofit workers, and all state employees who want to live in these homes. If we can continue our partnership, I think we’d want to be responsible for building up Coppin State and its surrounding areas, similar to how Morgan State and Johns Hopkins has grown and flourished throughout the years. We want to see some equity in West Baltimore for such a prestigious and valuable institution for the Black community. Long term, we want to create housing opportunities, community amenities, and retail opportunities, for the residents and businesses on the West side of Baltimore as well.

The post Meet Germano Gomez, Managing Director of The Harbor Bank of Maryland Community Development Corporation appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Reginald Williams
Special to the AFRO

On Sept. 7, the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice opened to the public in Durham, North Carolina’s West End. The center has been under renovation for some time, according to local news reports. Billed as “A Celebration of Homecoming,” the event drew diverse visitors, all looking to honor and remember the civil rights leader’s work. 

“It has been a decade-long journey,” said Angela Thorpe Mason, the center’s executive director, to The Living Church, a religious publication. “The house was slated for demolition in the early 2000s, and was in extremely bad shape. A group of local advocates rallied to save it. The Pauli Murray Center was established in 2012, but the rehabilitation wasn’t complete until this April.

Anna Pauline “Pauli” Murray was a pioneer and a person of many firsts. Born in 1910, the trailblazing civil rights attorney, a 1944 graduate of Howard University Law School, was the only woman in her law class, where she ranked first. She was also the first African American to earn a Doctor of Jurisprudential Science from Yale Law School in 1965. 

Murray was also a changemaker in the religious realm. The Episcopal Church at the Washington National Cathedral ordained Murray into the priesthood on January 8, 1977. The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina specifies that she was “the first Black person perceived as a woman ordained.” Murray is noted as an Episcopal saint.

Her activism was bold.

Four years before Irene Morgan refused to unseat herself in 1944 while riding on a segregated bus in Virginia, and 11 years before a 15-year-old Claudette Colvin set the stage for Rosa Parks’ civil disobedience by refusing to move from her seat on a Montgomery, Ala. bus— “Pauli,” as she preferred to be called, was arrested for disorderly conduct.

The year was 1940 when Murray, while traveling from New York to North Carolina, refused to move from the designated White-only section. Law officials arrested her for violating Virginia’s state segregation laws. 

The mission of the Pauli Murray Center is to continue addressing the injustices and inequalities for all people that Murray fought for. Their vision is “To realize a world in which wholeness is a human right for all and not the privilege of a few.”

The preservation of the center, which is the activist’s childhood home, is “supported in part by an African American Civil Rights Grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service (NPS), Department of the Interior.” The NPS designated Murray’s home as a National Historic Landmark in 2016.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1910, Murray was said to be ahead of her time. 

“She championed the cause of human rights through her work as an author, educator, lawyer, feminist, poet and priest,” states information released by the Pauli Murray Center. 

Murray’s work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Philip Randolph was rooted in her discontentment with inequalities related to Black women and their lack of decision-making power when in grassroot struggles of Black people. Murray is credited with partnering with Bayard Rustin and James Farmer to establish CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) while attending law school. She also co-founded the organization, NOW (National Origination of Women), fighting for the presence of Black women. 

“Her legal work laid the foundation for major civil rights advances. Her 1950 book, “States’ Laws on Race and Color,” was hailed by Thurgood Marshall as the “bible” of the civil rights movement,” says Carl Kenney, assistant professor at the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “Her legal arguments, particularly on the unconstitutionality of segregation, were influential in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision that ended legal racial segregation in U.S. schools.”

According to information available at the Pauli Murray Center, the ardent activist “fought to lift up women in the civil rights movement, and women of color in the women’s rights movement. She believed that leaving anyone behind on the road to full equality would neglect a part of herself.”

A few years after being appointed by Eleanor Roosevelt to serve as the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, Murray wrote “Jane Crow and the Law: Sex Discrimination and Title VII,” an article that exposed the gender discriminatory practices and laws that outright oppressed women. The impact of that article inspired Atty. Ruth Bader Ginsberg to include Murray’s name on the brief cover written for Reed v. Reed 404 US 71. The 1971 landmark Supreme Court case struck down laws that discriminated against women by using the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, which says no state can deny equal protection of the laws to anyone within its jurisdiction.

“Murray was a key figure in the second wave of feminism…advocating for gender equality and helping to shape the feminist movement’s focus on equal rights and dismantling systemic sexism,” says Kenney.

During an era when the use of nonbinary, non-gender pronouns was non-existent, Murray pushed the boundaries of gender and sexual identity. At 18, Murray shortened Pauline to Paulie to embrace a more androgynous identity. Many published reports maintain that Murray believed she was born a man in a woman’s body. 

Rosalind Rosenberg, author of  “Jane Crow: The Life of Pauli Murray,” notes that Murray identified “as a female who believed she was a male, before the term transgender existed. 

Kenney, a passionate promoter of women’s rights and the LBGTQ movement, says Murray was private about more sensitive topics. Still, many today recognize Renee Barlow as a long-time romantic partner of Murray. 

“Although she never publicly acknowledged her sexual orientation, in private writings, Murray expressed feeling like a man trapped in a woman’s body, making her an early figure in the conversation around gender identity,” says Kenney.

 She died on July 1, 1985, at the age of 74. 

Murray’s impact can still be felt in Durham, where she was raised by her aunt Pauline Fitzgerald Dame, after her parent’s death. The Durham Public School Board of Education recently voted unanimously to name their newest elementary school, Murray-Massenburg Elementary School, after Murray and Betty Doretha Massenburg, the first Black women principal in Durham. 

Today, five Murray murals exist throughout Bull City: 1101 West Chapel Hill Street, 2520 Vesson Avenue, 313 Foster Street, 117 S. Buchanan Boulevard, and 2009 Chapel Hill Road, keeping the activist’s memory alive. 

The Pauli Murray Center is just one more jewel added to the area, in honor of Murray’s work. According to information released by the center, Murray’s childhood home “was built by her grandparents in 1898 at 906 Carroll Street in Durham, North Carolina.” Today and every day moving forward, the center will keep the name of Pauli Murray alive “by connecting history to contemporary human rights issues” and encouraging people “of all ages to stand up for peace, equity and justice.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the owner and operator of the Dali, the massive container ship that struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26. The civil action came on Sept. 18 against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Group, both based in Singapore. 

The DOJ is seeking more than $100 million for the disaster, which resulted in the death of six construction workers and significant disruption to economic activity. 

“This tragedy was entirely avoidable. The electrical and mechanical systems were improperly maintained and configured in a way that violated safety regulations and norms for international shipping,” stated the DOJ in the suit. “These problems precipitated a power loss and then a cascading series of failures that culminated in the allision.” 

A June National Transportation Safety Board report revealed that the Dali experienced multiple blackouts before striking the Key Bridge. The board later determined the outages were likely caused by a loose electrical cable. 

The DOJ said the Dali’s “unseaworthy” condition prevented it from avoiding or moderating the collision. The bridge collapse caused the Port of Baltimore, the United States’ leading port for automobiles, to temporarily close. The port did not return to full operation until June 10. 

After the catastrophe, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Group moved to limit their liability to $44 million for the incident. The DOJ asked the court to deny this request and demand that the defendants pay punitive damages.

“Other vessel owners and operators must be deterred from engaging in such reckless and exceedingly harmful behavior in the United States’ navigable water,” stated the DOJ in the suit, adding the owners and operators of the Dali “need to be deterred because they continue to operate their vessels, including a sister ship to the Dali, in U.S. waters and benefit economically from those activities.” 

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Meharry Medical College is collaborating with local middle and high schools to provide workshops, summits and events for students to engage in science.

The Tennessee-based HBCU was founded in 1876 by Samuel Meharry along with four of his brothers. The institution now serves as the nation’s largest private, independent, historically Black academic health training center.

Understanding the importance of stimulating and inspiring young minds, the college has created several programs to give K-12 students the opportunity to have hands-on experiences with science. 

“We go and speak to students at every age level and our students love to volunteer. They really take Meharry’s motto ‘worship of God through service to mankind’ to heart,” said Majornette Jefferson, the director of community outreach at Meharry. “And it’s great because whenever we have requests for volunteers, our students are eager to assist in so many ways. From our physical assistant students to our medical students to our dental students, they always find a way to go and show up in the community.” 

At the middle school level, the college partners with the Ascension Foundation to host a science day field trip called #GOALS, which stands for “Go Out And Love Science.” 

Each year the volunteers work directly with Haynes Middle School to give the students hands-on experiences, listen to panels and have the opportunity to see some of what happens in a medical school classroom. 

For the past two years, they also have participated in the Black History Month observance of Isaiah T. Creswell Middle Magnet School of the Visual & Performing Arts, the only middle school arts magnet school in Nashville. Meharry students have had the opportunity to go and speak with the students and provide insight into how science can be incorporated into things the teenagers love and are passionate about such as the arts. 

“Meharry students were able to show the range of a dental student, letting them know if you’re good at art you can take that love for arts and bring it into dentistry. If you’re really good with your hands and sculpting, you may be great at dentistry,” Jefferson told the AFRO. “We just find ways to connect their current interests, wherever they are, and plug it into the future for them, because sometimes they don’t see a path.”

The medical school has also partnered with the mayor’s office, the Urban League of Middle Tennessee and the state of Tennessee to offer paid internships for high schoolers and young adults during the summer. 

“Through the mayor’s office, the Power Youth Initiative, we work with upcoming juniors, seniors and incoming college freshmen to go through a lot of hands-on activities such as job shadowing several offices across the campus,” Jefferson shared with the AFRO.  They can also earn experiences in offices such as institutional advancement, marketing, student affairs, community engagement and outreach and pediatric medicine.

The school also hosts a Black Male STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) summit to provide the opportunity for students to hear from people in the medical field and partake in activities such as a stimulation lab where participants can perform medical procedures on mannequins. This year, Meharry is working with Tennessee State University’s SMART Center to provide virtual reality headsets and robots to show how gaming and robotics relate to STEAM. Coding will also be incorporated into break-out sessions to give students practical experiences to take away. 

The summit serves as a learning opportunity not only for students but for parents as well. There are different panel discussions for parents to gain understanding and resources to learn about the opportunities in the field. 

Similarly, Meharry hosts a Black Girls in STEAM summit during the spring. 

The programs are beneficial for the students as well as the school, Jefferson said, because it helps students build a connection with the school for future opportunities, and  ultimately creates a talent and employee pipeline for the school. 

To find out more about the upcoming programs that Meharry Medical College will be curating for youth, visit them at www.MMC.edu.

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

The expanding role of artificial intelligence in modern life has been the subject of much discussion and some controversy in recent months. Therefore, it was no surprise the topic was featured on the first day of the 2024 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, which kicked off Sept. 11 in Washington, D.C. 

A group of panelists, including Tracy Owens, director of U.S. public affairs at Sage; Aaron Harris, chief technology officer at Sage; Dona Franklin, owner of Turnkey Solutions; and Georgia State Sen. Jason Esteves (D-Dist. 6), discussed how small businesses can maximize the use of AI.

The conversation featured Sage, a software company that provides human resources services to small and medium businesses,  and how it has incorporated AI into its business. The company is particularly aiming to use AI in ways that can serve their clients.

“With the help of AI, we can capture all business activity in real time and account for that business activity,” said Harris. “We pair continuous assurance for continuous accounting to create trust in that data. Small business leaders and owners need to move very fast to compete, and our objective is to give them technology that enables them to [do just that].”

Franklin described how she has used ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, in her business to save time on everyday tasks.

“AI has literally revolutionized our business in the past couple of years,” she said. “I looked at ChatGPT as a fun thing when I first discovered it. But what has happened over the past two years is we found that it can make mundane, everyday tasks so much easier, and it provides such tremendous productivity.”

Franklin said she has used ChatGPT to create documents based on presentation slides and develop training videos.

“An activity that might have taken me an hour and a half [to] two hours literally took 10 minutes,” she said. “If you think about the time you spend doing those things, it translates directly into money.”

With the plethora of issues Black small businesses already face such as high interest rates, AI could provide that much-needed relief.

“Just this morning, I gave a speech to an association not too far from here, and prior to finalizing that speech, I ran the text through ChatGPT,” said Esteves. “I said ‘Give me your thoughts on the speech. How long is it? How long will it take me, and do you have any recommendations on what I had?’”

“It did a lot for me in [those] 30 seconds that it took to spit out the information,” he continued. “I was able to add more to my speech.”

Though only 3.8 percent of American businesses were using AI in 2023, Owens insists that it will continue to expand rapidly and urged small business owners to take part in the conversation.

“Small businesses, medium-sized businesses are going to be in the mix for all of this,” said Owens.

He said small business owners should ensure “investments are being made” and have conversations with government officials and larger businesses about how they can best assist small business owners’ AI endeavors.

“There’s room for all of us,” said Owens.

In a related event, Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) led a discussion about ways African Americans can use AI to empower the Black community.

Butler emphasized the importance of this conversation and briefly discussed legislation she was planning to introduce. 

“This is legislation that is directed towards traditionally marginalized communities,” she said. 

Butler said it would set aside $250 million to invest in upskilling students, educators and employers in industries that will potentially be impacted by artificial intelligence.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer 
msayles@afro.com

Baltimore-based think-tank Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (LBS)  has received a cease and desist letter from Sinclair Broadcast Group (Sinclair) after accusing the media conglomerate of promoting ballot initiatives that aim to diminish Black political power in a recent event posting.

The event, which will be held at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Sep. 19 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., was advertised as a discussion for Baltimoreans to learn about how Sinclair CEO David Smith is using the company to push propaganda about Black leadership in the city. In the cease and desist, which the AFRO obtained from Sinclair directly, the media company calls the claims made by LBS are false and denied that it has engaged in any ballot initiatives. 

In a statement to the AFRO, LBS director of public policy Dayvon Love wrote: 

“LBS has been engaged in a war against the propaganda of Sinclair Broadcasting and its executive chairman, David Smith, who is using his platforms to demonize Black people. This demonization is an attempt to push policies that prioritize incarceration over repair and to disparage community-based violence prevention.” 

Love particularly took issue with Smith’s support of a ballot initiative that would reduce the size of the Baltimore City Council from 14 districts to eight. The petition is backed by People for Elected Accountability and Civic Engagement (PEACE), an organization funded by the businessman. 

PEACE maintains the cut to the council would save taxpayers millions of dollars and create a more attentive city government that better reflects the population of Baltimore. Love and other opponents believe it to be an attempt to seize political influence from Black Baltimoreans. 

“This would give him greater ability to fund politicians who would adopt his political agenda and decrease the ability of people in a majority-Black city to have representation that reflects their interests,” wrote Love. “Clearly, Sinclair Broadcasting and David Smith are troubled by our advocacy. We think it’s important for the community to decide for themselves whether we are besmirching their reputation or if we are just speaking the truth.” 

Smith has long been known for his support of conservative policies and Republican campaigns. His news stations have also been criticized for right-wing biases. Last January, the businessman added The Baltimore Sun to his portfolio. 

In the cease and desist letter, Sinclair said that LBS was confounding Smith’s personal pursuits with that of the company. 

“Mr. Smith is entitled, as a private individual, to exercise his constitutional rights and support causes or other political organizations that he deems appropriate,” wrote Chase A. Bales, general counsel for Sinclair. “Those decisions, however, are not commensurate with action by Sinclair, and there is absolutely no indication that Sinclair has supported any ballot initiatives or other political activities as described in your post.” 

Apart from the copy of the cease and desist letter, Sinclair declined requests to make further comment on the matter to the AFRO.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer

On day one of its Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) took on Black maternal health, Black infertility, family building and reproductive justice. 

Experts from across the country weighed in on challenges, opportunities and policies regarding reproductive health for Black women, who disproportionately experience maternal mortality, infertility and miscarriages. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White Women. The public health agency also reports that they are more likely to encounter infertility compared to their White counterparts. 

“Across the board, Black women and Black birthing people have worse maternal health outcomes than our White counterparts,” said Nicole M. Cooper, executive vice president and chief strategy and innovation officer at United Way Worldwide. “From preterm births, to lack of access, to equitable care, to insufficient prenatal care and poor postpartum recovery supports and services, the U.S. health system is failing Black women and their families during a time that should be full of joy and hope.” 

Examining infertility and maternal mortality in the Black community

Dr. Lasha Clarke is the assistant director of research and translation at Morehouse School of Medicine’s Center for Maternal Health Equity. Since 2021, the center has been conducting a Fertility Equity Study. 

Clarke shared that the study has concluded that Black women face infertility twice as much as White women. They are also half as likely to seek fertility care. Clarke stressed the importance of destigmatizing infertility.

“Infertility is a medical condition–not a social condition,” said Clarke. “It’s not something that we need to feel a sense of shame or blame around.”

The center also found that in certain segments of the country, Black women are five times more likely to die during childbirth. Even when controlling for socioeconomic factors, they are more likely to experience maternal mortality than their counterparts. Clarke said this is also reflected in infertility. 

“In our study and even in the broader literature, Black women who are of high socioeconomic resources are reporting the same thing,” said Clarke. “They are experiencing infertility, but there are barriers to seeking care that are not strictly the finances of it.”

These barriers include racial biases and discrimination from providers and limited access to education about maternal health and fertility. 

The role of doulas and midwives 

Considering the poor state of Black maternal health in the U.S., many women turn to non-traditional care providers, like birthing centers, doulas and midwives. 

Baltimore County Delegate Jennifer White Holland (D-10) pointed out that Maryland does not have any free-standing birthing centers. 

“That limits the options that birthing people have in finding other alternatives to receive their care,” said Holland. 

She noted that the state has made progress on supporting doulas. In 2022, Maryland started the Medicaid Doula Services Program, which provides reimbursement to these professionals. But, the compensation is not yet enough.

“Unfortunately, the reimbursement rates are so low that there isn’t really an incentive for doulas to participate, which makes it very cost-prohibitive for many birthing people to access doula services,” said Holland. 

Leah Jones, director of maternal health and birth equity initiatives for SisterSong, said her organization is aiming to mitigate certification issues for community midwives in Georgia. 

“They’re literally people who can teach physicians how to do their work. They’re reflecting our communities, our issues and our stories. However, they have licensing issues in Georgia,” said Jones. “We have been on a continuous fight to make sure their legitimization gets pushed through legislation and that communities can reach into midwives, doulas and birth workers who look like them, talk like them and live in their neighborhoods.”

Black men as allies in the fight for reproductive rights

Historically, a dangerous and unfounded stereotype has been propagated about Black fathers being absent parents. Data from the CDC refutes this generalization. It found that Black fathers were more likely to feed and eat meals with their children; bathe and dress them; and take them to activities compared to other racial groups. 

“The best piece of advice that I ever received as an expectant father was that everything she feels, the baby feels,” said Charles Johnson IV, founder of 4 Kira 4 Moms. “It’s your job fundamentally to make sure that she feels safe, protected and happy at all times, as much as humanly possible.”

He started his organization after his wife, Kira Johnson, died during a routine C-section in 2016. Johnson said it’s critical for Black men to be informed about the spectrum of labor options and how to advocate for their partners even before they become pregnant. 

Sheehan Fisher is an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University. He also serves as associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion for the institution. Fisher acknowledged that for a lot of Black women, pregnancy can be an isolating experience. This is only compounded by their heightened risk factors for poor maternal health outcomes. Fisher said he believes Black men should eliminate the isolation their partners may feel while on their maternity journey. 

“She needs a partner who can be an advocate throughout the whole experience,” said Fisher. “Fathers are not clinicians or doctors, but they can be trained to know what to look out for.”

Charles Daniels Jr., CEO of Father’s Uplift, explained that Black men must first address their mental health in order to be good partners through pregnancy. 

“We need to go to therapy,” said Daniels. “We need to get the necessary help to be able to be present.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi made his return to Wasington, D.C. with the debut of Dōgon, an upscale Afro-Caribbean restaurant, on Sep. 9. The new concept is nestled in the Salamander Hotel along the Southwest waterfront.

Through his culinary journey, Onwuachi has taken inspiration from his Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidadian and Creole heritage to craft his cuisine and share history through food. 

“People ask me why I open up these restaurants, and I don’t think they understand we’re able to celebrate our culture while celebrating a special experience for some of the first times,” said Onwuachi during a Sep. 5 ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Our food is shunned to mom and pop shops, not given the opportunity and investment or not written about. For us to have a place like this is a beacon of light for other chefs to be able to open up places like this.” 

Although native to New York, Onwuachi spent his summers in the District during his youth. His grandfather taught African-American studies and anthropology at Howard University. 

He opened his first restaurant, Shaw Bijou, in 2016, but the high-end spot closed after just two and a half months. A year later, Onwuachi returned with Kith/Kin at the InterContinental Hotel on the Southwest waterfront. There, he won a James Beard Award for rising star chef of the year in 2019. 

With Dōgon, he hopes to tell the story of Washington, D.C. through an Afro-Carribean lens and to tell the story of his ancestors. 

“Our food matters,” said Onwuachi. “We don’t need to refine it. It’s beautiful as it is.” 

Dōgon’s home, the Salamander Washington, D.C., is a part of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, a luxury hospitality management company founded by Sheila C. Johnson. She is the first Black woman billionaire and the cofounder of BET. 

Johnson purchased the former Mandarin Oriental property in 2022 and began renovating the hotel. She said she met Onwuachi in the Bahamas while attending a bridal event. 

After visiting Kith/Kin, she was amazed by his food. 

“We went there for my birthday, but then I brought my executive team because what I tasted that night was like no other,” said Jackson at the ribbon-cutting. “I knew from that point on he was going to be my go-to chef.”

Together, the pair created The Family Reunion, an immersive, multi-day event in Middleburg, Va. that celebrates diversity in the hospitality industry.

She then called on Onwuachi to open a restaurant at the newly rebranded Salamander Washington, D.C. hotel. 

“I have never been so excited about a talent like this in my life,” said Johnson. “I am willing to invest in him and keep watching his journey as he continues to grow because he is truly amazing.” 

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser believes the new concept will contribute to the rebound of tourism in the District, which declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“They have a saying when we are shopping our destination around the world, and it’s that you always have to be doing something new,” said Bowser. “You have to have new destinations, new restaurants, new activations and new chefs because people who want to come to Washington want to experience every part of D.C.” 

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By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO

Five years ago Vennieth McCormick struck out on a path to help people challenged with substance abuse disorders. He wanted to change lives.  He wanted to give hope. And he knew he could make a difference. 

McCormick believed since he overcame his own struggle with alcohol abuse 30 years ago, his story could serve as proof that a more productive life was possible, even for those tightly clasped in the grasp of addiction. 

“I would drive by, pass individuals on the street– some homeless–and see them. It was hard to turn and look away,” McCormick told the AFRO. “I knew that if only by the grace of God, it could be me.”

So, he took action. McCormick went on to build a fairly successful business in real estate and home improvement and began renting properties to organizations helping people with substance abuse disorders. 

 “I would run into some of those guys living in the rentals and end up in long conversations with them on what they needed to move their lives forward.  “I can do this,” he thought and so, he did. 

“I wanted to contribute to their success and every fiber of my body was telling me, I could do it– [I could] run a program with compassion and make a difference in the lives of people in need.”

“There was a lot to learn,” says Mr. McCormick. “I knew that counseling was necessary. What I realized most–and it goes back to Maslow’s Theory, Hierarchy  of Needs– is that until you put a roof over someone’s head, it is hard to help them in any sustainable way.”  

McCormick started with one house that he quickly filled with men in need of a place to stay. He connected them with programming and resources to manage addiction and some, over time, did complete the journey to a clean and sober lifestyle.  

Over the past five years, McCormick’s program, New Life Recovery, has grown from one house to eight– including a house for women.

“Believe me when I tell you that many of the people laying on the streets of our nation are suffering from some form of substance disorders or mental health issues or both. It’s true and can complicate their problems if not correctly diagnosed and treated,” said McCormick.

The data proves him right. 

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “over 582,000 individuals across the country were experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2022.” Of that number, “21 percent of individuals experiencing homelessness reported having a serious mental illness, and 16 percent reported having a substance use disorder.”

No easy solution

According to McCormick, a lot goes into running a housing unit for individuals with substance abuse and mental health issues.  

“Once you house them, you have to feed and clothe them…and then you can help them deal with the reasons for their abuse, which requires mental and therapeutic help,” he told the AFRO.

Every individual coming through New Life Recovery has access to those services.

More recently, McCormick consolidated his program.  He has acquired new accommodations for New Life Recovery in the form of a downtown Baltimore hotel, with over 100 beds, located at 110 St. Paul St.

McCormick described what the hotel space looked like before New Life Recovery took over.  

“It had become a place for homeless individuals or folks on assistance, paying very low rent, to hang outside,” he said. “You knew it was not your ordinary apartment building or living quarters, because in front of the building and sitting around the fountain were individuals who looked like they were in need, lost or struggling with a substance or mental disorder.”

Today, the atmosphere around the hotel is different.  In acquiring the new accommodations, McCormick is able to provide housing for individuals suffering from substance abuse, mental health issues and homelessness. The loitering that previously occurred, has subsided.  

McCormick also acquired the restaurant attached to the hotel, where he provides meals for the occupants.

“I am used to serving meals to our clients.  We have a regular dietician who prepares our meals,” he said. 

During the holidays, McCormick and New Life Recovery staff provide meals to homeless individuals. The AFRO has covered his efforts to serve in the past. 

“It is an opportunity to talk with people and offer them our assistance. Some take us up on it right away, while others may return at a later date,” he said. “At the least they learn about our program and know where we are.”

“The need in Baltimore to house individuals–male and female– suffering from substance abuse disorders, mental health issues and homelessness is great,” says Mr. McCormick.  “We want to continue to be a part of the solution. I am in the process of acquiring the hotel next door, at 100 St. Paul St., that will provide 160 beds with 100 rooms.  It is currently under renovation.”

The hotels offer a means for New Life Recovery to help more people immediately and centralize their counseling and mental health services. 

“Everything clients need are provided on sight,” said McCormick, who has moved all of his clientele into the hotel setting.

The accommodations are much like a hospital, however the rooms are more private like those seen in a hotel.  Similar to the expectations required in his earlier ventures provided, clients participating in today’s New Life Recovery programming must abide by rules and regulations that include specific guidelines and curfews.

While the sacrifice might be great, the reward is even greater.

“Everyone living in our program can get mental health counseling,” said McCormick. “I’ve learned if you are homeless, then you need our mental health services– something has you on the street that you need to face. There is a saying, ‘that you have to face it to fix it.’ And here at New Life Recovery we help our clients do just that.”

New Life Recovery is working in partnership with the University of Maryland to provide training for individuals who are ready to go to work, while also providing continued support to fully recover from experiencing homelessness.

McCormick likes the new accommodations for his program and says he looks forward to the expansion to 100 St. Paul Street adding additional accommodations. The expansion thus far has enabled him to put more time into other areas of New Life Recovery.

“I don’t have to spend half my day running around from place to place and picking up supplies and dropping off clothing.  It is consolidated,” he said. “I get to spend more time here with the folks residing here, participating with the training, and watching them…prayerfully leave here whole. I’m grateful. I think they are too!”

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (Planned Parenthood) is focused on providing quality sexual and reproductive healthcare. From breast exams to cancer screenings, the organization does it all. 

For decades, Planned Parenthood has been a light at the end of the tunnel, providing medical services and support to far too many women with little or no access to health care.

While the organization has acknowledged its unsavory roots in the eugenics movement, today, people like Dr. Megan Freeland work diligently to provide care and education to millions of women on an annual basis- regardless of race. 

Freeland currently serves as the director of health communications for the non-profit organization and she’s making sure that marginalized communities are receiving the education and resources they deserve. The pharmacist turned communications specialist spoke with the AFRO about her goals in the role, challenges she’s faced and the Planned Parenthood initiatives aimed at increasing access to their services.

AFRO: How did you get involved with Planned Parenthood and how long have you been in this role?

Dr. Megan Freeland: I have been with Planned Parenthood for over three years and I have been in my current role for about two years. When I came to Planned Parenthood in 2021, I came in as the associate director of Black health media. I found myself in that position because I had been working independently as a freelancer focusing on health content writing and health content strategy. I was doing a lot of work with digital health and health tech companies. I was helping them develop content strategies that were going to be most impactful for Black communities and other communities of color. 

As a pharmacist by training and someone who has experience in medical and health communications, I know that a lot of published health information is done for default communities– which typically means White communities. When it comes to health care it’s important that information be tailored to specific audiences so that it’s relevant to their lives. When I saw that Planned Parenthood was looking for someone to help with the development of health information for Black communities and to engage with Black outlets to make sure that information was getting out to those folks I was really excited about the opportunity. When I was promoted to my current position, I went from only focusing on Black health media to leading the team that focuses on Black health media, as well as other other things  under that umbrella.

AFRO: What are some of the responsibilities that you have in this role ? 

MF: One part of my job is making sure that patients and families and everyday people know about the incredible work that Planned Parenthood is doing across the country to provide sexual reproductive health care and education. The internal partners that we work with are spending their time innovating in digital health and health technology.They’re innovating in education and in health care. Oftentimes, because they are being forced to innovate by the landscape of sexual and reproductive health care in the U.S. right now, they are innovating in arts and entertainment. 

It’s really exciting work. We collaborate with a lot of external partners to execute. We might engage with the media. We might work with conferences or people who are hosting in person events to make sure that Planned Parenthood experts are represented there, communicating about the work they’re doing. We might show up at cultural events like ESSENCE Fest to make sure that we’re meeting people where they are.

Those are my responsibilities from a Planned Parenthood perspective. However, on a personal level, what is most important to me is beyond “Here’s the great work that Planned Parenthood is doing.” The question is “How can I help my team find creative ways to inform people about critical health care topics?” 

Whether it’s abortion care, or cervical health, contraception, sex, education– any of those topics – what motivates me to do this work is my professional mission of fighting health misinformation.

AFRO: What are some of your goals for this position?

MF: What first comes to mind when I hear you ask that is stigma. Stigma related to sexual and reproductive health care is so pervasive across society. It’s not just something I come across in my work, it’s something that I see and hear every day whether I’m talking to loved ones in person or I’m scrolling through social media. Sometimes people think that stigma is just social in nature, like it doesn’t actually harm people. They think that it just sounds bad or makes people feel bad, but stigma has very concrete consequences. It keeps people from talking about issues that are really important to discuss with trusted individuals. It keeps people from getting care. 

It can be so easy to go to your local Planned Parenthood and get tested for sexually transmitted infections but there’s a stigma that often keeps people from doing that. For me, one of my goals in this work is to do everything we can to eliminate stigma in sexual and reproductive health care. Another goal of mine is making sure that sexual and reproductive health care isn’t being lost in the health equity movement. It has to be central to all of the work that we do because if we look at health outcomes across different racial and ethnic demographics, we consistently see minority communities getting the short end of the stick. We’re having health disparities that aren’t affecting White communities. The maternal health crisis is a perfect example of that. 

AFRO: What has been your greatest challenge in this role thus far ?

MF: A part of “meeting people where they are” is community and collaboration. We enjoy working with other entities, whether they are corporate brands or reporters, journalists, artists or celebrities. Those collaborations are really important to getting info in front of different audiences and making sure the messages are getting there as well. 

We’ve been very fortunate to have amazing collaborators that we’ve been able to work with. However, every now and then we’ll run into issues where an organization or entity is not able to collaborate because of preconceived notions or stigma about the types of care that Planned Parenthood provides. That’s always discouraging because you realize that the effects of stigma are still there. The other challenge that I run into is prioritization because there is so much work to be done. There’s never a shortage of work to be done. There’s never a shortage of communities that we want to do more outreach and engagement with. There’s never a shortage of misinformation that we need to correct in some way. Recognizing that we are people too and we have lives outside of work and we have families and priorities and loved ones.

AFRO: What is the communications team at Planned Parenthood being intentional about?

MF: You mentioned this word earlier: inclusiveness. I think that is something that our organization is being really intentional about. How do we make sure that we’re not overlooking communities or experiences that are commonly overlooked in the work that we do? Whether it’s communicating about sex education and not just in the context of standard heterosexual relationships, but also making sure LGBTQ plus communities are also reflected in our communications about sex education. That’s just one example, but it represents our approach to making sure that we’re not leaving people behind– especially people who live in the communities that are already facing the most barriers to care because of racism in the health care system. 

We’re being intentional about what kinds of spaces our experts are showing up in. We know that in the world we live in today, there are endless ways of engaging with organizations.

People still go places in person, so there’s the in person experience, there’s the social experience and there’s the event experience. Within all of those buckets there are multiple categories and ways that people engage. Twenty years ago, people were able to get news and information differently than how they do today. We’re really committed to continuously learning about how people are getting information, how people want to get information and where they’re going. We then, in turn, take that information and adjust our strategy to make sure that we are getting into these new places.

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By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

(NNPA Newswire) –  Color of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, and Americans for Tax Fairness recently released a damning report exposing the deep racial inequities entrenched in the U.S. tax system. The issue brief “How Tax Fairness Can Promote Racial Equity,” written by Color of Change Managing Director Portia Allen-Kyle and Americans for Tax Fairness Executive Director David Kass, exposes the systemic flaws in tax policy that have widened the racial wealth gap and prevented economic mobility for Black, Brown, and indigenous communities.

The report urgently calls for sweeping reforms to stop the flow of tax benefits to the wealthiest Americans—who are overwhelmingly White—while offering concrete solutions to make the tax code work for everyone, not just the top 1 percent.

“An equitable tax system does two things: It narrows the racial wealth gap from the bottom up and spurs economic mobility for Black, Brown, and indigenous individuals and families,” Allen-Kyle said. “Our current tax code fails on both accounts. It’s a prime example of how so-called ‘colorblind’ systems actively prevent Black families from building generational wealth and economic security.”

Tax code deepens racial disparities, experts say

The brief pulls no punches in describing how current tax policies disproportionately benefit wealthy White families, further deepening racial inequalities. By giving preferential treatment to wealth over work, the system locks in economic advantages for White households while leaving communities of color to bear the brunt of these inequities.

“Our tax system is not only failing to address racial wealth inequality, it’s exacerbating it,” Kass warns. “We privilege wealth over work, fail to adequately tax our richest households and corporations, and allow inherited fortunes to compound unchecked by taxation. This perpetuates a legacy of racial inequality.”

The racial wealth gap has exploded in recent years, with the median wealth gap between Black and White households jumping from $172,000 in 2019 to over $214,000 in 2022. Economic crises such as the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic further entrenched these divides, benefiting the already wealthy while leaving Black, Brown, and indigenous communities further behind.

The racial wealth gap and homeownership

Homeownership, long touted as a primary means of building wealth in America, has failed to deliver for Black families. The report points to factors such as biased home appraisals and a regressive property tax system as key reasons why Black homeowners have been unable to accumulate wealth at the same rate as their White counterparts.

As the brief notes, with critical provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set to expire, now is a pivotal moment for tax reform. 

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform our tax system to address racial inequality,” the report states, comparing recent monumental legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Three key reforms to tackle racial inequity

The report lays out three central reforms aimed at curbing the wealth concentration among the ultra-rich and dismantling the racial inequities baked into the tax code:

Taxing Wealth Fairly: The report calls for equalizing the tax rates on wealth and work. Currently, capital gains—profits from investments—are taxed at a far lower rate than wages earned by working people, a disparity that overwhelmingly benefits White households. The vast majority of capital gains income flows to White families, who comprise only two-thirds of taxpayers but receive 92 percent of the benefits from lower tax rates on investment income.

Strengthening the Estate Tax: The estate tax, which is supposed to curb the accumulation of dynastic wealth, has been weakened over time, allowing large fortunes—primarily held by white families—to grow even larger across generations. The report calls for stronger enforcement of the estate tax to prevent the further entrenchment of wealth and power within a small, overwhelmingly White elite.

Targeting Tax Deductions to Benefit Lower-Income Households: Deductions for mortgage interest, college savings, and retirement accounts disproportionately benefit wealthier, predominantly White households. In order to prevent lower-income and minority households from falling behind due to policies that are currently biased in favor of the wealthy, the brief advocates for restructuring these deductions.

White House and Senate proposals for change

Both the Biden-Harris administration and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden have proposed addressing the racial wealth gap. The Billionaire Minimum Income Tax (BMIT) and the Billionaire Income Tax (BIT) would ensure that the wealthiest Americans—who often go years without paying taxes—contribute their fair share. These proposals would raise over $500 billion in revenue over the next decade, which could be reinvested in health care, education, and housing for communities of color.

As the report points out, the current tax system is skewed in favor of the ultrawealthy. It allows the rich to avoid paying taxes on the increased value of their investments unless they sell them. They often borrow against these growing fortunes, further delaying taxation, which allows White billionaires to accumulate vast wealth while paying a fraction of what working families pay in taxes.

Defending IRS funding to hold the wealthy accountable

The report also highlights the critical need to defend IRS funding, restored under the Inflation Reduction Act, which is essential for cracking down on wealthy tax cheats. Contrary to Republican claims, this funding will not increase tax enforcement on households earning less than $400,000. Instead, it will improve customer service and expand the Direct File program, saving taxpayers significant time and money.

The Biden administration’s restored IRS funding is expected to raise an additional $100 billion over the next decade by ensuring the wealthiest Americans and corporations pay what they legally owe.

A call for urgent action

The message from Color of Change and Americans for Tax Fairness is clear: America’s tax system is broken, and without immediate reforms, the racial wealth gap will continue to widen.

“Addressing the insidious racial preferences in our tax code is one of the most direct ways we can not only help Black communities grow here and now but for generations to come,” Allen-Kyle concludes.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

As Baltimore continues to invest in its Digital Inclusion Strategy, three city agencies have teamed up to arm older Baltimoreans with skills essential to navigating the online landscape. 

The Baltimore City Office of Information and Technology (BCIT), the Enoch Pratt Free Library and the Baltimore City Health Department’s (BCHD) Division of Aging established the Digital Literacy Training Program to supply free, hands-on instruction in using computers, smartphones, tablets and the internet. 

Digital literacy has become crucial to navigating daily life, as so many aspects of communication, employment, finance and health care rely on the use of technology. Without it, older adults can experience isolation or an inability to access critical information. 

“Lack of digital literacy skills for older adults can significantly impact their quality of life,” said Tara Bhardvaj, impact analyst for the Enoch Pratt Free Library. “Especially post-pandemic, we have seen a growing number of services move online. Digital literacy allows older adults to schedule medical appointments, pursue their interests and passions and stay connected to friends and loved ones across the globe.” 

Alice Huang, acting assistant commissioner of community services in the division of aging for BCHD, affirmed this attitude, particularly as the digital world continues to grow at a rapid pace. 

“We know that digital access keeps evolving. Whatever we do to help serve older adults, we know that gap continues to get bigger and bigger as technology keeps changing and moving forward,” said Huang. “We need to keep nudging older adults into the direction of having digital literacy, understanding and being comfortable around digital resources and knowing that more and more resources are being transitioned to the digital space.” 

The Digital Literacy Training Program covers foundational topics, like basic computer skills, internet safety, communication tools, health and wellness apps, and accessing online services, like banking, shopping and government resources. Older adults can take classes at libraries and several centers across the city, including the Harford, Hatton, Oliver and Sandtown-Winchester Senior Centers. 

According to Huang one of the barriers to digital literacy in older adults is the way technology is designed. 

“Sometimes, when we create technology, it’s not always easy to think about the user experience from a wide range of people,” said Huang. “The way technology is created is really for the mainstream masses, and a lot of these resources are not geared toward older adults.” 

She said internet safety is one of the foremost concerns for older adults, as they are more vulnerable to phishing schemes and other scams. In an effort to assuage some of this fear, Enoch Pratt Free Library and BCHD’s Division of Aging are employing digital navigators to support older adults. 

“These digital navigators are going to be a regular presence at our senior centers. They will really get to know the members of the centers; understand their specific concerns and needs; and craft programs, services and education around each center’s specific interests,” said Huang. “We know people in different communities have different levels of comfort. We want to be able to cater to each of those members at our centers.” 

Digital navigators, which are expected to start this fall, will host drop-in hours for older adults to ask questions, raise concerns and receive technical support.

Huang said the city’s senior centers are forging a path to become spaces where older adults can experiment with the internet safely. Recently, her agency purchased gaming consoles for some of the hubs. Currently, it’s working to bring high-speed, fiber-optic internet to all centers. 

“We really hope our senior centers can be that safe environment to try new things, see what’s out there and expand what they can see themselves doing in a tech-savvy world,” said Huang. 

For Enoch Pratt Free Library, digital inclusion is ingrained in its strategic plan. Bhardvaj said the library system is committed to closing the digital divide and will continue to offer digital literacy training to older adults for the foreseeable future.

To achieve digital inclusion, she said older adults cannot be left behind. 

“Digital inclusion allows everyone access to educational opportunities that help individuals acquire new skills and pursue lifelong learning, regardless of their location or background,” said Tara Bhardvaj, impact analyst for Enoch Pratt Free Library. “Digital inclusion aims to bridge the digital divide, ensuring older adults can benefit from the opportunities and conveniences the digital age offers.”

This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBC Universal. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

As Maryland businesses continue to recover from the March collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) and the Baltimore Community Foundation have announced a new grant program to provide assistance. 

The Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Small Business Grants are deploying $5 million to nonprofit organizations supporting small businesses and communities impacted by the loss of the bridge. Interest letters are being accepted on a rolling basis.

“The investment we’re making now is for businesses where the absence of the Key Bridge has either restricted their access to communities or made it more complicated for them to do business with people who would normally frequent those communities,” Mark Anthony Thomas, CEO and president of GBC, told the AFRO. “We’ve put a call out for organizations that actually serve small businesses to send us their best ideas to help impacted businesses.” 

Prior to its collapse, the Key Bridge functioned as a critical connector for regional and national economic activity, particularly for industries linked to the Port of Baltimore. Although the port is now operating at full capacity, the effects of the commerce and transit interruption still linger. The impact has been especially significant for small businesses in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County and Baltimore City communities. 

The Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Small Business Grants are designed to help these enterprises build long-term resilience and to strengthen the local economy. To be considered, nonprofit organizations must have a current or planned footprint in affected communities. Acceptable uses for the funds include providing technical assistance, expanding existing small business grant programs and investing in business districts. 

“There will be many years where we will not have a bridge. Businesses and commercial corridors have to adapt to the impact of that,” said Thomas. “This program eases that transition, and in some ways, it’s an opportunity to make the community stronger.” 

In partnership with BCF, GBC, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, World Trade Center Institute, Anne Arundel Development Corporation and Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development will review grant applications. 

This program builds on BCF’s cash assistance program for Baltimore port workers, which provided one-time payments of $1,000. The foundation manages the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund, which is still accepting donations.

“In the immediate aftermath of the Key Bridge collapse, the Baltimore Community Foundation focused on providing much needed funds to support port workers and their families,” said Shanaysha M. Sauls, president and CEO of BCF, in a statement. “Now in collaboration with regional and statewide organizations, we turn our attention to building resilience and creating growth opportunities in the local impacted communities. We are here for these communities for the long haul.”

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By Alexandra Olson
AP Business Writer

With up to 17 rooms to clean each shift, Fatima Amahmoud’s job at the Moxy hotel in downtown Boston sometimes feels impossible.

There was the time she found three days worth of blond dog fur clinging to the curtains, the bedspread and the carpet. She knew she wouldn’t finish in the 30 minutes she is supposed to spend on each room. The dog owner had declined daily room cleaning, an option that many hotels have encouraged as environmentally friendly but is a way for them to cut labor costs and cope with worker shortages since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unionized housekeepers, however, have waged a fierce fight to restore automatic daily room cleaning at major hotel chains, saying they have been saddled with unmanageable workloads, or in many cases, fewer hours and a decline in income.

The dispute has become emblematic of the frustration over working conditions among hotel workers, who were put out of their jobs for months during pandemic shutdowns and returned to an industry grappling with chronic staffing shortages and evolving travel trends.

Some 10,000 hotel workers represented by the UNITE HERE union walked off the job Sept. 1 at 25 hotels in eight cities, including Honolulu, Boston, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego and Seattle. Hotel workers in other cities could strike in the coming days, as contract talks stall over demands for higher wages and a reversal of service and staffing cuts. A total of 15,000 workers have voted to authorize strikes.

“We said many times to the manager that it is too much for us,” said Amahmoud, whose hotel was among those where workers have authorized a strike but have not yet walked out.

Michael D’Angelo, Hyatt’s head of labor relations for the Americas, said the company’s hotels have contingency plans to minimize the impact of the strikes. “We are disappointed that UNITE HERE has chosen to strike while Hyatt remains willing to negotiate,” he said.

In a statement before the strikes began, Hilton said it was “committed to negotiating in good faith to reach fair and reasonable agreements.” Marriott and Omni did not return requests for comments.

The labor unrest serves as a reminder of the pandemic’s lingering toll on low-wage women, especially Black and Hispanic women who are overrepresented in front-facing service jobs. Although women have largely returned to the workforce since bearing the brunt of pandemic-era furloughs — or dropping out to take on caregiving responsibilities — that recovery has masked a gap in employment rates between women with college degrees and those without.

The U.S. hotel industry employs about 1.9 million people, some 196,000 fewer workers than in February 2019, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly 90 percent of building housekeepers are women, according to federal statistics.

It’s a workforce that relies overwhelmingly on women of color, many of them immigrants, and which skews older, according to UNITE HERE.

Union President Gwen Mills characterizes the contract negotiations as part of a long-standing battle to secure family-sustaining compensation for service workers on par with more traditionally male-dominated industries.

“Hospitality work overall is undervalued, and it’s not a coincidence that it’s disproportionately women and people of color doing the work,” Mills said.

The union hopes to build on its recent success in southern California, where after repeated strikes it won significant wage hikes, increased employer contributions to pensions, and fair workload guarantees in a new contract with 34 hotels. Under the contract, housekeepers at most hotels will earn $35 an hour by July 2027.

The American Hotel And Lodging Association says 80 percent of its member hotels report staffing shortages, and 50 percent cite housekeeping as their most critical hiring need.

Kevin Carey, the association’s interim president and CEO, says hotels are doing all they can to attract workers. According to the association’s surveys, 86 percent of hoteliers have increased wages over the past six months.

“Now is a fantastic time to be a hotel employee,” Carey said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press.

Hotel workers say the reality on the ground is more complicated.

Maria Mata, 61, a housekeeper at the W Hotel in San Francisco, said she earns $2,190 every two weeks if she gets to work full time. But some weeks, she only gets called in one or two days, causing her to max out her credit card to pay for household expenses

“It’s hard to look for a new job at my age. I just have to keep the faith that we will work this out,” Mata said.

Guests at the Hilton Hawaiian Village often tell Nely Reinante they don’t need their rooms cleaned because they don’t want her to work too hard. She said she seizes every opportunity to explain that refusing her services creates more work for housekeepers.

Since the pandemic, UNITE HERE has won back automatic daily room cleans at some hotels in Honolulu and other cities, either through contract negotiations, grievance filings or local government ordinances.

But the issue is back on the table at many hotels where contracts are expiring. Mills said UNITE HERE is striving for language to make it difficult for hotels to quietly encourage guests to opt out of daily housekeeping.

The U.S. hotel industry has rebounded from the pandemic despite average occupancy rates that remain shy of 2019 levels, largely due to higher room rates and record guest spending per room. Average revenue per available room, a key metric, is expected to reach a record high of $101.84 in 2024, according to the hotel association.

David Sherwyn, the director of the Cornell University Center for Innovative Hospitality Labor & Employment Relations, said UNITE HERE is a strong union but faces a tough fight over daily room cleaning because hotels consider reducing services part of a long-term budget and staffing strategy.

“The hotels are saying the guests don’t want it, I can’t find the people and it’s a huge expense,” Sherwyn said. “That’s the battle.”

Workers bristle at what they see as moves to squeeze more out of them as they cope with erratic schedules and low pay. While unionized housekeepers tend to make higher wages, pay varies widely between cities.

Chandra Anderson, 53, makes $16.20 an hour as a housekeeper at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor, where workers have not yet voted to strike. She is hoping for a contract that will raise her hourly pay to $20 but says the company came back with a counteroffer that “felt like a slap in the face.”

Anderson, who has been her household’s sole breadwinner since her husband went on dialysis, said they had to move to a smaller house a year ago in part because she wasn’t able to get enough hours at her job. Things have improved since the hotel reinstated daily room cleaning earlier this year, but she still struggles to afford basics like groceries.

Tracy Lingo, president of UNITE HERE Local 7, said the Baltimore members are seeking pensions for the first time but the biggest priority is bringing hourly wages closer to those in other cities.

“That’s how far behind we are,” Lingo said.

______

Associated Press Writer Jennifer Kelleher in Honolulu contributed to this story.

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The Associated Press’ women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

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By PRNewswire

BALTIMORE, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The HBCU Research CorporationPRNewswire of America is excited to announce the upcoming HBCU RESEARCH AI – TECH Summit, set to take place from September 9th through 11th, 2024, at the Baltimore Hyatt Hotel, 300 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland. This highly anticipated event will serve as an HBCU AI and TECH Think Tank, assembling a distinguished group of leaders from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), major corporations, and the federal government for an essential dialogue on the future of artificial intelligence (AI).

Under the theme “HBCU Innovation for the AI Revolution,” the summit will explore the transformative power of AI and its potential to redefine the way we live, work, and interact. With the world on the brink of unparalleled technological advancements, this summit aims to underscore the critical role that HBCUs play in driving inclusive innovation and equipping the next generation of AI leaders.

“Artificial Intelligence presents one of the most profound technological advancements of our time,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “It has the potential to revolutionize nearly every aspect of our daily lives. As we embrace this technology, we must also ensure that its benefits are shared by all, and that we address the challenges it presents with a sense of responsibility and equity.”

The summit will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including:
-Over 40 leading HBCU Research faculty and leadership officials will speak and collaborate with other HBCUs, federal government and corporations about AI innovation and inclusion.
-Department of Defense (DoD): Senior officials from the DoD will discuss the strategic importance of AI in national security and defense.
-Economic Development Administration (EDA): EDA representatives will explore the role of AI in economic growth and development, particularly in underserved communities.

IBM: Industry leaders from IBM will share insights on cutting-edge AI technologies and the importance of diversity in tech innovation.

These speakers, along with other prominent voices from top HBCUs, corporate giants, and government agencies, will engage in a series of panels, workshops, and collaborative sessions to address the strategic partnerships needed to shape the future of AI.

Sandra Long, Publisher of HBCU Research Magazine and convener of the HBCU Research AI Summit, emphasized the importance of this gathering: “Bringing together these communities is about more than just collaboration; it’s about laying a strong foundation for AI innovation that is inclusive and far-reaching. As the former Deputy Secretary of Commerce for Maryland, Long says that historically, African Americans have often found themselves playing catch-up in the wake of major technological shifts. We are committed to being at the forefront of this next revolution. This summit is a critical step toward ensuring that our voices, our expertise, and our innovations are leading the way in AI.”

Participants will have the opportunity to forge partnerships, share knowledge, and develop strategies that leverage the collective strengths of HBCUs and their partners. These collaborations will be instrumental in shaping a future where AI serves all communities equitably.

The student component of the Summit entitled “Future-Ready: HBCU’s Crafting the AI Leaders of Tomorrow” will bring students from HBCUs together to meet with corporate and federal recruiters.

The HBCU Research AI Summit is open to industry professionals, academic scholars, students, and government officials.

Registration is now open at www.HBCUResearch.com.

For more information, please contact Enoila Akinkumni at (410) 801-6440 or slong@HBCUResearch.com.

About HBCU Research Corporation of America:
HBCU Research Corporation of America is committed to advancing the research, development, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies in partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Through conferences, publications, and collaborative initiatives, we aim to foster innovation and create opportunities for underrepresented communities in the tech industry.

About HBCU Research Magazine:
HBCU Research Magazine is the premier publication dedicated to showcasing the groundbreaking research and innovation emerging from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The magazine highlights the achievements of HBCU scholars, promotes the institutions’ contributions to critical fields such as technology, science, and social impact, and fosters connections between academia, industry, and government. Through in-depth articles, expert commentary, and exclusive interviews, HBCU Research Magazine serves as a vital resource for those interested in the cutting-edge work being done at HBCUs across the nation.

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By Aria Brent 
AFRO Staff Writer 
abrent@afro.com 

In March 2020, as life came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses big and small found themselves struggling to stay open. Challenged by quarantine mandates and remote work, many entrepreneurs saw their companies go under. However, while some business struggled, others thrived. Many were able to take advantage of support made available via government and private funding.

“During COVID a lot of the money was distributed,” said Peter Opare, chef and manager of Open Crumb, a scratch kitchen serving a variety of Black foods. “I saw an increase in my sales because a lot of people in my community were receiving additional government assistance which gave them more disposable income.” 

“Our community– like any community– loves food and loves supporting people. I saw more customers come to us,” he added.

Located in D.C.’s historic Anacostia area, Open Crumb’s  story of increased sales amidst the pandemic is a bit of an anomaly. Opare’s meals caught the attention of residents across the city. In turn, he was afforded opportunities he never expected– but definitely needed to propel his business to the next level.

Although Opare was able to thrive amidst the pandemic, other businesses fought to create revenue and keep their doors open. Long time business owner Julius Lofton Jr., of JC Lofton Tailors, had trouble with consistent clientele throughout the pandemic, due to the increased amount of remote jobs. He spoke to the AFRO on how the pandemic is still affecting his tailoring business today. 

“When the pandemic came and people were working from home, it affected us because people weren’t really wearing suits. It’s still affecting us because people are working from home and don’t wear business attire,” said Lofton. “I knew we had to pivot and we started making masks. It was something to keep money flowing into the shop. However, no one was prepared for everything to just stop the way it did. When LISC came in and talked to me about some additional funding, it really helped.” 

Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) is a nonprofit organization focused on forging resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across the nation.The local chapter of the 501c3  helped bridge the financial gap created during COVID by connecting small, local businesses with Wells Fargo.

“We were thrilled to partner with Wells Fargo to ultimately inject money into small businesses that are critical to the local communities fabric, particularly East of the river,” said Ashley Rosado, assistant program officer for LISC D.C. “We were able to do that in collaboration with the Anacostia Business Improvement District who helped us identify and connect with local businesses who needed the money the most.”   

The Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund has played a key role in broadening the economic stimulation of small businesses. The program has not only helped businesses survive, but also create jobs and expand. Darlene Goins, Wells Fargo head of philanthropy and community impact, discussed the importance of preserving and creating jobs at small businesses.

“Wells Fargo wanted to create a large-scale, inclusive small business recovery effort that focused on helping businesses stay open and preserve and create jobs,” she said. “We took the gross processing fees that we earned from administering the Paycheck Protection Program for the government in 2020 and we put that back into the small business community to the tune of roughly $420 million and we created the Open for Business Fund.”

Lofton noted that the funding from Wells Fargo allowed him to keep paying his employees in spite of the company’s lack of constant business. It was also explained that the support of long-time customers and the community at large helped keep the doors of the historic tailor shop open . 

“We’ve been in business so long that we have a lot of long-time clients and I had a couple of clients that offered me loans because they didn’t want to see us shut down. People brought us stuff to make sure we survived,” Lofton said. 

Opare was also a recipient of the funding provided by Wells Fargo, noting that it helped him revamp his marketing and buy new equipment for his business.

“We upgraded a lot of our equipment that we needed and we changed our marketing. While our neighbors having access to more capital to spend with us was beneficial, we also saw the need to better market ourselves to people outside of our community,” Opare said.

While many businesses nationwide did not receive pandemic funds to stay afloat, National Black Business Month is the perfect time to patronize small Black businesses and stimulate the Black economy. 

“Black businesses tell a story and connect with the community on a different level than large corporations. Small Black businesses are more likely to hire within our community and give opportunities to people that have not had the same opportunities as us,” said Opare. “By supporting Black businesses you’re saying ‘I not only support you as a business, but I support my community because I know that you are within my community.’”

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By Reginald Williams
Special to the AFRO

According to the 2020 Census Bureau, Black men own 55 percent of the majority-owned Black businesses, with 8 percent of Black-owned companies being  co-owned by Black men and women together.

While African Americans comprise approximately 14 percent of the population, they represent less than three percent of America’s businesses. White Americans comprise 59 percent of the population but own 86 percent of the registered companies.

Being a successful entrepreneur is widely promoted as one of the best ways to build wealth– but it comes with challenges– especially for Black men. 

Dr. Nuri Tawwab is a pharmacist and the owner of the Happy Hippo Shaved Ice dessert truck. The truck serves shaved ice at school events, including Parents Teachers Association meetings, daycare, youth sports leagues and at the Prince George’s County Boys and Girls Club. Tawwab is more than a Black, male entrepreneur- he’s a man on a mission, giving back 15 percent of all sales to various organizations in need.

While he plays an important part in his local economy as a business owner, Tawwab says he does face challenges– and most daunting is the issue of employing dedicated workers.

“My biggest struggle right now is getting responsible employees,” said Tawwab, who tries to hire youth from the community. 

Tawwab’s desires to scale his business, but his inability to keep good employees reduces his capacity. His ability to locate responsible employees causes a loss in revenue and earning opportunities.  

“The good employees will eventually leave for school or leave for an internship,” said Tawwab, who established Happy Hippo in 2018. “It’s hard to keep them.”

Black-owned companies typically have four or fewer employees and 58 percent earn less than $100,000. When hiring issues come into play, revenue is undoubtedly impacted.

Beyond marketing, financing and growing a business, Otis Toussaint, owner of Wide Aperture Media, says an additional dynamic that stunts growth is Black people’s persistent tendency to “play small-ball business politics.” This is another way to describe the oft-repeated “crabs in the barrel” mindset. 

Toussaint said smaller business owners can sometimes be slow to support each other, “meanwhile, those in a different tax bracket are saying, ‘Hey buddy, I know this person or that person—let’s connect and make a few million here and a few million there.'”

While some business owners may struggle to hire dependable employees, others say scaling their business can be tricky.

“I’m a disabled, minority-owned business , and I don’t know of many community resources that can help me make my business bigger and better,” said Toussaint, adding that when it comes to marketing and financing, he’s had to do his best to figure it all out as he goes along.

“I don’t have everything figured out– but still, I enjoy the journey,” he said. 

Wide Aperture Media, a photography, videography and media company based in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area, was launched roughly 10 years ago after Toussaint’s military medical discharge.

“My business started as a means of trying to find myself once I was out of the military,” said Toussaint. “In 2013, I was preparing to medically retire. All I knew was military and medical operations, but I had a love for videography and photography.” 

The Trinidad, Tobago-born, Brooklyn, NY-raised photographer admits that receiving retirement income while also working a government job as a photographer and videographer more than meets all financial needs. This allows him to truly enjoy his new career.

“Photography is the thing I do as therapy,” said Toussaint. “I get paid to do therapy.”

While some find a new career by following their passion, others are motivated by different factors—even if the road is rocky.

Edwin Sturdivant, a warehouse coordinator based in Detroit, Mich. never had a desire to work his life away as someone’s employee. Still, he admits he struggles to achieve his entrepreneurial aspirations– and sometimes, it’s because he can’t get out of his way. 

Sturdivant has tried his hand at being an unlicensed freelance electrician, invested money into being a sneaker retailer along with other unsuccessful ventures. Over the years, he has learned many lessons and picked up  many skills. Today, he is confident in one thing: the biggest threat to becoming a financially stable business owner is inconsistency.

“Looking back on it all, I know what the problem was in every situation. I wasn’t consistent enough,” said Sturdivant, describing himself  as “a dabbler” when it comes to his brand of entrepreneurship in the past. 

Sturdivant said in the past he has gotten stuck in a “cycle,” common for some aspiring entrepreneurs. 

“You have one idea that you’re going to do, and for whatever reason, that changes,” he explained. “You might come across new information or you experience some struggles. Then you get a brand new idea, and you start chasing that idea.”

For some Black men, “betting on themselves” is difficult because of a lack of confidence. At least that is what stymied Sturdivant’s ascension. 

Many Black men who own businesses essentially use them as their side hustles to earn additional income. The ability to completely “bet on themselves” via absolute self-employment becomes more complicated when companies provide family health insurance packages and retirement plans.

Still, the right mindset makes all the difference- even when facing an uphill battle towards entrepreneurship. 

“Mindset and consistency. Those two dynamics have affected my trajectory and affect how I view myself,” explained Sturdivant, who wants to become a consultant. 

“More often than not, the imposter syndrome,” he said. “Even when I’m talking about something I know that I know— for some reason, I still feel inadequate because I don’t have the things that other people think I need in order for them to believe I know what I’m talking about.”

While mindset and confidence may serve as a reason why some brothers won’t take that leap of faith in business, another reason is that age-old nemesis—racism. 

“There’s a nasty underbelly of racism where, as a Black man, you wish the things that you’ve done and things you are capable of were based on your merit,” explained Toussaint. “But simply because people don’t see you as good enough or skilled enough— they dismiss you.” 

Still, he added that while racism can play a part in hindering Black men from business ownership, the negative voices on the inside can do just as much damage.

“More often than not, imposter syndrome,” he said. “Even when I’m talking about something I know that I know— for some reason, I still feel inadequate. I don’t have the things that other people think I need in order for them to believe I know what I’m talking about.”

According to Key Insights Counseling, there are multiple things business owners can do to build confidence as they move along the path to entrepreneurship, including learning “the competition and target audience well,” having daily short-term goals and learning “proper time management and organization techniques.” 

The post Black men speak on entrepreneurship in America appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Dom DiFurio

As a small business owner, planning for employees’ retirement may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. To help demystify the process, Guideline compiled this list of introductory tips about 401(k) plans for small business owners using information from a variety of sources, including the IRS and the Department of Labor. There are many different approaches to create a 401(k) plan that fits a company, and while there is no one size fits all approach, this beginners’ guide can help business owners begin to explore options.

Whether it’s a traditional 401(k), a profit-sharing plan, or another retirement plan altogether, defined-contribution plans can provide your workers with more peace of mind about their futures. In fact, some states like Oregon, Illinois, and California have passed legislation requiring employers to allow paycheck deductions for retirement savings.  

A 401(k) may be one of the simplest ways to differentiate your job benefits from peer companies in today’s tight labor market. There are nearly twice as many openings as there are workers looking for jobs, according to July 2022 data from the Labor Department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, so making your company’s benefits more appealing can help with recruitment.

As of 2021, nearly 63 percent of U.S. households—which represents about 82 million Americans of all ages—had either an employer-sponsored retirement plan or IRA. And when it comes to small businesses, 58 percent of workers at companies with fewer than 100 employees have access to retirement benefits, per March 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These plans held assets totaling around $7.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2022, according to data from the Investment Company Institute. 

This guide can help small business owners take part in boosting the ratio of Americans with access to retirement benefits—because planning ahead is good for business, workers, and the U.S. economy.

Types of 401(k) plans

A traditional 401(k) plan gives employees the option to regularly defer a portion of their pre-tax earnings to an account that invests that cash based on parameters they set. The employer can choose to contribute a set amount to plan participants’ retirement accounts or match a percentage of participants’ contributions. A profit-sharing retirement plan also allows the employer to adjust contributions annually depending on business performance.

Those investments grow over many years or until the worker surpasses the age of 59 ½. At this age, an account holder can make withdrawals from the account without penalty—however, any withdrawals from a traditional 401(k) are taxed similar to income.

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that there are more options besides the traditional 401(k). 

A Roth 401(k) plan allows an employee to contribute a percentage of after-tax earnings. When withdrawals are made after age 59 ½, they are tax-free. 

A profit-sharing 401(k) allows employees to defer a portion of their earnings and make retirement contributions, while also giving employers the ability to contribute to employees’ plans each year, including the ability to make large contributions. 

A safe harbor 401(k) requires a minimum 3 percent contribution to all participants, or specified matching contributions of at least 4 percent from employers. This type of plan allows employers to pass most mandatory nondiscrimination testing, which would otherwise need to be completed annually to ensure fairness and equity in the company’s benefit programs.

And an automatic enrollment 401(k) plan operates the way it sounds—automatically enrolling every employee once they become eligible in a plan. It defers a set percentage of their paycheck into their 401(k) plan for each pay period. Employees who don’t opt-out can reduce their annual income for potential tax benefits while also growing a retirement nest egg. These savings can grow even faster if an employer offers a matching contribution.

What to consider when setting up a 401(k) plan

After deciding which 401(k) plan is best for your business, it’s time to set it up. The exact list of required documentation can vary depending on the business and plan chosen, but some of the items include a written plan document that outlines the plan itself, a trust to hold the plan’s assets, a system for keeping plan records, and informational resources for employees eligible to participate. How a business owner decides to roll these out depends on whether you choose to tackle it more hands-on or with professionals.

Financial advisors, institutions, and consultants can be hired to assist with these steps or carry out much of the process for you. Financial institutions often offer paid services to keep track of companies’ 401(k) plans, participants, investments, and distributions, but it can also be handled by the same party administering the plan. Proper record-keeping will be beneficial when the company files retirement plan documents with the IRS each year.

Employers are required to give employees what is called a summary plan description, which outlines the inner workings of the plan, any potential employer matching, and other essential plan details. An employer can also provide information regarding why they chose a specific retirement plan for employees and the perceived benefit over other types.

How to pick a service provider

With operating a retirement account comes fiduciary responsibility and, of course, potential liability. Employers who wish to limit their liability sometimes opt to hire a service provider to handle operations. It’s worth noting, however, that bringing on a service provider doesn’t necessarily free the company from all liability.

When choosing a 401(k) service provider, the federal government recommends first considering the firm’s partners, financial stability, and assets already under management.

The company should also understand how the service provider conducts business. Your small business should be asking itself and prospective service providers: Will the firm handle selecting and managing investment for the assets in the plan? How? Who are the professionals handling the plan? Have they been the subject of any recent litigation? Has the firm?

It’s also recommended that a company keep tabs on the financial institution or retirement benefit professional hired over the lifetime of the contract.

What to report to the government

One of the most advantageous aspects of setting up a 401(k) retirement plan for employees is the fact that company contributions are tax-deductible from business income. And of course, the money that sits in these plans can grow with a deferred tax burden.

But a company is still expected to report some things to the government through an IRS document called Form 5500. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees enrolled in a 401(k) plan are required to file a Form 5500-SF, specifically. You’ll be required to share some basic information about your plan and how many people use it, as well as details about the plan’s assets, liabilities, and income. If the plan for your small business only has one person enrolled, the company should file a Form 5500-EZ.

Some employers will also have to undergo annual testing of their plan to ensure it isn’t favoring employees with higher compensations nor discriminating against employees with lower incomes. The IRS provides a handy checklist for keeping your plan in compliance.

Terminating a 401(k) plan

Need to terminate your 401(k) plan? Retirement plans are intended to be set up and run in perpetuity, but there are times when a business may need to end its plan.

The company will need to prepare for this by amending its current 401(k) plan. Companies should establish a date by which they want to end the plan, stop all contributions, give all account holders affected by the plan’s termination full vesting benefits, and make sure the company can distribute all of the plan’s benefits to participants within a year of the termination date, according to the IRS. Importantly, don’t forget to notify participants about the plan’s termination.

Any outstanding amounts you are obligated to contribute under the plan must be paid prior to termination. You should also be sure to provide notice to affected participants about what to expect should they choose to roll their accounts over to another type of retirement account, such as an IRA.

This article was originally published by Stacker Studios.

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By Mae Anderson
The Associated Press 

A “side hustle” can be one way to try out a new business idea before taking a full-fledged jump.

Nearly one in three Americans earn money on the side in addition to working full time, a Bankrate survey found.

But having a side hustle can be tricky to maintain. And if you’re not prepared, you might be on the hook for unpaid taxes and other headaches. Here are some tips to start working for yourself, even if it is just on the side.

First: Be organized. 

Even if you’re simply turning a hobby into a way to make a few dollars, creating a detailed step-by-step business plan can help prevent problems later. Keep detailed records of all expenses and communication. Downloading an expense-tracking app may make bookkeeping easier.

Second: Keep taxes top of mind. 

Anyone earning over $400 from self-employment must file a tax return. And the IRS requires self-employed workers to file estimated taxes quarterly. It might be worth consulting a tax professional to determine the best tax filing route to take.

Third: Avoid burnout.

Taxes aside, it’s important to figure out how much time you want to dedicate to the side hustle so you don’t get burnt out or overwhelmed. And building a customer base is key: gathering email and other contact information from customers can help you get feedback that could determine next steps.

This article was originally published by The Associated Press.

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By Paxtyn Merten
Stacker Media

As lawmakers raise the bar for accessibility standards online, Americans with disabilities aren’t the only ones who will benefit. Digital accessibility also benefits businesses, boosting revenues and customer satisfaction.

That’s according to a 2023 survey of 1,000 decision-makers and technical/product specialists from U.S. businesses. Respondents widely reported that implementing digital accessibility improved their companies’ performance in major ways—including the bottom line.

Using results from this survey, accessiBe identified the areas where most businesses reported improved performance due to digital accessibility efforts.

Digital or web accessibility, used interchangeably here, refers to creating websites and applications without barriers preventing users with disabilities from using them. Web accessibility guidelines have existed for decades, including alternative text for images, closed captioning on videos/audio, and the ability to navigate a site entirely with a keyboard.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects people with disabilities from discrimination, became a federal law in 1990. Today, that law is widely applied by many U.S. courts to the digital realm. In 2018, the Department of Justice confirmed the ADA’s application to websites, referencing the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines as the standards by which websites should conform under the law. Since then, and as recently as April 2024, the DOJ has repeatedly reiterated this fact.

While some have heeded the call for equality and have taken the necessary steps to ensure their websites conform to WCAG, many more have yet to do so. Close to 96 percent of all the world’s websites have WCAG failures, according to WebAIM, which is part of the Institute for Disability Research, Policy and Practice at Utah State University. With the ADA being a federal law, failing to comply with it can result in fines and potential legal action.

In 2023, the number of web accessibility lawsuits grew dramatically, according to UsableNet’s 2023 Midyear Report on Digital Accessibility Lawsuits.

Accessible websites and apps have the opportunity to open businesses to an entirely new clientele while meaningfully shrinking the digital divide. Keep reading to see how digital accessibility has proven good for business.

Accessibility drives customer experience, retention

About 85 percent of survey respondents called digital accessibility a competitive advantage. A majority also said that implementing digital accessibility directly improved several performance measures, mostly in the realm of customer experience. According to the results, 87 percent said digital accessibility improved user experience for their business, and 79 percent said brand reputation improved. Customer retention, which results in steady and increased profits, improved for survey respondents by 68 percent.

While accessibility in any area is critical for those with disabilities, it typically also improves experiences for people without disabilities. Offering closed captioning on videos, for example, can increase comprehension, memory, and language skills for everyone who watches. Subtitle use is rising even among those who aren’t deaf or hard of hearing, offering just one of many instances where accessibility benefits a wide, general audience.

Fundamentally, acquiring and retaining customers is the basis for maintaining and increasing revenues. Company leaders said their accessibility measures boosted their reputations among potential customers, business partners, and future employees. About 3 in 5 survey respondents said their company requires accessibility in the software and digital products they purchase, meaning digital accessibility is important for securing those customers and revenue.

Accessibility also unlocks a market segment left behind amid rapid technological advancements. In 2021, just 62 percent of U.S. adults with disabilities had a laptop or desktop computer, and 72 percent had a smartphone, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Ownership of each of these technologies among Americans with disabilities trailed over 15 percentage points behind that of those without disabilities. What’s more, 15 percent of Americans with disabilities say they never go online, and just 75 percent go online daily compared to 87 percent of Americans without a disability.

Prioritizing accessibility paves an essential road for the millions of Americans living with a disability, lowering barriers for people to enter the digital world. With heightened expectations for more universal access and better standards, everyone can reap the benefits.

This article was originally published by Stacker Media with story editing by Nicole Caldwell and copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. 

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By Tierra Stone 
AFRO Intern 
tierrastone@afro.com 

And

Lizzie Suber
AFRO Intern
lizziesuber@afro.com

In honor of National Black Business Month, the AFRO asked Black people about their favorite Black-owned businesses. Interviewees mentioned a range of businesses from tea shops to music production companies and hair salons, highlighting the diverse range of ventures that Black people are involved in. Take a look to see if your favorite establishment was mentioned!

“My favorite Black-owned business is Cuples Tea because it’s a nice little set up and a nice little vibe.” 

Essence Stevenson, 25 

Between Jobs 

Baltimore Native 

“My favorite Black-owned business is Surprise Me Gifts because they offer customizations for special occasions like memorabilia for pets, shirts, mouse pads and cups. They have a bunch of different varieties that you can choose from or you can either create something with them to make your special occasion or memories memorable.” 

Angie Stokes, 53

Human resources representative 

Baltimore Native 

“My favorite Black-owned business is my business, Donnadon Productions. It’s a music production company. I produce acts for other artists, take them to the studio and record.”

Donnel Farrow, 67

Retired IT specialist

Philadelphia

“It’s called Sharp Image Hair Studio. I like customer service. I like the fact that when I go get my hair done, focused on me as the client and not everyone else in the shop. You can have great conversations about life.”

Vonda Brister, 58

Special education teacher

Greensboro, N.C.

“If I had to narrow my favorite Black business down to just one, I’d be honored to share my favorite sandwich spot in my neighborhood: Abby’s The Sandwich Specialist in Irvington, New Jersey.

New Jersey is known for our sub sandwiches and deli meats, but I love Abby’s because of how the owner focuses on centering around the community. From delivering to local schools and even halfway houses–it’s clear that Abby’s is more than just a regular deli shop- but a neighborhood staple. And, their Italian hot dogs and pastrami sandwiches are also a plus!”

Jeydah Jenkins, 23

Multimedia journalist

New Jersey 

“My favorite Black-owned business is Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena, Calif. it is the first and only Black owned bookstore in the city.”

Alice Anderson, 74

Retired 

Los Angeles, CA

“I love the coffee shop Archive CLT, it is located in Charlotte, N.C. I love the flavors and the vibe of the shop, they have cool archives from Black history and culture.”  

Jason Sanford, 24

Engineer 

Atlanta, GA 

“As many of us know, the ‘chicken box’ is a staple for Black Baltimore. Chef Saon Brice at Blk Swan is doing it right. I took my dad there for Father’s day, and we couldn’t stop talking about it for weeks. From the crispy fries, to the juicy chicken and the Mambo sauce it’s well worth a trip to Harbor East.”

Megan Sayles, 24

AFRO Business Writer

Pasadena, Md.

“My favorite Black owned business is the Adams Motorsport Park. It is part of my family’s legacy in Southern California. The go-kart track that was originally laid in 1959 is still in use, and the park has grown to include a number of motorsports.”

Ama Brown

AFRO Editorial Assistant

Wilmington, De.

The post The people speak: What’s your favorite Black business? appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO  Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

August is National Black Business Month, a time to celebrate and acknowledge Black owned businesses around the world. 

According to The Annual Business Survey (ABS), in 2021, there were a recorded 161,031 Black-owned businesses in the United States. This week AFRO spoke to the CEO of Pink Leaf Consulting, DeAnne Brookshire, about her entrepreneurship journey. 

AFRO: What does your company do?

DB: My business is a consulting firm, I cater to creative introverts. I do one-on-one consulting, I have digital products. I also do intimate workshops and events. My business targets creative introverts who want to step out of their comfort zone and learn how to confidently show up to, sell products and market their businesses in a way that aligns with their introverted personality and real life. 

AFRO:How did you find your niche?

DB: Well, the funny thing about that is my business started by accident. In my previous position, I was the vice president of sales marketing. And because I’m an introvert and I knew I had to be social, I would host monthly networking events that allowed me to control the menu, the length of time and the invite list. Month after month, I would have conversations with local businesses. I would hear conversations that people were having about businesses– but they weren’t having them with them.

If someone did not show up and did not present well, people would talk trash behind their back and not hire them for the job. I would just hear the conversations that were happening behind closed doors. And in my mind, I thought if someone would just have these conversations with the actual business owner, they could then improve and be making more money in their business. 

At those networking events, I began to probe, ask questions and give them feedback just based on my experience being a director and vice president of sales and marketing. And that actually blossomed into Pink Leaf Consulting. I did that for about a year, and then someone asked, ‘Can I pay you for a one-on-one session?’ and my company was born.

AFRO: Did you have any struggles with starting your business? 

DB: I did not have a lot of struggles with starting my business, but that is because of the background that I had. What I will say, as an introvert myself, is that the biggest struggle is balancing my desire for my solitude with the need to get out to create additional awareness and visibility for my brand and business. It doesn’t matter how great you are, if you’re the best kept secret, what good are you doing?

AFRO:What is your favorite part about being a business owner?

DB: The impact in the Black community. I serve predominantly women and the best thing that I can do for a Black woman is teach her the skills and how to make money. I know that when Black women get skills and access to money, we are going to multiply it. We are going to pour into our communities. We are going to share that information with someone else. 

AFRO:How has owning a business changed your life?

DB: Owning a business has pushed me to my limits and it has pushed me so far out of my comfort zone. It has taught me a discipline that I’ve never experienced before. At the same time, this freedom of time and freedom of location is something that I’ve desired for a very long time. It has had a positive impact on my overall well being. I’m able to do the work that I love without restriction.

AFRO: What is your best piece of advice for someone who might want to start their own business or leave the workforce to become an entrepreneur? 

DB: I would say craft an exit plan. I see so many people quit their jobs prematurely and then end up in a situation where the burnout and the stress really sets in. If you are someone that truly desires to quit your job, have an exit plan. One of the things that I did was put a year and a half plan in place. I made sure my finances were in order. I made sure I had a year worth of money stacked up. I made sure that my job funded the company. That was my first investor. 

This article has been edited for brevity and clarity.

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Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Despite continuing concerns about inflation and economic uncertainty, Black small business owners are more optimistic about 2024 compared to small business owners overall, according to JPMorgan Chase’s 2024 Business Leaders Outlook survey.

Optimism this year starts at home, with Black (77%) small business owners more positive about the outlook for their own businesses, compared to all small business owners surveyed (69%). Those high hopes are figuring into their 2024 projections – 80% of Black small business owners expect substantial increases in revenue and sales compared to 69% of small business owners overall.

“We’re seeing that diverse small business owners are ready to hit the accelerator on growth in 2024 in order to reach their goals,” said Mikal Quarles, Head of Community Business Strategies for Chase Business Banking. “It’s all about access, whether that’s access to capital or opportunity. Through programs like our complimentary one-on-one coaching or Special Purpose Credit Program, diverse entrepreneurs gain access to resources that help get their small businesses to the next level.”

Here are the survey’s top 5 takeaways:

1. It’s going to be a good year

In addition to expressing confidence in their own businesses, more than half (51%) of Black small business owners expressed optimism about the state of the national economy, compared to 43% total small business owners, and 68% are more optimistic about their industry’s performance compared to 63% total small business owners surveyed.

• Increasing credit needs

More than half of Black small business owners (52%) believe their credit needs will increase this year, compared to 45% of small business owners overall. Additionally 57% Black small business owners surveyed expect capital expenditures to increase this year, compared to 48% total small business owners surveyed.

• Inflation is top concern, but not a roadblock

Business owners are still cautious about the state of the economy, with Black small business owners citing inflation (44%), growing sales/revenues (23%) and rising taxes (22%) as the biggest challenges they expect in 2024. They are also more confident and most likely to hit the accelerator in the face of inflation this year.

• Customers are the top priority

Among the priorities for Black small business owners this year, adding new customers (53%) topped the list, followed by retaining current customers (44%). Additional priorities include starting to use artificial intelligence/AI (37%), reducing debt (30%) and increasing/improving employee benefits (30%).

• Focusing on health and wellness

2024 is all about getting your health and wellness in check. Black small businesses are most likely to implement mental health days (42%), also citing increased awareness and education (39%) and added stress relieving activities in the workplace (38%) as mental health strategies for the year.

Things are looking up this year. While all small business owners surveyed were more upbeat about the economy and less worried about a recession compared to this time last year, Black, Hispanic and Latino small business owners expressed the most confidence about the national economy, the performance of their respective industries and their companies’ strength.

For more information on JPMorgan Chase’s Business Leaders Outlook survey, visit jpmorgan.com/insights/outlook/business-leaders-outlook.

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Tipped employees and One Fair Wage, a national advocacy organization, presented the Baltimore City Council with a 400-signature petition in supporting the Fair Wages for Tipped Employees bill on Aug. 26.

The proposed legislation would gradually implement a $15 minimum wage for tipped workers. Employers are currently only required to pay tipped employees $3.63 per hour under state law.

“The reason why I support it, as well as others, is because I believe it’s the right thing to do,” said Councilman John T. Bullock (D-District 9), the main bill sponsor. “It’s about fairness, it’s about equity predictability in terms of wages.”

Ebony Battle, a waitress, talks about how the bill would benefit her.

“I wouldn’t have to wonder if I’m going to make ends meet every single weekend,” said Battle, 28. 

Right now, Battle says she is often “not sure if I’ll be able to pay my rent or eat food.”

Battle emphasized the need for everyone to have access to the bare necessities of life.

“We should have universal basic income and everybody should have access to housing,” she said. “At $3 an hour, that’s not possible.”

Though Bullock says there is support among his colleagues for the initiative, one group has met with council members advocating against the bill.  

“The Restaurant Association of Maryland strongly opposes Baltimore City legislation that would eliminate the tip credit, because of the negative consequences it would have on tipped employee earnings, restaurants and customers,” said Melvin Thompson, senior vice president of Government Affairs and Public Policy at the Restaurant Association of Maryland, a non-profit advocacy organization.

According to Innessa M. Huot, an employment attorney, a tip credit allows restaurants to pay employees less than the minimum wage as long as they earn enough tips to bring them over the minimum wage. 

Thompson claims that “tipped employee earnings would significantly decrease” as a result of the increased minimum wage because restaurants would turn to service charges to cover the higher labor costs. 

“Customers are unlikely to tip on top of service charges,” he said.

Thompson also said restaurant operators may raise menu prices and eliminate jobs to accommodate the new requirement.

The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan organization, found that if the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 an hour, was increased it would raise family income and earnings for most low-wage employees. Though it would give some tipped employees the chance to overcome poverty, it would leave others jobless due to higher labor costs. 

Bullock introduced the fair wage bill on June 24 and hopes there will be a hearing within the next few weeks in the Ways and Means Committee.

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By National Academy of Engineering

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has elected 114 new members and 21 international members, announced NAE President John L. Anderson today. This brings the total U.S. membership to 2,310 and the number of international members to 332.

Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to “engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature” and to “the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.”

Election of new NAE members is the culmination of a yearlong process. The ballot is set in December and the final vote for membership occurs during January.

Individuals in the newly elected class will be formally inducted during the NAE’s annual meeting on Sept. 29, 2024. A list of the new members and international members follows, with their primary affiliations at the time of election and a brief statement of their principal engineering accomplishments.

Dr. Charles Johnson-Bey’s work has influenced the industrial controls for combat ships, cyber resilience in national security, and R&D at major research institutions. As a mentor, professor, and technologist, CJ has influenced not only the continued growth of Booz Allen’s global defense business but also the next generation of engineers.

The driving force behind all of CJ’s pursuits? “I love figuring out how things work,” he says.

This love—and CJ’s impact—have earned him a place in the National Academy of Engineering Class of 2024, representing one of the highest professional honors accorded an engineer. Here, he discusses his journey in engineering and encouragement for the next generation.

Information theory in action

“Technology is just magic until we understand it—then we can use it,” says CJ.

People often think of engineering in terms of specific fields and activities, such as signal processing, system architecture, and hardware prototyping. But CJ has a much broader definition. He calls engineering both “a methodology for problem solving” and “information theory.”

One line of inquiry he follows in engineering and problem solving in general: What information do you need?

“We all know the billion-dollar Mega Millions lottery numbers a second after they’re drawn, but we really would have loved to have known it a day before,” he points out.

Engineering also considers how essential information is conveyed. Take the challenge of getting data to the right people at the right time. “When you look at history, it actually starts all the way back at the African drum,” CJ explains. “Messages were transferred over a distance that nobody even thought was possible during that time.”

Today, conveying essential information rapidly is critical to national security and defense. “Consider how much information we’re all flooded with,” he says. “How do we communicate jointly across the services in a very congested and contested environment?” 

Scaling up to tackle bigger problems

After CJ moved into a management role, junior engineers would often ask him when he stopped doing engineering. “I always reply, ‘Who said I stopped?’”

Evolving in his career, from hands-on engineering to leading teams, entails scaling up and gaining a broader view, he explains. “When you’re junior and you’re just learning, you’re focused on one problem or tool,” he says. “As a leader, you start looking at your clients’ missions—for example, what’s impeding the efficient flow of information through their platforms?” 

Leading teams to look at this bigger picture requires heightened understanding and broader conversations. “You have to elevate your thinking in terms of abstraction, considering all of the different ways you can represent or visualize a problem, so you’re able to communicate with other people in a way they can understand,” CJ says.

This helps leaders assemble the “A-team” that big, complex problems demand. “What kind of issues should we be looking at that we’re not looking at?”

“Say you’re not the expert in an area, but you study a little bit and read a little bit, and you see some of the problems happening in the system,” he continues. “Then you realize you know someone who’s really good in that area. You give her a call and see if she can help.” 

Do your thing and never stop

What do you want to learn? What story do you want your career to tell?

These are the questions CJ asks when people come to him for career guidance, whether they’re colleagues at Booz Allen or students he taught at Morgan State University or met at his old high school, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. “These questions help them identify the skills they need and recognize real opportunities, rather than just chase titles.”

CJ is continuously adding chapters to his own story, at work and in his free time. For instance, he experiments with his 3D printer. He also reads about the physics of comic books and “Star Trek,” pondering questions like, “How do we build the next Starship Enterprise?” And he’s active in gatherings like BlerDCon, an annual event that celebrates black nerd culture while also being inclusive of all backgrounds.

“Don’t keep what you want to do a secret,” CJ encourages. “Communicate what you need. Communicate what you want to do. Share your dreams, and you’ll be shocked how much others want to help make them a reality.”

This is the mentality that drives CJ in his day job at Booz Allen. “There’s a place for you to be who you are and celebrate that, while you’re doing really fun geeky stuff and getting paid for it,” he says. “The world is not short on issues and problems that need to be solved.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

As climate change continues to escalate extreme weather events, like heat waves, hurricanes, flooding and wildfires, it has also magnified the importance of entrepreneurs having a plan in place to withstand business interruptions brought on by unexpected calamities with little to no warning.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently unveiled a new Business Resilience Guide to help business owners prepare. The handbook outlines best practices and supplies templates to help entrepreneurs curb and bounce back from crises.  

“Small businesses are vital to local economies—creating jobs and providing essential products and services, which is why the SBA is committed to ensuring they can survive and recover quickly from natural and other disasters,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman in an Aug. 2 release. “At a time of increasing economic impacts from climate change and natural disasters, SBA’s new Business Resilience Guide equips business owners with the tools and strategies they need to strengthen their operations and preparedness, recover from disruption and build resilience.” 

The AFRO compiled some of the best tips from the new guide below. 

Establishing a baseline

• Begin crafting your resilience plan by cataloging the condition of your business in normal times. 
• Take inventory. Determine equipment, supplies and technology that are essential to your business operations.
• Identify which equipment, supplies and technology are replaceable, how long it will take for them to be replaced and come up with a list of alternatives.
• Think about whether your equipment and supplies can be moved or kept inside for protection in case of extreme weather or whether they would need to be relocated.
•  Make a detailed list of your critical business functions, ordering them from most essential to least. The level of importance will depend on how often you execute each function.
• Consider the results of certain functions not taking place and determine bypasses and adjustments to reduce the effects of disruptions to your operations. 
• Conduct a vulnerability assessment by identifying what threats you’re most likely to be exposed to. Research the frequency and severity of past weather events and natural disasters to inform your evaluation. 

Keeping track of key relationships 

• Maintain a current list of your employees, insurance agent, accountant and attorney with their contact information. The list should be kept digitally and in print.  
• Involve employees in disaster planning. Especially for bigger businesses, employees in niche departments may have more insight into how certain operations may be impacted. 
• Determine how you will check in with employees after disaster strikes. 
• Ensure every employee knows what protocols are in place in the face of disasters. 
• Evaluate your supply chain and determine how unforeseen hazards may interrupt its flow.  
• Make a list of alternative suppliers and include those in areas that would not be impacted by the same disaster. 
• Ensure your suppliers have resilience plans themselves. 

Protecting your resources

• If you can, invest in strengthening your facilities after determining what could be damaged by disasters.
• Try to determine what utilities may need to be turned off to prevent fires during emergencies. 
• Defend your data from cyber attacks. Train your employees in cybersecurity, utilize antivirus software, secure your internet connection with a firewall and hide your Wi-Fi network. 
• Back up your data regularly to the cloud storage or USB drives, but maintain physical copies in case of power or internet outages.

Managing your financials 

• Know the details of your insurance plan. Talk to your agent about coverage limits, exclusions and deductibles as some policies may not cover flooding and earthquakes or business interruptions and extra expenses. 
• Ensure there are no gaps in coverage.
• Regularly update your business records and have an action plan to turn to if your business closes temporarily.
• If possible, reserve three to 12 months of emergency cash or try to acquire a line of credit.
• Discuss extensions on bills during disasters.
• Set up an automatic payroll system and ensure your employees know how they will be paid during emergencies.

The post Small Business Administration preps entrepreneurs for natural disasters with resilience guide appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

CLLCTIVLY, a Baltimore-based social change organization, is working in partnership with the Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) at the University of Pennsylvania to launch a new fellowship program. The Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin Social Impact Fellowship is designed to arm social entrepreneurs with the tools and confidence they need to create social change in Baltimore. 

The first cohort will accept twelve social entrepreneurs who hail from Charm City. Applications are due by Aug. 30, and chosen entrepreneurs will be selected by Sep. 20. 

“This program not only honors the incredible legacy of Dr. Elmer and Joanne Martin but also invests in the future of Baltimore by equipping social entrepreneurs with the resources they need to lead transformative change,” said Jamye Wooten, founder of CLLCTIVLY, in a statement to the AFRO. “Dr. Yanique Redwood, CLLCTIVLY’s scholar-practitioner in residence, is supporting the development of the fellowship and is infusing liberatory leadership principles into the design of the program. We look forward to seeing the innovative solutions and leadership that will emerge from this cohort.”  

The new fellowship will run from October 2024 to March 2025. Each cohort member will be given $2,000 per month to support them while they participate in the program. The fellowship will cover topics, including social impact strategy, business models for social enterprises and the role of digital media in social movement. Participants will also create a capstone project to present to an audience of potential supporters at the program’s end. 

In order to be considered for the fellowship, social entrepreneurs must lead an initiative, organization or project engineered to devise solutions for systemic social issues and challenges. They must also have a strategy to finance their work beyond obtaining grant funding and gifts. 

“I am so proud and excited that the Center for Social Impact Strategy will support this important and historic initiative,” said Ariel Schwartz, managing director of the center, in a statement to the AFRO. “I am thrilled to be working with CLLCTIVLY to provide tools, resources and a learning and engagement platform for the fellows to cultivate their social ventures and fill their own cups.” 

Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin started The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum with four wax figures purchased in 1980. By 1983 they couple had a storefront museum in Baltimore, operating the first African-American history wax museum in the country together as a dynamic husband and wife duo. Today, the Baltimore-based institution maintains nearly 150 figures of prominent African Americans who have made their mark in time. 

The Martins established the museum to fuel interest in Black history, while also supporting community organizations and advancing economic development in the East North Avenue corridor. 

The post CLLCTIVLY opens applications for new social entrepreneur fellowship program appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

The AFRO will host its annual D.C. High Tea on Sept. 7 from 2 – 5 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church.  

Each year the publication hosts the tea in honor of men and women who have significantly impacted the Black community. 

See pictures from the September 7, 2024 event here. Photo credit: Patricia Mcdougall. And the 360 Video here and below.

The AFRO will recognize Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks at the 2024 event, along with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, civic leader and professor Cora Masters Barry and Former D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt. 

“This year’s honorees were chosen due to their remarkable and unwavering service to the D.C. community,” said Diane Hocker, AFRO director of community and public relations. “It’s going to be a delightful tea with lots of high energy. Our attendees will have the chance to network, be entertained and enjoy some delicious food.”

Hocker started planning this year’s tea in December 2023. The event last came to D.C. in 2022, honoring Cathy Hughes, Dorothy Butler Gilliam, Denise Rolark Barnes, Michelle Richardson and Karyn A.Temple. The job of organizing the D.C. tea passed to her after the death of D.C.’s own Edgar Brookins, a beloved member of the community and long-time AFRO circulation and general manager, who orchestrated the inaugural D.C. High Tea years ago. 

“Edgar Brookins was everything. He was ‘Mr. D.C.,’” said Hocker. “He was very instrumental in the AFRO bringing the tea to the D.C. in 2018.”

This year’s tea will be a highlight of the 2024 social calendar, complete with catering from B&B II, great entertainment and of course, the AFRO High Tea fashion show, where participants show off their finest threads and hats. 

Tickets for the 2024 D.C. AFRO High Tea are available for $100 at afrotix.live and the admission price includes a free six month subscription to the publication.

The post AFRO Tea set for return to nation’s capital – See Pictures appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Mae Anderson
The Associated Press

In March, a federal judge ruled that the Minority Business Development Agency, an organization that has helped thousands of minority-owned businesses over the last 55 years, had to begin serving people regardless of race. The agency has since made adjustments to give help to all businesses owned by socially or economically disadvantaged people in obtaining financing and government contracts.

The Associated Press recently spoke to Eric Morrissette, acting undersecretary of commerce for minority business development and leader of the MBDA, about what comes next for the agency. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: How did you come to be the Acting Under Secretary of commerce for minority business development?

A: My mom dedicated her life to public service. She worked in New York City public schools for around 20 years. Every Sunday, my sister and I would help her prepare meals for her students, many of whom didn’t have enough to eat at home. I was inspired by my mother’s selflessness and service, and it helped me recognize there were families that couldn’t put food on the table. For some of those kids, that was the only meal they were guaranteed each day.

Q: How have you seen the agency make a difference in minority communities and for minority businesses?

A: MBDA’s mission is to help create an economy that gives every American the opportunity to build a successful business. There remains a $6.3 trillion opportunity gap between minority and non-minority-owned firms. If we are to out-compete the rest of the world and have the strongest, most resilient economy, it is in our national interest to close that gap once and for all.

Last year, we helped businesses secure over $5.4 billion in capital and contracts. That is up from $2.9 billion in capital and contracts the year before — a nearly 90 percent increase — and it is in large part thanks to our expansion under the Biden-Harris Administration.

Q: Since the ruling came down, what changes have you had to make? What happens next for the agency?

A: MBDA’s doors are open for business and we will continue to serve businesses owned and operated by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals, and we get results.

We are working closely with lawyers at the Department of Justice to weigh all of our options, but in compliance with the court’s order, we have updated our website and client engagement form and established new guidance for our Business Center operators, all while working with them to implement necessary changes.

MBDA, the Department of Commerce, and the Biden-Harris Administration are committed to ensuring that all people in all communities have the resources, access and opportunities necessary to succeed. We are going to keep fighting to close the opportunity gap and keep pursuing the mission Congress gave us.

Q: Has the racial and ethnic makeup of who is applying for programs changed significantly, or is it too soon to tell?

A: MBDA Business Center operators have been very supportive of MBDA. They want to know how they can help, they are committed to supporting their communities, and will continue to do extensive outreach to make sure people know that MBDA is there to provide assistance. To me, that’s the main takeaway while we learn more about how potential clients and Business Centers adapt to any changes.

Something that has been really motivating to me has been the impact of our Business Centers. Our Missouri Business Center played a major role in helping Kingsway Development secure $62 million in financing to purchase a major residential development at the center of the historically redlined district north of the Delmar Divide in St. Louis. Along with helping to uplift the historically underserved neighborhood, the project is expected to create and retain over 300 jobs.

Q: Is there anything you feel like people misunderstand about the agency or the ruling?

A: Ensuring every American has the opportunity to build a successful business is critical to bridging the gap between what America is and what America can and should be.

MBDA was founded in 1969 by President Nixon and permanently reauthorized by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in 2021. It has historically enjoyed bipartisan support. Challenging the constitutionality of this organization questions the value of equal opportunity itself, which is incredibly frustrating and hurtful.

The work we do at MBDA benefits the entire country, not just the individual businesses we serve. When minority business enterprises succeed, our nation succeeds. Our work creating opportunities is not a zero-sum game. It is not about diminishing opportunities for some to give to others.

This work is about expansion. It is about creating a bigger pie with more slices. If the United States closes the opportunity gap between minority and non-minority firms, we would add an estimated $6.3 trillion and 20 million jobs to our economy. That benefits everybody, and it makes our country and our economy stronger.

Q: What do you want people that seek out services at the MBDA to know?

A: I want to make clear that MBDA is open for business. We are going to continue providing the services that have made MBDA a reliable business resource for business owners from all backgrounds for more than five decades. We help businesses overcome the greatest challenges minority business enterprises face, which is access, including access to capital, contracts, networks and markets.

The post Eric Morrissette speaks on what’s next for the Minority Business Development Agency appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

When it comes to defying odds and blazing trails, Windsor Group knows a thing or two about it. Since starting in 2017, the Black, women and veteran- owned business has worked hard to continuously raise the bar in the world of business professional development. 

With a series of services offered including IT, project and program management, management consulting, staff augmentation and many more, the company is on the rise. 

Diedre Windsor, president and CEO of Windsor Group, spoke with the AFRO to discuss her ever-growing business, how it started, the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and the role they played in providing funding opportunities from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to over 58,000 agriculturists. This week, Windsor’s company was listed on the Inc. 5000 list. According to information released by Inc.com, “companies on the 2024 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth over the last three years. They generated 874,940 jobs, $317 billion in revenue, and show where the economy is going.”

Read below to learn more about this Black woman on the move and what she told the AFRO about discrimination when it comes to African-American entrepreneurship.

AFRO: Tell me about Windsor Group. When were you founded and what’s your purpose? 

DW: We registered in January of 2014, but I did not start the business until 2017. In 2016, I quit my job in the federal government. I was working at the U.S. Department of Justice. I left that job and decided to start the business full time. 

We are a professional services firm. Under the umbrella of professional services, we offer IT services, project and program management, management consulting, training, development and staff augmentation. We are 100 percent federal government contractors. 

AFRO: How did you get involved with the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program and what was that like? 

DW: Interestingly enough, in the federal government, they have what’s called a “multiple award schedule.” We’re on the schedule and last year I got a call from a large company that wanted to pursue this opportunity at the USDA. It’s the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program. The program came from legislation 22007, of the Inflation Reduction Act, which required the USDA to provide 2.2 billion in financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who had been discriminated against. You had the national administrator, who was the final decision maker, but also the vendor that would make sure the checks were distributed. You also had the regional hubs and these vendors were responsible for making sure that we communicated this information. 

Our job was outreach and technical assistance. We needed to find the farmers and make sure they understood this information–that this financial assistance was available– and then help them with the application process. The application was 40 pages and that was daunting by itself. But that was our responsibility. They asked us if we were interested. We said “yes” and went forward. 

We ended up being awarded the contract to execute East of the Mississippi River and that was 26 or 27 states, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.There were 43,000 financial assistance awards made and 33,000 of those came from the East Coast. Our technical approach was successful because we were able to get over 58,000 applications. I’m sure some of them fell out for one reason or the other, but we were responsible for about 78 percent of the applications and we were responsible for about 72 percent of the awards that were distributed. The program was a huge success.

AFRO: What does discrimination within the agriculture industry look like? 

DW: It’s the same as what it looks like for me as a small business owner. 

For example, “Mr. Smith goes to the USDA and says ‘Hey, I have 15 acres and I want to do X,Y and Z,’” but then he is discriminated against: He can’t get the loan to do what he needs to do to progress on his land. That can result in him maybe having to sell the land because he has no money to keep it. 

The old saying goes, “You have to have some money, to make some money,”  and sometimes having money just means getting a small loan. You can only do so much borrowing from friends and family. Most of us don’t have friends and family that can lend us the type of money we need to actually get something like that off the ground. 

How are you going to make progress without getting the money that you need? 

There are people who told us they tried to get a loan, but couldn’t. When they didn’t get the loan they needed, they had their White neighbor go in and try to get the same loan. 

The neighbor got the loan. 

The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program addressed all forms of discrimination. 

AFRO: What’s next for Windsor Group?

DW: We’re looking to give back even more. 

For the last two years, we’ve been on the Washington Business Journal list of corporate philanthropists. I feel like the more we grow, the more we can give back. It’s made me think a lot about how I want to give back in the future because right now we help quite a few organizations. 

Right now, we are focused on a lot of veteran organizations. I try to stick to organizations where I know what kind of impact it will have on the person. 

As a Black woman veteran, I know the trials people like me deal with, and I know organizations that support that population. I want to support them, but I also want to support scholarships at HBCUs. I also want to support food insecurity. On the business side, we’re diversified within the government, and right now I’m looking at how we move beyond the government to the commercial space. In order to truly grow and scale, that’s going to take something different and I’m not 100 percent sure what that is yet. 

We’ve been very fortunate because we’ve grown every year. This week, we were notified we’re on the Inc. 5000 list– number 318. This is our fourth year in a row we’ve been on Inc. 5000 and that means that we’ve been consistently growing.

AFRO: Why is it important to support Black-owned businesses? 

DW: I think it’s critical. Sometimes it’s only us helping each other. I’m not saying other people don’t help us, but if we don’t help us—who’s going to help us? Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of great philanthropic organizations and people out there that are helping us because “they don’t see color.” However, for me, it’s important that I help Black-owned companies, women-owned companies and veteran-owned companies.”

The post AFRO spotlight on Black excellence: Meet Diedre Windsor, the Maryland entrepreneur on the Inc. 5000 list appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Alexis Taylor
AFRO Managing Editor

When I think of the power of Black business ownership, I think of the first entrepreneur I met in life: one of my grandfathers, John Arthur “AB” Butts. 

Born to the late William and Courtney Butts on Nov. 28, 1943, my grandfather was a hard working man from Norfolk, Va. – a man’s man, with a big heart. Our paths first began to intertwine when he and his wife, a teacher, snatched one of her 14-year-old science students out of the Virginia foster care system. Together, they stood in the gap and created a family for not only the young lady who would later become my mother, but all of her children as well. 

As a father to three and grandfather to many, my “grandaddy” was the definition of grit and determination. And he never missed a beat. He made no excuses– even when the going got tough.

After studying at Norfolk State University and serving time in the U.S. Army, John Arthur Butts decided on a career. For 25 years of his life he clocked in at Lone Star Cement Corporation, working as an industrial mechanic. And after two decades of loyal service, they let him go.

“The company did like companies do,” my grandmother, Dr. Marionette Butts, said over the phone, in an impromptu interview. Whether the jobs went overseas or just disappeared, John Arthur Butts found himself in a bind.

“Here he was 50 years old, having to start again– start anew,” she said. Then came an idea. 

“He always loved the yard and people would always ask ‘Who did your yard?’” my grandmother recalled. The question then became why not make money doing what he loved- creative landscaping.

“He thought he would try,” she said. “He thought he would start it part time and have a regular job, but he hated it. He was so unhappy- really.”

“He so hated it, he came to me and said ‘I don’t want to do this,’ and I said ‘Either you’re going to walk by faith or walk by sight.” 

So, John Arthur Butts, like many smart men before him, listened to his wife and decided to do the former. By the time I came along, he was known throughout the Tidewater area in Virginia as a craftsman that could make magic with a bit of dirt, a selection of flower seeds and a lawn mower. He routinely received recognition and awards for the designs he created in his yard and the outdoor spaces he curated through his business, Nature’s Green. 

But the journey to successful entrepreneurship wasn’t all roses. Along the way there was a trash collection service, Stubb’s (Butts spelled backwards), and other business ventures with less than favorable results. 

“Before Stubb’s, he and three of his brothers had a canteen truck and an ice cream truck. That was the first entrepreneurial endeavor I knew from my father,” said my uncle, Sohn Butts. “It ran for about two or three years. I remember it was parked at the house because I used to beg them to let me onto the truck.”

Eventually, with consistency and quality customer service, my grandfather rose to become a successful business owner and passed down his landscaping skills down to my uncles. I’ve watched as they have used the landscaping and construction lessons my grandfather taught to survive and even thrive in adulthood. Both are entrepreneurs to this day, while also holding down careers related to education.

“There is always a way to put yourself to work–meaning, everyone has skills that can become a business,” said Sohn Butts, when asked what his father taught him about being an entrepreneur. “What can you do? And how do other people need it or benefit from it?” 

My grandfather died on Nov. 12, 2008. He lived a good life. Still, when I drive through Norfolk’s industrial area, I can’t help but think of him slaving in a cement plant for 25 years, stifling the God-given talent and creativity that lie within because it seemed more secure– until it wasn’t. Then I remember his words to my grandmother, spoken on the other side of his giant leap of faith: 

“If I knew I could make a living like this- a better living- I would have left that job 20 years ago.”

This National Black Business Month, I encourage aspiring Black business owners everywhere to create a plan, evaluate the risks and take the first step toward entrepreneurship. Maybe that means attending a networking event, a workshop for Black entrepreneurs or a seminar to learn the basics of business. If you are on the fence about striking out on your own, don’t let fear of the unknown hinder you! Study, prepare and see what opportunities are available today. The generations behind you are depending on it!

The post The power of Black entrepreneurship appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

LOS ANGELES, CA – The top two leaders of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the nation’s leading public service union, were reelected Tuesday, Aug. 13, to four-year terms.

Delegates reelected President Lee Saunders and Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride by acclamation on the second day of the 46th AFSCME International Convention being held here.

“I am filled with gratitude that AFSCME members have placed their confidence in me to lead our great union for another term,” said Saunders, who was first elected president in June 2012.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the work we have done together — the dynamic organizing, the surge in member activism, the record-setting contracts, the grassroots lobbying, the bold political action and more,” added Saunders, who began working for AFSCME in 1978 as a labor economist.

Saunders said he is ready to lead AFSCME members, who are fired up to win the battles that lie ahead and write the next chapter in the union’s history.

“We are ready in the coming years to keep fighting and winning — starting this fall when we will make the difference in this high-stakes presidential election. I am excited to work with all 1.4 million AFSCME members — the strongest, most fearless people I know — to seize the promising opportunities before us and launch the next great era in AFSCME’s history,” he said.

McBride, who joined AFSCME as the director of education and leadership training in 2001 and began her service as secretary-treasurer in 2017, expressed her gratitude to members for believing in her.

“Thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve as your secretary-treasurer, for the confidence you’ve shown in me in this role, and for the solidarity we show with each other every day,” McBride said. “In partnership with President Saunders, I’m committed to leading our union with integrity, with passion, and with accountability to all of you. And I’ll do everything I can to continue to build strong local unions with all of you.”

The post Press Room: President, secretary-treasurer of AFSCME reelected by acclamation appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) Washington, D.C. — Climate Power is announcing the launch of its Black Engagement Program, dedicated to advancing conversations about the disproportionate impacts of climate change on Black communities nationwide. A key part of the campaign will be educating Black voters about the stark contrast between Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic climate record that holds Big Oil accountable and Trump’s dangerous pro-polluter Big Oil agenda.

For the past four years, Climate Power has worked to lead the climate narrative, protect climate progress, and build the political will for more climate action. This work has meant reaching key groups most impacted by the climate crisis, like Black and Latino voters. Through timely research, polling, earned and paid media campaigns, Climate Power has paved the way to make the connection between climate change and its impact on communities of color. 

With an investment of over $10 million, Climate Power’s Black Engagement Program is running a culturally competent and impactful earned and paid media political communications campaign that seeks to ensure climate change and clean energy issues become a key driver for Black voter mobilization in the upcoming 2024 election. 

“Climate change extends beyond the environment and touches nearly every part of Black life in America,” said Markeya Thomas, Climate Power’s Senior Advisor for Black Engagement. “Black communities have long been the bearers of environmental degradation and climate impacts, and we know that Vice President Kamala Harris has a history of delivering on climate progress, from creating environmental justice taskforces to taking on Big Oil for polluting our communities, and casting the deciding vote for the Biden-Harris administration’s clean energy plan. 

“We want to set the record straight. The only way we can protect the climate progress that’s cleaning our air and water and fighting the climate crisis is by stepping up. Another four years of Trump would be a disaster for our climate, especially for communities like ours.”

According to recent data, 62% of Black voters across battleground states consider climate change and clean energy to be important factors when voting for the next president. Recognizing the urgency of addressing these concerns, Climate Power is committed to amplifying the voices of Black communities and ensuring their priorities are at the forefront of the national conversation.

In addition to the Black Engagement Program, Climate Power launched Climate Power En Acción in 2023, an expansion of its political communications operation tailored specifically to Latinos. These initiatives reflect Climate Power’s unwavering dedication to building public support for strong climate policies and holding climate deniers and their oil and gas lobby allies accountable.

Please visit this link to learn more about Vice President Harris’ climate record.

The post PRESS ROOM: Climate Power launches $10 million Black engagement program aimed at mobilizing Black voters around climate appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Check your freezer. Perdue Foods is recalling more than 167,000 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets and tenders after some customers reported finding metal wire embedded in the products.

According to Perdue and the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, the recall covers select lots of three products: Perdue Breaded Chicken Tenders, Butcher Box Organic Chicken Breast Nuggets and Perdue Simply Smart Organics Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets.

FSIS and Perdue determined that some 167,171 pounds (75,827 kilograms) of these products may be contaminated with a foreign material after receiving an unspecified number of customer complaints. In an announcement Aug. 16, Maryland-based Perdue said that the material was “identified in a limited number of consumer packages.”

The company later “determined the material to be a very thin strand of metal wire that was inadvertently introduced into the manufacturing process,” Jeff Shaw, Perdue’s senior vice president of food safety and quality, said in a prepared statement. Shaw added that Perdue decided to recall all impacted packages “out of an abundance of caution.”

As of Aug. 16, there were no confirmed injuries or adverse reactions tied to eating these products, according to FSIS and Perdue. Still, FSIS is concerned that the products may be in consumers’ freezers.

The now-recalled tenders and nuggets can be identified by product codes listed on both Perdue and FSIS’s online notices. All three impacted products have a best buy date of March 23, 2025, and establishment number “P-33944” on the back of the package. They were sold at retailers nationwide.

Consumers who have the recalled chicken are urged to throw it away or return the product to its place of purchase. Perdue is offering full refunds to impacted consumers who can call the company at 866-866-3703.

Foreign object contamination is one of the the top reasons for food recalls in the U.S. today. Just last November, Tyson Foods recalled nearly 30,000 pounds (13,600 kilograms) of chicken nuggets after consumers also found metal pieces in the dinosaur-shaped products. Beyond metal, plastic fragments, rocks, bits of insects and more “extraneous” materials have prompted recalls by making their way into packaged goods.

The post Perdue recalls 167,000 pounds of chicken products appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Assemblymember Tina McKinnor

Organized retail theft is a significant issue that impacts both consumers and businesses. While it is crucial to address theft and protect businesses from losses, we should also be mindful of safeguarding individuals’ constitutional rights, particularly the right to due process.

AB 1990 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, also known as the STOP Act, raises concerns about the balance between addressing theft effectively and ensuring civil liberties are upheld. This bill allows law enforcement officers to make warrantless arrests for shoplifting offenses not witnessed by the officer, as long as there is reasonable cause to believe the individual committed the crime. This bill has a dangerous potential for overreach and infringes on civil liberties, particularly the right to due process.

While the stated intention behind the STOP Act is to combat organized retail theft and protect businesses, there are valid concerns that this bill is an overreach and that existing law works, if properly enforced by our partners in law enforcement. A petty theft involving property stolen valued at $950 or less may be charged as a felony or misdemeanor (called a wobbler) if the offender has the following prior convictions: 1) at least on prior petty or theft-related conviction for which a term of imprisonment was served, and 2) a prior conviction for a serious or violent offense, for any registerable sex offense, or for embezzlement from a dependent adult or anyone over the age of 65. 

A misdemeanor can result in a sentence of up to one year in jail, whereas a felon can mean incarceration for 16 months, two years or three years. Let’s look at shoplifting in California. It occurs when a suspect enters a store, while that establishment is open, intending to steal property worth less than $950. The crime is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in the county jail.

Granting officers the authority to arrest individuals based on reasonable cause, without witnessing the crime firsthand, can lead to negative consequences and possible violations of individual rights. Probable cause is the legal standard by which police authorities have reason to obtain a warrant for the arrest of a suspected criminal and for the courts to issue a search warrant. A grand jury uses the probable cause standard to determine whether or not to issue a criminal indictment. The principle behind the probable cause standard is to limit the power of authorities to conduct unlawful search and seizure of a person or its property, and to promote formal, forensic procedures for gathering lawful evidence for the prosecution of the arrested criminal. 

Reasonable cause does not require any of this due process and only requires that an officer reasonably believes that a crime has been committed. It is essential to find a middle ground that effectively addresses organized retail theft without compromising the fundamental rights of individuals.

California’s current laws, including the use of witness statements and surveillance evidence are sufficient for addressing suspected shoplifting and organized retail theft. California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently prosecuted Michelle Mack, a suspected organized smash and grab ringleader who paid twelve women to travel around California and commit over $8 million in retail theft at 21 different stores. AG Bonta used California’s current laws to have the suspect arrested and brought to justice.

The State of California is also making significant investments to address retail theft. Just this past year California invested an additional $267 million to combat organized retail theft. It has been less than a year and our law enforcement partners should have the opportunity to address this recent spike in retail theft crime.

Los Angeles County recently applied for and received a grant for the State of California for $15.6 million dollars to address retail theft enforcement. LA District Attorney George Gascon also recently formed an organized retail task force that partners with LA County Sheriff’s Department, Glendale, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Torrance and Santa Monica Police Departments to integrate their response to retail theft across the region. These collaborative efforts, such as those seen in initiatives like the organized retail task force in LA County, demonstrate the importance of a united approach to tackling theft while maintaining a balance between enforcement and civil liberties.

As we move forward, it is essential for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, businesses and communities to work together in finding solutions that effectively address organized retail theft without encroaching on individual rights. Ongoing evaluation and a commitment to thoughtful consideration will be crucial in navigating this challenge and fostering a safe and prosperous environment for all. Balancing the scales of justice to protect businesses while upholding civil liberties demands a comprehensive and conscientious approach from all stakeholders involved.

I am confident we can find that balance.

This commentary was originally published by the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint.

The post Finding the right balance: Addressing organized retail theft while upholding civil liberties appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Baltimore is home to a number of local businesses and organizations providing opportunities and supporting those within the community.

While many programs are geared towards adults, leaders and organizations around the city are  taking the time to pour into Baltimore’s young entrepreneurs– especially when it comes to arts and agriculture.

“The arts a thriving community here in Baltimore, and allows our young people different opportunities to express themselves,” said Jamye Wooten, founder of CLLCTIVLY. “When you spend time with young people you’ll realize they have their own ideas and genius. It’s important to put them at the center of the process and help them with whatever resources they may need.”

CLLCTIVLY is a social change organization focused on fostering Black intelligence, mobilizing resources and funding other Black social change entities. 

Wooten said his organization supports young entrepreneurs through funding opportunities.

Through the Black Futures Micro-Grant, CLLCTIVLY has given over $1 million since 2019 to an array of Black-led businesses, with grants ranging from $500-$25,000.

“Often youth organizations are competing for the same resources,” said Wooten. “We allow them to see each other as resources and begin to partner and collaborate to build a greater capacity within youth-serving organizations.”

In addition to CLLCTIVLY, organizations like the Black Church Food Security Network and Joy Baltimore are also supporting young entrepreneurs on their journey. Read below to understand the work they are doing with youth entrepreneurs throughout Charm City. 

Black Church Food Security Network

The Black Church Food Security Network is an organization of Black churches promoting health, power and prosperity within the Black community. 

“Our organization provides internships, volunteer opportunities and other kinds of strategic partnerships for younger people who have an interest in agriculture and food justice,” said Rev. Heber Brown III, founder and executive director of the Black Church Food Security Network. “We also do workshops to help young people learn about farming.”

Brown said his organization also teaches young people about the intersection of farming and African-American history.

“We have a lot of rich heritage and history when it comes to farming and food,” said Brown. “Unfortunately, this is not something that is regularly introduced to young people in schools.” 

Brown said entrepreneurs in the agricultural space have long been an integral part of making change in the Black community- especially while working with young people during the Civil Rights Movement.

“Young college students and activists went down South to organize as a part of Freedom Summer. Sometimes they would get arrested for participating in civil disobedience,” said Brown. “Many times it was Black farmers who bailed them out. Farmers could put up their property to help bail somebody out of jail.”

Still today, Black farmers and people in the agricultural space like Brown are helping younger generations and providing opportunities for them.

One young entrepreneur who has benefited from the support of the Black Church Food Security Network is Naima Winston, 16.

Winston has a baking business called Cocina Naima, which is based in Baltimore. She started the baking business in December 2019 after appearing on season eight of the “Kids Baking Championship” on the Food Network.

“My mom and I found out about the Black Church Food Security Network and the farmer’s market they held after church,” said Winston. “Once I opened my business I was able to sell my baked goods. A lot of people, every week, would look forward to eating my baked goods.”

She said the opportunity the Black Church Food Security Network provided and the support of the buyers kept her motivated to keep going and participate in more events.

Cocina Naima offers all types of baked goods such as cupcakes, donuts, french macarons and parfaits.

J.O.Y Baltimore 

J.O.Y (Just Our Youth) Baltimore is a grassroots organization aimed at connecting children who are experiencing homelessness with support while working to put an end to youth homelessness. One of the ways it supports Baltimore youth is by helping them start businesses.

“We get a lot of youth who want to be actors and rappers,” said Lonnie Walker, founder and CEO of JOY Baltimore. “What we do is connect them to people who are already doing the work.”

JOY Baltimore has worked in partnership with organizations such as Baltimore Center Stage, a performing arts theater, and introduced youths to celebrity makeup artists and local musicians.

“Over the last ten years, we’ve had 15 people who have become successful in entertainment,” said Walker.

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By Frances Murphy “Toni” Draper 
AFRO CEO and Publisher

I have been an entrepreneur for most of my life. My foray into business did not begin when I was elected president of the AFRO-American Newspaper in the mid-1980s. In fact, my entrepreneurial career began at the ripe old age of nine, when I passionately sold the most Girl Scout Cookies in my troop. It continued with the help of my brother, Jimmy, as we developed a robust AFRO paper route in our Hanlon Park neighborhood when I was 12. We were quite the partnership—he threw the papers on the porch, and I collected the money. Of course, we counted it together every week, put aside the cost of the papers and split the profit. It was a lucrative business for a pair of siblings who had not yet reached their teen years. Eventually, we “outgrew” our paper route, but my interest in business did not wane.

When I was in high school, my cousin Betty, her neighbor Adrian and I decided to join Junior Achievement (JA). I don’t even remember how we found out about Junior Achievement, but there we were, three Black teens from Bentalou Street in West Baltimore, traveling nearly five miles every week to Harford Road in Northeast Baltimore on a Tuesday night to learn about business and entrepreneurship. I still remember our first JA meeting when the three of us walked into the room. You could hear a pin drop. We were the only Black students there, and we didn’t know whether to sit down in the hard wooden chairs or run back to Adrian’s well-worn station wagon as fast as we could. After all, this was Harford Road in the mid-1960s. We chose to stay, and remained active JA participants for two or three years.

Much to our delight and surprise, we were warmly welcomed into the group. Most of the other teens were friendly, and the adult leaders encouraged us to participate fully. We were taught about money management, banking and credit, investing, starting a business, branding and marketing. Most of all, we were encouraged to think creatively and develop new ideas. But it wasn’t all classroom learning. Each of us had to formulate a business plan for a new product or service. I don’t remember what Betty or Adrian came up with, but I decided to make name bracelets—taking individual letters, stringing them together to make someone’s name, and then selling them. We also learned about principled leadership and business ethics– and we were only 16!

As we grew our understanding of the business world, the Junior Achievement mentors also held a speaking contest, which was a highlight for me. Now, some may wonder what that had to do with business, but for me, it was transformative. I had participated in a declamation contest in junior high school (yes, it was called junior high), but for the most part, I shied away from the public speaking spotlight. But here I was, all the way in Northeast Baltimore, learning about entrepreneurship, sales and public speaking. Each of us had to talk about our product, our pricing strategy, our sales, our customer base and how we planned to make a profit. We had five to seven  minutes to convince the “audience” that our product was the best. 

My fellow Junior Achievers had all kinds of interesting and innovative products, and I had name bracelets, which –to me– paled in comparison. Well, I thought, if my grandfather could “sell ice to an Eskimo,” as he claimed, then surely, I could sell beautiful, one-of-a-kind, economical, colorful name bracelets to my fellow Junior Achievers. And sell I did! In exactly six and a half minutes, I made bracelets sound like the best thing since sliced bread. I won the contest, which earned me a trip to the regional competition. I didn’t win the regional competition, but I learned a valuable lesson about business: When you have a good product or service that meets a perceived want or need, confidently presenting yourself and your company is crucial. So, I not only won the contest, but nearly every person in the room purchased bracelets.

Like many organizations founded in the early 20th century, JA was not always diverse, especially in its early years. Initially, the organization catered predominantly to White youth, reflecting the broader social and racial dynamics of the time. The integration of Black teens into Junior Achievement programs occurred gradually, largely in response to the Civil Rights Movement and changing societal norms in the United States. The inclusion of Black teens in Junior Achievement began to take shape more significantly in the 1960s and 1970s, as the organization sought to become more inclusive and reflective of the diverse communities it served. JA helped me develop my love for business and understand the power of entrepreneurship.

As James Bridgforth notes on page A4 of this edition, “The narrative of African American economic power is often overlooked or underestimated, overshadowed by persistent disparities and historical injustices. However, to truly grasp the impact and potential of this economic force, one must recognize its depth and breadth across various sectors—from entrepreneurship and consumer spending to workforce participation and investment.”

This August, as we celebrate National Black Business Month, we continue to highlight the contributions of Black-owned businesses to the economy and our role in promoting equity and diversity. 

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO American Newspapers CEO and publisher, was recognized on Aug. 9 for being a powerful leader and making a positive difference in the community.

The William and Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to improve equity in underserved communities, recognized Draper with the Featherstone Changemaker Award during their annual award ceremony.

“I’m a product of so many change-makers that have done amazing things. I’m representing all of them tonight,” said Draper at the Featherstone Awards, held at the University of Baltimore. “I’m humbled and honored to receive the award and I am proud of the Featherstone Foundation for all the work they’re doing.”

Draper has been a leader throughout Baltimore for decades. She served on Morgan State University’s Board of Regents for 24 years and is the chair of the board of the AFRO American Newspapers, which her great-grandfather founded in 1892. She previously served as president of the company from 1987 to 1999.

During the ceremony, the Featherside Foundation awarded 27 college scholarships to help students begin or complete their higher education endeavors. The scholarships were awarded through the foundation’s $80,000 scholarship fund.

Previous winners of this award include Alicia Wilson, co-founder of the Black Philanthropy Circle; Catalina Rodriguez, director of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs; Monica Mitchell, co-founder of the Lillie May Carroll Jackson Middle School; and Pamela King, senior program manager of the Open Society Institute of Baltimore.

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By Deyane Moses,
Special to the AFRO

The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) has officially returned to Baltimore for its annual conference, taking place Aug. 13-16 at the Hilton Camden Yard.  The event gathers museum professionals, historians and community leaders to explore the profound impact of African-American history and culture on the nation.

Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson is a visionary leader dedicated to preserving and elevating African American history and culture. As president and CEO of AAAM, she continues the organization’s legacy as a powerful force for change. Her expertise in museum management, coupled with her unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion, has resulted in significant growth and impact for AAAM.

“Maybe in the last six months or so, our registration has skyrocketed to over 700 attendees for the conference! This is a huge milestone for us. Our membership since I’ve been hired has gone up by over 270 percent. So we’re on a trajectory that we’ve never seen before,” said Dr. Coleman-Robinson.

This year’s conference theme, “Acknowledging Legacy, Fostering Progress,” marks a dual celebration. It commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act while placing a spotlight on Maryland’s rich African American heritage.

“We couldn’t imagine hosting this conference anywhere else but Maryland,” says Dr. Coleman-Robinson. “The state is steeped in history, from the legacy of Thurgood Marshall and Brown v. Board of Education, to the pivotal role of Morgan State University in civil rights activism.”

Attendees can experience dynamic programming, including engaging sessions, workshops, and keynote addresses. One highlight will be a panel hosted by Afro Charities titled “Reimagining Historically Black Institutions in the 21st Century.” The panel, set for Aug.16 inside of Key Ballroom 10 at the Hilton at Camden Yards, will look at how these institutions have adapted to continue their missions of equality, justice and equity.

The discussion will include directors from the Afro Charities, The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, The Banneker-Douglass Museum and the Eubie Blake National Jazz and Cultural Center.

Dr. Coleman-Robinson is excited about the distinguished speakers that have arrived in Baltimore for the conference.

“We’re honored to welcome Dr. Carla Hayden, as she concludes her tenure as the Librarian of Congress, as our opening plenary speaker. She will receive the Dr. John E. Fleming Award. Additionally, we will present the John and Marjorie Kinard award to Robert G. Stanton, the first and only African-American director of the National Park Service. And to top it off, we’ll have the incredible musical talents of Sweet Honey in the Rock and Raheem DeVaughn.”

Beyond the inspiring speakers and thought-provoking sessions, the conference will also feature an exhibit hall showcasing the latest museum technology and resources.

Reflecting on the significance of the gathering, Dr. Coleman-Robinson shared, “This conference feels like a much-needed homecoming and family reunion for our members. We share common challenges and triumphs, and coming together creates a safe space to connect, recharge, and return to our work with renewed purpose.”

For more information on registration and the conference agenda, please visit the AAAM website at www.blackmuseums.org.

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By Ariyana Griffin
Special to the AFRO

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture has unveiled a new exhibit, titled “iWitness: Media and the Movement.” 

The exhibit comes during the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and commemorates the Maryland activists, community leaders and organizations that shaped the Civil Rights Movement via radio, television, photography and as members of the Black Press.

“We thought it would be very befitting to have an exhibit that becomes something that commemorates the 60th anniversary to the passing of the Civil Rights Act. This [exhibit] is inspired by that act, and it is the lens through which we examine the impact of media on the Modern American Civil Rights Movement,” said Robert Parker, the museum’s chief curator and director of interpretation, collections and education.

Visitors are met with wall to wall pieces of archival history and photos of numerous sit-ins, protests and other historic events from the Civil Rights Movement which were documented by the Black Press. 

Various figures, such as Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Lillie May Carroll Jackson, Victorine Q. Adams, Walter P. Carter and Kelson “Chop-Chop” Fisher are highlighted for their significant roles in the progression of the movement. Each figure has a photo next to their individual section explaining their hand in history. 

“Pauli Murray and Thurgood Marshall, and of course Gloria Richardson, Robert Houston–these individuals are all Maryland natives whose legacies are still something we study, lift up and welcome,” said Parker. 

The museum offered a free community day on Saturday, Aug. 10 for attendees to browse the new offering and the other permanent exhibits in the museum. 

“I came to see the new exhibit, ‘iWitness: Media and the Movement,’ [because] the museum holds something integral to today’s society. Everyone should come down and visit it,” said Karen Brown. 

Bridgette Bullock told the AFRO she was interested in seeing the Black history preserved on record by the Black Press.

“Most of our history [was] erased,” she said. “If we didn’t record it ourselves and prove that we were there, that we created these things– or it was a part of our movement–then it would never be in our history.” 

“We continue to record our own history for our children and grandchildren to see that we actually documented our own history,” said Bullock.

The exhibit shines a light on important dates and events in Maryland history, such as the desegregation of the Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in Baltimore. The park, which featured a prized carousel, was officially desegregated on the same day as the March on Washington, August 28, 1963. 

“iWitness: Media and the Movement” also uplifts the work and sacrifice that students at HBCUs, specifically Morgan State University have done to fight for the progression of society. Throughout the exhibit, visitors will enjoy a plethora of materials from the archives of the AFRO-American Newspapers.

Several events will be linked to the exhibit throughout its duration on display at The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture, Aug. 8, – Sept. 1, 2025. The museum is open Monday and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, visitors are able to enjoy the museum’s offerings from 12 p.m.  to 5 p.m.

The latest exhibit includes an interactive portion, where visitors are able to think about some of the ways media shapes society today. Attendees are also implored to use their voices to speak out about injustices on available platforms. 

“We invite our visitors to sort of a call to action,” said Parker. “We have some reflective questions that we think are thought provoking and very contemporary–questions that have relevance [and] emotional connection to what’s going on right now today.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com

As the newspaper looks to its next chapter, the crucial succession question looms: Who can build on its powerful legacy?

It all started in 1892 when John H. Murphy Sr., a formerly enslaved man, borrowed $200 from his wife, Martha Elizabeth Howard Murphy to purchase a printing press for what would become the legendary AFRO-American Newspapers. What began as a church circular quickly became a vehicle for advancing Black rights and economic empowerment.

After Murphy’s death in 1922, his five sons took over, tasked with providing wages for their five sisters. Carl Murphy became editor and publisher. The family business has endured ever since and is set to celebrate its 132nd  on Aug.13.

Today, the newspaper is a media company, also known as AFRO News, with offices in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, the great-granddaughter of Murphy Sr., sits at the helm as publisher and chairman of the board. Still, she said the crucial question of who will serve next is never too far in the distance.

“It’s an ongoing discussion,” Draper says. “There are a whole lot of people who have legal and stockholder interest in the company. But succession is always at the forefront, because we don’t want it to be left to happenstance or chance.” 

Honoring the vision 

One thing is clear to Draper: The next successor must uphold the newspaper’s original purpose, which John H. Murphy Sr. outlined in a letter to his five sons two years before his death. 

He wrote: “A newspaper succeeds because its management believes in itself, in God, and in the present generation. It must always ask itself: whether it has kept faith with the common people, whether it has no other goal except to see that their liberties are preserved and their future assured; whether it is fighting to get rid of slums to provide jobs for everybody; and whether it stays out of politics except to expose corruption and condemn injustice, race prejudice and the cowardice of compromise.” 

This charge has changed slightly over time, as readers have turned to the AFRO for endorsements of political candidates in addition to church and community happenings.

At present, the AFRO is a privately-traded C corporation. The vast majority of its nearly 100 shareholders and 17-member board are family members. Ownership has resided with the family since its inception in 1892.

Blending institutional knowledge with outside perspectives

Draper took over the AFRO in 2018 from John J. Oliver, who served as publisher and chairman of the board for 34 years. Oliver, great-grandson of John H. Murphy Sr., never intended to lead the AFRO, although he, like most family members, grew up working in the family business. 

The emergence of the personal computer led him back to the company. Oliver recognized that the AFRO would need to embrace the digital revolution in order to compete. Gone were the days of linotype and teletype machines.

When it came time for Oliver to step down, he says there wasn’t a formal blueprint for Draper to take over. 

“There wasn’t any real plan,” Oliver says. 

Adding that “the younger generations caught on to the importance of taking advantage of digital opportunities quickly,” while also “exploring new ways in which they could radically change what we, historically, expected to be the way a newspaper is run.” 

Kevin “MPECKABLE” Peck, vice president of marketing and technology for the AFRO, and Savannah Wood, executive director of the company’s philanthropic sister company, Afro Charities, are the great-great-grandchildren of John H. Murphy Sr. Several other fifth-generation members are involved via the AFRO board.  

Both Peck and Wood oversee operational areas that will be key to the future of the media company, according to Draper. 

Peck leads the company’s technology strategy, while Wood maintains the paper’s extensive archival collection, featuring nearly three million photographs, thousands of letters, rare audio recordings and other ephemera such as the program dispersed at the funeral of Shirley Parker, found dead in the fountain of the lake at Druid Hill Park Reservoir in 1968. 

“A strength that Savannah and Kevin have is they didn’t do their entire careers at the paper,” Draper says. “They bring other experiences and they have ideas around what may appeal to their generation and the next.” 

Draper, too, did not spend her entire career at the AFRO. She worked as an educator, stockbroker and preacher. She grew up working in the newspaper’s editorial department.  

Peck has years of experience in the music business, serving as the long-time manager of notable acts like Dru Hill. Peck came to the AFRO to support his mother, Draper, as she took over as publisher. He continues to work with musical artists today, but much of his focus for the publication centers on leveraging emerging technologies to streamline the AFRO’s operations and content delivery.  

Wood worked with various arts and humanities organizations in Chicago and Los Angeles before her arrival in 2019. She was initially the AFRO’s archives director. Shortly after becoming executive director of Afro Charities, management of the archives was transferred to the nonprofit partner. 

Wood and Draper underscored the importance of the next successor being committed to supporting the preservation of the archives. 

“The archives tell the story of the newspaper company, but also the broader story about world history through Black perspectives,” Wood says.

Peck said his mission at the AFRO has been taking it from the closet to the cloud, migrating elements of the company’s operations and data management to cloud-based platforms. He was instrumental in the company’s recent launch of the Digital Billboard Network (DBN). The AFRO’s DBN delivers original content to onsite screens at heavily trafficked community gathering spots like restaurants, barbershops, gyms and auto repair shops. 

“The mission and the history and the shoulders that I stand on cannot be ignored. I have to impact the business in a way that’s never been done before,” said Peck. “I have to use all of my entertainment and marketing knowledge to make sure there’s not a Black person that doesn’t know the name of the AFRO.” 

Peck acknowledged that he has considered how he would run the AFRO if he were chosen as the next successor. If he did get the call, he would take the position. 

“I would have to. It would be destiny,” Peck says. “It would feel like everything up to that point prepared me for that next level.”

The ideal next leader

The successor needs to be able to sustain the newspaper’s historical identity and integrity while generating a roadmap for the company’s future, according to Max Hughes, senior manager, Deloitte Transactions and Business Analytics LLP, who specializes in privately-held and family-owned businesses. Picking the right person, he says, is important to keeping public trust and confidence in the legacy business.  

“The right successor has to be a really special person, especially in a business like a newspaper where it’s a more public leadership role,” Hughes says. “You have this foundation and reputation and all of these things you’ve sustained on, and you have a great obligation to match that expectation.”

Micaela Saviano, a partner at Deloitte Tax LLP who specializes in succession planning, said though expectations within a family business can be high, a successor can draw in help from other sources. 

“The next generation doesn’t need to fill the shoes of their predecessor fully. You can supplement with external advisors, other family members, non-family executives, and the board,” Saviano explains. “There are a lot of folks to rely on beyond that one individual.” 

Draper said when it comes to her successor, she has several parameters in mind:

“They either need to have knowledge of trends in the industry or the ability to access that knowledge. They must be able to successfully navigate relationships with readers, policymakers, leaders, advertisers and employees,” she says. “You need someone who understands business, and it doesn’t hurt to have someone who is either technologically savvy or has an appreciation for changing technologies.” 

This article was originally published by The Exchange.

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By B. M. Phillips IV
AFRO President

August 13 marks 132 consecutive years of publishing for the AFRO-American Newspapers, founded by John H. Murphy Sr. in 1892.

Determined to succeed, at the age of 51, Murphy, a father of 11, borrowed $200 from his wife, Martha Howard Murphy. With their children’s support, a historical journey began that continues today with fourth, fifth and sixth-generation family members.

Just one month before striking into the publishing business, Murphy’s youngest son, David Arnett Murphy, also known as “D. Arnett,” was born. On July 9, 1892, his birth completed what would become the second-generation owners of the AFRO.  Collectively, they set the standard of commitment, ensuring the company’s success and the pursuit of fairness and equality for Black Americans. They also supported other like-minded publishers.

When the founder died in 1922, his children embarked on an expansion that saw the company spread their offices north and south, growing to 13 editions. The AFRO became one of the largest Black publications in circulation, with over 200 employees —many of whom were unionized. Its printing press ran every day of the week except Sundays. 

The company dispatched seven correspondents (including the first Black woman) to the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II to report the news. Their accounts are documented in the book “This is Our War,” which was released in a special reprint last year to mark the 75th anniversary of the desegregation of the United States Armed Forces.

Dr. Frances Murphy Draper, CEO and publisher, states in the foreword of the book that “Today, as lawmakers across the United States attempt to minimize and rewrite Black history, it becomes even more important for us to document and share our own stories.

‘This is Our War’ does just that by highlighting the triumphs and challenges Black soldiers faced. In their own words, AFRO journalists provided intimate details, including names and addresses of servicemen they encountered. In some cases, messages to loved ones at home were included.”

The paper has always been on the front line, battling racial inequality and afflictions threatening our readers.  Shining a light and advocating for better conditions required that the company be financially independent to ensure its message could not be tainted or silenced.  It became apparent that advertising revenue was critical to funding these efforts, and the addition of a sales team allowed the AFRO to augment circulation dollars and achieve its goals.

D. Arnett Murphy’s accomplishments are particularly noteworthy in these efforts. He began his career with the newspaper at the age of 13. He worked for the company for 66 years. 

His early roles included bookkeeper, pressman, linotype operator, makeup man and reporter.  At one point, he ran a sports event called AFRO Marathon, but ultimately, he discovered that advertising was his specialty.  

As director and vice president of advertising, his team fueled revenue growth during his tenure.  In support of AFRO offices throughout the eastern seaboard, he invested in his teams by holding sales meetings and conferences to share initiatives and train current and new employees to be successful. 

By partnering with similar publications across the country, a stronger pitch could be made to increase revenue.  In 1940, D. Arnette Murphy was elected vice president of the Eastern District during the initial formation of what is now the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). Today, NNPA represents more than 200 Black-owned newspapers, both in print and digital formats.

In 1944, he organized and served as president of the Associated Publishers, a national advertising agency representing 35 other weekly newspapers at the time.

A key figure in the company’s management, D. Arnett Murphy was also a stockholder, voting trustee and a member of the board of directors until his death in 1972. He retired from day-to-day operations in 1963.

As reported by his niece Elizabeth “Bettye” Moss, he was Dubbed “Chief,” “Mr. Arnett”or simply “D.A” by associates and friends. He was an avid reader and an interesting conversationalist, known for his love and concern for people.

His impact extended beyond his dedication to the company, and he was proud of his role in integrating Baltimore City’s public golf courses. Along with other members of the Monumental Golf Club and the Citizens’ Civil Rights Committee, the AFRO executive responded swiftly to being denied entry to one of the public courses and helped finance the court suit that opened the public links to all in 1948.

D. Arnett Murphy was a life member of the NAACP and served on the board of Advance Federal Savings and Loan whose mission was to help African Americans secure loans and build their credit.

Like his younger brother Carl J. Murphy, D. Arnett Murphy didn’t have any sons. He and his wife Sadie Clark Murphy had three daughters Mae E Dyson, Virginia Murphy and Arnetta Lottier who followed in the footsteps of his generation working at the paper and lending their talents as members of the Board of Directors.

As noted in the article announcing his death, he had a great love for Grace Presbyterian, where he served many years as trustee and had been a member for 50 years.   

So, as we blow out the candles for another year, let’s not forget those who got us here— people like, D. Arnett Murphy, the youngest member of my great-grandfather’s sons and daughters.  

B.M. Phillips IV is the current president of the AFRO and is great-grandson of the founder, John Henry Murphy Sr. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

CLLCTIVLY, an ecosystem builder for social impact in Greater Baltimore, hosted CLLCTIVGIVE for the sixth time on Aug. 9. The annual 24-hour crowdfunding campaign, which encourages Baltimoreans to support Black nonprofits and businesses, raised $1,123,723 for 119 Black-led social change organizations. 

African-American business owners and nonprofit leaders face unique challenges in securing capital and other resources to sustain their organizations. This annual day of giving enables them to gain no-strings-attached funding that can help them grow and scale their work across Baltimore. 

“Social change organizations, whether for-profit, nonprofit or community-based organizations without a legal struggle, are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities,” said Jamye Wooten, founder of CLLCTIVLY. “These organizations are on the ground, making a meaningful impact, but Black-led organizations often go underfunded. By mobilizing resources, CLLCTIVLY not only supports but also amplifies their efforts, ensuring they have the tools and funding needed to create lasting change in our communities.” 

CLLCTIVGIVE fittingly coincides with National Black Philanthropy Month and National Black Business Month. In addition to the donation drive, the campaign included several events for Baltimore’s Black entrepreneurs, including the Black Business Quest, Made in Black at Made in Baltimore and Black and Social at R. House. 

One participating entrepreneur was Melva Harris of GentleMoonBell. Harris, who moved from New York to Baltimore a year ago, started her gently-made plush toy brand in 2014. 

“When I was younger, we couldn’t afford stuffed animals and toys. My mom and I lived in a shelter,” said Harris. “She used to sew and fabricate. When she died, I got all of her stuff, and I started sewing.” 

Harris, who also works for Made in Baltimore, plans to settle down in Charm City and continue to expand GentleMoonBell. She emphasized the importance of buying Black and local. 

“If you keep your money within the Black community, the community will give back to you in turn. It’s possible,” said Harris. “I see it every day when people come into Made in Baltimore and search for Black-owned businesses.” 

Another participating business owner, Randy Lewis, did not initially plan on becoming an entrepreneur. The West Baltimore native had dreams of becoming a veterinarian before he discovered how much schooling the profession required. 

“I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I’ve been growing my beard since I was 20,” said Lewis. “I was buying stuff from the store that was breaking me out and eating my hair up. That’s what prompted me to start my own brand.” 

Lewis launched Five O’ Clock Co. out of his home in 2017, using herbs from his garden to craft organic beard and body care products. His wares include handmade beard wash and conditioner, balms and oils, as well as whipped body butters, lotions, bar soaps and face oils. 

In 2024, Lewis purchased his first production facility in Baltimore’s Old Town Mall. Next on the docket is acquiring a brick-and-mortar store to sell not just his products but those from other local Black-owned businesses too. 

“It’s super important to not only buy local and from small businesses but also Black-owned businesses in particular. There are so many thriving throughout the city,” said Lewis. “You could be helping to make sure that someone’s family has food on the table. A lot of us solely rely on our small business. It’s important for the community to pitch in and keep us thriving.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Montgomery County Planning Board has submitted its updates to the county’s Growth and Infrastructure Policy (GIP) for 2024 to 2028. As of Aug. 1, it is now in the hands of the Montgomery County Council for review. 

The policy, which is revised every four years, is designed to ensure county infrastructure, like roads and schools, is sufficient to support growth and new development. 

“The GIP is vital to ensuring the county is meeting the evolving needs of a growing and diverse population,” said Jason K. Sartori, planning director for Montgomery County, in a statement. “We have shifted from a growth policy decades ago that was appropriate as farmland was converted into neighborhoods, to one that complements the infill and redevelopment of maturing neighborhoods, major employment centers, town centers and downtowns that we see today.” 

The top recommendations for the GIP include: extending a 50 percent impact-tax discount to developers who construct single family homes 1,800 square feet or smaller, exempting development projects that transform office space into residential units from impact taxes and exempting three or more bedroom households from school and transportation impact taxes. 

The planning board also suggested that the county conduct a Local Area Transportation Review for an upcoming development project that’s expected to generate heavy traffic and forgo transportation mitigation requirements during the construction of affordable housing units. 

“Our recommended updates to the growth policy ensure the county can continue to strengthen economic development opportunities while supporting transportation networks and school communities with the infrastructure needed to meet expected population and employment growth,” said a statement from Artie Harris, chair of the planning board. “The recommended GIP update is forward-thinking by aligning with the county’s goals of promoting housing for all, achieving racial equity and social justice, fighting climate change and harnessing economic development tools to create thriving communities.” 

The Montgomery County Council will host a public hearing for the GIP on Sep. 10. Residents can sign up to testify at the meeting on the council’s website. The policy must be approved by November 15 under county law. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb has sued leading online ticket exchange and resale company StubHub, accusing the platform of deceptive pricing. The civil suit was filed in a D.C. trial court on July 31. 

Schwalb accused the company of engaging in “drip pricing,” a strategy where companies initially market a low price to attract consumers and later disclose additional fees during the purchasing process. The charges include fulfillment and service fees. 

“For years, StubHub has illegally deceived District consumers through its convoluted junk fee scheme,” said Schwalb in a July 31 release. “StubHub lures consumers in by advertising a deceptively low price, forces them through a burdensome purchase process and then finally reveals a total on the checkout page that is vastly higher than the originally advertised ticket price. This is no accident—StubHub intentionally hides the true price to boost profits at its customers’ expense.” 

The District houses several professional sports teams, including the Washington Commanders, Nationals and Capitals, as well as 41 entertainment venues and theaters. The attorney general asserts that the city has been disproportionately impacted by StubHub’s practices as visitors and residents spend more per capita on live entertainment than other major destinations, like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

“The District is home to one of the nation’s largest and most vibrant live entertainment scenes, and StubHub’s predatory tactics disproportionately harm District residents,” Schwalb continued. “That is why today we’re suing to end StubHub’s exploitative pricing scheme.” 

In the complaint, Schwalb claims the ticketing platform previously used an all-in-pricing model from 2014 to 2015, which advertised prices that included mandatory fees up front. StubHub then conducted a study to compare the more transparent model against drip pricing. 

During the testing period, the company randomly assigned customers to one of the two pricing strategies. Stubhub discovered that even when the final price was the same, consumers were less likely to buy tickets in the all-in-pricing model. It subsequently implemented drip pricing. 

The lawsuit also asserts that StubHub engages in dark patterns, including creating a false sense of urgency and high demand. According to the complaint, the company has sold nearly 4.9 million tickets to Washingtonians and for District events, amassing $118 million in hidden fees. 

The litigation follows the Federal Trade Commission’s 2023 announcement of a proposed rule that would prohibit hidden and bogus fees for resorts, concert tickets, hotel booking and more. 

StubHub says the back-end fees help the company provide a secure ticket-buying experience. The platform charges a fee when consumers buy and sell tickets on the site. These fees can vary depending on the ticket price, time before the event and supply and demand. 

“StubHub is committed to creating a transparent, secure and competitive marketplace to benefit consumers,” wrote StubHub in a statement to the AFRO. “We are disappointed that the D.C. attorney general is targeting StubHub when our user experience is consistent with the law, our competitors’ practices and the broader e-commerce sector. We strongly support federal and state solutions that enhance existing laws to empower consumers, such as requiring all-in pricing uniformly across platforms.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

It’s been a little over a year since Marylanders, aged 21 and older, were permitted to possess recreational cannabis. The greenlight came after voters approved a referendum in 2022 that legalized the plant for adult use. 

As with any new law, the public has encountered some uncertainty around compliance and the implications of the legislation. The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) recently hosted a Cannabis Symposium to clear up confusion.

“Since the passage of this legislation, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights has noticed a plethora of misinformation about the law,” said Cleveland L. Horton II, acting director of the MCCR. “With that being stated, we provided an opportunity to educate the public regarding the state and federal laws surrounding cannabis.” 

Much of the information session’s focus was rooted in how cannabis use can impact a person’s hiring and employment. Under Maryland law, employers are authorized to test for the use of cannabis and to take action against employees who test positive for its use.

“There are some additional questions left unanswered, specifically as it pertains to employment,” he continued. “The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights deemed it necessary to start the dialogue to develop an educated approach and a plan to address the myriad of issues left unanswered since the passage of the referendum.” 

In its initial draft, the legalization legislation made clear that it did not prevent any employer from denying employment to or disciplining an employee for cannabis use. But, the section was later struck from the legislation. 

Delegate Nicole A. Williams (D-22) said this was in part because policymakers wanted to emulate the state’s laws for alcohol. 

“We basically treated it the same as alcohol, and that was our advice to employers across the state,” said Williams. “If you would not allow your employee to come to work drunk, then that would hold true in terms of them coming to work high from cannabis.” 

Williams also acknowledged that certain industries have voiced concerns since adult-use legalization. 

“Some of the industries that rely on safety and sobriety with their workers, like construction in particular, have worries about their employees partaking whether it’s for recreational or medical use and how that could affect them or others around them on a jobsite,” said Williams. 

There are also challenges around testing for cannabis impairment. Unlike alcohol, there is no standardized measurement for cannabis intoxication. The drug can also be detected in the body long after a person is sober. 

“You can do a blood test to get a level of THC per blood content, but that does not necessarily correlate with whether or not someone’s impaired in the moment,” said Andrew Garrison, chief of the office of policy and government affairs for the Maryland Cannabis Administration. “A lot of the instant impairment tests that are being developed are more so based on cognition and response time rather than any biological indicator of recent consumption.” 

This not only has implications for employment but also for driving under the influence. Williams says solutions are in the works for cannabis testing, but it’s unclear how effective they are. 

“There are some products out there, but they are still being vetted at this time,” said Williams. “I don’t think they have been certified as being as accurate as a breathalyzer at this point, but I know a number of companies are working on various types of technology to do a better job of testing for impairment.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Baltimore County officials gathered on Aug. 7 to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the new Middle River Recreation Activity Center (RAC). The 15,000 square-foot facility houses a full-sized gymnasium, exterior multipurpose court, meeting and activity rooms, stage and movie screens. 

The Middle River RAC is the first in a slate of new parks and recreation centers coming to Baltimore County this year.

“We’re here because we know that every community deserves to have fun, safe and high-quality recreational opportunities that allow our residents to play, compete and connect with each other,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “We know that recreational facilities are athletic spaces and community hubs that make our neighborhoods happier and healthier.” 

Under Olszewski’s administration, Baltimore County has executed a six-year investment of $220 in new parks, park acquisitions and enhancements, facility upgrades and recreational programming. 

In the next year, the county will have delivered nine new RACs. Aside from the Middle River facility, the new Hazelwood Skate Park will open in Eastern Baltimore County, as well as a new Sparrows Point Park. 

“This RAC is another important step in our commitment to offering the most expansive recreational, art, health and wellness programs for residents in every community in addition to offering those more traditional athletic and afterschool programming needs for our children,” said Olszewski. 

The development of the Middle River RAC was financed by a $500,000 grant from the state of Maryland, $1.725 million from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Project Open Space and $8 million from Baltimore County. 

Beyond the center’s amenities, it boasts an aeronautical theme inspired by Baltimore County’s history of aviation. Martin State Airport, which started out as an aircraft company in 1929, sits just over three miles away. 

“It’s important to note that this center is just a stone’s throw away from neighborhood streets, like Compass Road and Fuselage Avenue, all pointing to the history and importance of the aeronautical history in this Eastside community,” said Bob Smith, director of the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks. “What’s also important is the center’s location is on Community Drive, pointing to a future of it being a hub for this community.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

A charter amendment question seeking to halt MCB Real Estate’s $900-million redevelopment of Harborplace will not be on Baltimore ballots this fall. The Protect Our Parks petition, spearheaded by former mayoral candidate Thiru Vignarajah, failed to garner enough signatures to meet the Baltimore City Board of Election’s 4:30 p.m. deadline on July 29. 

The initiative sought to create a system of city parks dedicated to public use that would prohibit private and commercial development. The proposed system included the 34-acre Inner Harbor Park, the site of Harborplace’s transformation. It required 10,000 signatures to make the ballot.

“It’s gratifying that Baltimoreans were unwilling to get behind Thiru’s effort to stop the redevelopment of Harborplace, even with his campaign misleading them by saying it was about saving parks,” wrote John Laria, chair of the Baltimore for a New Harborplace ballot issue committee, in a statement to the AFRO. “Ironically, the MCB plan for Harborplace will add more public open space than exists today, for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.  We’ll be telling the true story as we promote the City-approved ballot question that will help bring Harborplace back to life.”

Critics of the failed petition believe it was deceptively marketed as an effort to safeguard Baltimore’s parks rather than a blatant attack on the development plan for Harborplace. 

If the ballot question passed, it would have barred residential development, private office space and buildings taller than 100 feet. The limitations would have interfered with multiple components of the Harborplace proposal, led by MCB Real Estate co-founder P. David Bramble.

His plan calls for the demolition of the current pavilions to develop a waterfront park, two-tiered promenade, amphitheater, mixed-used commercial buildings and two high-rise residential towers. 

In March, Mayor Brandon Scott signed legislation to alter zoning regulations, the city charter and urban renewal plan for the Harborplace overhaul. In November, Baltimore City voters will choose whether to approve the charter amendment, which would permit residential development and parking in the Inner Harbor. The Protect Our Park petition would have countered that if it made the ballot. 

Maryland State Senator Antonio Hayes (D-40) expressed his disapproval of Vignarajah’s petition drive in a July 21 post on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

“I am told people are out at the downtown farmers market lying. Getting people to sign a petition to protect city parks from development, and it’s really about stopping progress at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor,” wrote Hayes. “Beware of these imposters.” 

The Inner Harbor Coalition, a group dedicated to preserving the waterfront hub for public use, has also opposed Bramble’s redevelopment. Leader Michael Brassert said the organization will continue its campaign urging Baltimoreans to vote no on the Harborplace ballot question. 

“We maintain that there should be a holistic master plan that includes downtown, the convention center, the stadiums and the Inner Harbor,” wrote Brassert in a statement to the AFRO. “There should be an open concept competition for Harborplace and the city should consult with economists, urban planners and architects to find an appropriate and affordable plan. We should not have to settle on one mediocre plan that was cooked up in a backroom deal that privatizes our public land.”Vignarajah did not respond to the AFRO’s request for comment.

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By Willy Blackmore
Word in Black

There has been a wave of endorsements big and small for Vice President Kamala Harris since President Joe Biden announced that he would not run for reelection this year. 

Some were very quick in coming, like Biden’s own endorsement, while others that took a matter of days were still slow enough to create some degree of controversy, namely that of Barack and Michelle Obama. 

But on July 31, Harris got an endorsement that stands out because it’s one President Biden did not receive: The Green New Deal Coalition, which includes more left-leaning and youth-oriented environmental groups like the Sunrise Movement, is backing the vice president in the 2024 race against Donald Trump.

Harris — who served both in the Senate and as the state attorney general in California before becoming the first woman to serve as vice president — mostly shares President Biden’s climate record. But while the administration passed the largest climate bill ever, the Inflation Reduction Act, Biden has still been criticized by groups in the Green New Deal Coalition for not doing enough in the face of the climate crisis. The more left-leaning groups have also been highly critical of his approach to the war on Gaza. So any change at the top of the Democratic ticket is welcomed by the coalition.

“This has really lit a candle of hope for a lot of us that have been in the doldrums for the past year or so,” Kaniela Ing, the coalition’s national director, told Inside Climate News.

The one big material point of difference between Harris and Biden happened during the Obama administration. After plans were finalized to allow oil exploration off the California coast near Santa Barbara for new hydraulic-fracturing wells, then-attorney general Harris sued the federal government. Climate groups have not forgotten that she was willing to challenge Big Oil in such a manner (not to mention her own party), and they want to see more of that from the White House.

Harris was also a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal legislation in the Senate. In the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, she ran on increasing federal spending on climate issues by $10 trillion over a decade, and also advocated for a carbon tax.

There’s a bit of identity politics at play in the endorsement, too, as there likely will be throughout Harris’s historic campaign: The Green New Deal Coalition believes that, as a Black woman, Harris will be an effective advocate.

Willy Blackmore is a freelance writer and editor covering food, culture, and the environment. He lives in Brooklyn.

This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.

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College fair at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex expected to be among the foundation’s largest ever. More than 8,000 high school students from the Southeast and beyond invited to attend. College admissions and four-year scholarships to be awarded on the spot. Event is part of Walt Disney World’s ongoing support of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide.

By Jason Roberts

NNPA NEWSWIRE — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The HBCU Week Foundation is bringing its college fair to Walt Disney World Resort for the second time, continuing Walt Disney World’s support of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The HBCU Week Foundation is a nonprofit organization that encourages high school-age youth to enroll in HBCUs, provides scholarship dollars for matriculation, and sustains a pipeline for employment from undergraduate school to corporate America. It’s a two-day event that takes place every other year and is happening Oct. 23-24 this year at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which last hosted the event in 2022.

The event will feature a reception along with a college fair that’s expected to draw nearly 8,000 high school students from across the Southeast and beyond, making it one of the foundation’s largest ever. On hand will be more than 40 representatives from the nation’s HBCUs, some of whom will be granting on-the-spot admissions and four-year scholarships worth millions of dollars. There will be lots of Disney magic sprinkled throughout the event, including appearances by beloved Disney characters, entertainment, music, and some special surprise moments that can only happen at The Most Magical Place on Earth. The 2022 event at Walt Disney World featured more than 8,000 attendees and over $11 million in scholarships, which were both event records at that time.

“I am incredibly grateful to Walt Disney World Resort for its unwavering support in providing high school students with the opportunity to participate in one of the largest college fairs in the nation,” says Ashley Christopher, founder of HBCU Week Foundation. “Their commitment not only opens doors to HBCUs but also paves a path towards a debt-free education for these bright young minds. Together, we are shaping a future where dreams know no financial barriers.” 

Walt Disney World’s support of the HBCU Week Foundation College Fair is part of an ongoing collaboration between the foundation and Disney on the Yard, an initiative focused on deepening Disney’s engagement with HBCUs. By working closely with HBCUs, Disney aims to continue building a long-term pipeline for HBCU graduates through the development of student internships, mentorship opportunities, career and employee spotlights, scholarships, and more.

“It’s incredibly heartwarming to see the smiles and excitement on these students’ faces when they receive acceptance letters and scholarships,” says Avis Lewis, executive champion of Disney on the Yard. “This kind of joy fuels Disney’s commitment to supporting this event and Disney on the Yard. We want to provide these students with the chance to attend college and pursue successful careers, and we view this as just the beginning of their journey.” 

Likewise, the HBCU Week Foundation plans to deepen its commitment to supporting HBCUs through a recent $1 million grant, which will assist in expanding the foundation’s ongoing efforts to advance HBCU enrollment, offer academic scholarships, and guide students through successful transitions from university life to professional careers.

For more information about the HBCU Week Foundation College Fair and for students to register for the college fair, visit www.HBCUWeek.org.

About HBCU Week

HBCU Week was founded by Ashley Christopher in 2017. It is managed by the HBCU Week Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. HBCU Week consists of multi-day events held throughout the nation each year, designed to encourage high school-aged youth to enroll in HBCUs, provide scholarship dollars for matriculation and sustain a pipeline for employment from undergraduate school to corporate America. 

A highlight of our events is the College Fair, which offers on-the-spot college acceptance and scholarships to qualified high school seniors. The foundation’s mission is rooted in its resounding commitment to introduce high school students to the rich heritage and esteemed legacies of HBCUs with the ultimate goal of inspiring them to explore these institutions for their higher education aspirations. For more information, visit www.HBCUWeek.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.

About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, is one of the nation’s premier sites for large-scale events and amateur sports. Over the years, the complex has hosted as many as 100 entertainment and sporting events each year and has accommodated 70 different sports featuring athletes from 70 different countries. 

Designed to provide professional, amateur and youth athletes with experiences synonymous with the names Disney and ESPN, the 220-acre facility features multiple competition venues, including 16 baseball/softball fields, a 9,500-seat ballpark, 18 multi-purpose outdoor fields for soccer, football, and field hockey, three indoor venues for basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dance and other indoor sports, a track and field facility and a cross-country course. For more information, visit disneysportsnews.com for news releases, photos and videos. Follow us on Twitter at @ESPNWWOS and at Facebook at ESPNWWOS.

About Disney on the Yard
Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do at The Walt Disney Company. Disney on the Yard was established to deepen engagement and relationships to historically Black colleges and universities. We are energized and committed to creating meaningful connections through student internships, networking, mentorship opportunities, career showcases, and more. We will continue to make a difference and move in a more inclusive direction where everyone can be their authentic selves.

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Political Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) spoke at a fireside chat on Maryland’s small businesses community and the future of the state’s economy on July 29.

“We have some of the best entrepreneurs in the country, here in our state. We have some of the top institutions of higher education. The problem is we have not had a strategic plan,” said Moore. “We frankly made it far too difficult for a lot of our small businesses to be able to succeed. It’s far too difficult in the way that people have to go through the permitting and regulatory process. It’s far too difficult when it comes to basic access to capital.”

Moore spoke on his work to help those striking out into business on their own.

“We’ve tried to put together that strategic plan and level the playing field. One of the first things we started doing was working on procurement reform,” continued Moore. “ had significant capital coming from the state, but we never were able to actually come up with real procurement policies.” 

Moore highlighted an issue within the state procurement process his administration is currently addressing.

“Oftentimes when come up with procurement goals we allow things like free waivers to go through and allow people to make excuses like ‘well I made a good faith effort to find someone I could work with.’ Good-faith effort is not good enough. You’ve got to work harder.”

According to a 2021 small business profile by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, Maryland has about 618,000 small businesses, 36 percent of them being minority-owned.

Moore was also asked how his administration is working to build wealth in minority communities. 

“The racial wealth gap has cost this country $16 trillion in GDP over the past two decades,” said Moore. “We have and have had a real focus to say if you actually want to have a growing economy, you’ve got to have a participatory economy.”

Moore highlighted the work he’s done in countering the impacts of racial policies that have held minorities back from attaining and maintaining wealth in Maryland. That work includes a massive housing package that he sponsored and signed into law this year and 175,000 pardons for convictions of possession of cannabis post-legalization in Maryland.

He went on to speak about how crucial it is for Maryland to begin receiving federal funds for the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge this year. President Joe Biden (D) pledged that the federal government would cover the full costs of the bridge shortly after the collapse. 

“It’s imperative because the bridge is a crucial artery for the Port of Baltimore, and the Port of Baltimore is an absolute crucial element to our American economy,” said Moore. “If you’re buying spices or sugar or coal, chances are that’s coming through the Port of Baltimore.”

According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, The Port of Baltimore handled about $7 billion worth of trade in April 2023, which was about 4.4 percent of all U.S. imports and 3.3 percent of all U.S. exports that month.

Moore also pointed out that hazmat materials and oil trucks are not able to go through tunnels which is the quickest alternative route for most vehicles right now. 

“The sole lane for them to go to the Port of Baltimore is now collapsed,” said Moore. 

“We have to get moving now,” said Moore. “If we can get this done with bipartisan support from Congress, we will have that bridge built in 2028. We’re going to do something so spectacular that the entire country is going to see just how Maryland moved and the entire country will be very proud about what Maryland got done.”

Maryland business owners Teara Strum, CEO of Strum Contracting, and Brendan McCulsky, founder of Trident Builders, commented on Moore’s efforts concerning small businesses in the state.

“The governor has often said that this is going to be Maryland’s decade and I think he’s right,” said McCulsky. “I think the governor’s leadership has been providing the framework to allow people like us to be successful.”

McCulsky continued saying the governor’s work has created an ecosystem where Maryland’s small business owners can feel comfortable leaping into various business ventures. 

“Some of the policies and the things that he’s creating at the state level are truly trickling down to the mom and pop small businesses we have here in Maryland today,” said Strum. 

She highlighted a project that Strum and Trident are working on together that was made possible in part through a state provided fund, which helps small businesses enter the cannabis industry.

“We have 26 subcontractors. Fifteen of them are minority and women-owned business enterprises,” said Strum. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Hello Alice, a fintech platform serving over 1.5 million small business owners, is providing more opportunities for entrepreneurs across the country to scale their enterprises. The company announced July 23 that it would expand its small business accelerators and Boost Camp programs in 2024. 

The Boost Camps, created in 2023, were designed to empower entrepreneurs with training and skill development to expedite the growth of their businesses. They also supply owners with a network of entrepreneurial peers for ongoing support. 

“One of the greatest values that comes out of the Boost Camps is the connectivity to peers who are going through similar problems,” said Carolyn Rodz, co-founder and CEO of Hello Alice. “It’s one thing to learn from an expert that built a business 10 or 15 years ago. It’s another to hear from somebody who’s dealing with that issue right now in your industry and at your stage of growth.” 

Hello Alice collaborates with the Global Entrepreneurship Network and corporate partners to run the Boost Camps. In 2024, Progressive Insurance, Antares Capital, Wells Fargo and FedEx will lead the programs. 

The deadline for Antares Capital and Progressive Insurance’s Boost Camps has already passed. However, Wells Fargo will hold four virtual accelerator programs over the next 18 months. They will focus on business health and credit-building practices, and applications will be open until Aug. 16. 

FedEx will also run a Boost Camp coaching program to supply business owners with funding, resources and networks to streamline the success of their ventures. The application period will be announced this fall. 

“We are thrilled to witness the remarkable success and growth of the Boost Camp program initiated by Hello Alice,” said April Britt, director of global citizenship at FedEx, in a July 23 statement. “The impact it has had on small businesses nationwide is truly inspiring. Seeing the tangible improvements in business health and the increased optimism among participants underscores the value of providing tailored mentorship and resources.” 

John Griveas, owner of Fetch Gourmet Dog Treats, participated in FedEx’s Boost Camp last year. His business, based in Buffalo, N.Y., manufactures and distributes handcrafted, all-natural dog biscuits, cookies, cakes and treats. 

Griveas, and his wife and business partner, Jackie Lovern, discovered Hello Alice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pair were looking for ways to keep their business going during the financially challenging time. 

He said the funding and resources he received after being selected for the Boost Camp kept them from closing Fetch Gourmet Dog Treats. 

“It quite literally saved our business. We were at a point where the facility we were manufacturing out of was getting ready to close, and they were kicking out all of their tenants,” said Griveas. “We had a very short period of time to find a new location. We found one but the issue was the place we were getting kicked out of was about half the cost of the new place.” 

The funding enabled the husband and wife to secure the new facility. Griveas said his biggest takeaway from the Boost Camp was that he is not alone. 

“The people who you meet and talk to have gone through what you’re struggling with right now,” said Griveas. “They’re able to help you navigate, and, in turn, you are able to do the same for them. You start building relationships that could make a difference in your brand.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

When Devin Jackson first discovered that 40 percent of Baltimoreans did not have wireline internet service and more than 25 percent lacked a digital device, he was in disbelief. 

The East Baltimore native has spent much of his career in e-commerce and social media marketing. As a result, his livelihood hinged on accessing the internet and using a device. 

“You can have my house itself because I can buy another house,” said Jackson. “But, if you take my internet away from me, I can’t function. I wouldn’t be able to feed my family because that’s what I do for a living.” 

The value of the internet and devices was not only apparent to him but critical to maintain employment. 

A few years ago, Jackson experienced a cancer scare after discovering a tumor on his throat. His fear pushed him to turn to prayer to cope with the challenging time. In his reflection, he discerned that his calling was to impact people. The realization led him to leave the marketing world.

Jackson set out to leave his mark on people’s lives by creating A Prosperous Tomorrow, a nonprofit seeking to eradicate digital inequities by empowering communities with digital and technology skills, in 2023. 

Although his organization is young, Jackson has already hit the ground running, leading workshops and classes to help people become more comfortable with technology and to equip them with workforce skills. 

“The idea is to get people to see the internet and technology differently while also accepting that people have different barriers,” said Jackson. “One of the barriers is anxiety.” 

Jackson explained that, for some people, learning about information technology (IT), cybersecurity or other technology fields can be intimidating. But, once they start, it becomes much more feasible. 

A Prosperous Tomorrow’s programming comprises six phases.They include developing the whole person, preparation for technology, certification and skill enhancement, coaching and mentoring, job placement and strategy and program extended services.  

The organization runs 12-week cohorts during the school year and six- to 10-week cohorts during the summer for residents ages 16 to 21. The free classes take place at the newly renovated Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center and prepare participants for industry-recognized certifications, like CompTIA and Amazon Web Services.

The nonprofit also regularly hosts workshops at libraries around the city to expose Baltimoreans to technology careers and the avenues to pursue them. Jackson said Baltimore’s recent designation as a Federal Tech Hub has made his efforts even more critical. 

“If Baltimore is a Federal Tech Hub destination and Baltimore is also a digitally illiterate city, that means the new jobs that will be created are not for us. People are going to migrate to Baltimore,” said Jackson. “All this money is coming in, and you won’t have the skills to get that job. If you don’t scale up, you’re going to be in trouble.” 

Currently, Jackson is seeking funding to expand the work of A Prosperous Tomorrow. He recently applied to the second round of the city’s Digital Equity Fund, which will deploy grants to organizations tackling digital literacy, skill-building and creative careers training to communities most affected by the digital divide. 

Jackson submitted proposals for a digital education program aimed at older adults and a content creation class. For him, achieving digital equity will help to mitigate other challenges that residents face in the city, whether health care access, educational disparities or economic inequality. 

“The use of artificial intelligence and all of the technologies we have at our disposal are going to help people lead better lives,” said Jackson. “In my world, if you’re focusing on digital equity and inclusion, you’ll solve a lot of other problems.” 

For 21-year-old Braelen Cypress, it was his uncle who put him on the path to finding A Prosperous Tomorrow. His uncle works in IT, and Cypress began to become interested in the field after talking to him about it. 

He learned about the organization’s work while scrolling on Instagram and reached out to Jackson last year. Cypress previously tried another tech skills class, but it was conducted online. 

“I didn’t really like the online part. I couldn’t focus on it, so I didn’t stick with it,” said Cypress. “But, I still had an interest in IT, so I found the proper program. I passed, and I’m sticking with it.”

While he was drawn to the hands-on nature of the class, a key driver of Cypress’ persistence was Jackson’s support. 

“The reason why I stayed was Mr. Devon. He made me more committed to it just by the way he explained things,” said Cypress. “He had people who were actually in IT come in at times to talk to us about how they got into the business. I like the fact that [Mr. Devon] had proof of someone being in it.” 

A Prosperous Tomorrow prepared Cypress for the CompTIA Security+ certification, an industry standard for attaining a career in IT security. Soon, he will take the exam. 

Cypress will also be attending Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) this fall. Right now, he’s 50-50 on whether he should pursue an IT or cybersecurity degree. 

“Mr. Devon is definitely a good person to talk to if you need information or help with anything, period,” said Cypress. “He’s a very honest person, and if you need someone to talk to you who’s in the business, he will do that.” 

This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBC Universal. 

The post A Prosperous Tomorrow empowers Baltimore residents with tech skills appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Political Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed a plain language executive order on July 23 that aims to make state services and programs more accessible. Moore also recognized 34 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

“If a Maryland family cannot understand updates about a hurricane in their community because our website is hard to read, that’s not good government,” said Moore. “This executive order will help to ensure every piece of writing that comes out of this administration in print and online is simple, accessible, proofread and easy to read. This is not just going to help out some, this is going to help out all.” 

The ADA has been in place and protecting people with disabilities from discrimination within the workplace and state and local government programs since 1990.

According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 42.5 million Americans are living with disabilities. Those disabilities include people with vision, walking, cognitive and hearing difficulties.

“Today Governor Moore is taking more action to fulfill the promise he made to all of us when he ran for office, to leave no Marylander behind,” said Rachel London, executive director of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. “With this executive order, he is showing his commitment to make Maryland’s government more accessible and inclusive for all of us.”

London further explained the benefit of ensuring plain language is used in Maryland’s programs and services.

“Plain language is a way of writing so people can understand information the first time they read it,” she said. “When state agencies use plain language in their public documents and on their websites, more people can access the information they need and the information they want. Creation of the Maryland plain language plan will help state agencies take the steps necessary to make sure that happens.”

London touted the strength of the plain language approach, highlighting positive results the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council has seen through implementing it in Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) services.

“The MVA’s Driver’s Manual and learner’s permit test are now in plain language, making it easier for all new drivers to understand the rules of the road,” she said. “We are proud to say that since the plain language tests were rolled out late last year, the MVA has seen a 15 percent increase in people passing the test.”

The post Gov. Moore signs executive order making state resources more accessible appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Tierra Stone
AFRO Intern 
tierrastone@afro.com 

Members of Unite Here Local 7, the City Union of Baltimore, the American Federation of Government (AFGE) and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) joined forces July 25 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel located in the Inner Harbor to protest wages earned by hospitality workers.

The protest was orchestrated by The Unite Here Local 7, which is a union for Baltimore’s hospitality workers, and had many participants who worked at both the Hyatt Regency and the Hilton. 

The picketers assembled outside of the Hyatt’s main entrance and marched in a circle chanting phrases such as “No Justice No Peace” while holding signs that read, “One Job Should Be Enough” and “Respect Our Guest, Respect Our Work.” The demonstration’s main purpose was to demand fair wages for all workers within the hospitality industry. 

“ D.C. housekeepers are currently paid $26 an hour and they just signed a contract that’s going to get them to $33 an hour,” said Tracey Lingo, president of Unite Here Local 7. “In Philadelphia the housekeepers make $22 an hour but our union housekeepers are making $16.20 at the Hyatt and the Hilton—and obviously that’s not a wage that you can currently live on.” 

Lingo went on to say thousands of hotel workers across the country are bargaining for better wages, and that since the pandemic hotel corporations have eliminated positions such as doorman and room services.

Shantia Devon, who has worked for the Hilton for more than a decade, shared her experience of how the pandemic affected her job in room service.  

“I’ve been there for 11 years. After COVID when I went back to work, room service was no longer open. So I had to start working in the coffee shop as a barista and the money is just not the same,” she said. 

Even though Devon obtained a job at the Hilton’s Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, she admitted that she initially thought that the hotel would gradually bring their employees back to work. 

“I was so grateful to be back to work that I didn’t argue, however, the money is still not the same. I’m still struggling. The hourly pay is higher than I was getting at room service, but I’m not receiving the same tips that I was getting in room service,” she said. 

Although the Hilton has properties in over 126 countries, many of the protesters felt that they don’t distribute their resources fairly. Jeffrey Barner, who has worked at the Hilton for 16 years in bellman guest services, shared what he wants the hotel industry to do for their employees.

“That’s why we’re out here. We know they’re making money and we know they’re profitable—there’s no doubt about it,” said Barner. “We’re just asking for those profits to be distributed equally and fairly among everybody that works for the company,” he said.

As the protest started to subside, Lingo addressed the crowd as a couple leaders from the local unions came up to speak. 

Zeke Cohen, Democratic nominee for Baltimore City Council president, was also in attendance and marched in solidarity with the protesters. Cohen also gave a shout out to the other unions that were present as he shared encouraging words with the crowd. 

“When we stand united we win,” said Cohen. “Baltimore, this is our moment to win.” 

Courtney Jenkins, who is the president of the Metropolitan Baltimore AFL-CIO Union, didn’t hold back as he continued to motivate the participants. 

“It’s always a pleasure to be on the line with you. I wish it was under better circumstances, but we want to let the Hyatt, the Hilton and any other hospitality know that if you’re going to pick a fight with the unions, it’s a fight that you’re going to lose every d- – n time,” said Jenkins. 

The crowd shouted and cheered with roaring applause as Lingo led the final chant for the evening.

“We’ll be back,” the crowd shouted at the hotel. “We’ll be back.” 

The post Union workers protest in downtown Baltimore  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE) has endorsed a call to cut deference to donor families and halt legacy admissions in the District’s private and public colleges. During a July 14 public meeting, the board voted 8-1 to pass Resolution SR24-16.  Testimonies from a number of Georgetown University students were given.

Many of the student advocates argued that the practice stifles diversity, preventing low-income and Black and Brown students from accessing equitable opportunity in higher education, particularly at prestigious institutions. Rising sophomore Darius Wagner dubbed it “affirmative action for the White and wealthy.” 

“At Georgetown alone, there are more students from the top 1 percent than the bottom 60 percent. Students from the top 1 percent are 2.7 times more likely to attend Georgetown than an average income student with the same exact test score,” said Wagner. “There are more legacy students at Georgetown than Black and Hispanic students, respectively. It’s clear that this pattern of fast-tracking is giving advantages to people who already have advantages.” 

The first-generation student contended that legacy students begin amassing privileges from birth. They may have access to tutors and better elementary, middle and high school education. They may be able to participate in more extracurricular activities. 

He also noted that they benefit from having a parent who already attended college. 

“All of these benefits are already provided to affluent students, and then they get another added boost in the admission process. We fundamentally think that’s unfair,” said Wagner. “We know that ending legacy admissions is going to be one step, but an important step, in helping us ensure that there’s more fairness in this process and in increasing and protecting the diversity of our institutions.” 

SBOE Representative Eric Goulet, of Ward 3, championed the students’ perspectives. He called D.C. a tale of two cities, where its racial divide between the East and West aligns with a sharp economic opportunity gap. 

He cited racial disparities in unemployment, income and child poverty. 

“Having a tool that preserves the status quo is something we need to abolish. To be clear, we’re not even fully abolishing it in this resolution,” said Goulet during the meeting. “We are demanding that if universities want to retain the ability to consider legacy preference in their admissions, they’ve got to do better in reaching out and bringing in more students who are eligible for Pell grants. [Then], we can bring in students from lower incomes, diverse backgrounds and bring racial and economic equity to higher education.”

President Eboni-Rose Thompson, of Ward 7, was the only board member who opposed the resolution. She pointed out that a ban on legacy admissions would also inhibit Black and Brown alumni from passing on advantages to their families. 

“You have wealthy, White people who have been able to amass not just privilege, but everything else over generations, of generations, of generations, of generations,” said Thompson. “Then, as you start to get people who now could benefit and are Black, Brown and first-generation college students, you say to them you can’t use that to build your family or your community.” 

The board’s decision does not mean an automatic end to legacy and donor admission preferences in District colleges. However, it is a signal to the D.C. Council to pass the Fair College Admissions for Students Act, which prohibits the practice. 

The bill was introduced in 2022 by New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman and Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. States, including Virginia, Maryland and Colorado, have also already banned legacy admissions through state legislation. 

“We want the D.C. Council to see that while this did start with just a few students concerned about fairness in education, these concerns have been recognized,” said Wagner. “This is an issue that D.C. should prioritize.” 

The post D.C. Board of Education passes resolution in support of nixing legacy admissions appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

(NNPA Newswire) – The Apollo Theater, Harlem’s legendary cultural institution, has made history by earning a rare Kennedy Center Honors, one of the highest accolades in the arts. For 90 years, the Apollo has been the heart of American culture, nurturing emerging artists, launching legends, and serving as a center of innovation for Harlem, New York City, and the world. As the largest performing arts institution dedicated to Black culture and creativity, the Apollo has significantly influenced popular culture globally.

The Kennedy Center’s recognition marks the first time a venue, rather than an individual performer, has received this prestigious award.

“We are thrilled to be the first organization honored in the history of the Kennedy Center Awards, emphasizing The Apollo’s impact on the past, present, and future of American culture and the performing arts,” stated Michelle Ebanks, president and CEO of The Apollo.

The 47th Kennedy Center Honors will also celebrate the lifetime achievements of director and filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola; blues singer-songwriter and guitarist Bonnie Raitt; jazz trumpeter, pianist, and composer Arturo Sandoval; and the surviving members of the countercultural rock band the Grateful Dead.

“I am profoundly humbled and deeply honored to be selected as a recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors,” Sandoval said. “This recognition is an extraordinary milestone in my career.”

Raitt said she’s “deeply honored and thrilled to have been chosen to receive one of this year’s Center Honors. There is no higher level of esteem nor as delightful a celebration.”

Frances Ford Coppola reflected on his career and the honor, stating, “There’s no greater honor than to be included along with those who inspired me, who I looked up to, and who gave me encouragement when times were dim.”

The Grateful Dead has always been about community, creativity, and exploration in music and presentation, stated the band’s Bob Weir. “We’ve always felt that the music we make embodies and imparts something beyond the notes and phrases being played—and that is something we are privileged to share with all who are drawn to what we do—so it also must be said that our music belongs as much to our fans, the Dead Heads, as it does to us,” he continued. “This honor, then, is as much theirs as ours.”

The Kennedy Center Honors, which raises funds for the Kennedy Center in Northwest Washington, D.C., will be held on Dec. 8 and aired on CBS on Dec. 23.

Meanwhile, for 90 years, the Apollo has served as a testing ground for new artists working across various art forms and ushering in the emergence of musical genres, including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul and hip hop. The countless legendary artists who launched their careers at The Apollo’s “Amateur Night,” the original, large-scale talent show and one of the longest-running continuous events in New York City, include Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, H.E.R., D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly and Miri Ben Ari. 

The Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. During its 90th anniversary season, the organization opened The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater, marking the institution’s first-ever major expansion and renovation. It also began plans to restore and renovate its historic theater. Officials said this will allow The Apollo to increase performances and educational and community programs and expand its support for artists and other cultural organizations.

“From the longest-running talent show in America with, Amateur Night at The Apollo, which launched the careers of icons like Ella Fitzgerald and Lauryn Hill, to performances from beloved legends like Smokey Robinson and Lil’ Kim and today’s biggest stars like Drake, The Apollo has always been a home for artists to create and a home for audiences to see incredible music and art from legendary artists,” Ebanks said.

The post Apollo Theater makes history with Kennedy Center honor appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Tierra Stone
AFRO Intern
tierrastone@afro.com

For many years now, in one corner of southwest Baltimore, Stillmeadow Community Fellowship has been taking progressive steps to help their neighborhood adapt to climate change. They have worked towards building a ten-acre forest, installed an urban apiary, and are one of the city’s resilience hubs. 

Turning neighborhood churches into resiliency hubs is one of the many initiatives the Baltimore Office of Sustainability has created to help palliate the effects of climate change within the city. The office, founded in 2007, is focused on creating an environmentally safe atmosphere to improve the quality of life by lowering the amount of greenhouse gasses and carbon emissions. 

Mayor Brandon Scott has worked closely with the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to reach the goal of making sure the city becomes carbon-neutral by 2045. 

“From the start of my administration, I have made it clear that sustainability and improving the lives of all residents is a priority,” Scott wrote in a press release. 

Climate change has become more recognized as a global phenomenon with studies showing that droughts, wildfires and extreme rainfalls have been the effect of greenhouse gasses caused by our daily lifestyle. This has prompted urban areas across the country to cope with the ever-changing paradigm shifts in the environment. 

Cities in particular are facing big issues such as rising sea levels, drought and scorching heat temperatures. However, certain parts of Baltimore have faced flooding and damage to local infrastructures. 

The Baltimore Social Environmental Collaborative has worked extensively with the Office of Sustainability since September 2022 to codesign climate change solutions and to improve the wellbeing of residents. 

Dr. Benjamin Zaitchik, professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins University described how these emissions are created and emitted throughout the atmosphere. 

“Greenhouse gasses refers to any molecule in the gas form, so anything that we put into the air ends up warming the planet. [Which] includes things like carbon dioxide that gets in when we burn coal or oil or some other sources as well as a bunch of other industrial chemicals; and when they get into the atmosphere, essentially they act like a blanket absorbing some of the heat the earth is trying to radiate toward outer space and that ends up warming the planet,” Zaitchik said. 

Zaitchik shared how the harmful effects of these emissions have caused neighborhoods to experience more heat than other parts of the city. 

“Baltimore is experiencing that general warming and you end up with some of the neighborhoods that are experiencing heat. The heat affects everyone and then it can be several degrees warmer in some of these neighborhoods. Some of those neighborhoods are the same places where people maybe don’t have air conditioning, but Baltimore is already going to be hotter because it’s a city and we’ve got this vulnerability,” said Zaitchik. 

According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, many urban areas within the United States have experienced heat waves because of the heat island effect which has caused health-related concerns among civilians. 

“Roofs and pavements can constitute to about 60 percent of the surface area of a U.S. city. These surfaces are typically dark in color and thus absorb at least 80 percent of sunlight, causing them to get warmer than lighter-colored surfaces. These warm roofs and pavements then emit heat and make the outside warmer.” 

Zaitchik elaborated on his work with several community members and noted that the temperature was higher at night throughout the city. 

“Baltimore is a pretty substantial urban heat island and over the past few weeks we’ve seen at night, which is the time the urban heat islands tends to be biggest—it was up to seven degrees warmer at some locations in East Baltimore than it was in the suburbs to some of the greener neighborhoods on the north side of town,’ said Zaitchik. 

Nonetheless, the Office of Sustainability created the climate action plan to keep track of greenhouse gas emissions and how to deal with the impacts of climate change. 

Zaitchik said that although the climate action plan is still quite new he believes the planning can help get the city on the right track. 

Baltimore’s Office of Sustainability reported how the urban heat island effects have had an impact on the city but also listed the components to reduce these emissions.

“Several elements are known to reduce the impact of UHI’s: permeable surfaces on roadways, sidewalks, parking lots and alleys, vegetated or green roofs, urban tree canopies, or green spaces on urban lands,” the office wrote. 

In addition to the beehive and work to revitalize the urban forest, Stillmeadow volunteers have been working on steps like planting trees in the peace park to help reduce the heat island effect. They have also created walking paths for people to spend time in nature, and help their mental health. They have also installed rain barrels and cisterns to collect rainwater, which they use to water their vegetables and other plants.

Yorell Tuck, director of operations at Stillmeadow Community Projects, discussed the particulars behind Stillmeadow and how a flood damaged the neighborhood in 2018, which prompted them to realize how they contributed to the flooding.

“This area is a flood zone and every decade there’s a major flood,” she said. “Our stream in our peace park goes through a culvert and a tree had fallen [which] blocked it, and so that water had nowhere to go but up and out. Part of us recognizing that incident with the flood helped us to realize that there’s ways in which our property contributed to the flooding for years,” said Tuck. 

Tuck admitted they have taken preventative measures to keep floods from happening again. 

“If there’s a tree or limb that falls we cut it and we get it out of the way, and then we’ve also installed rain barrels and cisterns to catch our stormwater runoff from our roof which we’ve repurposed to water our gardens,’’ she said. 

Tuck also explained what prompted Stillmeadow to create an urban apiary in front of the church. 

“Grass is not an attractor to pollinators which as you know we need bees, butterflies, moths, and birds. Our front lawn has a lot of plants that are native to Maryland and they’re there for beauty, and we have a few different plants and flowers that really mesh well with the native pollinators to this area so that we can promote that ecology,” she said. 

Nevertheless, Stillmeadow has continued to be a beacon and a force to be reckoned with. Tuck also explained the future goals and how locals have responded to their efforts to reduce the amount of climate change in the surrounding neighborhood. 

“Our goals are to be a model,” she said.“We want to continue to expand our workforce development programs, we want to continue our education programs and we also want to get into community solar,” said Tuck. 

Even though climate change has proved to be a global phenomenon one must wonder if it is too late for us to erase our carbon footprint and reverse the damage that’s been done. 

Zaichik shared different ways we could work together to do something about climate change. 

“Driving less, getting around town with public transport, walking, biking, things like that are a big deal. I’m not going to tell people to turn off their air conditioning but maybe find levels of comfort that are comfortable without turning your house into a refrigerator and taking advantage of opportunities for change as we go,” he said.

Tuck agreed and shared how faith has continued to inspire Stillmeadow to take care of their neighborhood. 

“I don’t know, I can’t say if we can officially reverse it. I don’t know if that can happen but I do know that with anything it’s important to at least do your piece,” she said. “We believe as a church that God gave us the earth as an amazing gift, and that any gift that he gives us he expects us to manage it well.”

The post Urban oasis: Alleviating climate change in Baltimore appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aria Brent 
AFRO Staff Writer 
abrent@afro.com 

Earlier this year it was reported by theroundup.org that about 80 to 100 billion new garments are produced each year. The items are sold by fast fashion companies, however the garments are made by employees who are disadvantaged, overworked and underpaid. This mass production of items is alleged to happen in unsafe and inhumane working conditions in factories across Asian countries like China and Bangladesh.

The items are sold for ridiculously low prices, worn less than an average of 10 times and then discarded. This cycle of heavy turnaround has resulted in 92 million tons of textile waste each year– much of which is sent to places like Chile to be disposed of. And although this issue seems far removed from consumers in developed countries like the U.S., they’re also at risk due to toxic chemicals in the garments. 

“Fast fashion is an extractive industry and it embodies that capitalistic model exploiting cheap natural resources, cheap labor and not facing any consequences or having any plan for externalities that are released into the environment,” said Ayana Albertini-Fleurant, the founder and executive director of Sustain The Culture. “They’re using children and young women in developing nations to produce their clothes. They make a fraction of what they would make in a developed country and oftentimes it violates human rights.”

Sustain The Culture is a non-profit organization based in Miami that focuses on working with Black youth to create a culture surrounding environmentalism and breaking down the stigma surrounding sustainability in the Black community. 

Albertini-Fleurant explained how the fast-paced industry is based on trends. Items are desired one day and discarded the next, making for an excessive amount of pollution and waste. She explained that fast fashion feeds on consumerism and is a system built to thrive in the age of social media.

“Fast fashion operates off of trends. Just as fast and unethically as it is produced, it is consumed. Fast fashion operates off of micro seasons and there can be dozens of different seasons within one year,” she said. “There’s constantly a new collection and a new trend that fast fashion is capitalizing off of. And we consume these trends. Just as quickly as we wanted to buy yesterday’s trend, tomorrow it’s in the garbage.”

The internet is full of social media influencers promoting the cheap prices, cute clothes and a wide range of options offered by fast fashion brands like Fashion Nova, TEMU and Shein. However the effects it has on global warming, the generation of waste and the production of microplastics is a conversation that needs more attention.

 Most of the clothes sold on these sites are made of polyester, a synthetic fiber that doesn’t decompose. With no way of naturally breaking down, most clothes that are thrown away by consumers and companies end up in landfills in foreign countries or in the ocean along the coast of countries like Ghana. This issue has a ripple effect that leaves the communities in that area exposed to pollution and toxins due to the clothes being burned. 

“People who have nothing to do with this industry and who are not taking these profits are the ones that have to deal with the waste. Go to Ghana– you’ll find mountains of clothing that are being burned and people are breathing that in,” Albertini-Fleurant explained.“A lot of these things end up in landfills in other countries. There are beaches littered with textile waste especially in Ghana, because it is coastal.”

It was noted that getting rid of clothes in a sustainable way can be a bit complex depending on how you choose to do it. Lots of people donate their old or unwanted clothes to thrift stores, however if the clothes don’t sell, after a certain amount of time, they too, could end up in landfills. The young sustainability advocate suggests looking at places with transparent donation processes so you know what’s happening to the goods you’re giving away. 

The issues that fast fashion is causing are much bigger than any singular person, however there are ways to be more intentional and sustainable when participating in fashion. Lisa Goldsand owner and founder of Circular Thrift LLC suggests buying clothes that are designed with end of life in mind. 

“It really helps if a brand designs something that is intended for and marketed for longevity, durability and is eligible for easy repair. Brands can think about how to encourage their consumers to hold on to what they sell them for much longer than one season,” Goldsand explained. “The other thing that brands can do is find ways to maintain relationships with their customers that welcome them to resale, remanufacture and recirculate what they’ve sold to their customer once they’re finished with the product.”

Circular Thrift is an online shop that pilots localized ways to advance sustainable consumption. Goldsand started the small business after 30 years in fashion manufacturing and retail where she held a plethora of roles, her most notable being the vice president of Abercrombie and Fitch.

The fashion veteran also discussed what consumers can do to be more sustainable in their fashion choices. She shared that donating and repairing your clothes are great ways to give your garments more life. 

“Consumers can support brands focusing on longevity, on classic product design and who appear to be trying hard to be transparent about their challenges and successes in moving to be more sustainable. However, the biggest thing a consumer can do to sustainably participate in fashion and consumerism overall is to buy less stuff and care for what you have,” said Goldsand. “If a consumer isn’t using something that they own, they should pass it along to a friend or find someone who might love it rather than keeping it in the closet.”

Goldsands advice about supporting brands with more ethical practices is great but it isn’t feasible for everyone. Brands that outsource and make their products within the United States can be very expensive. Albertini-Fleurant shared some additional tips on how to sustainably participate in fashion along with some history on how Black communities have always managed to stay fashionable even on a limited income.

“Prior to fast fashion individuals had certain skills that were more useful when making clothing than now. It was a well known skill but life is different and the culture has shifted,” she said. “My great-grandmother wasn’t wealthy but she could sew and she applied that skill to make sure the need for new or repaired clothes was always fulfilled.”

The Black community’s history of being underserved and disadvantaged has put them in the position to be the fast fashion industry’s target audience. The reasonable prices and accessibility appeal to those who are looking to ball on a budget. Albertini-Fleurant noted that she empathizes with those who feel like fast fashion has to be their main source of clothing due to limited funds or sizing options.

“If you have to buy fast fashion because of where you are with your financial situation, if it’s tough for you to find alternatives, or you are plus size and you’re not finding sustainable brands at the thrift store that are size inclusive– that’s real,” Albertini-Fleurant said. “There’s many realities that could put you in the position to buy fast fashion. I don’t want people to feel ashamed or guilty because at the end of the day, it’s such a big issue with so many layers. It’s more than one person’s responsibility to fix this issue. But if you have to buy fast fashion you can be sustainable by being more mindful of your purchases.”

The post How fast fashion is affecting global communities of color appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Madeleine Seck
AFRO Intern
mseck@afro.com

By Mackenzie Williams
AFRO Intern
mwillaims@afro.com

This week, the AFRO compiled a list of family-friendly events that are happening in the D.M.V. area ranging from festivals, movie nights, and networking opportunities. Take a look below to see what’s happening near you!

Baltimore City

Rhythm and Reels

Come out this summer to the Baltimore parks for free popcorn and a movie. Streaming this July is Arthur the King and a live rhythm concert.

Arthur the King
Date: July 19
Time: 5 p.m – 8 p.m.
Location: Eager Park
929 N Wolfe St,
Baltimore, MD 21205

Rhythm Concert House Head Reunion
Date: July 20
Time: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: Wyman Park Deli
2929 N Charles St,
Baltimore, MD 21218

Cost: Free

African American Quilters of Baltimore (AAQB) Trunk Show and Fiber Artist Talk with Glenda Richardson

This is a perfect event for hobbyists who love quilting. Get insight from artist Glenda Richardson at the museum as she showcases her work.

Date: July 25

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Reginald F. Lewis Museum
830 E Pratt St
Baltimore, MD 21202

Cost: Up to $12, members free

Black Woman Genius Elizabeth Talford Scott

Explore the exhibit honoring the work of Elizabeth Talford Scott, a contemporary fiber artist who created exemplary artwork throughout her lifetime

Dates: Feb. 1 through Sept. 30

Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: Reginald F. Lewis Museum
830 E Pratt St
Baltimore, MD 21202

Cost: Up to $12, members free

Washington, D.C.

DMV Made Festival

Presented by Word Beats and Life at the National Mall, the DMV Made Festival celebrates an intersectionality of art and culture. The venue will hold multiple stages featuring soul, Latin, hip-hop music, Go-go artists and more.
Date: July 27

Time: 1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m

Location: 50 14th Street
Southwest Washington, DC 20004
Smithsonian Metro Stop

Cost: Free

Broccoli City Festival

One of the biggest festivals of the summer in the D.C. metropolitan area, Broccoli Festival will be held at a brand new venue, Audi Field. Headliners feature award-winning artists including Megan the Stallion, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Victoria Monét, Lil Yachty and more.

Date: July 27 – 28

Time: 2 p.m. – 11 p.m

Location: Audi Field
1100 Alabama Ave SE,
Washington D.C

Cost: Starting price $233

Kids World 2024

Join a family-friendly immersive experience at Kids World, where your little ones can go to storytelling sessions, meet-and-greets with their favorite cartoon characters, make a painting, build a bear, enjoy a bubble garden and more,

Date: July 27 – 28

Time: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Location: Franklin Park
1315 I Street NW

Prince Goerge’s County

Black Health Connect: DC 2024 Mixer

Join the Black Health Connect for their 2024 Mixer with other black professionals in the healthcare field for an evening of networking and fellowship. RSVP via eventbrite.com by searching for “Black Health Connect” on the website.

Date: July 12

Time: 5 p.m.

Location: Dirty Habit
555 8th St NW
Washington, DC 20004

Cost: Free

Little Miss Black | Miss Black Teen US of A Pageant

Continuing the legacy, from age two to seventeen are participating in the Miss Black and Miss Black Teen US of A Pageant at the University of Maryland College Park.

Day 1: July 26
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m

Day 2: July 27
Time: 1 p.m – 4:30 p.m

Location: Hoff Theater, Adele H. Stamp Student Union
3972 Campus Dr,
College Park, MD 20742

Cost: Up to $40

Movies On The Potomac

Grab a blanket and some popcorn for an outdoor movie on the waterfront at the National Harbor. This month, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Arthur: The King, Elvis and more will be streaming.

Dates: Every Thursday and Sunday night through September 29

Time: Thursday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m.

Location: 165 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD 20745

Cost: Free

Virginia

“Black Vets and Allies at Ft. Gregg-Adams Starbucks Military Family store”

Sponsored by Starbucks, join the Gregg-Adam’s Military family store to honor Black veterans as they celebrate the 76th anniversary of Executive Order 9981, which desegregated the U.S. Armed Forces in 1948.

Date: July 6

Time: 6:30 p.m – 8 p.m

Location: ​​5320 Oaklawn Boulevard
Hopewell, VA 23860

Cost: Free

Fauquier County Fair

Enjoy a day at the carnival with thrilling rides, games and watch a variety of shows.

Date: July 17-19
Time: 2 p.m -11 p.m

Date: July 20
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Location: 6209 Old Auburn Rd
Warrenton, VA 20187

Cost: Adult $10, $5 for children and senior citizens

Black Girls Code DMV Bootcamp

Ages 11 to 13 are invited to a boot camp to learn about AI-powered technology, meet experts in the field, explore opportunities in STEAM careers and more.

Date: July 29

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Mastercard Tech Hub #11th floor
4250 Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22201

Cost: Starting at $30

Virtual

Breaking the Chains: Decriminalizing Mental Illness in the Justice System

Join ​​St. Luke Community United Methodist Church as they host their 9th annual Mental Health Symposium. Important figures include Judge Lela Lawrence Mays, presiding Judge of the 283rd District Court in Dallas County, and Commissioner John Wiley Price, of Dallas County, Texas, will be attending.

Date: July 20

Time: 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Location: Online

Cost: Free

Virtual Writing Hour

Aspiring writers and those looking to pick up a leisure hobby can join the Smithsonian at the National Portrait Gallery for Writing Hours. Writing prompts will be given for 30 minute sessions at a time

Date: July 23

Time: 5 p.m. – 6 p.m

Location: Online Via Zoom

Cost: Free, registration required

The post Upcoming meetings and events in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Wells Fargo Foundation recently supplied $500,000 in grants to five Washington, D.C. nonprofits as part of a broader effort to address systemic housing challenges in the city. The goal of the funding is to support the creation and preservation of generational wealth through homeownership. 

The five organizations included, Building Bridges Across the River, Manna, Latino Economic Development Center, Centro de Apoyo Familiar and DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF). 

 “As the Bank of Doing, Wells Fargo is dedicated to developing solutions that increase the supply of homes that are affordable and support families in realizing the dream of homeownership and opportunities for building wealth,” said Victor Burrola, vice president of philanthropy and community impact for Wells Fargo in Washington, D.C. “These grants further demonstrate our dedication to Washington D.C., and our efforts to provide housing affordability solutions to individuals and families across the region.”

DCALF Executive Director Gabby Mulnick Majewski said her organization will use its $100,000 grant to provide free estate planning services to District families.

“At DCALF, we have been really focused on how the free legal services we deliver can expand security for families in a variety of ways,” said Majewski. “One of the key places where we feel our work can be very disruptive and transformational is empowering individuals with proactive estate planning services.” 

She explained that this endeavor was driven by the nonprofit’s work in heirs property, which occurs when real estate is inherited by multiple individuals after the owner dies without leaving a will. DCALF is one of the leading organizations for the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Heirs Property Assistance Program, which was launched in 2023. It supports low-income households and individuals in resolving title issues.

“We’re thrilled to be helping families with the very tedious, bureaucratic process of clearing titles and moving through probate, but our belief is that no one should be stuck in the probate system,” said Majewski. “As we’ve expanded our heirs property and probate work, we have been laser focused on finding new outlets and opportunities to reach families with information about estate planning and delivering those services at the key moments when people are thinking about their assets and legacies.” 

DCALF will work with the District’s housing counseling services to ensure residents can access these services. 

Majewski explained that just 31 percent of people have estate plans. The share is even smaller for African Americans. 

“I think that’s often due to the fact that at many points in time in our nation’s history, Black people have been deprived of their property through many systemic, intentional injustices that have been perpetuated. When you compound that with the fact that people don’t like thinking about death, it creates a situation where our Black and Brown families have been that much more vulnerable to tangled titles and a loss of property that can come from a lack of planning,” said Majewski. “Being able to do our part in helping to stem the tide of these horrific losses of property and empower folks with new resources to proactively build the wealth that many White families have been able to do through intentional estate planning is an important mission for us.”  

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

Black Restaurant Week is returning to Washington D.C. and Baltimore for its fifth year July 16-30. The two week event  focuses on stimulating the economy of the Black community in Charm City and the District. Each year, Black-owned culinary businesses and professionals who cannot afford marketing campaigns are celebrated and promoted to the public. With a variety of cuisines, businesses and culinary artists being highlighted during the 2024 campaign, the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area is in for a treat. 

According to the James Beard Foundation’s 2023 Industry Report, 53 percent of culinary business owners garnered lower profits last year due to the constant rise in food and labor costs. The costly changes have impacted menu prices and profits significantly since 2022.

“Black Restaurant Week is not only making people aware of amazing restaurants, but it is also increasing foot traffic for these businesses,” said Derek Robinson, a managing partner for Black Restaurant Week. “Black Restaurant Week is giving folks a great opportunity to support their own local businesses and try out new spots. We’re super excited to get these businesses more stability and more financial support from their communities.” 

Last year approximately 100 participants connected with the Greater Washington, D.C. campaign, whose mission is to “feed the cultural famine.” Through this mission they’ve not only prioritized rescuing the Black restaurant industry but also helped the public understand the beauty of ethnic cuisines while eliminating the stigmas around it. 

A plethora of local restaurants are set to participate in this year’s event, including Lydia on H, Appioo Bar and Grill, Berries by Quicha, D.C. Capital Square, England Eatery and many more. 

Aisha England, chef and owner of Baltimore’s England Eatery, weighed in on what she hopes to gain from the event.

“Last year around this time I’m not even sure if we were ready, but [we are] a year into the new location and being able to host people for dining. I look forward to bringing in those folks and having them experience our food,” said England. 

Although being a Black business owner comes with many struggles, England noted that receiving financial support for her business has been very challenging.

“The biggest thing is funding,” said England. “My biggest struggle is being able to get funding to do stuff. I’ve gotten a lot of grants and I’m blessed to have those. I know some of the things that have happened to me don’t happen to bigger corporations as far as funding goes.”

While many of the participating business owners are looking forward to the financial benefit of Black Restaurant Week, they’re equally excited for the opportunity to network and connect with their communities. 

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and new patrons of course, and connecting with new restaurants,” said LaQuicha Brown, owner of Berries by Quicha, located in Baltimore.

Black Restaurant Week will conclude on July 30. After nine years, the initiative has helped more than 3,000 restaurateurs, bartenders, chefs, caterers and food trucks.

Tierra Stone, an AFRO Intern, contributed to this article. 

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Political Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Baltimore City officials are looking for applicants who support and are willing to oversee the city’s vision for their newly acquired hotels. City officials aim to turn the two Downtown Baltimore hotels, Holiday Inn Express and the Sleep Inn and Suites, into permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness. 

The City of Baltimore acquired the two properties and the adjacent parking lot in February for $15.2 million, using federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act. The Holiday Inn Express is located at 221 N. Gay St. and the Sleep Inn and Suites on 301 Fallsway.

“When I look at these hotels behind us and beside me that were once the Holiday Inn Express and the Sleep Inn and Suites, I see an important investment in the people of our city. Tackling homelessness is not a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott (D) at the unveiling of the two hotels on July 1. “It requires individualized and innovative responses to every aspect of the system and every factor that can lead a person to homelessness. These hotels provide us more capacity and another tool in the toolbox to continue that work.”

The hotels are currently being used as temporary housing for those experiencing homelessness in the city, which Ernestina Simmons, director of the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS), confirmed will continue as they go through their request for proposals (RFP) process.

Simmons said 378 families have been served at these two locations, including 136 adults over the age of 50 and 40 children (zero to 17).

“When you look at why permanent supportive housing, think of every developer and nonprofit organization that wants to stand behind this work,” said Simmons. “You are meeting people where they are, you’re seeing them as they need to be seen and you’re saying ‘housing isn’t going to be your challenge today.’”

A few days after Scott and other city and national officials unveiled the two properties, the MOHS released their RFP. 

According to MOHS, they are seeking proposals from non-profit, for-profit and joint ventures that plan to rehabilitate and run permanent supportive housing within the two properties. They also want the proposals to incorporate varied affordability levels of no more than 60 percent of area median income and a 55-year affordability covenant.

MOHS expects at least 100 units to be made available between the two buildings as well as onsite services ranging from mental health aid to case management services.

For those interested in submitting a proposal, the deadline is August 16 at 3 p.m.

MOHS will also host an optional virtual bidder’s conference on July 15 at 3 p.m. to help those applicants who may need technical assistance. Registration is mandatory to attend the conference. Go to homeless.baltimorecity.gov to register. 

The post Baltimore City officials seek applicants to take over newly acquired hotels appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

In January, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) delivered an opinion and final order prohibiting Intuit, parent company to TurboTax, from advertising its services as “free” unless they are free to all customers, or if stipulations are clearly communicated. The directive came after an investigation into deceptive advertising claims against the global financial technology company. 

Intuit has since appealed the FTC ruling in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In response, D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, alongside 22 state attorneys general, filed a brief calling for the appeal to be rejected on June 24. 

“Intuit misled taxpayers in D.C. and across the country with ads falsely claiming TurboTax was free,” said Schwalb in a statement. “Preying upon low-income taxpayers and military families who were eligible to file their taxes at no cost, Intuit pocketed millions of dollars in profit. The FTC’s cease and desist order protects consumers from this type of unacceptable, illegal conduct.” 

Intuit previously settled with a coalition of 50 states and D.C. in 2022, resolving state probes into allegations that the company misled consumers about TurboTax’s services. The agreement included $141 million for Americans who paid to file their taxes on TurboTax when the software should have been free. Nearly 4.4 million customers across the country received a payment, according to Intuit.  

A few months before the January opinion and final order, the FTC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell ruled that Intuit participated in deceptive advertising. He ordered a cease and desist on these alleged practices. 

Representatives from Intuit have concerns surrounding the objectivity of the judgment, particularly because it was the FTC that lodged the suit and a judge employed by the agency who issued the ruling. 

“We resolved the core of the FTC’s complaint against us more than two years ago with the settlement with all of the state attorneys general,” said Derrick Plummer, a spokesperson for Intuit. “The FTC’s five-year escapade against us is an overreach and waste of taxpayer dollars. Intuit has always been clear and fair with our customers.”

“We have appealed the FTC’s unconstitutional order to the federal appellate court and are confident that when our case is heard, we will win,” he continued.

Attorneys general from Maryland, Maine, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin joined Schwalb and Raoul in filing the June brief. 

The officials urged the court to side with the FTC’s opinion. 
“Intuit’s arguments in this appeal— which attempt to invalidate the commission’s opinion by claiming that it was not supported by substantial evidence and that the relief the commission ordered was unnecessary given the states’ settlement— would, if adopted, interfere with the states’ interests in preventing deceptive advertising,” wrote the attorneys general in the brief.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Fears over the future of the newspaper industry are not new. With the transition to the internet in the 1990s, the rise of social media in the 2000s and the emergence of artificial intelligence, media organizations have had to continually adapt. 

As consumption patterns change, advertising revenue slows and media consolidation takes place, some organizations may perceive more obstacles than opportunities. However, Benjamin Chavis, president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), has the opposite outlook. 

“All businesses have challenges and opportunities,” said Chavis. “The question is, are the opportunities greater than the challenges? That answer is yes.” 

The opportunities at hand rest in news organizations’ ability to deliver content through a multitude of mediums, which Chavis thinks has expanded the business model. 

“Black press is still in the print business, but it’s expanded to digital and social media. A lot of our businesses are multimedia companies now,” said Chavis. “Some people think one media form supplants the other, but that’s not accurate. We’re content producers and distributors. It’s a matter of how we distribute content, and we do that in multiple formats and channels.” 

Bobby R. Henry Sr., chairman of the NNPA and publisher of the Westside Gazette, thinks there’s also a certain amount of grit that sustains the business of the Black press. 

His father, Levi Henry Jr., started the family paper more than 50 years ago in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. after being misquoted by one of the local White-owned papers, which refused to retract or correct the quote. Its early motto was “a positive paper for a positive people.” 

Growing up at the paper and then leading it, Henry Sr. remembers encountering many trials and tribulations. 

“I vividly remember the struggles, the sleepless night and not being able to pay the printer. All of that comes to mind,” said Henry Sr. “When I’m asked about a business model, it’s to grind by any means necessary.” 

Henry Sr. noted that social media and recent initiatives to secure the future of news have created additional avenues for gaining revenue. But, for him, the true power is in the content the Black press disseminates. 

“The core of gaining the revenue is the same. It’s the message that we’re putting out and the voices that we’re speaking for,” said Henry Sr. “Though we try to engage on all fonts, that doesn’t mean anything if we don’t have the pulse of the people.” 

Chavis shared this perspective. He said the Black press has earned its position as the trusted voice of the Black community. This distinction underpins the value of Black media. 

“It adds value to everything that we do, everything that we publish and everything that we distribute,” said Chavis. “Potential sponsors and advertisers get a greater return on investment when they do business with the Black press because we’re the trusted voice.” 

In the face of attacks on Black history and diversity, equity and inclusion, both Henry Sr. and Chavis think safeguarding the future of the Black press is of vital importance. For Henry Sr., it’s even a matter of life and death, and it’s going to take a team effort to achieve. 

He thinks the Black community cannot win the battle alone. The team must include people from allied communities, but they must be chosen carefully. 

Chavis noted that the protection of the Black press is not just for the benefit of Black communities but for everyone. He compared it to Martin Luther King’s dream. While many think the renowned civil rights leader was only advocating for the rights of African Americans, Chavis said he was fighting for the liberation and self-determination of all Americans. 

“The future of the Black press and the future of Black America are inextricably linked. If the Black press becomes silent, that will be injurious to the future of Black America,” said Chavis. “We serve as a vital source of information not only to Black America but to America in general.” 

The post A trusted voice: Preserving the future of the Black press appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Natural hair care founder Nicole Schuler is set to host the inaugural Hair Education and Beauty Summit (HEBS) on July 7-8 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J. The two-day event will feature panel conversations, live demonstrations, workshops, musical performances and competitions. 

Schuler was inspired to create the summit after attending hair shows herself. She realized the high costs associated with the events could deter hair professionals from attending them and getting the exposure they need to build their brand. 

“There’s so much bureaucracy that goes into it. You might have to spend $10,000, and an average person is not going to spend that to be able to expose their unique talents,” said Schuler. “The Hair Education and Beauty Summit is providing you with that platform. It’s a big network that brings people together feasibly and affordably.” 

The Nigeria native is the creator of PureO Natural Products, a multicultural hair care line she started in 2012. Growing up, Schuler recalled her hair being shaved in the fifth grade—a practice that was commonplace in schools at the time. 

When she moved to the states, she discovered that her shaved head was unconventional. 

“Being thrown into America in the seventh grade, coming here baldheaded was not acceptable. My normal became abnormal in America, and it became a struggle finding a look that I could embrace,” said Schuler. “I think it took me 10 to 15 years to find the look that speaks to me.” 

HEBS is her way of creating opportunities for hair professionals in the state she spent much of her life in. The exhibition is divided into seven specialities, including barbering, locs and braids, protective styling, nail art, skincare, make-up and hair coloring. Each experience has experts sharing their techniques through group discussions, demos and consultations. 

HEBS will also feature four contests, including a barber battle, wild and crazy hair competition, a business pitch competition and a fantasy hair challenge for cosmetology students. 

Celebrity hair stylist Terrence Davidson, affectionately known as the “King of Hair,” will serve as a judge for the latter. 

“You can’t have a fantasy hair competition without having someone who kills the game and has been winning for years in this category. I’m all in for that,” said Davidson. “I love seeing people create. I love giving back to those who are trying to come up in the game and build the same way I built.” 

In highschool, the New Jersey native designed hairstyles for his female peers. Although he intended to obtain a business degree in college, he discovered he didn’t have a passion for it. Davidson decided to go to cosmetology school instead. 

After running a few hair salons in Atlanta, he started working for celebrities. His first client was the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of R&B girl group, TLC. He’s since worked with Remy Ma, Lil’ Kim and Patti LaBelle. 

Davidson commended Schuler for putting on HEBS. 

“We need more Black beauty brands to put on shows like this,” said Davison. “That way, we can support each other in the best way we can.”

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By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO

Over 200 people crowded into the newly built Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center for a grand opening celebration on July 2. The date of the event coincided with what would have been the 115th birthday of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who called Baltimore “home.” 

Located at 1315 Division Street in Baltimore, the center represents the completion of the first building in a $50 million dollar initiative planned under the leadership of Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr., president and CEO of the Beloved Community Services Corporation. 

President of the Finn Group, LaRian Finney, served as master of ceremony for the event, and the program began and ended in prayer by Bishop Dennis Proctor of the AME Zion Church. 

The emotional opening of the building featured news clippings with remarks by United States Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first Black man appointed to America’s highest court in 1967. Marshall was appointed by then U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and served 23 years.

Among the attendees were several elected officials including Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07), Speaker of the Maryland State House Adrienne Jones (D-Md.-10), State Senator Antonio Hayes (D-Md.-40), Mayor of Baltimore City Brandon Scott and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates.  

Mfume, who lived on Division street in his childhood, recalled meeting Thurgood Marshall in his office at the Supreme Court.  

“He told me he had received a call from Congressman Parren Mitchell, who let him know I had lived in the neighborhood.  I came with the new congressman who had been elected and he reminded us to never give up the fight for equality,” he said.

African Ambassadors from the Republic of Ghana, Rwanda and Tanzania were also in attendance.  Her Excellency Dr. Elsie Sia Kanzaa, Ambassador of Tanzania spoke about the power of uniting around a common cause. 

“While Justice Marshall did not work directly with Tanzania, his work touched Tanzanians as he was working closely with our African brothers and sisters, striking for common cause, ending colonization and oppression and [standing] with us in our social justice and struggle for independence,” said Her Excellency. “We thank Baltimore for giving us all Justice Marshall.”

Dr. Hathaway wasted little time in thanking everyone, beginning with his wife and family, which included third generation members. He also extended his gratitude to those who protected the project, from former mayors to current leader Brandon M. Scott, who spoke and thanked Dr. Hathaway for remaining committed to the project and the Thurgood Marshall legacy goal of equality.  

As an example of the need for such a center, Mayor Scott commented on the Supreme Court’s recent 6-3 decision to allow former President Trump immunity from some prosecution related to actions taken while in office on Jan. 6, 2021 before, during and after the U.S. Capital insurrection. 

“We must not give up the fight for dignity [and] equality–we must go deeper. If we don’t, many– if not all– of the things that Justice Thurgood Marshall toiled and worked for and accomplished will simply die because of our silence,” said Scott. “Let us continue in the fight the way he would want us to.”

Aside from Hathaway and Scott, additional remarks were given by the presidents from local universities including, Darryll Pines, of University of Maryland, Bruce E. Jarrell, president of University of Maryland Baltimore, and former Mayor of Baltimore and President of the University of Baltimore, Kurt Schmoke.

The Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, formerly known as Public School 103, was an elementary school located three blocks from Supreme Court Justice Marshall’s childhood home, which is located at 1632 Division Street. 

A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Thurgood Marshall Lecture series, by Mary Miller, which will take place at the Thurgood Marshall Amenities Center on Sept. 25. Members of the Maryland House of Delegates also unveiled a painting of the three African American Congressmen, Parren J. Mitchell, Kweisi Mfume and Elijah Cummings, that will hang in the center. 

The final highlight before the ribbon cutting was the announcement of a $2 million pledge by the Carmelo Anthony Foundation, announcing the naming rights to the front of the building.

As the ceremony came to a close , Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr. announced the goal of raising $3.5 million with pledge cards being made available for all attendees.

 He expressed high hopes for the future of the center as well as the history being passed down.  

“Justice Thurgood Marshall should be to Baltimore [what] the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. is to Atlanta,” said Hathaway. 

The new center will house several training opportunities, including sessions in artificial intelligence by Career Communications, financial literacy sessions by Bank of America, and skills and job training supported by Ricky Smith, CEO of the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. Judge Alexander Williams Jr. announced that a division of his center for education, justice and ethics will provide training at the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

It’s been more than a century since a White mob looted, bombed and burned down Greenwood’s thriving Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Okla., destroying one of the wealthiest African-American communities in the country. Still, no trial has been conducted, and no one has been held legally responsible for what experts consider one of the most severe instances of racial violence in U.S. history. 

In June, the Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a 2023 decision made by a Tulsa district court judge, dismissing a case for reparations led by those who lived through the race riot. The two remaining survivors, 110-year-old Viola Fletcher and 109-year-old Lessie Benningfield Randle, denounced the decision and called for a federal investigation into the massacre on July 2. 

“Although our quest for justice in Oklahoma may be over, for as long as we remain in this lifetime, we will continue to shine a light on one of the darkest days in American history. But, we know there is more that can be done,” said Randle and Fletcher, in a statement read by McKenzie Haynes, a member of the women’s legal team. “We ask the United States Department of Justice to intervene, open an investigation into the massacre and do what Oklahoma has never done. It’s not too late to do the right thing.” 

Randle and Fletcher were young girls when they witnessed the destruction of their community. They have both described the long-lasting financial and emotional distress that the massacre caused them and their families. On that May day in 1921, more than 1,400 homes and businesses were burned, leaving almost 10,000 people homeless, according to Brittanica. As many as 300 people died, most of them African Americans. 

The pair, along with Fletcher’s late brother Hughes Van Ellis, sued the city of Tulsa for reparations in 2020 under Oklahoma’s public nuisance law. But, Judge Caroline Wall dismissed the case last year, saying it failed to meet the legal parameters of the statute. 

The Oklahoma Supreme Court voted 8-1 to uphold the decision on June 12. Aside from soliciting the help of the DOJ, Randle and Fletcher’s legal team have filed a petition for a rehearing in the court. 

“We are profoundly disappointed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision ro reject our lawsuit, and we are deeply saddened that we may not live long enough to see the state of Oklahoma or the United State of America honestly confront and right the wrongs of one of the darkest days in American history,” said Randle and Fletcher in their statement. “At 109 and 110 years old, we are weary, and we know that we are living in borrowed time.” 

In 2021, the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre, President Joe Biden met with Randle, Fletcher and Ellis. Lead attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons said the president promised the survivors that they would get justice. 

He asked the president to honor the vow.

“Now that we have been failed by the courts and by Congress, we are calling upon President Biden to fulfill his promise to these survivors, to this community and for Black people throughout this nation,” said Solomon-Simmons. “We hurt for the survivors, we hurt for the descendants and we hurt as a national Black community for the destruction of Greenwood.”

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By Reginald Williams
Special to the AFRO
rwilliams@afro.com

Forty Black adolescent males from Baltimore City recently traveled to Birmingham, Tuskegee and Montgomery, Ala., for a cultural excursion of historic landmarks.

The boys visited Tuskegee University, Dexter Ave Baptist Church, Dexter Parsonage Museum, the Legacy Museum, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Civil Rights Memorial Center. 

This is the 28th year that Cameron Miles, founder and director of Mentoring Male Teens In the Hood, a Baltimore-based mentoring program, has exposed Black boys to cultural adventures through travel that introduces them to the historical significance of who they are. Morehouse College, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Duke and North Carolina A&T University represent some of the other educational institutions visited by past cohorts.

“We’re giving our young boys exposure and helping them to want to succeed,” explained Miles.

Seven adult chaperones joined Miles on the four-day trip, which commenced on June 13 and concluded June 16. The trip began with a flight to Birmingham. For many of the boys, this was their first experience with air travel. The tour started at Tuskegee University, a Historical Black College and University. Dr. Booker T. Washington served as the first teacher and founding principal, and Lewis Adams, a former enslaved tinsmith and community leader, was instrumental in establishing the educational institution. Subsequent visits to the Legacy Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, Dexter Ave Baptist Church, where a 26-year-old Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served in his first pastorship, and Dexter Parsonage Museum (Dr. King’s residence while serving as Dexter’s pastor) gave the boys surreal vulnerability to what their ancestors were required to endure.

A part of the activities included taking time to be intentional about experiencing a spiritual connection.  

“On the morning of the 15th, we [did] what is called a morning grounding at the river,” Miles said. “We [met] at a river. It [was] a spiritual time to balance a sort of rite of passage experience. I want to make sure that we continue to be on one accord.” 

Naturalists maintain that morning grounding, also known as earthing, slows down the heart rate, reduces illnesses and chronic pain and disrupts depression. Engaging and learning a therapeutic exercise can prove valuable for boys growing up in Baltimore.

Mentoring Male Teens In the Hood began when Miles, a worker for the Department of Social Services, witnessed a group of adolescents behaving disruptively in the building. 

“The young people were coming into the building completely out of control,” said Miles. “They were cursing and fighting. I said, ‘I grew up in Baltimore. I can work with these young people.'”

Miles drafted a one-page proposal. His vision was embraced, and 28 years later, the program has served more than 3,000 Black adolescent males. They are currently tracking 65 former mentees. According to Miles, most are doing well, while some have died by violence. 

A shining example of what is possible through the program is Imhotep Simba, a former mentee. Raised by a single mother on Dolphin Street and experiencing behavioral issues, Simba, a Coppin University graduate and current Georgetown grad student, completed the program at 18. Desiring to experience the cultural diversity of a different country, Simba, with the help of Miles, spent two years in Ecuador on a Peace Corps mission. Coming full circle, Simba now brings his son and helps Miles with the program. 

Miles’ intent for the boys is to have them achieve their greatness. 

“My goal is to expose our young men to positive things and role models – male, female, Black or White – from different ethnicities, different occupations so that they can start thinking early and often about what they want to do,” explained Miles. “I want to get engineers in front of them. I want to get pilots in front of them—the judge, the lawyer, the college professor, the business owner and the military general. Whatever the case, they need to see these different pieces and figure out what they want to do.”

The extent to which Black adolescent males do not partake in dangerous and violent encounters can be measured primarily by the extent to which those males are engaged in experiential, life-altering learning opportunities like those provided by organizations such as Mentoring Male Teens In the Hood. Some of the program’s donations are re-invested directly to the mentees. Miles uses a portion of the funding to pay peers. Those are mentees who have proven themselves as leaders. Miles also rewards mentees who earn A’s in major subjects.

“We incentivize for report cards,” explained Miles. “If your son brings me three A’s in major subjects—like math or English—they get $20 for each A. I think that’s the right thing to do with donations. This does give them an incentive,” Miles said. “Some might say they’re supposed to go to school and do good. But there are so many distractions. Everybody isn’t focused on learning. So, we want to give a reward for doing good.” 

Mentoring Male Teens In the Hood also provides the first $10,000 in scholarship funding for any mentee who desires to attend college.

The program will host its sixth Annual STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) camp from July 8 to August 9.

“I’m not working this hard for everybody to flip burgers and clean toilets,” said Miles. “I’m not knocking that work– but I want them to do and be the very best that they can.”

Now that  they have returned, the boys must submit a one-page report detailing how the trip impacted them. Miles calls the tours “learning trips.” 

“We want them to be prepared and learn about great things to help prepare them for greatness,” said Miles.

Contributions to Mentoring Male Teens In the Hood can be made by contacting Cameron Miles at (410) 852-8013 or by email at cmilesmmth@gmail.com.

The post Mentoring Black Male Teens in the Hood: Investing in the lives of young Black men appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aleisha Robinson
AFRO Intern
arobinson@afro.com

and

Gabby Howard
AFRO Intern
ghoward@afro.com

As summer kicks into high gear, the D.C, Maryland and Virginia area is quickly becoming the place to be for fun in the sun. This week the AFRO interns compiled a mixture of events that will range from festivals, museum happenings, panel discussions and bike tours. Take a look at the events below to find something that piques your interest and don’t forget to register!

Baltimore

The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum’s 8th Annual “Voices of History” Street Fair

The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, Discover Me, Recover Me and T.E.A.C.H will be hosting a free community event to celebrate Black history, culture and community. Music and live performances will be featured, along with local talent, vendors, art, food and more.

Date: July 13

Location: The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
1601-1649 East North Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21213

Time:11 a.m – 6 p.m

Prince George’s County

U.S. Africa Collaborative

The Pan African City Exposition which is hosted by Bowie State University and sponsored by Wells Fargo will host a series of events to educate people of sustainability and urban development. The event will have plenary sessions with speakers such as Dr. Ernest Khalema, Ph.D, Maria Day Marshall Esq., Dr. Sijekula Mbanga, Ph.D and CEO of York Housing Authority Regina Stone Mitchell.

Date: June 26-29

Time: Sessions are on June 26, June 27 and June 28 are from 10:45 a.m – 5:15 p.m. and June 29 from 10:45 a.m – 5:30 p.m. See schedule for more details.

Location: Bowie State University
National Sciences Building and Student Center
14000 Jericho Park Rd, Bowie, MD, USA.

Cost: Free, (registration link): https://usafricacollaborative.org/registration/

Washington D.C.

NoMa BID: Sunset Concert Series

NoMa BID and DC Fray are hosting a Sunset Concert Series to celebrate a diverse culmination of artists and music ranging from go-go, funk, indie and more. There will be vendors and food trucks.

Date: June 11 to July 30

Time: 6:30 p.m – 8:30 p.m

Location: Alethia Tanner Park
227 Harry Thomas Way Northeast
Washington D.C. 20002

Cost: Free, RSVP on Eventbrite

W.E.B Du Bois Ethiopianism and Black Internationalism | Busboys and Poets Books

Busboys and Poets will host a conversation with Dr. Wayne A. Rose, Ph.D, along with Professor Robbie Shilliam, Ph.D to discuss his research on W.E.B. Du Bois and Black internationalism.

Date: June 30

Location: Busboys and Poets (Takoma)
235 Carroll Ave NW
Washington, DC 20012

Time: 6 p.m – 8 p.m

Cost: Free, RSVP on Eventbrite

A Night of Worship And Prayer
Worship leader and composer John Bolin and the Voices of Praise Choir are hosting “A Night of Worship and Prayer.” This live event features uplifting music, heartfelt prayers, and spiritual reflection of the Museum of the Bible.

Date: July 3 – 6
Time: Doors open at 5:15 p.m and event starts at 6 p.m

Location: World Stage Theatre
400 4th Street Southwest
Washington, DC 20024
Cost: Free, RSVP on Eventbrite

Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women

Visual artist Mary Savig and Curator of Craft Lloyd Herman are hosting the virtual Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women Lecture. This event will immerse listeners in discussions about art by women at SAAM’s Renwick Gallery.

Date: July 11

Location: Zoom

Time: 7 p.m – 8 p.m

Cost: Free, (registration link): https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/fiber-art-by-women

Housing and Urban Development Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Event
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is hosting the 17th Annual Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB) event at the HUD headquarters building. This event will provide businesses with information about the laws, rules, and regulations that govern SDVOSB.

Date: July 11
Time: 10 a.m -1 p.m

Location: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street Southwest
Washington, DC 20410

Cost: Free, RSVP on Eventbrite

Hill Family Biking- Yards Park Ride

A network called Hill Family Biking is organizing a four-mile bike ride around Capitol Hill and adjacent regions of DC. Free Ice Cream will be provided to 200 ride participants starting with kids. Families are encouraged to be 15 minutes early if their bikes need maintenance. The police bike team will be in attendance.

Date: July 20
Time: 4 p.m – 5:30 p.m EDT

Location: Payne Elementary
1445 C Street Southeast Washington D.C, 20003

Entrances on 14th and D
Cost: Free, RSVP on Eventbrite

Virginia

Annual Voter Registration Training

The League of Women Voters of Arlington is holding an annual voter registration training event to inform the public because on July 31 registration and certifications will officially expire in Virginia.

Date: July 14

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church (The Activity Room)
4444 Arlington Boulevard
Arlington VA 22204

Time: 2:30 p.m – 4 p.m

Cost: Free, RSVP on Eventbrite

Black Pride RVA – Day of Purpose Festival

The Greater Richmond Convention center will be hosting a “Day of Purpose Festival.” This event will focus on the strength and diversity of the BIPOC LGBTQIA+ community. The attendees can enjoy live musical performances, art exhibits, and various vendors.

Date: July 20

Location: Greater Richmond Convention Center
403 North 3rd Street
Richmond VA 23219

Time: 11 a.m – 4 p.m

Cost: Free, RSVP on Eventbrite

The post Upcoming meetings and events in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ericka Alston Buck 
Special to The AFRO 

The 3rd Annual Black Leading Women Celebration, held at The Center Club on June 13 and presented by the Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center (LTYC) and CarVer Communications, shone a spotlight on the achievements and legacies of remarkable Black women. 

This year’s event was hosted by Nicole Kirby, of CarVer Communications, and Chief of Staff at LTYC Lauren Blackwell,, with April Watts serving as the mistress of ceremonies. The night was filled with inspiring performances, heartfelt speeches and well-deserved honors.

The evening kicked off with a dynamic invocation by the charismatic pastor, teacher, evangelist and author Dr. Jazz Sculark, setting an uplifting tone for the celebration. Special guest artist Mumu Fresh delivered stirring performances of her songs “Let Your Light Shine” and “Gratitude,” which resonated deeply with the audience. DJ Angel Baby kept the energy high throughout the evening with a phenomenal set.

Nicole Kirby captured the spirit of the night with her passionate remarks: “We want to celebrate women who are doing the thing. We see you, we see you, we see you. When we see you driving around and we wave, we know what you’re going through. Tonight we celebrate all of you. Let’s keep this going.”

Among the honorees was Dana Carr, CEO of The Creative Impact Group, recognized for her innovative leadership. Nykidra Robinson, CEO of Black Girls Vote, was celebrated for her tireless work in inspiring Black women to engage in policy decisions. Sydney Johnson, a 19-year-old youth leader and fashion influencer, received accolades for her advocacy against gun violence and her empowering fashion initiatives.

Johnson’s story was particularly moving. 

“Sydney Johnson is a rising star, shining brightly as she advocates for change and inspires through fashion and self-expression,” the presenter noted. Johnson’s dedication to using repurposed fabrics to promote individuality and authenticity has made her a beacon of hope and creativity in the community.

Tyde-Courtney Edwards, CEO of Ballet After Dark, was honored as the Trailblazer in the Arts. Edwards’ journey from a classically trained ballet dancer to a social innovator was highlighted, particularly her creation of a ballet-based fitness program for survivors of sexual and domestic assault. 

“After a traumatic experience, she took a leap of faith and created Ballet After Dark, which caught the attention of multi-talented artist Queen Latifah and was featured at the Tribecca Film Festival,” the tribute recounted.

Shelonda Stokes, CEO of Downtown Partnership, was recognized with the Cultural Impact Award. Her influence as a changemaker in Baltimore was celebrated, with her achievements from her early days at Morgan State University to becoming one of Maryland’s most influential leaders being highlighted. 

“Shelanda Stokes, Baltimore’s powerhouse, can be a change maker in any big city across America, but she continues to call Baltimore home,” the introduction read.

The event also made special acknowledgements to Brittany Young, founder of B-360; Dr. Aisha Austin, founder of Symone Center for the Arts; and Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew, CEO of Root Branch Media Group, for their exceptional contributions.

APoetNamedNate delivered a powerful spoken word piece titled, “She is Beautiful,” which encapsulated the mission of uplifting the women in the room. 

Natasha Murphy, accepting the award on behalf of Nykidra Robinson, expressed deep gratitude, saying, “It is incredibly impactful, just the opportunity to be recognized for the impactful work that we’ve been doing in the Baltimore area and beyond.”

The post Celebrating the impact of Black leading women in Baltimore appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Dali container ship, which struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, has left the Port of Baltimore after nearly three months of being stuck in the Patapsco River. The U.S. Coast Guard announced the vessel’s departure on June 24 and is overseeing its voyage. 

The Dali’s first stop will be at Virginia International Gateway where 1,500 containers will be removed to reduce its draft. It will then sail to the Norfolk International Terminal for ongoing salvaging and repair operations. 

“During the transit, the Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, an 87-foot Marine Protector-class patrol boat homeported in Virginia Beach, will provide a 500-yard safety zone around the Dali while Coast Guard watchstanders at command centers in the Fifth Coast Guard District, in Portsmouth, Virginia, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region and Sector Virginia will closely monitor the ship’s movement as it transits through each captain of the port zone,” wrote the Coast Guard in its release. 

The Dali is manned by a 22-person crew and six salvage experts from Resolve Marine, according to the Coast Guard. Four tugboats are also accompanying the vessel on its journey. 

Members of the maritime community can tune into VHF radio channel 16 to receive updates about the ship’s movements from the Coast Guard. 

The Dali crashed into the Key Bridge in the early morning hours of March 26 after losing power. Eight construction workers were on the bridge during the collision—six of whom died in the accident. 

A National Transportation Safety Board report later revealed the ship had two blackouts 10 hours before leaving the port. The agency is still in the process of determining what led to the power outages. 

The Dali’s June 24th departure from Baltimore coincided with the Maryland Transportation Authority’s (MDTA) deadline for proposals to rebuild the Key Bridge. The department hopes construction will be completed by 2028. 

The post Dali leaves Baltimore nearly three months after Key Bridge collision  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

(NNPA Newswire) – The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) concluded its 2024 annual summer convention on June 22, leaving its mark on Baltimore and making history as the first trade association with a presidential campaign as an event sponsor. The Biden-Harris campaign also announced a groundbreaking seven-figure advertising and sponsorship deal with the NNPA, which represents 250 Black-owned newspapers and media companies comprising the Black Press of America.

“In August of last year, our campaign announced the earliest and largest investment into Black media for any reelection campaign in history,” said Jasmine Harris, the director of national Black media for Biden-Harris 2024. “This partnership with the NNPA is a continuation of those efforts and will strengthen our work in meeting Black voters where they are, to underscore the stakes of this election for Black America. President Biden and Vice President Harris are responsible for creating millions of new jobs for Black workers and record low Black unemployment. Black America has far too much to lose this election.”

In a letter to publishers, Vice President Harris asserted that the NNPA has remained steadfast in its commitment to supporting Black publishers. “Your work helps ensure that communities gain critical knowledge and have access to accurate information on the pertinent issues impacting our country,” Harris said. “As you know, the freedom of the press is essential to our democracy. I commend the efforts of the NNPA as you continue to be trusted voices of your communities and tell stories that too often go untold.”

NNPA Chairman Bobby R. Henry Sr. emphasized that “it is extremely important to show support of the business side of the Black Press owned by Black business leaders. Verbal support is good, but financial support is better.”

The 2024 convention began with the unveiling of the “Marylanders Cry Freedom, Civil Rights at Home and Abroad” exhibit at Baltimore City Hall, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of Maryland’s divestment from South Africa’s apartheid regime in 1984.

The unveiling featured remarks from Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), Chavis, Henry, AFRO Publisher Dr. Toni Draper, and other dignitaries. Distinguished guests included U.S. Black Chambers President Ron Busby and Dr. Camille Ragin of Fox Chase Cancer Center.

The convention offered a series of insightful panels and discussions. A GenZ panel on voter issues featured journalist Ashleigh Fields, University of Maryland Student journalist Savannah Grooms, North Carolina A&T student journalist Melvin Harris Jr., Huffington Post journalist Phillip Lewis, community organizer Brielle Morton, and Elijah Pittman, an anti-colonial, Afro-diasporic-centered journalist from Howard University. Additional panels, hosted by Wells Fargo, Google News Initiative, General Motors, Pfizer, and Reynolds, aligned with the convention’s theme, “Empowering the Black Press, Communities, Families, and Voter Turnout.”

During the NNPA Fund’s Merit Awards, Baltimore Times Publisher Joy Bramble was honored as Publisher of the Year. The St. Louis American led with 12 awards, including first place in the Armstrong Ellington Entertainment category and the Robert L. Vann Layout & Design Award. Real Times Media publications, the Michigan Chronicle, and the New Pittsburgh Courier collectively garnered eight awards. The Michigan Chronicle won five awards, while the New Pittsburgh Courier earned three.

The Atlanta Voice received six awards for journalistic excellence, including the Emory O. Jackson Award for health coverage and the Ada S. Franklin Award for fashion. The Sacramento Observer, whose publisher Larry Lee won the 2023 Publisher of the Year award, also secured six awards. Other recognized publications included The Washington Informer, Texas Metro News, Houston Forward Times, Houston Defender, Insight News, Minneapolis Spokesman-Recorder, Los Angeles Sentinel, New York Amsterdam News, and Seattle Medium.

The NNPA’s daily digital show, “Let It Be Known,” was celebrated with the Black Press of America’s “Black Excellence in Media” award. The NNPA National Legacy Awards, always among the convention highlights, honored Maryland Democratic Congressman Kweisi Mfume. Erica P. Loewe, a White House Office of Public Engagement assistant to the president and chief of staff, and photographer Mel D. Cole received the inaugural “Future Goes Viral” award from “Let It Be Known,” under the direction of Greer Marshall, for their bravery and unwavering resolve during and after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Philadelphia Tribune Publisher Robert Bogle, and Defender Network CEO Sonny Messiah Jiles were also presented with the “Future Goes Viral” award for their tireless advocacy as publishers of Black-owned newspapers and media companies.

The conference formally closed with a dinner cruise presented by Regi Taylor of the Baltimore Times that was titled, “From Shackles to Ownership: A Reflection of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.”

“Gratitude is owed to our sponsors, speakers, awardees and organizers for their unwavering support in making this event possible,” Henry said. “Together, let’s harness this moment to inspire, learn, and collaborate, shaping a brighter future for all through the NNPA and its Black-owned media companies.”

The post NNPA 2024 convention in Baltimore breaks new ground appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

JPMorgan Chase committed $8.45 million to advance economic and community development in Baltimore City on June 4. The firm will deploy funding to nonprofit organizations addressing the vacant housing crisis, commercial corridor restoration and small business growth. 

The investment is a part of JPMorgan Chase’s broader five-year, $20 million commitment to support Baltimore’s underserved communities, which was announced in January 2022. 

“There is just so much opportunity in Charm City, and we at JPMorgan Chase are committed to seizing it with all of you,” said Tim Berry, global head of corporate responsibility and chairman of the Mid-Atlantic region for the company. “Through thick and thin, we are here for the long haul and ready to continue showing up for Baltimore in both good and challenging times to create an even stronger local economy.”

Six million of the funding will be deployed to nonprofits working to fortify Baltimore’s housing supply, especially those that specialize in combating vacant housing. A special focus will be put on organizations that work to stabilize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and create wealth in underserved communities. 

Since Mayor Brandon M. Scott took office in 2020, the city has decreased the number of abandoned homes from nearly 16,000 to about 13,300—the lowest number in more than 20 years. Last December, he announced a $3 billion agreement with Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development (BUILD) and the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) to resolve the vacant housing crisis over the next 15 years. 

“We obviously have a lot of work to do, and partnerships like this one are an opportunity for us to work together to get it across the finish line,” said Scott. “The city can’t do it alone. GBC can’t do it alone. BUILD can’t do it alone. JPMorgan Chase can’t do it alone. We need everyone at the table to answer the call to Baltimore’s most long-standing challenges.” 

JPMorgan Chase will use $2.45 million of the funding to advance small business growth and revitalize the city’s commercial corridors.

 Of this share, $1.45 million will be delivered in five grants to community organizations, including Innovation Works, Revolve Fund and The Harbor Bank of Maryland, to provide technical assistance and capital to local small businesses. The Baltimore Civic Fund will receive $1 million for its “Vacancy to Vibrancy” initiative. The city of Baltimore is matching the investment. 

The initiative will support Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s BOOST Program, which supplies funding for entrepreneurs to open brick-and-mortar businesses in Downtown. It will also back a project to restore the West North Avenue corridor and Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street. 

“Today is an example of the power of public-private partnerships in addressing our city’s challenges, like vacant housing and growing our small businesses,” said Scott. “It’s no secret that every day I push my administration to tackle our biggest challenges and overcome the decades of purposeful disinvestment that so many of our communities have faced.” 

The post JPMorgan Chase to invest $8.45 million to address Baltimore’s vacancy crisis and revitalize commercial corridors appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Earl G. Graves, Jr. and Michael C. Hyter
Special to the AFRO

This week in New York City, BLACK ENTERPRISE hosted its second annual Chief Diversity Officer Summit and Honors, presented in partnership with Fidelity Investments, Merck, and The Executive Leadership Council, the preeminent organization representing senior Black executives in corporate America and corporations throughout the globe.

The event’s purpose is to highlight the contributions of great champions of corporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), including impactful industry leaders such as trailblazer James Lowry, former Dell EMC CDO Jacqueline Glenn, and the dynamic duo that designed and drove the inclusive culture at PepsiCo, Ronald Parker and Maurice Cox. 

Perhaps more critically, the summit serves as a platform for conversation about the status and future of DEI as it faces withering attacks on all fronts. Indeed, DEI needs its champions now more than ever.

It was just four years ago when the murder of George Floyd and the galvanizing global protests that followed seemed to inspire a racial reckoning focused on the systemic discrimination of African Americans, and corporate America was very much a part of it. Corporations across industries declared their renewed commitment to DEI goals with grand pledges of support for equity and fairness. We seemed to be on the precipice of great change.

We were, but it was not the change we’d hoped for or anticipated.

The landscape has shifted dramatically in recent months. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action in college admissions has opened the floodgates for legal challenges to DEI policies in the workplace. A federal appeals court’s recent ruling to end Fearless Fund’s grant program for Black women entrepreneurs could potentially set a chilling precedent that undermines measured and effective efforts to level the economic playing field.

And in March, another federal ruling similarly gutted the Minority Business Development Agency, a potentially devastating blow to minority businesses that have long struggled to overcome systemic barriers to advancement.

As political pressure on companies to abandon DEI has intensified, the chief diversity officer role in the corporate hierarchy is being increasingly marginalized or eliminated altogether. And those lofty statements of commitment to DEI that beamed so proudly from company websites in the wake of the Floyd protests have quietly vanished.

Is this how DEI ends? Are we about to lose the chief diversity officer permanently? Or will corporate America come to its senses and acknowledge the value of equity and inclusion in its growth and profitability?

To answer that question, it’s important to remember that the business case for DEI has been made and reaffirmed in study after study, contrary to the hyperbole of its critics.

Chief diversity officers have redefined how companies recruit and develop talent. They have elevated the profile of HBCUs as a rich, viable, and long-underutilized recruitment resource and demonstrated the importance of mentorship in opening the leadership pipeline beyond the traditional White male boy’s club.

Most significantly, the rise of the CDO helped countless corporations establish profitable relationships with diverse suppliers, identifying growth opportunities that allow companies to capitalize on emerging trends. This kind of collaboration leads to new and wider access to unexplored markets and untapped talent.

On another front, the CDO role provides governance and practices that underscore the necessity of DEI in the workplace. Studies show that 41 percent  of Black employees say they have experienced discrimination at work, from the hiring process to being passed over for promotions to disproportionate compensation.

For CEOs, these numbers represent a genuine threat to a company’s health and stability, leaving the firm open to damaging and expensive lawsuits. The CDO’s role ensures compliance and mitigates risk.

Bottom line: CDOs make companies more agile and responsive to marketplace trends and, yes, better places to work.

Corporate America cannot—must not—sacrifice progress to short-sighted political pressures. It’s simply a bad business strategy.

Rather than running from controversy, our leading corporations should proudly own DEI’s successes within their organizations and the contributions of their CDOs. Moving forward, it’s essential for corporate leaders to recommit to DEI and the CDO role substantively, not in name only. If not properly championed and supported by leadership from the top down, DEI will continue to prove vulnerable to the kind of coordinated, negative attacks we’re witnessing.

BLACK ENTERPRISE was launched 55 years ago to ensure that African Americans become full participants within the economic mainstream and gain unfettered access to equal opportunity in corporate America with the ability to rise as high as their talents can take them—including the C-suite, boardroom, and the CEO’s chair. 

The Executive Leadership Council was founded 38 years ago to develop Black executives for the highest business echelons and simultaneously eliminate institutional barriers or excuses that denied them power positions as corporate decision-makers.

So, it falls upon Black senior executives and corporate directors to use their positions to be proactive and ferocious voices in protecting and advancing CDOs, DEI policies and practices, and the elevation of current and future generations of Black professionals. BE Founder and Publisher Earl G. Graves Sr. continuously asserted that we can ill afford high-ranking Black executives willing to accept the role of “window dressing” for their respective companies but need Black men and women of position and influence to “stand in harm’s way” to ensure that all Black professionals gain opportunities across the board in corporate America.

Black C-suite executives must stand firm and uphold DEI, challenging corporate leadership to be accountable to their diversity statements and create a more equitable organization where all employees can thrive.

When C-suite executives champion the CDO role, they encourage other leaders to do the same, fostering a culture of inclusion and respect. The benefits are on the balance sheet.

The post Corporate America must stand by DEI and chief diversity officers  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aziah Siid
Word In Black

From hair products mogul Madame C.J. Walker to Pinky Cole, CEO of Slutty Vegan Foods, the Black community has a long tradition of inspiring and nurturing entrepreneurs. 

The creativity and determination to build a successful business from the ground up — and seeing a venture shine — can be immensely satisfying, and the call to create one is enduring.  According to the most recent official numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are nearly 3.6 million Black-owned businesses, employing millions of people nationwide. 

Now, with platforms like TikTok, Shopify and other methods, Black youth are turning their interest and passions into profits. For students with an entrepreneurial spirit, there are organizations across the country specifically designed to help them plan a venture, fund it and more. Check out five of them here:

1. Black Girl Ventures Foundation

In its mission to provide Black women and girls with access to “community, capital and capacity,” Black Girl Ventures has funded hundreds of thousands of small businesses across the nation, helping transform dreams into realities. 

Founded in 2016 by entrepreneur and computer scientist Shelly Bell, the nonprofit foundation has multiple programs targeting tech-enabled businesses generating under $1M. Their funding model uniquely combines the premise of hit television shows Shark Tank and Kickstarter by activating “community participation in donating to support women-owned businesses directly”.

BGV currently has three signature programs: BGV Pitch, BGV NextGen, BGV Emerging Leaders. It is currently the largest ecosystem builder for Black and brown women founders on the East Coast.

2. The Hidden Genius Project 

The Hidden Genius Project trains and mentors Black boys  in technology creation, entrepreneurship and leadership, skills that can help transform their lives and communities.

Founded in Oakland in 2012, the Project is the brainchild of five Black men who were unnerved by the juxtaposition between high Black male unemployment and the abundance of career opportunities in nearby Silicon Valley.  

To bridge that gap, the founders established a program to connect young Black males with the skills, mentors, and experiences that they need to become high-performing tech-sector workers and entrepreneurs.

3. The NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant 

Along with  fighting social injustice, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People also aims to build Black entrepreneurial pipeline. 

In conjunction with Medium Rare and The Shark Group, the NAACP is in its fourth year of the annual NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant. The grant empowers Black entrepreneurs and businesses through funding and resources and, in previous years, has contributed immensely to the growth of Black businesses across the nation.

4. Center for Black Entrepreneurship

The Center for Black Entrepreneurship stems from the long-standing history of creative programming at Spelman College and Morehouse College, both in Atlanta. 

In partnership with Spelman and Morehouse, the Black Economic Alliance Foundation founded the first-ever academic center of its kind to directly produce, train, and support young Black entrepreneurial talent.

According to the site, the CBE seeks to “eliminate the access barrier between Black entrepreneurs, professional investors, and business builders by leveraging education, mentorship, access to capital and opportunity.” 

Building on an existing culture of strong entrepreneurship programs at both historically-black colleges, the CBE is intended to help expand the ecosystem and continue to grow the pipeline of Black innovation. 

5. The Young Entrepreneurs of Color Pitch Competition

A creation of The Abercrumbie Group, the Young Entrepreneurs of Color Pitch Competition launched in 2021 to connect African American and Latinx high schoolers and would-be entrepreneurs to training, resources and mentorship for highschool students in grades 10-12. 

The program features an interactive one-week paid internship in July for students and young professionals. They’ll work together in teams and learn about entrepreneurship, team building, pitching business ideas and providing solutions for real-life scenarios when running a company.

This article was originally published by Word in Black.

The post Five organizations promoting youth entrepreneurship  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Jeremy Allen, Executive Editor
Michigan Chronicle

Dr. William “Bill” Pickard – entrepreneur, philanthropist, education advocate, business titan, mentor, and visionary – passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 12, at his West Palm Beach, Fla. home, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Dr. Pickard’s daughter, Mary Pickard, issued the following statement: “On behalf of the Pickard family, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the love and support during this difficult time. Your kindness has provided immense comfort. We are deeply touched by the memories shared, which highlight the impact my dad had on so many lives. Thank you for standing by us as we navigate our grief. We kindly ask for privacy to allow our family to heal. Funeral arrangements will be announced soon.”

Born in the modest confines of Georgia, Dr. Pickard’s early life was steeped in the values of hard work and education. His family’s migration to Flint, Michigan, was a pivotal moment that set the stage for his future successes. It was in Flint that Dr. Pickard began to forge his path, starting with an associate’s degree from Mott College in 1962. His academic journey did not stop there; he earned a degree in sociology from Western Michigan University in 1964, followed by a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan in 1965, and ultimately a Ph.D. from Ohio State University.

Dr. Pickard’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited in 1971 when he purchased his first McDonald’s franchise in Detroit. This initial venture was the cornerstone of a business empire that would span several industries and impact communities across North America. By 1989, Dr. Pickard founded the Global Automotive Alliance (GAA) Manufacturing, a holding company that generated over $5 billion in sales through its network of automotive parts manufacturers. His ability to navigate and succeed in the competitive world of business was unparalleled, making him one of the most influential Black businessmen in the nation.

However, Dr. Pickard’s legacy extends far beyond his business achievements. His commitment to philanthropy and community service was equally remarkable. A proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Dr. Pickard was deeply invested in the upliftment of the Black community. His contributions to education were vast and impactful, highlighted by his more than $3 million donations to his alma mater, Western Michigan University, resulting in the construction of new campus facilities named in his honor. Additionally, he donated more than $2 million to Morehouse College to support Black male students from Detroit, Flint, and his birthplace, La Grange, Georgia.

Pickard, who co-owns Real Times Media and Michigan Chronicle, has generated more than $5 billion dollars in sales through GAA, with eight plants in the U.S. and Canada, servicing Boeing, Mercedes Benz, Ford, General Motors, Delphi, Johnson Controls, Starbucks, The Home Depot and Merck & Co. Pharmaceuticals. Black Enterprise honored Dr. Pickard as one of the 50 most Influential Black Entrepreneurs over the past 50 years.

Beyond that, Dr. Pickard has served on numerous business and non-profit boards including Asset Acceptance Capital Corporation, Michigan National Bank, LaSalle Bank, Business Leaders for Michigan, National Urban League, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of the National Park Foundation, and is a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

In 2019, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer awarded Dr. Pickard “The Michigan Lifetime Humanitarian Award,” and he was awarded “Michiganian of the Year” for his exemplary business success, civic leadership, and philanthropy.

He was the first Chairman of the African Development Foundation in 1982, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, and under President George H.W. Bush, he was appointed to The National Advisory Committee on Trade Policy Negotiations (1990) and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board – Indianapolis Bank of Indiana (1991). In February 2021, he was appointed by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas as the first-ever honorary consul for the State of Michigan.

“The world has lost a true visionary and trailblazer with the passing of Dr. William F. Pickard. He was not only my esteemed business partner and colleague, but a dear friend whose wisdom, guidance, and unwavering belief in me changed the course of my life,” said Hiram E. Jackson, Publisher of Michigan Chronicle and CEO of Real Times Media.

“Dr. Pickard’s pioneering spirit, coupled with his brilliant mind and generous heart, left an indelible mark on the business world and inspired countless others to dream big. His legacy of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and uplifting the Black community will forever be etched in history. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to have walked alongside this giant among men. While his physical presence may be gone, Dr. Pickard’s impact on me and so many others will reverberate for generations to come. Rest in eternal peace, my friend and mentor.”

Born on Jan. 28, 1941, Dr. Pickard notably said to the Clark Atlanta graduating class of 2017: “I’m from LaGrange, Georgia, a very small town, but I have a simple belief about life. Anybody from anywhere can accomplish anything. But you must put the work in.”

That was Dr. Pickard’s spirit. That’s what made him special.

Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming. The family has asked for privacy at this time but wants to thank the community for their prayers and support.

Senior Reporter Ebony JJ Curry contributed to this report.

This article was originally published by the Michigan Chronicle

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By Kennedy Krieger Institute

Kennedy Krieger Institute’s leadership team announced that Ernestine Briggs-King, Ph.D will join the Institute as vice president of the Department for Family and Community Interventions. She will also have a faculty appointment at Johns Hopkins University.

In her new role at Kennedy Krieger, Briggs-King will lead the Department of Family and Community Interventions, which includes the Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress and the Therapeutic Foster Care program. In addition, she will lead research, mentor staff and early career-stage learners and provide psychological care for patients and their family members.

Briggs-King will be a community-facing subject matter expert for the Institute on trauma-related topics and continue to advance Kennedy Krieger’s strong reputation and work in the field of child, adolescent and family psychology. 

“We are elated that Dr. Briggs-King, who is such a strong national voice on the topics of child and family well-being as well as mental health disparities and inclusion, will join our team as a leader, clinician and researcher,” said Jacqueline Stone, Ph.D, the Institute’s chief clinical officer. “This is a department that has provided considerable services to the community, particularly in recent years, and continues to evolve to meet the needs of children and families affected by trauma and other experiences.”

Briggs-King was chosen for the role after a nationwide search. Prior to Kennedy Krieger, she worked at Duke University, where she was the associate director of diversity, equity and inclusion and network relations and co-director of the data and evaluation program for the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, the coordinating center for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). She also was the director of research for the Center for Child and Family Health, a nonprofit NCTSN site in Durham, North Carolina. 

Briggs-King is president of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and is on the executive committee of the board of directors for the National Children’s Alliance.

In the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine, Briggs-King was an associate professor with tenure, and director of equity, diversity and inclusion. Her professional expertise focuses on implementation, dissemination and evaluation of evidence-based treatments; child traumatic stress; resiliency; mental health disparities and inequities, quality improvement and increasing access to care for underserved youth and adolescents.

“I am extremely excited to join the leaders at Kennedy Krieger Institute as I continue the work of my predecessors to strengthen community ties, provide premier services and create new initiatives that will serve as a national model of excellence,” Briggs-King said.

This article was originally published by Kennedy Krieger Institute.

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By James Matheson
Capital News Service

A yellow bus filled with middle schoolers heading home slowed to a stop at the corner of Sutler Drive and Iverson Street in Prince George’s County. It was just before 5 p.m. on a spring Monday in May 2023.

Three young people hidden behind black face-coverings burst onto the bus, past the driver and the bus aide.

The masked juveniles held a handgun to the chest of the lone middle schooler who remained on the bus, according to Prince George’s County Police. The trigger was pulled, but the gun jammed three times. The assailants beat the boy and fled the scene.

Although disaster was averted that day, the incident weighed on Vennard Wright, a security and technology specialist who a few years earlier formed a cybersecurity firm called Wave Welcome.

As a native of Prince George’s county, Wright had seen enough gun violence and wanted to do something about it.

“Thankfully the gun jammed,” Wright said of that heartbreaking day last May. “But because of that, we developed a technology that uses AI to detect firearms and notify police.”

Wright is among a growing number of African Americans who in recent years have formed companies in Prince George’s County, which has become the leading county in the state for the number of new businesses, according to data from the United States Census Bureau.

Wright’s newest company, which he founded last year with his wife Janelle, is called PerVista. It uses artificial intelligence to scan surveillance footage alongside a database of firearms. The system triggers an alert and sends the portion of video to public safety officials and police if anything from the footage matches the database.

The company hopes to sell its services to schools, shopping malls, sporting venues and office buildings.

Wright says the technology can detect firearms if any part of the gun is showing, but won’t alert police unless the gun is produced and can accurately be verified as a weapon.

The technology also utilizes a drone called WatchWing to verify the software’s finding. Right now, PerVista does not target concealed carry and doesn’t scan the inside of backpacks.

“Our goal is to reduce the impact and number of active shooter events in schools, hospitals and other public places,” Wright said.

Janelle Wright is now CEO of Wave Welcome while Vennard Wright took the reins at PerVista, which has six full-time employees. The couple is committed to developing an artificial intelligence workforce in the county.

Wright, who graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in business administration, is author of  “Cracking the C-Code,” a book to help readers become C-level executives.

He was also director of technology for Hillary Clinton during her successful re-election campaign for the U.S. Senate in New York in 2006 and her unsuccessful presidential run in 2008. He also served as Prince George’s County chief information officer from 2010 to 2017 and was honored as “Innovator of the Year” in 2023 by the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce.

This article was originally published by Capital News Service.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office and Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, have announced that Washington D.C. received more visitors than ever in 2023. The announcement came via a press conference that the mayor’s office livestreamed on May 29, sharing the good news and its economic impact. 

The D.C. area welcomed a total of 25.95 million visitors last year, which is a 17 percent increase from 2022 that surpasses the pre-pandemic record set in 2019. The new groundbreaking number resulted in a whopping $10.2 billion in visitor spending and helped support 102,366 local jobs.

“This is a major milestone for Washington, D.C. We are seeing the results of our increased marketing and sales efforts thanks to the tourism recovery district legislation, and the city is benefitting from increased tourism,”  said Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of DDC. “There is still work to do, however, since international travel hasn’t fully recovered. The additional funding allows us to continue to entice international visitors who stay longer and spend more.”

Of the record-setting 25.95 million visitors, 24 million traveled from within the U.S. These numbers mean that domestic visitation has been fully restored to 105 percent in 2019. Meanwhile, international visitation continues to reflect towards pre-pandemic levels. There were a total of 1.95 million international visitors, indicating an 85 percent return, and a 40 percent increase from year to year.

“We are proud to show millions of visitors every year why Washington, D.C. is the most important city in the world,” Bowser said. “Tourism is critical to our city’s vitality, yielding jobs for our residents, dollars for our local businesses, and revenue for our investments in a stronger DC.”

“As we continue to share the story of our city and create fantastic destinations for our visitors, we are grateful to Destination DC and all our hospitality partners for the work they do every day to remind people that there’s only one DC.”

In November of last year DDC launched its award-winning campaign, “There’s Only One DC,” which has helped creatively display the district as a unique tourism location, all the while highlighting the region’s diverse experiences and activities, along with its rich history. Additional funding from the tourism recovery district has allowed DDC to spread their message to all potential travelers. “There’s Only One D.C.,” has the largest reach of any DDC campaign to date.

Hopes are high for visitors and tourists this summer as a series of events and anniversaries will be taking place in our nation’s capital including the reopening of the Folger Shakespeare Library (June 21), a Capitol Hill landmark which holds the world’s largest Shakespeare collection along with a host of other highly anticipated festivals,concerts and sporting events

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

A recent report revealed that Washington D.C. is a leading region for women entrepreneurs. The 2024 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses, commissioned by Wells Fargo, examined the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan statistical area (MSA) among others across the country. D.C. ranked number nine. 

“D.C. was a top 10 metropolitan area,” said Val Jones, women’s segment leader for small business at Wells Fargo. “There’s a moderate firm growth of 9.6 percent, but what they found in the D.C. area in particular is that women-owned businesses contributed a lot to strengthening the region’s economy.” 

The report was inspired by the need for more current data about the state of women-owned businesses. Previously, most people referred to the 2019 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, which was commissioned by American Express. 

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the country, disrupting and, in some cases, eliminating businesses. The long-term effects are still unfolding. As so much has changed for businesses in the past couple of years, Wells Fargo wanted to assess the current landscape. 

Jones said of the top 10 MSAs, including D.C., there were a couple common themes contributing to their regions being suited for women-owned businesses.  

“First, they have a strong economy in general. D.C. definitely has the government there providing a lot of different growth opportunities, and it’s very stable,” said Jones. “Across the board, they also found that there was a highly educated workforce. If you’re needing expertise to get your firm off the ground, you have that workforce around you and you can do that a lot faster.” 

One other common thread is that the regions prioritize providing support to women-owned businesses. 

“These top areas provide focused support for women entrepreneurs,” said Jones. “There are specific programs providing opportunities for bidding on contracts and technical assistance.”

Across the U.S., the report found that there were more than 14 million women-owned businesses, representing 39.1 percent of all firms. They commanded 12.2 million employees, and their revenue was $2.7 trillion.  

Their earnings represent just 5.8 percent of total firm revenue in the U.S., but they have more to give. 

“Still, women could make a greater impact if the gaps between women of color and White women-owned businesses, as well as between women and men, were closed,” wrote the report.

It projected that women entrepreneurs could generate an additional $7.9 trillion if their average revenue was on par with men’s. They could garner an additional $667 billion if minority women-owned businesses and White women-owned businesses had the same average revenue. 

One challenge is that women are more likely to start businesses in sectors that produce modest revenues. 

“Women tend to congregate in industries that have lower revenues, as opposed to their male counterparts, like service, education or personal aides,” said Jones. 

Although this tendency prevails, the report identified a few sectors that women are growing into. 

“There are opportunities for women to consider industries that they might not have thought about before,” said Jones. “Some of the growth industries we’re seeing are finance, insurance and construction.”

Access to capital is also a persistent barrier for women entrepreneurs, especially for Black and Brown women. Though the report learned that Black women have similar growth rates to their peers and eclipse them with employment growth rates, they are more likely to be denied loans or encounter higher interest rates from lenders. 

While there’s been a rise in support programs for women-owned businesses since the COVID-19 pandemic to address long-standing disparities, some of these efforts have come under attack. Most recently, a U.S. appeals court suspended a grant program led by Atlanta-based Fearless Fund that targets Black women entrepreneurs

The venture capital fund is part of an ongoing lawsuit lodged by the American Alliance for Equal Rights. The organization is headed by conservative litigant Edward Blum, who championed the eradication of affirmative action. 

“No one is trying to take anything away from anybody that’s already getting capital. No one is trying to take anything away from supports that might be out there for a variety of people,” said Jones. “If we enable women, minorities and any special groups that might be out there to be successful, they’re going to hire employees and put more money into the economy. We all benefit.” 

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By Ericka Alston Buck
Special to the AFRO
ealstonbuck@afro.com

The 2024 Associated Black Charities (ABC) Annual Gala, held on Saturday, June 8, at the Maryland Live! Casino Hotel was an unforgettable evening of celebration, recognition and unity. This year’s theme, “Let’s Stay Together,” honored organizations dedicated to serving the Black community.

The gala kicked off with an exclusive VIP reception from 5:30 pm to 7 p.m., where guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and champagne served from a living table—a model adorned with a skirt full of glasses of champagne. Pianist Chester Burke provided an elegant musical backdrop for the reception. General admission guests joined the festivities at 6 p.m. for a lively cocktail hour.

At 7 p.m., attendees were ushered into a lavish ballroom, greeted by the soulful sounds of musical artist Ashley Keiko. The atmosphere was electric, with WBAL TV News Anchor Jason Newton capturing red carpet reactions from guests. Interactive stations throughout the venue included elegant photo opportunities and a photo 360 station, ensuring everyone had a chance to capture the magic of the night.

The awards ceremony, emceed by the flawless and fabulous Radio One personality Pershia Nicole, began with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the honored organizations. ACLU of Maryland; NAACP Baltimore; Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle; Greater Baltimore Urban League and CLLCTIVLY were all recognized for their vital role in advancing racial equity and fostering sustainable change within the community.

“By honoring these organizations, ABC validates their efforts, amplifies community voices, mobilizes support, builds trust and fosters sustainable change,” said ABC CEO Chrissy M.Thorton. “The importance of racial equity organizations working together cannot be overstated.”

NAACP Baltimore President, Kobi Little, shared his thoughts on the night. 

“This recognition fuels our resolve to continue fighting for justice and equality,” he said. “Collaboration among our organizations amplifies our collective impact, leading to greater and faster progress.”

As the awards concluded, guests were treated to an electrifying performance by the musical phenomenon Maysa. The legendary entertainer inspired everyone to their feet, singing and dancing to timeless hits from the ’80s and ’90s. The energy remained high as DJ Tanz took over, transforming the ballroom into a vibrant dance party.

The evening didn’t end there. VIP guests had the opportunity to attend the Midnight Mixer with vocalist Bryan Jeffrey, who provided an intimate and soulful conclusion to the festivities.

The 2024 ABC Annual Gala was not only a night of celebration, but also a testament to the power of unity and collaboration in driving meaningful change. As ABC continues to honor and support these vital organizations, the impact on the community will undoubtedly grow stronger and more profound.

“Tonight was a phenomenal blend of fundraising, philanthropy, and fun,” said Thorton. “We look forward to continuing this journey together, creating a brighter future for all.”

The 2024 ABC Annual Gala was indeed a night to remember, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended and reinforcing the importance of staying together in the pursuit of justice and equity.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) tapped Rachel D. Graham to become its next permanent CEO in February. The move came after a challenging year for the quasi-governmental agency.

Prior to BOPA, Graham served as the external relations director for the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. In her new role, she hopes to reorient the organization as a trusted advocate for the Baltimore arts community. 

“If you build a robust arts community, that in turn can play a huge role in the city taking its rightful place as an arts and culture mecca,” said Graham. “People have a tendency to forget how much this city has given in the way of arts and culture. Working with our partners in the city, I look forward to us being able to play a role in pushing the city forward and telling the story of Baltimore.” 

BOPA is the official event producer for the city of Baltimore, organizing large-scale events like Artscape and the Baltimore Book Festival. Its contract with the city is set to expire on June 30, and there has yet to be word on whether it will be renewed. 

The AFRO recently connected with Graham to discuss the trajectory of the agency going forward. The responses below have been edited for length and clarity. 

Q: As you grow into your new position, what are your top goals for BOPA? 

A: The short-term goal is meeting the expectations of the city around our contracts and obligations. Over the past year, BOPA has done a lot of work to regain the trust of the city and to demonstrate that we are a stable organization that takes its work seriously. When I first came in, one of the conversations I had with the team was understanding that our first responsibility is to the taxpaying residents of Baltimore because they are who pay our bills. We are charged with promoting arts and culture and supporting artists in the city of Baltimore. Instilling that understanding at a deep level will help us shape what the long-term looks like. 

We’re also really focused on making the bones of the organization sturdy around bylaws, governance and fiscal responsibility. Our interim board will be doing a lot of work over the next year to determine the path forward for the organization. As they set marching orders, I will be working with my team to execute them. 

The budget for the organization has decreased over the years so we’re identifying ways to expand the pie not just from governmental sources but by proving ourselves worthy of private and nonprofit contributions. That way we can do more work to meet the needs of the community. 

Q: Baltimore maintains a vibrant community of Black creators and artists, what is your role in ensuring they can access opportunities and support from BOPA? 

A: Much of my career has been steeped in conversations about equity even before it became a part of people’s lexicon. I’ve gone through a number of training sessions centered on undoing racism. I understand racism and bigotry are not the same thing. 

BOPA is an organization that considers diversity, equity and inclusion as a key driver. My job is to keep the organization true to that. That means examining how we intentionally encourage the community to be a part of our application processes for prizes that go out. It means making sure we’re communicating information about funding opportunities to the broadest audience as humanly possible. 

We also do public artwork and mural projects, which have guidelines as it relates to the spending of federal dollars, but that’s the bare minimum. We want to take it a step further and incorporate  community voice throughout the entirety of the process such that we’re walking alongside residents as we support arts and culture in the city. 

Q:What impact do you want to have on Baltimore’s arts community and the city as a whole?

A: Ultimately, it’s not about the impact I want to have on them but the impact I want them to understand they can have on our organization. We want to hear what their interests are and implement or provide support to them to bring about sustained change for the city. We want to help make this city a place that will attract people from all over the world to enjoy. 

It’s also important for me to broaden the understanding of the opportunities that exist in Baltimore’s arts and culture landscape. I want us to be a connector, promoter, celebrator and solutions finder. 

When people ask what my vision is for the organization, I struggle to answer because, for me, it’s not my place to say. Instead, I need to sit back, listen to the community and shape their vision into something actionable.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) Atlanta, GA — Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated is proud to announce that it will host its 84th Conclave in Tampa, Florida, from June 27 to July 2. This highly anticipated event will bring together thousands of fraternity members, dignitaries, celebrities, and community leaders for a time of fellowship, development, and community service with a focus on activism, philanthropic efforts, youth mentoring, recognizing the fine arts, health and wellness, and celebrating decades of social action. 

The conclave serves as Omega Psi Phi’s biennial convention, designed to address fraternity business, and plan the future direction of the organization. For this year’s conclave, due to the unique social and political times we are in, the primary purpose of the gathering has been expanded, and the 84th Grand Conclave has been labelled as a “Conclave with a Purpose.” 

Our goal in Tampa is to reassert our leadership as Omega men by providing a forum where ideas, activities, and tools to shape a more equitable future on both the local and national levels can be discussed, leveraged, and amplified. The event will offer a plethora of activities including, but not limited to: 

• Community Forum: To educate and empower the community by increasing understanding of how legal/legislative changes, both proposed and implemented, impact their lives.
• Voter Registration Education and Mobilization: A state-wide voter registration initiative has been implemented focused on individuals who have been historically underrepresented.
• Book Drive: Collect and distribute books focused on African American history and culture through small libraries set up in several urban communities and through relationships with local organizations, schools, and businesses.
• Silent March and Rally: A visible and symbolic effort intended to demonstrate disapproval of policies implemented that limit civic engagement, negatively impact equity, and alter the accuracy of the historical record.

Our intention in Tampa is to be visible, vocal, and deliberate in communicating and demonstrating our position as community leaders and offer strategies to make a change. 

About Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.: 

Omega Psi Phi was founded over 113 years ago at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by three undergraduate students and their faculty advisor. They sought to address the racial hostilities of the day and find ways to uplift the Black community.       

Today, the Fraternity’s membership stands upward of over 200,000 in more than 700 undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It was the first black-male Greek-letter organization founded on the campus of a historically Black university. If you would like more information about the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, we encourage you to visit, www.oppf.org.

For more information about the 84th Conclave please visit our website or contact:

~ Dallas Thompson, Special Assistant to the Grand Basileus at: dgthompson584@gmail.com 

Note to editors: Photos from the event and additional information are available upon request

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New animated short film designed to shift the narrative celebrates Black dads

(Black PR Wire) CHICAGO – Walmart, in collaboration with Contender, a culture-forward advertising agency that specializes in connecting brands to multicultural audiences in meaningful ways, released its new multimedia ad for the Black and Unlimited initiative. Kicking off the campaign, the animated short film entitled “Answering The Call” was released .

Developed in partnership with award-winning Black-owned animation studio Martian Blueberry, the creative short-form content features a group of modern-day fathers known as “The League of Black and Unlimited Dads.” These heroic men take us on an adventurous journey through parenthood, while emphasizing the importance of nurturing the physical, mental, spiritual and financial well-being of their children.

The campaign, which includes a five-minute short, supported by :15 and :30-second trailers, was created in collaboration with Martian Blueberry animator and co-founder Carl Jones, who is also a producer of “The Boondocks” and “Young Love,” an animated series based on the Oscar-winning short “Hair Love.” 

Dee Charlemagne, Director of Cultural Strategy at Walmart, said, “In culture and the media, positive stories about Black fathers need to be told. Through animation, the film taps into those everyday moments when dads show up and shape the lives of the next generation – that is a superpower. At Walmart, we see dads show up every day as superheroes and are honored to play a role in special moments – everything from that first haircut to gifts for dads on their special day.”

Robert Clifton Jr., co-founder and chief creative officer of Contender, said, “We take great pride in delivering impactful content that highlights the vital role of Black fathers in their children’s lives. As a Black father myself, I understand the significance of positive representation. We’ve created breakthrough content that will further expand Walmart’s Black and Unlimited platform, while leveraging the brand’s reach and scale to continue to shift the narrative around Black fatherhood. I feel incredibly grateful to be able to tell stories about the unheralded Black men who do an amazing job in their role as fathers every day.”

This year’s campaign builds off the foundation and momentum that was set with Walmart’s 2023 Fatherhood Series which utilized real stories to reshape the narrative around Black fathers in the media. “Answering The Call” continues the storytelling, by highlighting four dads, each one with their own special parenting style “superpower” that they use to show up as real-life heroes in their kids’ lives.

The campaign also includes influencers who will showcase their parenting styles and a contest that gives filmmakers an opportunity to create stories about Black dads. The winning short films will premiere at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach on June 15. Following the screening, Carl Jones will be joined by actors Lance Gross and Devale Ellis to discuss their unique approaches to fatherhood and how it positively impacts their children’s lives.

The campaign, which launched June 6 and runs through Father’s Day, is another example of Walmart’s collaboration with Black-owned creative partners, Contender, co-founded by Robert Clifton, Jr. and Kristian May Stewart, Ph.D., Martian Blueberry, co-founded by Carl Jones and Love Jones, and Nice Crowd, producers of the American Black Film Festival co-founded by Jeff and Nicole Friday. Together, they are excited to recognize and highlight the Black fatherhood experience.

The campaign launched June 6 and content will be shared on Walmart’s Black and Unlimited website through Father’s Day and beyond.

About Contender

Contender Labs, LLC is a Black-owned advertising agency specializing in leveraging the power of data and the influence of culture to help clients reach, connect to, convert and retain, the multiculturally-led new mainstream driving growth in today’s marketplace. To learn more about Contender, please visit https://www.contenderlabs.com/.

About Walmart’s Black & Unlimited

Walmart’s Black & Unlimited celebrates the diverse and dynamic interests of today’s Black community. Our mission is to supercharge future-focused creators, influencers and changemakers. Walmart is committed to supporting these communities with its scale and impact to fuel the limitless potential of Black excellence.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 255 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2024 revenue of $648 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide.

Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart, on X (formerly known as Twitter) at twitter.com/walmart, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/walmart.

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By Ben Jealous

The Biden-Harris administration is making bold moves to ensure America leads the global clean energy economy of the 21st century.

We are at the crossroads of our country’s next major shift in trade policy and domestic manufacturing that will define our economy for decades. The last time we were here was more than 30 years ago. I was helping to organize the movement to stop the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The framework being put forward this time, by the current administration, is the anti-NAFTA moment American workers have been waiting for. I am organizing in support of it.

The tariffs announced this month on electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, batteries, semiconductors and materials like aluminum and steel are part of a broader regime of policies and investments creating the foundation for America’s leadership in the next economy. 

These tariffs are part of a smart, targeted approach that stands at odds with the flailing, nonstrategic approach of his predecessor. They show the president understands the threats posed by China and has the courage to take them on in a real and impactful way.

And the administration gets that tariffs are just one piece of the puzzle. In his remarks at the signing ceremony for the tariffs, Biden highlighted his bipartisan infrastructure law’s investment in building 500,000 EV charging stations nationwide and the “thousands and thousands of jobs” it would create. The tariffs will help ensure the aluminum, steel, solar panels, and other components and materials for these charging stations are American-made. And that means even more good American jobs.  

NAFTA cost our country hundreds of thousands of jobs and devastated America’s manufacturing sector. By contrast, Biden’s trade policies, coupled with other policies and investments, have the power to create a green jobs boom and birth a new manufacturing renaissance. Companies have already announced over $825 billion in private sector investments in US manufacturing and clean energy since Biden took office. All of this is key not only to long-term job creation, but to stopping China’s domination of the next economy.

A future in which China holds all the economic cards is one in which climate change is allowed to run rampant. Even though manufacturing in the United States is 3.2 times more carbon efficient than manufacturing in China, China has a grip on more than 80 percent of the world’s solar manufacturing. China produces 58 percent of all new electric vehicles sold worldwide. In 2022, China accounted for about 59 percent of global primary aluminum production and 54 percent of the world’s crude steel production. 

All that manufacturing is energy intensive, especially for steel and aluminum. And in China that energy comes primarily from coal – the dirtiest energy source there is.

China is the world’s largest consumer of coal – with 56 percent of global consumption in 2020, according to the International Energy Agency. That coal reliance makes carbon emissions from Chinese steel production as much as double that from American steel. It adds to the urgency of seizing market share from China and using our own domestic manufacturing to help expand the market. And it is why the president paired his tariffs on Chinese solar with tariffs on aluminum and a $500 million investment in the first aluminum smelter in the US in 45 years. Imagine that new aluminum plant being built with modern protections against pollution and powered by American-produced solar panels made with the plant’s own aluminum. That is what President Biden imagined. And he is making it happen. 

The Chinese government has not played fair. It overproduces in order to flood global markets. It has leaned on exports of “bifacial” (basically, two-sided) solar panels, which were foolishly exempt under the Trump-era solar tariffs – with 98 percent of Chinese solar panel imports to our country now being bifacial. And the Commerce Department is now investigating how China has allegedly used countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand as pass-throughs to route solar products to the US and evade tariffs.

The Biden administration’s trade policy in this area can help make China more of an honest broker. But even that is no substitute for owning the manufacturing and supply chains of the staple goods that will power our next economy. And let us not forget the national pride Americans once felt in the products invented and built by American hands. 

The US automobile industry is a great example. The future of automobiles is electric. If we do not invest heavily in US EV production, we cede important ground to our primary global competitor. And we leave behind the current and future auto workers who will benefit from robust domestic EV production. But President Biden’s policies once again show he has the whole picture in mind. He is not simply putting a tariff on EV’s and expecting us to dominate. He is investing in the supply chain and protecting it – with tariffs on the aluminum, steel, semiconductors, and chips that are all vital to EV manufacturing (EVs use twice as many chips as gas-powered cars).

At the end of the day, we must invest in domestic growth of the industries at the center of the emerging global economy. If we fail, we allow China to dominate that economy and risk taking steps backwards in our efforts to curb climate change and save our planet. The Biden administration is showing its keen understanding of what is needed to tackle that challenge and build a strong future for American workers at the same time. 

The post Biden’s anti-NAFTA moment is here  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Wyatte Grantham-Philips
AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Merrill Lynch has agreed to pay nearly $20 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that accuses the Wall Street brokerage giant of racially discriminating against its Black financial advisers.

The lawsuit alleges that African-American advisers employed by Bank of America-owned Merrill received less compensation and promotions than their White counterparts — and were terminated at higher rates than their White colleagues, with fewer advancing to more senior roles. The case alleges that this was a result of discriminatory practices at the company, which included a broader lack of support and inequitable teaming opportunities.

“The violations of African-American employees’ rights are systemic and are based upon company-wide policies and practices,” reads the suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida last week. The complaint was brought by four former Merrill advisers.

According to a May 24 motion for settlement, Merrill has agreed to pay $19.95 million — which, beyond attorney fees and administration costs, is set to compensate class members with individual payments. 

The plaintiffs expect there are about 1,375 eligible class members.

As part of the settlement, which still needs a judge’s approval, Merrill has also agreed to additional “programmatic relief” — including a review of the company’s current and past diversity initiatives as well as analysis of diversity metrics and pay equity. Merrill does not admit to any wrongdoing under the settlement’s terms.

In a statement to The Associated Press, Bank of America said that the company “reached an agreement to resolve this matter so we could focus on initiatives to assist Black financial advisers and their clients.”

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Bank of America, which acquired Merrill in 2008, added that it had “implemented numerous policies and programs over the last 10 years” — including increased training aimed at improving diversity and inclusion. In that time, the company noted, the number of Black financial advisers at Merrill has increased by over 40 percent and representation on teams has more than tripled.

This legal battle dates back several years. According to the motion for settlement, the class counsel first sent Merrill a letter informing the company of the plaintiffs’ allegations back in September 2020, and negotiations between the parties continued in the months and years following.

In July 2021, a class action complaint was also filed in federal court in Michigan — but the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the action in November 2022, so that settlement negotiations could conclude, last week’s motion notes.

Just over a decade ago, in August 2013, Merrill agreed to a sweeping settlement following previous allegations of racial discrimination from Black financial advisers. At the time, the company agreed to pay $160 million and implement a list of measures aimed at improving diversity in the workplace.

The post Merrill Lynch agrees to pay nearly $20 million to settle class action racial discrimination lawsuit appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Beyond the tangible assets, homeownership encompasses a myriad of advantages, from financial stability to a sense of belonging and community engagement. Let’s delve into the key benefits that make homeownership a cornerstone of personal and financial well-being.

The AFRO & FitzGerald Financial Group will host a virtual homebuying workshop on June 13^th on The AFRO’s Facebook page! Scan below to register!

Building Equity:
One of the most compelling reasons to own a home is the opportunity to build equity over time. Unlike renting, where monthly payments contribute solely to the landlord’s investment, homeownership allows individuals to invest in their future. With each mortgage payment, homeowners gradually increase their ownership stake in the property, building equity that can be leveraged for future endeavors, such as renovations, education expenses, or retirement funds.
 
Financial Benefits:
Owning a home brings a multitude of financial benefits, including the opportunity to build wealth through equity accumulation and leverage tax deductions on mortgage interest and property taxes. Unlike renting, where monthly payments are subject to fluctuations, homeownership offers the security of predictable monthly payments, particularly with a fixed-rate mortgage. Furthermore, homeownership acts as a safeguard against inflation, as property values typically appreciate over time, bolstering one’s financial portfolio in the long run..
 
Stability and Roots:
Owning a home provides both stability and roots, offering a sense of permanence and a place to establish lasting memories. For families, homeownership offers stability for children, providing a consistent environment for learning and growth. Additionally, owning a home fosters a deeper connection to the community, as homeowners are more likely to be invested in the well-being of their neighborhood and actively contribute to its improvement. This engagement extends to civic participation, as homeowners play an active role in local events and community initiatives, shaping the fabric of their neighborhoods and enriching the overall quality of life through social connections and networks.
 
Freedom and Flexibility:
While homeownership entails responsibilities, it also offers unparalleled freedom and flexibility. Homeowners have the autonomy to personalize their living space, whether through renovations, landscaping, or decor choices. Unlike renting, where restrictions may limit creativity and individuality, owning a home allows individuals to tailor their environment to suit their preferences and lifestyles. Additionally, homeowners have the freedom to make decisions regarding their property without seeking approval from landlords, providing a greater sense of control and autonomy.
 
Sense of Achievement:
Buying a home is a huge deal! It’s a reward for all your hard work, saving, and discipline. It’s your own place – a space to grow, celebrate, and make memories. Whether it’s a first-time homebuyer stepping onto the property ladder or a seasoned homeowner upgrading to their dream home, the sense of accomplishment that comes with homeownership is unparalleled. It signifies a commitment to building a better future and creating a legacy for generations to come.
 
Long-Term Wealth Building:
Perhaps the most compelling benefit of homeownership is its role in long-term wealth building. As property values appreciate over time, homeowners accumulate equity that can serve as a foundation for future financial security. Additionally, homeownership provides a hedge against rising rental costs and offers a potential source of income through rental properties or home equity loans. By investing in real estate, individuals can diversify their investment portfolio and lay the groundwork for a prosperous future.
 
From building equity and financial stability to fostering a sense of community and achievement, homeownership offers unparalleled advantages that extend far beyond the confines of four walls. It’s not just about owning a piece of property; it’s about investing in oneself, building a legacy, and embracing the essence of the American dream.

Have more questions? Join us for a virtual homebuying workshop on June 13^th on The AFRO’s Facebook page! Scan below to register!

Shirvan Joseph
Diversity Manager/Loan Officer NMLSR# 188513
571-278-8351
Shirvan.joseph@shirvan-joseph

FitzGerald Financial Group NMLS# 512138.

The information contained herein (including but not limited to any description of FitzGerald Financial Group, its affiliates and its lending programs and products, eligibility criteria, interest rates, fees and all other loan terms) is subject to change without notice. This article is for informational purposes only. This is not a commitment to lend.

The post Beyond Rent: How Owning a Home Builds Equity and Financial Security appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer 
abrent@afro.com

For the last four years the AFRO hosted the Black Business Matters Expo,  highlighting national and local organizations while also providing attendees with business savvy tips, resources and expertise. 

On Thursday, May 30, from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. EST, AFRO friends and family joined Maryland’s oldest Black-owned business for an evening of enriching insight and must-have business knowledge.  Catch the replay here!

AFRO Executive Director Lenora Howze spoke on the importance of Black business owners working together to close the racial wealth gap. 

“Other cultures have done a better job than we have in keeping and circulating their dollars within their communities. When it comes down to it, we’re all we have,” said Howze. “If we don’t support us, we can’t rely on other communities to do so. We have to create generational wealth to build a solid foundation for our families and community.” 

This year’s event is focused on celebrating and uplifting small Black owned businesses and all that they bring to our communities. Along with celebrating small Black-owned businesses, a series of speakers and one-on-one interviews will be happening with industry experts and emerging entrepreneurs. 

“Since its inception in 2020, it’s always been our goal to have the Black Business Matters Expo be a platform to uplift, educate, and encourage Black businesses,” explained Howze. “With May being national ‘Small Business Month,’ we thought it was fitting to specifically focus on Small Black-owned businesses who have their own unique set of challenges.

Several community leaders are scheduled to speak during the event including Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Special Secretary of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs Yolanda Maria Martinez along with a variety of notable Black business figures. 

In addition to this guests, can expect to be dazzled by musical performances from Elyscia, a contestant from season 25 of NBC’s singing competition, “The Voice ” and the Morgan State University Choir.

The event is taking place online, and the 131 year old publication is bringing the expo to viewers all across the world using the groundbreaking platform, STEM City. Virtual attendees can anticipate in-depth workshops and interactive activities that are designed to help business owners further their knowledge and network of resources.

“Just as in previous years, we will offer a host of virtual workshops and sessions to help Black-owned businesses and those looking to start a business, grow and thrive.  Some of the session topics include: 3rd Eye View: Removing The Blinders In Business; Championing Black Business Growth & Empowerment and The Need to Create A Pipeline for Black Executive Leadership & Opportunities.”

The AFRO is proud to present this event to you with the support of the following sponsors: JPMorgan Chase; United Bank; TEDCO; United Way of Central Maryland; Giant; Security Plus Federal Credit Union; PNC Bank and Live Casino and Hotel.
Tickets for this event are available for free online at AFROtix.live.

The post Replay available: The AFRO returns with fourth annual Black Business Matters Expo  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Despite Black people comprising nearly 14 percent of the U.S. population, they own just about 3 percent of the country’s businesses. In comparison, White entrepreneurs own 85 percent of companies– even though their share of the population is about 60 percent. 

Nevertheless, according to a Pew Research Center analysis, Black businesses are on the rise– and they’re making more money. The center reported that there were 161,031 Black-owned businesses in the U.S. as of 2021, up from 124,004 in 2017. During this time period, Black business owners revenue grew from nearly $127.9 billion to $183.3 billion, a 43 percent increase. 

Anne-Marie Knight, executive director for the Black Business Alliance (BBA), said this progress is limited. 

“The state of Black business is fluctuating. There’s been growth in Black business over the years, and in particular, growth in Black woman-owned businesses,” said Knight. “But, we are still not succeeding in certain areas.” 

Knight has led the BBA since 2020, bringing years of experience in consulting and entrepreneurship. The Connecticut-based organization works to empower, promote, and grow small and medium Black small businesses by providing education, funding and capacity-building. 

“We don’t have enough small Black businesses that have employees and are successful to be able to make that big of a difference for our economic wealth,” said Knight. “Our businesses are primarily in the service space. We’re salon owners or in retail or restaurants, we’re not in some of these high-yield business areas, which are better for building wealth.” 

After the 2020 murder of George Floyd and subsequent racial reckoning, a number of U.S. companies made racial equity promises that included commitments to closing the racial wealth gap. A main component of these pledges was expanding capital access for Black and Brown businesses. 

Knight thinks these actions have helped, but funding remains sparse. 

“Though the spotlight has been shone on capital issues, and we’re starting to address them, we still have a long way to go,” said Knight. “We’re still at the 1 percent mark for venture capital funds.” 

As far as who can step in to reduce these divides, Knight urged the Black community to look inward. According to the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, African-American buying power is expected to hit $1.7 trillion by 2030. 

Knight thinks Black people should prioritize spending with businesses from their community. Black businesses should view each other as allies rather than competitors. 

“These systems haven’t worked for us for hundreds of years. They’re not designed to work for us. Part of what we can do is take control of our actions,” said Knight. “We can agree to network amongst ourselves, support each other, build our businesses by doing business with each other first and spend our money with Black-owned businesses first.” 

As entrepreneurship is considered a common path for wealth creation, Knight said it can help to close the racial wealth divide. She also thinks running a business has become more than a means of supporting a family for Black people. It’s a way to create lasting impact in their communities. 

“Having stable and growing Black-owned businesses is a solution for our community,” said Knight. “If we’re going to close that gap, we have to increase not just the number of Black-owned businesses but their capacity to grow six- to seven-figure businesses in their communities.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

The post Black businesses are growing in the U.S., but challenges remain appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles 
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

A recent report from Oxford Economics discovered that U.S. small- and midsize-businesses (SMBs) generated $14.7 billion in revenue through advertising on TikTok in 2023. The enterprises spanned industries, including food and beverage, health and wellness, automotive, business services, tourism and real estate. 

In particular, Black-owned businesses have created more than 1.5 million videos, amassing more than 3.3 billion views. Eighty-three percent of them say they’ve experienced sales increases after promoting on TikTok, according to the report. 

“TikTok provides a new path to business growth for SMBs,” wrote Oxford Economics. “These organizations use TikTok’s wide reach and high engagement to promote their brand, create awareness of products and services and track the success of business initiatives in the app.”

Fifty-seven percent of Black businesses said TikTok is critical to their existence. Not only has the platform boosted their sales, it’s helped them to scale. Fifty-nine percent of Black SMBs have used the app to hire a new employee, and 76 percent have been able to secure a new investor with the help of the platform. 

In April, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that made way for a potential ban of TikTok. U.S. lawmakers have argued that the app poses a national security risk as it’s owned by China-based company, ByteDance. The technology company has a year to sell its stake in the app before it’s shut down. 

Some Black SMBs worry a ban could harm their businesses. 

“This potential ban is concerning for minority companies like myself because TikTok is more than just a social media platform. It’s a lifeline,” said Felicia Jackson, founder of CPRWrap. “It saved the life of my business, and because other people were able to see it, it saved the lives of people out there in the world.”

Jackson is a mother of three and former healthcare professional from Chattanooga, Tenn. In 2002, during a family outing, her 2-year-old son began choking. Although she was CPR-certified, Jackson froze out of sheer panic. 

Her husband thankfully stepped in to save their child, but Jackson couldn’t shake the fact that she was unable to take action. This inspired her to create CPRWrap, a portable first aid tool for resuscitation. 

The kit provides a template with simple CPR instructions that can be placed over a person undergoing a cardiac emergency. The product hit the market in 2018. 

“When I first saw TikTok, I didn’t think promoting my business was something that was feasible because my daughter was on it a lot and she used it for dancing,” said Jackson. “I thought it was entertainment only and that my business would not fit on the platform at all.”

It was a disheartening conversation with a mentor that finally pushed Jackson to take to the app. The mentor told Jackson she should make a White person the face of her company, implying that would be the only avenue for growth. 

She posted about the experience in February 2022 and went viral, garnering more than 754,000 views and 137,000 likes.  TikTok users flooded the comment section with questions about Jackson’s invention, and she posted another video introducing the life-saving tool. 

Nearly 1.4 million people saw the clip. 

“We made almost $600,000 dollars from that one video, and I was able to keep my doors open,” said Jackson. “I was able to hire, pay myself and buy inventory.” 

Jackson’s growth on TikTok has also spurred more followers on her other social media pages. For her, the platform was the key to overcoming an obstacle that many minority businesses face, a lack of visibility. 

“Could a ban jeopardize my livelihood? Yes, there’s a possibility it could,” said Jackson. “It’s disheartening to see.” 

Stormi Steele, CEO and founder of Canvas Beauty, said while she’s been thinking about the potential ban, she hasn’t allowed it to consume her. 

“When the time comes, I hope that people and brands like mine on TikTok can be a voice for not seeing it go away because to me it does more good than bad as of right now,” said Steele. 

The small-town Mississpi native created her first product, the Canvas Hair Blossom Serum, in 2015 while working as a hairstylist. Soon after, she decided to quit her day job and start selling the hair product online. 

In her first year, Steele generated $1 million in sales. The brand continued to rapidly grow, hitting the $20-million mark in 2020. 

But, Steele almost went bankrupt. 

“I grew so fast, and I just didn’t know a lot or how to properly vet people who wouldn’t take advantage of me,” said Steele. “In 2023, we launched a new product called Body Glaze, and it did moderately decent numbers on the website, considering we had been in business before. But, when we got TikTok, we saw this tremendous boom.” 

She posted her first viral video last August. It follows Steele as she prepares Body Glaze orders. In the same month, Canvas Beauty joined TikTok Shop, which enables brands to sell directly through content on the app. 

By December, Steele secured a new 30,000 square-foot warehouse for the business, which she moved into in March. She’s also been able to grow her staff from 10 to 60 employees. The brand captured about $5 million in sales in March alone—the vast majority of which came from TikTok. 

Though Steele isn’t allowing the potential TikTok ban to intimidate her, she is conceiving courses of actions if the app is prohibited.

“As of right now, I’m focused on the day-to-day of it all and trying not to make myself afraid of what the future may be,” said Steele. “I’m also intentionally putting measures in place if the worst was to happen.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

The post Black small businesses point to sales boosts as potential TikTok ban looms in the distance  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

The year was 2019 when Marilyn Van Alstyne decided to co-found Wifey Wines with a friend also toying with the idea of starting a wine business. The decision to strike out into the world of wines and spirits was aimed at creating a brand that would make wine drinking experiences more enjoyable and accessible to Black women. 

The company aims to educate people on the many details of wine that are often confusing, all the while providing culturally relevant selections to the Black community and beyond. The AFRO caught up with Alstyne leading up to the fourth annual Black Business Matters Expo to talk about all things related to Wifey Wines.

AFRO: Can you please tell us about Wifey Wines? When did it get started?

Marilyn Van Alstyne: I had a client that I was doing marketing activities for and one day we got into a deep conversation about what we want to do after the evolution of our current chapter. I said, “I’ve always wanted to open a wine company. I’ve actually started to research wineries and different vineyards in Italy to find a producer.” He said, “Oh, I always wanted to do it too,” and I said, “Well, maybe we should do it together.” 

This was around January 2019 and literally, it took us all that year to finalize our juice, the packaging and everything and get the product into the U.S. We got the product into the U.S a little bit before Christmas of the same year, so we had a quick production. 

AFRO: What wine options do you have and what can we anticipate coming from the company, as Summer 2024 approaches?

MVA: We are actually rebranding. We looked at the brand, we looked at our financials and we decided that we need to pivot a bit again. Prior to our rebranding, we had a wine that was a dry, sparkling Rosé.Then we had a sweet white wine that was also sparkling. Now we’re going into it based on where the market is going, where our consumers are and what they want to drink. We’re going into a more ready- to- drink style.  

We have a ready-to-drink mimosa coming out with a softer bubble, a mojito and a margarita. They’re all wine based and we’re so excited to get back on the market mid-summer.

AFRO: As a woman in business, what strategies have you employed to overcome challenges–whether that be underestimation or intimidation. What advice do you have for other women who are looking to get into an entrepreneurship role?

MVA: The wine and spirits industry is a male dominated industry. I’m often the minority in a room. I have two strikes against me: I’m Black and I’m a woman. Those groups are often overlooked no matter what industry you’re in. When I walk in the room, I already know I’m being underestimated and sometimes they may even try to intimidate me. I don’t let that bother me. 

There are so many people in the wine business. I’m not a grower. I’ve never said I’m a sommelier and I don’t go around acting like I know what temperature the soil needs to be or how much it needs to rain to grow the grape. I’m not one of those people. I am a marketer though and I am a businesswoman. I do believe a good concept, a good story, good packaging and a good juice will result in success. 

What I try to do is I always remind myself  there’s two ways you can proceed in life. Sometimes it calls for you to be fair and right, and you get one outcome. And then sometimes the question is “What is your goal?” and “What are you trying to get to?” 

Those two things don’t coexist together. 

It’s either “Do I want to give him a lesson on how to deal with Black women and women in general?” or do I want to make sure we get shelf presence at these restaurants and get to my goal. At the end of the day, I’m just doing business with this guy–your opinion of me or women in general, does not bother me. My advice to other entrepreneurs– especially women– is sometimes people are going to test you. It’s about whether you want to be right and fair, and you want to stand on a hill and argue about it, or do you want to get what you want? Because those are two different pathways and two different outcomes.

AFRO: What would you say to women looking to pursue this line of work in spite of so much competition?

MVA : I’ve mentored so many women and if I’m out at a panel or doing interviews, that is the number one question I get. I will give you two examples. Y’all know, QVC, the shopping network. QVC has been around since your grandmother was young and it’s been around for our age group– it’s been a generational brand. Tech has changed, the way we shop has changed, the way we consume products has changed– but QVC is still here.They still make revenue. I say that as an example of a business plan that stayed intentional about what they wanted to do and who their consumer base was. 

I also always use the eyelash industry as an example. There are so many young ladies and men that start hair lines and extension supply brands. There are so many, and the only difference between your brand and someone else’s brand is your story, your consistency and your need to win. That’s the only difference. 

There could be 80 million brands in your space and in your lane, the thing that’s going to make you different is your story and how you tell it and your consistent application to wanting to be successful. Even if you want to go into an industry that you feel is oversaturated with talent, there is a customer out there.  There’s a consumer group out there for you– someone that resonates with you or someone who just likes your product. 

This story has been edited for brevity and clarity.

The post Wifey Wines: Bringing African-American culture to the world of wine and spirits  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Ericka Alston Buck 
Special to the AFRO

In a candid conversation with the AFRO, Andrew and Jasmine Dill, the dynamic duo behind Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company (LIBCo), shared insights into how they balance their personal lives with their business endeavors. Together, the two have learned how to overcome challenges as pioneers in the craft beer industry, all while making a significant impact in Prince George’s County and keeping the flame in their marriage burning bright.

Q: How have you managed to balance your personal relationship with the demands of running a business together? What strategies have you found most effective in maintaining a healthy work-life balance?

LIBCo: We put everything on a calendar—personal plans, work schedules and business tasks. We even schedule our date nights. Creating boundaries is essential. 

Communicating our needs and respecting each other’s space helps maintain harmony. We’ve been together since high school and know each other’s rhythms well. Each morning, we discuss our agendas to coordinate effectively, ensuring neither of us feels overwhelmed.

Q: As Prince George’s County’s first Black-owned brewery, what unique challenges have you faced in the craft beer industry? What have been your most significant triumphs in overcoming these obstacles?

LIBCo: Access to capital has been a major challenge, as funding opportunities for African Americans in the alcohol business are scarce. Despite systemic barriers, we’ve experienced significant triumphs, particularly the support from our community. People who look like us appreciate our efforts, often expressing gratitude for representing and breaking stigmas around Black people enjoying craft beer. This affirmation from our community is incredibly rewarding and motivates us to continue pushing forward.

Q: You mentioned that the pandemic was a twisted gift that allowed you to tap into new talents. Can you share more about how this challenging time influenced your decision to start brewing and eventually launch Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company?

Note: During the pandemic, Jasmine transitioned to working from home, while Andrew, who was a general manager at a beer bar, was laid off.

LIBCo: With more time on our hands, we started exploring homebrewing, which was initially a way to save money on beer. A significant turning point was when we were gifted a complete homebrew setup by the family of a U.S. Air Force veteran. We began experimenting with recipes, and the positive feedback from friends and family encouraged us to take the leap into brewing professionally. Our first successful batches, particularly the “DC Pale Ale” and the “Queen of Seven Seas IPA,” were pivotal moments that solidified our confidence in our brewing capabilities.

Q: You’re passionate about increasing diversity in the craft beer sector. What specific steps are you taking to promote more diverse representation in the industry, and what impact do you hope to achieve?

LIBCo: We make it a point to attend every event we’re invited to, ensuring we represent and communicate the challenges and successes of being Black-owned. We support other Black-owned breweries through collaborations and community building. Additionally, we hold non-Black-owned breweries accountable for cultural appropriation. Our aim is to change the industry’s predominantly White male image and highlight the rich history of beer, which originated in Africa, brewed by women. We also engage in advocacy on county, state and federal levels and ensure we always represent our brand professionally.

Looking ahead, once we have our brick-and-mortar location, we plan to host community outreach events, educational programs and job fairs. We aim to introduce the science behind brewing—its chemistry and biology aspects—to local high school students, demonstrating the diverse and viable career opportunities in this field.

Q: Where can our readers purchase your product?

LIBCo: You can find our products at various bars and restaurants, as well as beer and wine stores all over Maryland and Washington, D.C. We are available as far north as Frederick and as far south as Lexington Park in Saint Mary’s County, and in Ocean City. Notable accounts we’ve acquired in the year and a half we’ve been in the market include being the first Black-owned, self-distributed brewery at BWI Airport, located in Concourse C. We’re also at the Marriott International Headquarters in Bethesda, all World of Beers locations in Maryland, all Whole Foods in D.C., and all Southern Maryland Green Turtles locations in Maryland.

In the end, Andrew and Jasmine Dill’s journey from homebrewing during a global pandemic to pioneering as the first Black-owned brewery in Prince George’s County is a testament to their resilience, passion, and commitment to diversity. 

Their story not only inspires but also sets a powerful example of how love and business can merge to create something truly impactful. With Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company, the Dills are not just brewing beer; they are brewing change and breaking barriers in the craft beer industry.

This article has been edited for brevity and clarity.

The post Love and business: Merging marriage and entrepreneurship at Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Written by Stacker

Memorial Day Weekend looms, while gasoline prices remain essentially unchanged over the last week. That’s as a near-record number of Americans are expected to hit the road for travel between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to GasBuddy’s holiday forecast.

Fortunately for travelers, that forecast includes an expectation that the average price of gas per gallon will hover in the $3 range this summer. The last time Americans saw a significant spike in gas prices over the summer month was in 2022 when the Russian invasion of Ukraine drove prices to record levels.

Meanwhile, AAA says gas prices could tick up slightly over this weekend due to the increase in demand but expects that to be temporary.

“This week’s move by the Biden Administration to sell off the million barrel Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve might help stave off any regional pump price surges,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a statement, “but likely won’t move the national average that much.”

Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Maryland. Gas prices are as of May 24.

Maryland by the numbers
– Gas current price: $3.67
– Week change: +$0.12 (+3.3%)
– Year change: +$0.18 (+5.2%)
– Historical expensive gas price: $5.02 (6/14/22)

– Diesel current price: $4.05
– Week change: +$0.12 (+3.0%)
– Year change: +$0.17 (+4.5%)
– Historical expensive diesel price: $5.99 (6/11/22)

Metros with most expensive gas in Maryland
#1. Cumberland (MD Only): $3.73
#2. Hagerstown: $3.71
#3. Washington (MD only): $3.67
#4. Baltimore: $3.67
#5. Salisbury: $3.66
#6. Annapolis: $3.65
#7. Frederick: $3.65
#8. Bowie-St. Charles: $3.64

States with the most expensive gas
#1. California: $5.14
#2. Hawaii: $4.79
#3. Washington: $4.57

States with the least expensive gas
#1. Mississippi: $3.06
#2. Arkansas: $3.09
#3. Oklahoma: $3.12

This story features writing by Dom DiFurio and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

The post How gas prices have changed in Maryland in the last week appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The AFRO’s fourth annual Black Business Matters Expo is quickly approaching. Once again, Career Communications Group (CCG) CEO Tyrone Taborn is stepping in to host the virtual event on his metaverse platform, STEM City USA. 

The platform is a community of digital twins, or virtual replicas of the physical world. Its aim is to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education globally accessible and to advance diversity and inclusion.

“The metaverse is nothing more than a platform. It’s what you put on the platform that makes it the metaverse,” Taborn told the AFRO in a previous interview about the platform. “We have virtual reality, 3D and artificial intelligence. The majority of the world will embrace the metaverse through web-based platforms, which is exactly what we’re doing now.” 

When expo attendees click on a session to attend, they will be transported to one of STEM City USA’s classrooms. There, they will be able to see and hear speakers in real-time. Business leaders will offer insights and strategies for growing and scaling enterprises. 

This year’s theme for the expo is celebrating small business— a pursuit that is fundamental to the work of STEM City USA. 

“It’s very important because Black-owned small businesses often face unique challenges, including access to capital and resources. Supporting these businesses really helps create economic opportunities, reduces the wealth gap and fosters financial independence within Black communities,” said Alana Winns editor-in-chief and chief content officer for CCG. “STEM City is a trusted community where people have access to these resources to become everything that they are and beyond.” 

STEM City USA is continuing to expand its digital world and enhance its technological capabilities. The platform already houses health and wellness centers, a historically, Black college and university (HBCU) village and education centers. 

It’s also developing an AI-powered 3D digital library called Collin AI. The model applies to STEM and academia topics through the lens of people of color. 

“It’s really important for us to create these systems where we can uplift Black entrepreneurs,” said Winns. “We want to create platforms for them to continue being role models who inspire the next generation of business leaders within the Black community.” 

The AFRO’s Black Business Matters Expo will take place on May 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. To register and receive your free ticket, please visit Afrotix.live. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

The post STEM City platform to host AFRO’s fourth annual Black Business Matters Expo appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aria Brent 
AFRO Staff Writer 
abrent@afro.com

Djam All Naturals is a beauty and homegoods brand that offers a series of products that have been carefully curated with the highest quality of ingredients and materials. Every product has a story behind it and they all give you a look into the life, perspective and interests of Madhyatu Taylor, the founder and CEO of Djam All Naturals. Taylor spoke with the AFRO leading up to their Black Business Matters Expo and explained the inspiration behind her brand, how entrepreneurship has helped create wealth for her community and the new products that customers can anticipate. 

“Djam is a lovely combination of my experiences and my passions and interests. It is a combination of my love of high quality products, natural products, world cultures, beautiful people and beautiful things,” Taylor explained. “There’s a story behind each of the Djam offerings. They’re either products that I’ve created and have been using for a while and I’m now sharing them with others, or they’re things that I’ve found through my travels and networking.”

Djam is a natural luxury brand that prides itself on how meticulous they are in their curation process. Taylor says only the highest quality of ingredients are used with hopes of evoking a feeling of pleasure that is exclusive to Djam All Naturals. And although there are many companies with similar offerings to the small, minority-owned business,Taylor explained that she is sure of Djam’s unique selling factor and appeal. 

“Djam is a complement, it’s not a competition,” she stated.   

When you have a variety of products that are in high demand and a natural hair oil that sells out before it’s even restocked, you move with a special kind of confidence. But the success didn’t happen overnight. How the company’s natural hair and scalp oil came to be was explained to the AFRO.

“I knew exactly what I wanted and I kept trying until I got it right,” said Taylor. “This took me five years to develop.”

Having found success with all the products offered, Taylor is eager to drop the next product: herbal teas. With two signature flavors lined up for release soon. 

As business booms and the lineup of products continues to expand, Taylor’s motivation for continuing this business endeavor does as well. The detail-oriented business woman noted that the determination to use her talents to spread love and joy to others has been one of her greatest reasons for further pursuing Djam All Naturals. 

“There are several why’s one is the determination to use my talents and my gifts to share peace, love and joy with others. This is my passion. This is what I feel like my purpose is,” said Taylor. 

She went on to further explain that her greatest challenge as a business owner has been having the confidence to continue. However, as she is learning how to stay confident in her brand, she encourages all entrepreneurs to put themselves out there and take advantage of all opportunities presented to them.

“My greatest challenge is having the self confidence to just keep it moving. I think lots of people have encouraged me, but whenever you venture into the unknown, or you put yourself out there, it’s an uncomfortable space–but if nothing is ventured, nothing is gained,” stated Taylor. 

“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and when opportunities present themselves, take advantage of them,” she said. “There will be lots of people who come along the way either to encourage or to discourage. Learn to let the negative be filtered out and let the positive enrich you and encourage you.”

The post In the beauty space: How Madhyatu Taylor merges culture and luxury  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer 
abrent@afro.com

The Black Leadership Circle is a local auxiliary group dedicated to providing a safe space for Black leaders in the Baltimore area. The organization is brand new, but they’ve got plans to tackle issues that are decades old. 

With a focus on uplifting the Black community and protecting the sanctity of Black spaces, the small but mighty group is ready to make their impact. Much like the AFRO, they believe that Black businesses matter. This week, founding member Chrissy Thornton spoke to the publication about Black business and the Black Leadership Circle as the AFRO prepared for the fourth annual Black Business Matters Expo. 

AFRO: What is the Black leadership circle?

Chrissy Thornton: The Black Leadership Circle is not its own entity or organization, I like to call it an auxiliary group. It’s powered by Associated Black Charities. It’s an advisory council right now that will build into general membership. It started as an interest group in September of 2023 and we officially launched in January of 2024. It sought to serve a couple of different purposes. The first was to be a safe space for Black leaders in the Greater Baltimore region, to be a trusting, safe, inclusive and progressive space for us to navigate challenges that leaders face–specifically those where we intersect with being leaders of color and Black people. 

The second reason we launched this initiative was because we believe that we should be focused on helping to develop a professional pipeline for more Black people, Black career people and Black workers. We want them to ascend into executive leadership positions because when we’re in those positions, we have both the authority and the interest to make sure that other people have career trajectory and opportunity to ascend to advanced positions as well. 

The Black Leadership Circle is an outgrowth of our goal to put together a group of people who would walk in alignment. Many of us have individual interests. We are comprised of nonprofit leaders, corporate leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs in the Greater Baltimore region. We have many different interests– in some cases, competing interests–but we are aligned on one thing, and that is that Black people in our region and worldwide should have the opportunity to be successful and to thrive; and that some of the barriers that Black people face can be mitigated with advocacy.

AFRO: How will this auxiliary group go about moving forward with the mission of supporting a pipeline for leadership positions in the Black profession? What can we anticipate from you guys, especially because you just got your start at the top of the year?

CT: It’ll be in a number of ways. One of the things that we’re committed to is professional development webinars, we’ve actually already started that series. A month or so ago, we held a webinar on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in Black professional spaces. It was well attended, but also a really great learning opportunity to learn about how we can maximize the opportunity that this nuancing technology is presenting. We want to start to close the racial wealth gap, to start building knowledge bases in our community and that we can take advantage of this trend of AI and the way it’s showing up in the workplace. We have one coming up that is all about taxes– federal and state and local taxes– led by one of our auxiliary board members.

We will continue to produce content to give Black professionals and others the opportunity to not only learn more about these topics, but also explore them from a lens of how they affect Black people. We also will launch a mentorship program for some of our members who want to reach back into the community and have the capacity and the bandwidth to do so to share their expertise and to share shadowing opportunities, which is really important to us as well. 

AFRO: Do you have to work for Associated Black Charities in order to benefit from the work that the Black Leadership Circle is doing? As somebody who’s on the outside, how can I benefit from this? How can I get involved ?