By Deborah Bailey
Contributing Editor
AFRO American Newspapers

More than 800 persons from the violence intervention community across the United States joined a White House briefing Oct.  23, to learn how states can access federal dollars provided by Medicaid for violence prevention services. 

The White House Office on Gun Violence Prevention fielded the call in response to an executive order signed by the Biden-Harris administration on Sept. 26 and its announcement of additional steps to reduce gun violence. 

During the signing ceremony, Biden called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CSS) to clarify the reimbursements currently available through CSS.

“One in five Americans know someone who has been shot or killed as a result of gun violence,” said Greg Jackson, deputy director, White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, on the call. 

“This is $805 billion put in place for the communities we are serving,” Jackson said. “We really are challenging you to step up and build the coalitions needed to access this funding; to work closely with your state leadership and to get these resources to every state.” 

Medicaid reimbursement has been available to states since 2021 for violence prevention services. However, only eight states currently provide reimbursement for community prevention violence strategies. 

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New York, North Carolina and Oregan have passed legislation allocating Medicaid reimbursement for a range of violence prevention services based on needs in communities in their respective states. 

“Different states are doing it in very different ways. There is a lot of experimentation going on and we’re learning along the way,” said Dr. Kyle Fisher, who practices emergency room medicine and serves as clinical associate professor at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. 

For instance, Maryland and several other states are using Medicaid reimbursement to pay for violence prevention training and certification for front line violence prevention workers, while North Carolina has set up a 1115 Medicaid reimbursement plan covering basic life needs such as housing, food, and job placement by those directly impacted by community level violence. 

State violence prevention coalitions have the option to work with state Medicaid offices to request what is known as a 1115 waiver, allowing states to make experimental changes to their existing Medicaid programs to offer innovative supports like the North Carolina reimbursements. 

“We need you to work closely with your state leadership” to determine what services are critically needed in individual states, Jackson said to call participants.

Gun violence was responsible for 46,728 deaths in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This figure represents a slight decrease from 2021, when the highest number of deaths by gun violence ever, 48,830, was recorded. 

Black people in America continue to face death by gun violence at a rate 13 times higher than their White counterparts, according to an analysis of CDC data by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. For children and youth ages 1-17, Black deaths due to gun violence are 17 times the rate of Whites. 

The U.S. rate of death by gun violence far exceeds other high-income nations. Additionally, the U.S. is the only country in the world where civilian ownership of guns exceeds the population according to the World Population Review.

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

The American Cancer Society and the Los Angeles chapter of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer hosted their annual walk on Oct. 19 in Cerritos, Calif. 

The noncompetitive 5k walk provided an open space for thousands of participants to gather and support each other. It was also a fundraiser to help the American Cancer Society fund cancer research, patient support and further efforts to end breast cancer. Survivors, caregivers, family members, supporters and the currently diagnosed came together during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place in October. 

Taunya Tutt shared that bringing awareness to the community aspect is essential. “Some people go through this and think they’re alone, or their story is specific to them. But, if you have this community, you talk and can find out you are going through the same thing I’m going through,” she said.

According to the American Cancer Society, “breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It accounts for about 30 percent, or 1 in 3, of all new female cancers each year.”

There are massive disparities when it comes to race and breast cancer diagnosis due to inequalities in the social determinants of health (SDOH). Black women are the largest group to be affected by breast cancer and are more likely to die than any other group. 

The American Cancer Society stated that “Black women have the highest death rate from breast cancer.” The high rate is due to Black women having “a higher risk of triple-negative breast cancer, more than any other racial or ethnic group.”

Similarly, Hispanic women are highly impacted by breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation found that “Hispanic women and Latinas are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age and with more aggressive disease such as triple-negative breast cancer, which has fewer targeted treatments.” It is also reported that they are likely to be “diagnosed at more advanced stages.”

Triple-negative breast cancer is described by the American Cancer Society as “an aggressive type of invasive breast cancer.” It is different from other types of breast cancer because “it tends to grow and spread faster, has fewer treatment options, and tends to have a worse prognosis (outlook).” 

The name comes from the cancer cells not having “estrogen or progesterone receptors (ER or PR) and also don’t make any or too much of the protein called HER2. (The cells test ‘negative’ on all 3 tests.)”

Monique Crow, a two-time breast cancer survivor, shared that she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. The invasiveness led to her having a double mastectomy that year. The cancer returned in 2022 after she found a lump in her scar, and she has since had radiation and surgery.   

“I’m very transparent about what I’ve been through. I like to share with other women – not just survivors – because early detection is definitely key to surviving,” Crow told the AFRO. “I encourage women to make sure they do their annual mammogram and young women check their breasts monthly. I’ve met so many young women in their 20s, 30s and 40s that have gotten breast cancer–it’s not just a middle-aged woman’s thing.”

She shared that if something feels wrong during a monthly home breast exam, go to a professional and advocate for yourself and your body. 

“I also found out by going through this [that] you have to advocate for yourself because the doctors, a lot of the time, will downplay a lot of stuff, especially with African-American and Latina women. We have to fight harder,” Crow said. 

Kristina Martel, the strategic director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the California, Guam and Hawaii division of the American Cancer Society, shared the work that they are doing to fight breast cancer and how racism directly impacts women who are diagnosed. 

The American Cancer Society is conducting its first-ever lifestyle study, focusing on the lifestyle choices of African-American and Afro-Latina women, to investigate over the course of 30 years why the incidence and mortality numbers are higher in the Black community.

The goal is to “find out why it is that Black women have a higher risk of cancer than any other ethnic population,” said Martel. “We know that lifestyles have a lot to do with it because of the social determinants of health and racism. Those are the things that we’re really diving deep into for the next generation of Black women.”

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By AFRO Staff

The AFRO celebrated the bravery and determination of the local emergency services community on Oct. 24. The event took place at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore.

Last year’s event highlighted the resilience of funeral home directors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, 911 operators and dispatchers who work with the fire department in Baltimore were celebrated.

Honorees for the 2024 installment of the publication’s “Unsung Heroes” luncheon included Tenea Reddick, who began her career as a 911 operator and now serves as 911 director for the City of Baltimore; Victoria Cromwell, a former medic who now acts as lead specialist in the 911 center, dispatching calls for the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD); Clarence Spencer, who trains 911 specialists, laying a solid foundation for new emergency workers; Sharon Roy, a fire dispatcher of more than 25 years; Theodore Heinbuch, who is living his childhood dream of being a 911 dispatcher, and Shamonique Davis the “eye in the sky” when Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck by a container ship and plunged into the Patapsco River. The BCFD dispatcher provided crucial support for those immediately impacted by the collapse, as she provided emergency services on the fateful night of March 26.

“It was the hardest thing I think I’ve ever had to do as a first responder, but I rose above it, I conquered and I’m proud of myself,” said Davis, a 26 years old.

“I’m not used to getting awards for doing my job,” she said, moments after the ceremony. “It is an amazing and humbling experience to know that when it was time for me to do my job- when it really counted-I stepped up to the plate and I was able to do it in a professional manner. I was able to do something that my department could be proud of.”

According to the National Emergency Number Association “an estimated 240 million calls are made to 9-1-1 in the U.S. each year. From minor car accidents to the most dire life or death situations, those who answer the calls for help are the true definition of “grace under pressure.”

Chaplain Avery Thurman, a pump operator for BCFD, weighed in on the importance of holding an event specifically for those who get few opportunities to be in the spotlight.

“I think it is a great occasion anytime we can celebrate those who work behind the scenes and oftentimes aren’t in the front for people to see their contribution,” he said.

This year’s celebration was catered by Class Act Catering, and included a spoken word performance by Dikesha Robinson, the “Butterfly Poet,” and a song selection by AFRO Managing Editor Alexis Taylor, who sang “Hero,” by Mariah Carey.

Fire Chief James Wallace, who gave remarks during the luncheon, spoke with the AFRO after the ceremony, praising the crucial work of dispatchers.

“They work hard every day,” he said. “The thing about our dispatchers and 911 call takers- they are oftentimes faceless, but they are the first domino in public safety when it comes to an emergency. We rely very heavily on our call takers but also on our dispatchers to get us where we need to be.”

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By Quintessa Williams 
Word in Black 

It’s no longer a surprising revelation that Black girls are disciplined at disproportionately high rates compared to their peers of other racial backgrounds. 

However, new data from two women’s advocacy organizations and the federal government has further shed light on this persistent trend. Black girls, who make up just 15 percent of public school students, are far more likely than White girls to be suspended for behavior issues — and face exclusionary expulsion and corporal punishment as early as preschool.

A 2024 report from the National Black Women’s Justice Institute found that Black K-12 girls represented more than three times their enrollment share in transfers and corporal punishment and more than double their share in expulsions. This data has been bolstered by a new report from the Government Accountability Office, which found that in the 2017-2018 school year, Black girls accounted for nearly half of all exclusionary discipline cases — including 45 percent of out-of-school suspensions, 37 percent of in-school suspensions, and 43 percent of expulsions.

This disparity also echoes the findings from the National Women’s Law Journal and Ed Trust, which reported that in the 2015-2016 school year, Black girls were five times more likely than their White peers to be suspended. In addition, the report also found that as early as preschool, Black girls made up 20 percent of the female enrollment but accounted for 53 percent of out-of-school suspensions.

Bayliss Fiddiman, senior director of educational equity at NWLC, tells Word In Black that the new findings illustrate the uphill battle Black girls face in school.

“These disparities have existed for years, but the GAO report is a stark reminder that little has changed,” she said. “The data reinforced what we already knew as a problem — Black girls are subject to harsher disciplinary actions for behaviors that are often perceived through the lens of bias, such as defiance or disruption.”

Adultification and colorism contribute to the disparity

The GAO identified that the disproportionate discipline of Black girls is due to a range of factors, including poverty levels, disabilities, and the presence of school resource officers. However, racial bias — particularly via adultification and colorism — plays the most significant role.

“Teachers and school staff often perceive Black girls as older and more mature than they are, which means they are seen as more ‘responsible’ for their actions and are punished more severely than their peers,” says Dr. Sydney McKinney, executive director of the National Black Women’s Justice Institute. “This bias manifests in labeling typical teenage behavior as ‘disrespect’ or ‘disruption,’ and Black girls often bear the brunt of these stereotypes.”

Fiddiman also elaborated on the colorism factor: “Black girls with darker skin are undoubtedly more likely to be punished than those with lighter skin,” she says. “It’s an unfortunate extension of the racial bias that permeates school discipline systems.”

Black girl discipline is a national public crisis

The discipline crisis among Black K-12 girls spans every state in the U.S. McKinney pointed to the long-standing trends in exclusionary discipline data from the 2024 NBWJI report. “Our data from 2011 to 2018 shows consistent overrepresentation of Black girls in nearly every category of discipline—whether it’s suspensions, expulsions, or referrals to law enforcement,” she says. “This consistency over time is perhaps the most alarming aspect. It’s clear that little progress has been made despite awareness of the issue.”

The over-punishment of Black girls in schools is not a recent phenomenon but part of a broader historical trend of excessive discipline rooted in racial and gender biases. That includes corporal punishment in the classroom. 

In Arkansas, for example, an 8-year-old Black girl was paddled for refusing to do her schoolwork. The administrator involved later acknowledged the harm caused by such punishment, especially when disproportionately applied to Black students​. 

A 2019 report by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the UCLA Center for Civil Rights Remedies later found that Black girls like the 8-year-old are paddled at three times the rate of White girls.

This article was originally published by Word in Black.

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By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

Proprietors of the anticipated Go-Go Museum and Café are giving the public a teaser on Nov. 18 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the 1920 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. SE location in Washington, D.C.

The opening of the museum will mark a significant moment in the history of go-go music. Not just a physical location, it will but a cultural landmark where people can appreciate and learn about the official music of Washington, D.C.

“The museum is leading an ever-expanding coalition of musicians, scholars and advocates connecting go-go’s polyrhythms to their roots in West Africa and around the Diaspora through exhibitions, programs, partnerships and international collaborations,” the website states.

The ribbon cutting event is intended to be a celebration, featuring live performances and various interactive activities for attendees to enjoy. 

The idea of the space has been in the works since the #DontMuteDC movement in 2019, a protest against the erasure of D.C. culture due to Black displacement and gentrification. 

“There is a lot of culture erasure going on we’re elevating and advocating to save our music and history in D.C.,” oGo-Go Museum and Café co-founder Ronald Moten told the AFRO.  “There’s no better time to do it than now, and we’re happy that we’re bringing something in Washington, D.C., that nobody ever expected. It’s going to be beautiful.” 

The cafe and museum fusion will serve as a place for go-go music enthusiasts and lovers to gather and for newcomers to fall in love with the history behind the unique sound. The museum’s website stated that the sound “is a brand of funk, R&B, hip-hop and Afro-Latin rhythms created in the 1970s by ‘Godfather of Go-Go’ Chuck Brown and his Washington D.C. fans.”

In 2020, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a law that delegated go-go as the official music of the District of Columbia. The act also requires the mayor “to create a plan to support, preserve, and archive go-go music and its history.”

She has also designated the Go-Go Museum as a site in her “Go-Go People’s Plan” to archive, preserve and uplift the history of go-go music.

The ribbon cutting will be a soft opening of the site, as more fundraising is needed to fund the entire development. For more information and updates, visit gogomuseumcafe.com.

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

(NNPA Newswire) – A group of researchers from Rutgers University and Michigan State University have launched a major study to examine the long-term effects of structural racism on cognitive aging, physical decline, and frailty—particularly in Black Americans. A five-year grant from the National Institute on Aging, a division of the National Institutes of Health, will support the study under the direction of Danielle L. Beatty Moody, an associate professor at Rutgers University, and Richard C. Sadler, an associate professor at Michigan State.

The research team plans to explore how lifetime exposure to structural racism in neighborhoods affects the aging process. The study will involve 800 Black and White participants from Baltimore who have been tracked for over two decades as part of a larger project on healthy aging in diverse neighborhoods. The long-term data will allow researchers to examine the cumulative impact of historical, enduring and contemporary markers of structural racism.

In a news release, Moody and Sadler asserted that the study moves beyond traditional research focused only on residential segregation or redlining. 

“It’s not just redlining, and it’s not just segregation,” they said. “The patterns of racist, discriminatory practices go far deeper. We need to comprehensively document the full array of tools used to entrench structural racism in our urban landscapes to understand why racial inequities persist across numerous health outcomes.”

In addition to exploring how non-Black residents in the same communities are affected, the researchers said they would investigate personal experiences with discrimination and biological and social factors that influence risk and resilience. 

The authors expect the study will inform strategies to address racial inequities in accelerated aging, particularly in communities where Black Americans live and age in place.

Once completed, researchers said they would share the results with participants and local stakeholders to support ongoing advocacy and policy efforts to achieve health equity. Moody and Sadler hope the study’s findings will help drive transformative change, particularly in housing and neighborhood environments.

“We are not only looking at the past or present,” Sadler remarked. “We’re also aiming to influence the future of health equity in communities where Black Americans continue to take the hardest hits.”

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By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

(NNPA NEWSWIRE) – With the 2024 presidential election just two weeks away, early voting is surging nationwide as both parties make their final push to secure crucial ballots. Early voting data has begun to shed light on which states might see the most significant shifts—and, in some cases, repeat the razor-thin margins of 2020. While Independent and other voters are mostly excluded from the figures, pollsters warn that party affiliation doesn’t necessarily determine who early voters are casting their ballots for.

National early voting trends: Key battlegrounds in focus

Across the nation, more than 15 million mail-in and early in-person votes have already been cast. Among these early votes, 46 percent come from registered Democrats, 36 percent from Republicans, and 18 percent from other parties. 

The early voting push comes as Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign encourages Democratic voters to take advantage of mail-in and early voting to lock in ballots well before Election Day, countering the traditionally lower early voting rates among Democratic voters in past elections. 

And, despite initially criticizing early voting, the twice-impeached former President Donald Trump’s campaign has urged Republicans to vote early, apparently recognizing its critical role in battleground states.

In Georgia, where Biden narrowly defeated Trump in 2020, early voting has seen 1,691,298 ballots cast so far. The partisan split is tight, with 49 percent from Republicans and 46 percent from Democrats, reflecting how crucial the state remains in the 2024 contest.

Wisconsin, another battleground where Biden edged out Trump in 2020, has seen 326,124 early votes, with Democrats accounting for 40 percent and Republicans just 19 percent. In Michigan, where Biden won by a margin of 50.6 percent to 47.8 percent in the last election, 1,031,654 early votes have been cast, with 54 percent from Democrats and 36 percent from Republicans.

Pennsylvania, pivotal in Biden’s 2020 victory, has already seen 921,720 early votes, with 64 percent from Democrats and 27 percent from Republicans. Nevada, another state that helped seal Biden’s win in 2020, has logged 247,738 early votes, with a breakdown of 40 percent   Democrats, 35 percent Republicans, and 25 percent from other voters.

The toss-Up nature of the 2024 election

Polling data, including a Washington Post-Schar School survey, shows that Harris and Trump are locked in a dead heat, with each receiving 47 percent support from registered voters. Among likely voters, Harris holds a slight 1-point lead at 49 percent compared to Trump’s 48 percent This trend mirrors the tight electoral battles seen in these battleground states, where margins of victory could come down to just a few thousand votes, as they did in 2020.

“I think this election will break at the end,” veteran Democratic strategist James Carville said. “Someone will carry the swing states, and that will decide it. Whoever breaks those states 5-2 or 6-1 will not only take the presidency; they’ll likely do well in the House and Senate too.”

The shadow of Project 2025

While much of the focus is on the election itself, the looming influence of Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation initiative to reshape the federal government, has garnered attention. The initiative, which has strong ties to Trump’s first administration, is conservative in ideology. 

Despite Trump’s claims that he has no connection to the project, analysis has revealed that well over half of the 307 authors and contributors to the “Mandate for Leadership,” the document guiding Project 2025, served in Trump’s administration or during his campaign.

The policy proposals outlined in Project 2025 aim to overhaul key aspects of the federal government, including dramatically reshaping regulatory frameworks, reducing the size of government, and reversing many policies implemented by the Biden administration. Critics have pointed out that the project could significantly alter how federal agencies operate, and its influence could expand should Trump return to the White House.

“This race is a long way from decided,” added Carville, who noted he has “a feeling” Harris will win. “But one thing’s clear: whoever breaks those (swing) states is going to take the presidency.”

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By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

Members of the AFRO American Newspapers and Afro Charities team recently had an inside look at the early life of Martha Howard Murphy, the wife of the publication’s founder, John H. Murphy Sr., and her parents, Enoch and Harriet Howard, by visiting the land where they were enslaved and later owned in Montgomery County, Maryland. The sale of that land provided seed money for the founding of the AFRO.

“It’s pretty amazing to be able to go back that far in history and have the land speak to you,” said Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, great-granddaughter of the newspaper’s founder and current AFRO publisher.

Enoch Howard was an enslaved man until he purchased his freedom on March 1, 1851. He later purchased his wife’s freedom on Sept. 5, 1853, and their four children’s freedom in 1860.

That same year, he began to purchase land that he would use to produce and sell crops, furthering his wealth. Throughout his lifetime land records show him purchasing over 600 acres of land as well as helping others in the Black community purchase land for their families. 

Two homes are on the land, one of which is the plantation home of Samuel Gaither, his wife’s enslaver, which Enoch Howard purchased from him. That home, Locust Villa, has since crumbled. However, the home that the Howards built – which Martha inherited and later sold to her brother – is still standing.

Upon his passing, Enoch Howard passed down land to each of his children, including Martha. She sold the land to her brother, which allowed her to give $200 to her husband, John H. Murphy Sr., a formerly enslaved man who was freed by the Maryland Emancipation Act of 1863 and a Civil War veteran.

In today’s society $200 may not get one far but in 1892, it was the key investment to develop what we know now as the AFRO American Newspapers. The $200 allowed John. H Murphy Sr. to purchase a vital piece of equipment, the printing press. The initial loan is worth approximately over $7,000 today. 

AFRO team members had the momentous opportunity to take a stroll down the annals of history by planting their feet on the land and walking down the same halls that Martha Howard did.

“I’m looking forward to the time where the public can see this because I don’t know too many families who can really go back that far,” Draper said. “Our history is important. When you know where you’ve come from and you know who you are, then you have a better idea of where you’re going.” 
Diane Hocker, AFRO director of community and public relations, shared that the visit was touching. “It’s very emotional, just the whole story and this whole experience,” she said. “It’s almost like I’m seeing my ancestors.”

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

The trial for Daaon Spears, 18, who was accused of fatally shooting Deanta Dorsey, 16, in 2023, has ended in a mistrial.

Around 3 p.m. on Oct. 24, jurists reported that they could not come to a unanimous decision in the case. In response, Judge Robert K. Taylor Jr. declared it a mistrial.

“The [jury] was stuck within the first two hours,” said Brandon Taylor, Spears’ attorney, shortly after the trial ended. “It’s disappointing, you know. We have to go through this whole process again.”

The Dorsey family reacted to the news through their representative, Thiruvendran “Thiru” Vignarajah.

“This family has a deep reservoir of strength and patience. They’ve waited a long time for justice, and they can wait a little longer,” said Vignarajah in a statement. “Holdout jurors are not uncommon in Baltimore, and the evidence presented in open court this week renews the faith of this family that justice will ultimately be [served].”

The prosecution’s case in this trial primarily relied on circumstantial evidence. During the trial, Rita Wisthoff-Ito, the prosecutor, presented surveillance videos, police-worn body camera footage and 911 recordings to make her case.

Callers in the 911 clips can be heard depicting the scene to dispatchers while wails and police sirens are audible in the background.

Descriptions provided by the 911 callers matched the photo shown to jurors showing two suspects fleeing in all black.

The prosecutor also used an array of witnesses who retrieved or analyzed evidence related to the crime.

Megan Descalzi, a crime laboratory technician for the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), testified about what she saw when taking photos at 4000 Edmondson Ave., a location believed to be Spears’ home.

Descalzi identified two mattresses in a basement, a pile of black clothing, a book bag that is believed to have contained a box of bullets, and a firearm magazine found lying on one of the mattresses.

The technician pulled out the clothing in the courtroom, showing the jury a black jacket, black jeans, navy blue pants with white stripes down the sides, black and white sneakers and some other items.

Two boxes of 9mm bullets were identified in the basement, one full and one with just a few bullets remaining.

Taylor pointed out that the 911 callers said the suspects were in all black, not blue.

Taylor said it is not clear when Spears will get another trial – if the prosecution decides to try the case again – but he estimates it would occur sometime next year.

“It shouldn’t be too long from now, but we have to get back in line,” he said.

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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 AFRO Staff

As early voting begins in Baltimore, registered voters will see a series of questions in addition to the names of candidates and the offices they seek. Voting is crucial in shaping the future, but knowledge of candidates and the issues is equally important.

This week, in addition to endorsing Kamala Harris for president and Angela Alsobrooks for U.S. Senate, the AFRO editorial board weighs in on two crucial ballot questions facing voters this year—Question F and Question H.

It is never advisable to vote straight “for” or “against” on all the questions. This year, doing so will have serious consequences. Don’t head to the polls without understanding what is being asked! Take this edition of the AFRO with you to ensure you are informed on these key ballot issues. 

Question F – FOR: Charter Amendment Inner Harbor Park

Opponents of Question F have adopted the catchphrase “F No.” But here’s what will happen if you let that slogan guide your vote: the plan to revitalize Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, which serves both residents and millions of visitors annually, will face setbacks.

MCB Real Estate, co-founded by P. David Bramble, has a bold vision to redevelop the area, which has struggled with tenant vacancies and declining foot traffic. Bramble, son of Baltimore Times founder Joy Bramble, and his partners are planning a multi-million-dollar project to restore the “crown jewel” of Baltimore after years of stagnation.

Question F specifically asks about the space “around the Northwest and South Shores of the Inner Harbor, south of Pratt Street to the water’s edge, east of Light Street to the water’s edge, and north of the highway to the water’s edge.” This area includes the World Trade Center and Rash Field. The question asks whether voters support new development that includes dining options, commercial spaces, multifamily residential buildings, and off-street parking.

While the current city charter designates this land for “public park uses,” the redevelopment plan still includes significant park space. According to MCB Real Estate’s “Our Harborplace” plan, the proposal includes:

• Over 4 acres of new parks and public space
• 2.3 acres of new park space at The Park at Freedom’s Port (Light & Pratt Streets)
• 500+ new native trees to provide shade along the public promenade
• Upper and lower promenades to mitigate flooding and enhance public access to the water
• Native landscaping and shoreline protection to support Chesapeake Bay ecology
• Marshlands to filter nutrients from the harbor

In response to community feedback, the updated master plan, released in Summer 2024, incorporates additional green space and pathways north of the World Trade Center.

Of particular note is The Park at Freedom’s Port, which honors the legacy of the Black community that once thrived around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Sharp Street was central to the Underground Railroad and home to the South’s first Black school. However, over time, the community was displaced and diminished. MCB Real Estate plans to honor this legacy by naming the new park “The Park at Freedom’s Port.”

For these reasons, the AFRO urges voters to vote FOR the Charter Amendment in Question F.

Question H – AGAINST: Reducing Baltimore City Council Districts

The AFRO has serious concerns about Question H, which seeks to reduce the number of Baltimore City Council districts from 14 to 8.

This isn’t the first time the City Council’s composition has been under scrutiny. Historically, the council had six districts with three members each, along with a council president. This provided residents with multiple representatives to address concerns if one was unavailable. Today, with only 14 members, shrinking the council even further could centralize power in the hands of a few.

For these reasons, the AFRO strongly recommends voting AGAINST Question H.

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By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware
Word In Black

For decades, voting for president every four years was as easy and safe as picking up a loaf of bread from the supermarket: show up to the polls, cast your ballot and move on with the rest of your day. Then, the 2020 election happened. 

There were lies about election fraud and strict voter ID laws some say are racist. Vigilante “poll monitors,” some of them armed, menaced voters and poll workers, often in Black communities. Intimidating new rules that all but declare a blue vote in a red state may not be counted. 

It’s enough to make a faithful voter wish for divine intervention. Faiths United to Save Democracy, however, could be the next best thing. 

A nonpartisan, multi-racial, interfaith organization, FUSD is an organization designed to help and protect voters on Election Day. It dispatches trained, non-partisan volunteers —  poll chaplains — to help ensure free and unhindered access to the polls for members of vulnerable communities. 

Armed with the law

Together with “peacekeepers” — lay volunteers trained with the chaplains —  they support voters, explain the rules or help them report irregularities, including electioneering, harassment and intimidation. The goal: help people navigate rules that could make it more difficult for Black people, young people, the elderly and differently abled to cast a ballot and have it count.

FUSD’s voter protection campaigns this year will take place in the South, including Alabama, Florida and Texas, along with Ohio and several key swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. 

The organization was created in the wake of the 2020 election to “protect the sacred freedom to vote of vulnerable citizens” because of “wide acceptance of political violence and the increase in anti-voting laws,” Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, a clergywoman and activist, said in a letter to new team members.

Amen, says Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, pastor of the Second Episcopal District of the AME Church in Washington, D.C. 

“We’re going to watch and pray that there be no intimidation, no obstruction and no challenges,” he says. “We just want to keep the peace. We are 100 percent non-partisan in nature.” 

With early voting already underway in more than a few states, Faith United to Save Democracy and partner organizations — including the NAACP, Latino Christian National Network, the National Council of Churches, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the Nation’s Mosque — have dispatched some of the peacekeepers and poll chaplains they’ve trained since summer. 

While some right-wing poll watchers show up with loaded guns, the FUSD teams are armed only with knowledge of election rules and laws, nonviolent intervention tactics, a voting-rights hotline, and, of course, prayer. The need for peacekeepers and poll chaplains is clear, according to an FUSD press release. 

Fighting chaos with witness

Since the 2020 election, “voters have faced increasing barriers to exercising their right to vote,” according to the statement. “Nearly 400 voter restriction measures in 49 states, from ID laws to limited access to mail voting, have been proposed or passed. These laws erect barriers that disproportionately limit people of color, the elderly and the poor from being able to vote.”

At the same time, “increasingly violent rhetoric and events throughout the 2024 election,” including election fraud conspiracies and death threats to poll workers, “has given voters credible concern about violence or intimidation at the polls,” according to the statement.

To counter those developments, “trained poll chaplains and peacekeepers will be deployed to cities and polling sites in areas of greatest need in this critical time for the future of our democracy,” according to the FUSD statement.

Though trained together, peacekeepers will be inside polling places as helpers while poll chaplains will stand outside to assist voters as needed. The task is simple, says Dr. James Perkins, pastor emeritus of Detroit’s Greater Christ Baptist Church.

“Be on time, let your presence be known, and be helpful as needed,” he says. “And keep the number of the hotline handy, just in case it’s needed.”

“The involvement of poll chaplains and Peacekeepers is essential in actively safeguarding the vote in local communities,” says Rev. Moya Harris, director of racial justice at Sojourners, a faith-based social justice nonprofit and FUSD member. “This is integral to our call as people of faith — to combat chaos with love and witness.”

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), through the Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR), recently released a Project 2025 fact sheet for Black voters ahead of Election Day on Nov. 5. 

Project 2025 is an extensive plan crafted by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, to provide the next conservative president with the resources and policies needed to vastly restructure the federal government. 

“This extreme proposal is designed to roll back progress, unravel justice, equality and fairness, and erode the most foundational ideals of our democracy,” said Janai Nelson, president of the Legal Defense Fund, in a statement. “These disturbing and egregious measures include aims to severely diminish Black political power, threaten and subjugate Black communities within the criminal legal system and undermine every person’s right to quality education and reproductive health care.”

“More than ever, it is paramount to the future of our multiracial, multiethnic democracy to advance an affirmative vision of justice and equality that serves everyone,” Nelson continued.

CBCF was founded in 1976 as a “nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research and educational institute.” Their fact sheet outlines how proposed policies could impact criminal justice, the economy and more, potentially widening educational gaps and worsening economic inequalities for Black Americans.

According to the CBCF, when it comes to civil rights, “Project 2025 seeks to dismantle the civil rights divisions of the Department of Labor and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which investigate workplace and housing discrimination.”

“It would also prevent the Department of Justice from investigating voter suppression and election subversion, which would remove a crucial layer of oversight that safeguards every American’s right to vote,” reads the report. In addition, if implemented, “Project 2025 seeks to outlaw diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in federal agencies and ban what it calls ‘anti-White indoctrination,’ including critical race theory and affirmative action.”

“If successful, these changes would strip away career and educational opportunities for people of color, further reducing resources for Black communities that have long faced systemic barriers,” warns the organization.

When it comes to criminal justice, CBCF leadership warns that “while most criminal justice reforms currently occur at the state and local levels, Project 2025 advocates for a larger federal role in law enforcement, with potential negative implications for Black communities.” 

“Motivated by a mandate to ‘restore law and order,’ Project 2025 targets progressive prosecutors and empowers the federal government to bring charges against individuals it believes local jurisdictions have wrongfully allowed to evade responsibility for their conduct,” reads the report. “The plan also includes increasing police funding and reducing support for community-based alternatives, such as mental health responders. These programs, which dispatch unarmed responders to address mental health crises and homelessness, have been successful in diffusing police-citizen conflicts in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles.”

Aside from reducing resources that have been proven to help the community, “Project 2025 calls for the increased use of the death penalty and stricter federal sentences for drug possession,” according to information released by the CBCF. “These directives would empower the federal government to enforce inequitable laws that contribute to the overrepresentation of Black citizens in the criminal legal system.”

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By Keith Boykin
Word in Black 

“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.

This month, Kamala Harris unveiled a new agenda for Black men. The plan is extensive, but I want to highlight 10 specific steps she would take as president that would empower Black men with the tools we need to build wealth, provide for our families, and lead our communities.

Number 1- Business loans

Black Americans are twice as likely to be denied credit by banks, so Harris would provide 1 million fully forgivable loans of up to $20,000 to Black entrepreneurs and others who have historically faced barriers to starting a new business or growing an existing one. 

Number 2- More jobs without college degrees

Harris would eliminate unnecessary degree requirements and promote pathways for those without college degrees for 500,000 federal jobs. 

Number 3- more Black male teachers

As a former high school English and social studies teacher, I know it’s important for young Black males to see Black men in front of the classroom as role models and mentors. Only 1 percent of public school teachers are Black men, so Harris would create pathways for more Black men to become teachers, including apprenticeship programs and loan forgiveness. 

Number 4- Health care

My uncle, who had sickle cell disease, died last year, and I know several Black men my age who have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. And don’t get me started on the mental health needs of the Black men in my family and community. I see it every day. We’ve been traumatized by an unfair criminal justice system and a world that demonizes us instead of understanding us. Fortunately, Harris would launch a National Health Equity Initiative focused on Black men that addresses sickle cell disease, diabetes, mental health, and prostate cancer. 

Number 5- Weed equity

Black men have been disproportionately arrested and incarcerated for marijuana-related charges. Now that cannabis is becoming more socially acceptable and profitable, it’s only fair that we benefit from the changing system that hurt us. Vice President Harris not only wants to legalize recreational marijuana but also create opportunities for Black Americans to succeed in this new industry. 

Number 6- Ban the box

I have a law degree, and yet when I lived in Harlem, I was still stopped on the street, arrested, and locked up in jail. I know Black men have been targeted by a racist criminal justice system. Harris would work with Congress to require businesses to limit the unnecessary use of criminal arrest histories, convictions, and credit scores in employment decisions. 

Number 7- Mentorship Programs 

Harris would expand funding for community mentorship programs with a proven track record of helping young Black men succeed. She will also support programs like My Brother’s Keeper.

Number 8- Support Black farmers

Harris would continue to support Black farmers and ranchers who have been denied access to capital. As vice president, she already distributed funding to thousands of Black farmers and ranchers in a $2 billion relief package. 

Number 9. Relieve Medical Debt. My stepfather passed away in April 2020 , with a mountain of medical debt. Vice President Harris plans to work with states to relieve medical debt, which is the leading cause of bankruptcy in America, and disproportionately hurts Black Americans.

And Number 10. Crypto Protection. More than 20 percent of Black Americans, including me, have owned cryptocurrency assets. I lost money in crypto, but the high-risk, high-reward crypto markets provide opportunities outside of the existing stock market for many Black men. A Harris administration would support a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and other digital assets to protect Black men who invest in these assets. 

Now, let me answer a few questions I’ve already seen from critics:

Question 1: Why didn’t she do this in the last four years? 

Because she’s not the president. She’s the vice president. Trump was actually a president, and he did none of these things in his four years in office.

Question 2: But why do some of these policies say Black men “and others?” Why aren’t they all Black-specific? 

Well, because Trump’s Supreme Court Justices and federal judges keep striking down programs that focus on Black people? Trump’s Supreme Court ended race-specific affirmative action in college admissions. A Trump-appointed federal judge forced the Minority Business Development Agency to help white people. Another Trump-appointed federal judge blocked a disaster relief program for Black farmers. And two Trump-appointed federal judges in Georgia blocked a private program by the Fearless Fund to help Black women in business.

If Trump’s judges won’t allow a private group of Black women to help each other, do you think they’re going to let a government program that only helps Black men and excludes others? No. But this is what happens when we don’t vote. So we have to create clever ways to get around the Trump MAGA Republican bans on helping Black people.

Question 3: Yeah, but why does it feel like Democrats only care about Black women? 

Yes, Joe Biden elevated two very prominent Black women in the past four years:VP  Kamala Harris and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. But the Democratic Party is filled with Black men in positions of power and leadership. The highest-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives is Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who will become the first Black Speaker if Democrats win the House in November. The highest ranking leader in the military is Lloyd Austin, the first Black Secretary of Defense. Two of the three Democratic Black U.S. senators — Raphael Warnock and Cory Booker — are Black men. The Democratic governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, is a Black man. The mayors of New York City, Chicago, and Atlanta are all Black men in the Democratic Party. And the only Black person ever elected president, Barack Obama, is also a Black man. 

And Question 4: But isn’t Trump better for Black men? 

Was he better for Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise — the Exonerated Five teenagers who went to prison when Trump led a lynch mob against them for a rape they did not commit, and then refused to apologize after they were exonerated by DNA evidence? Was he better for the Black casino workers who sued him for racial discrimination? Was he better for Colin Kapernick and the NFL players he attacked for taking a knee? Was he better for Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police Officer who had to fend off a mob of angry white Trump supporters who tried to take over the Capitol on January 6? Was he better for the Haitian American Black men in Springfield, Ohio, who were subjected to death threats because of Trump’s lies about them eating dogs and cats? Was he better for Marcellus Williams, the Black man who was executed by the State of Missouri last month because Donald Trump’s three Supreme Court Justices refused to agree with the Democratic Justices to stop the execution? Was he better for the Black farmers denied relief by his judges? Was he better for the Black men who died while he mismanaged the COVID pandemic? And will he be better for the Black youth who will be harassed by the police when he brings back stop and frisk? 

Kamala Harris wants to help Black men build wealth, provide for our families, and lead our communities. Trump wants to use us as political pawns in his angry MAGA campaign. Those are the choices. Choose wisely.

The post Kamala Harris has a plan for Black men–Trump never did appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Early voting is underway around the nation ahead of Election Day 2024, set for Nov. 5. 

In Georgia, more than 1.9 million residents have already cast their ballots, representing more than a quarter of all voters in the Peach State. Martin Luther King III, son of the late civil rights leader, held an in-person early voting event on Oct. 21 in partnership with the Harris-Walz presidential campaign.

Although North Carolinians are still recovering from the destruction of Hurricane Helene, over 1 million of them have made it to the voting booth. In Nevada, 144,575 residents had voted as of Oct. 22. 

The right to vote is one of the cornerstones of democracy, but Black Americans have been subjected to a long history of disenfranchisement. Tactics like literacy tests and poll taxes have given way to gerrymandering and restrictive voter identification laws. Modern attempts at voter suppression and intimidation make it even more important for individuals to know how to spot and fight unlawful practices. 

“As much as it’s important to know the voting laws in your state, it’s also critical that voters know what protections are in place to safeguard their right to cast a ballot. There are federal voter protections in laws like the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act and the Uniformed Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act,” said Kiayna O’Neal, digital director at VoteRiders. “Each of these is meant to protect voters from things like discrimination and intimidation at the polls, being taken off of voter registration rolls, language difficulties and issues for overseas voters.”

Founded in 2012 as a direct response to the rise of stringent ID laws in the U.S., VoteRiders is a nonpartisan nonprofit that strives to ensure all citizens can exercise their right to vote. O’Neal warned that the existence of these federal protections does not mean that they are enforced and free from attack. 

In fact, the Voting Rights Act, enacted in 1965 after Martin Luther King Jr. led the Selma marches in Alabama, has been weakened in recent years. In 2013, the United States Supreme Court struck down a section in the legislation that required certain states with a history of discrimination to get approval from the federal government before changing their voting laws. The ruling set a precedent that’s made it more difficult to challenge discriminatory policies. 

“Intimidation and suppression examples can vary depending on the voter, the state and the situation,” said O’ Neal. “With all the misinformation and disinformation out there about voter fraud, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more instances of voter’s citizenship being questioned at the polls— that in itself is a form of intimidation.” 

Rebekah Caruthers, vice president of the Fair Election Center, has already observed attacks on the right to vote this election season.

In Georgia, 300,000 people showed out on Oct. 15, the first day of early voting. Caruthers believes one of the reasons behind the state’s record turnout for early voting is tied to a harmful law passed in 2021. 

“Georgia has now made it illegal for organizations to pass out water or snacks for those standing in line,” said Caruthers. “Georgia is notorious for 10 to 12 hour lines. That’s a clear example of voter suppression because the hope is that people will get too tired, too hungry or too thirsty, and they will leave.” 

She added that the lengthy wait times are more common in predominantly Black neighborhoods of the state.

“Mind you, those long lines tend to be in Black areas,” said Caruthers. “They’re not in the White suburbs.” 

Aside from Black communities, Latinx, young people, first-time voters and people with disabilities are more likely to experience voter disenfranchisement, according to Caruthers. 

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ALCU), interrogating voters about their citizenship, criminal record or other qualifications; deceptively posing as an election official; disseminating false information about voter requirements and displaying misleading signs about voter fraud in relation to legal penalty are all forms of voter intimidation. 

Caruthers believes poll workers are one of the most important players in defending against voter suppression and intimidation. 

“Poll workers are the frontline workers in our democracy,” said Caruthers. “If it wasn’t for poll workers, election clerks and local election officials across the country who are trying to do their jobs, we wouldn’t be able to have elections.”

Voters are reminded that if they encounter voter suppression efforts or intimidation, they can contact the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE, or 866-687-8683. 

There are also language-specific numbers: Spanish 888-839-8682, Asian languages 888-274-8683 and Arabic 844-925-5287. 

Voters can also consult the Fair Election Center’s Know Your Rights Guide and VoteRider’s HelpLine at 866-432-8683 before heading to the polls to make sure they’re prepared.

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By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

The third annual Cancer Awareness Ride, led by renowned Philadelphia rapper Freeway, will take place in Baltimore on Oct. 27 at 1:30 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.

What initially began in 2022 as a motorcycle ride in Philadelphia as a way to raise awareness and honor Freeway’s daughter, who passed away due to cancer at a young age, has now blossomed into an annual event that unites families, survivors, supporters and current patients. 

Nakeela “Ms. Want” Taylor shared that the idea, impact and event have continued to grow.  

“We teamed up, just doing a ride to bring awareness,” she said. “We’d have guest speakers speak and just try to raise awareness for it. It’s just grown.”

Living in Baltimore, she shared she wanted to change things up and “bring it home.” This led to the event being hosted in Baltimore for the first time. 

Taylor has underscored the significance of community-centric events, emphasizing that each individual’s involvement is integral and significant.

“What I’ve found out from doing the ride over the last few years is that we have plenty of people who ride with us are going through it, and they’ve been going through it by themselves,” she said. 

She shared that since starting the ride, she has encountered people who were nervous to talk about their stories. 

“Raising awareness and having people give their own stories has been an inspiration and motivation to some,” she said. 

The annual ride is not limited to a specific type of cancer; it is a platform that promotes awareness and community for every form of cancer, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and valued.

The event will kick off at 1:30 p.m. with a live performance from the Baltimore Twilighters Marching Band. Shortly after, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from cancer survivors and City Council President Nick Mosby. Freeway is bringing some of his celebrity friends to Charm City for closing remarks before beginning the ride at 2:30 p.m. 

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By D. Kevin McNeir 
Special to the AFRO

While the highly touted “Marion Berry Knots” may have been as good as the restaurant chain that introduced them to the public on Oct. 21 claimed, most Washingtonians will never be able to decide for themselves. 

That’s because &pizza, following two days of intense criticism, anger and threats of a boycott of all of its D.C.-based restaurants, pulled the controversial dessert from its website and menu. 

When the restaurant chain first unveiled the newest addition to its menu, the company described the new dessert, which was only offered in its Washington, D.C. outlets, as “stuffed with deliciously sweet marionberries and topped with a creamy vanilla icing drizzle.” Hoping to entice customers to try the new dessert, the sales promotion also claimed, “these knots will blow you away!” 

But residents from the Greater Washington area, most notably Cora Masters Barry, the widow of former District Mayor Marion Barry, refused to allow &pizza to move forward with the new item – at least not without a fight. 

Masters Barry described the new item and publicity stunt as “racist and disrespectful,” pointing to the dessert’s name which was hauntingly similar to her late husband’s name. 

Barry, who served as D.C.’s Ward 8 councilmember before serving three consecutive terms as mayor and then, after serving time for possession of crack cocaine, was reelected in 1994, has long been hailed as D.C.’s “Mayor for Life.” He died on Nov. 23, 2014.

Masters Barry further objected to the image on the company’s website, which prominently features a mound of white sugar that, while part of the dessert’s ingredients, could easily be mistaken for cocaine. 

The DC NAACP branch, in a press release issued on Oct. 22, blasted the pizza chain and criticized the new menu item. In addition, its president, Akosua Ali shared his thoughts about the legacy of Marion Barry and noted why the organization has called for &pizza to remove the item from its menu. 

“The life, legacy, lineage and name of Marion Barry deserves to be remembered as a pioneer for economic development, real estate development, Black business empowerment, youth employment and as the Mayor of the people,” Ali stated. “Mayor Barry taught us the power of economics and today, we call on the community to demand &pizza right this egregious wrong.”  

The NAACP also demanded that &pizza, with locations in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, donate money to support substance abuse prevention in each of the cities located within its marketing area. 

Meanwhile, residents from the Greater Washington area took to social media to share their views. In fact, some of the perspectives on Facebook and Twitter included language that was so heated that many of the posts were too explosive for young, sensitive readers.   

Ronald Moten said, “We all will have the last day on this @andpizza. You can’t spit on Marion Barry’s grave and think there won’t be any consequences. Stay tuned!”

Jill Greenleigh succinctly noted, “No more andpizza as they disrespect Marion Barry!!! I will never eat there again!!!”

Clyde Ellis Rowell simply asked, “Who approved this foolery?” 

Things came to a head Oct. 23, when a collective of grassroots activists, including Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, Don’t Mute DC, the Community of Hope A.M.E Church and several other Black-led organizations located in the District, sponsored a press conference to voice their concerns and asked members of the community to boycott the pizza chain until it removed the item from its menu. 

D.C. Councilmember Trayon White, who represents Ward 8 – the same ward that Barry represented during his tenure on the city council – also spoke during the press conference. 

In response, &pizza CEO Mike Burns later that day admitted that he had made a mistake.

“We hear the D.C. community and have removed the Marion Berry Knots from our menu effective immediately,” Burns said in a press statement cited by dcnewsnow.com. 

“While humor was our intent, it was regrettably off the mark. We’re an edgy brand known for being risk takers. The parody of the former Mayor and portrayal of substance abuse was wrong,” he continued. “We have read the countless messages and social media posts and understand the frustration this has brought forth – especially to the Barry family. We recognize his impact on the District and greater Capital area and understand why his legacy remains as strong as it is today.”

Promising to reach out to the community leaders who voiced concern, Burns.concluded: “Again, we apologize. We have nothing but love for D.C., which we consider the greatest city in the world. Trust that &pizza hears you and we will do better.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) will celebrate its 80th anniversary at the Hilton Baltimore on Oct. 26. The Masked Ball will serve as a time to uplift the pivotal contributions of organizations and individuals and raise money for the UNCF’s ongoing work in education.

AFRO publisher Frances “Toni” Draper will be honored at the event alongside Benjamin Morgan, vice president of Maryland operations for Barton Malow, and Alicia Wilson, managing director and head of regional philanthropy for North America at JPMorgan Chase. 

“I grew up hearing the United Negro College Fund’s slogan that ‘a mind is a terrible thing to waste.’ It’s something you internalize,” said Dr. Draper. “They’ve done so much good work to help young people get into college and to get the money they need to do that.”

Aside from continuing the legacy of her grandfather John H. Murphy Sr., who founded the newspaper in 1892, Dr. Draper served as an educator in Baltimore City Public Schools. She also had a stint as vice chair of the Board of Regents for Morgan State University, her alma mater, and as vice chair for Baltimore’s Literacy Foundation. 

 As head of the AFRO, she has demonstrated an unrelenting commitment to amplifying and preserving Black history. 

“The United Negro College Fund is an important part of the fabric of the African-American community,” said Draper. “I am honored to be honored by them.” 

Founded in 1944, the UNCF exists to advance Black education by awarding scholarships to students and deploying funding to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Since its establishment, the organization has benefitted more than 500,000 students, delivering millions of dollars in scholarships each year. The six-year graduation rate for UNCF scholarship recipients is 70 percent, which is nine percent higher than the national average for students of all races and 31 percent higher than the national average for all African Americans. 

Brave Williams, multi-unit franchise owner, singer and actress, will host the UNCF’s Masked Ball. The West Baltimore native recently landed a deal with Workout Anytime to open 23 fitness centers along the East coast. 

Her first gyms recently opened in Lanham, Md. and Manassas, Va. At the Lanham location, Williams opened a laundromat, VIP Bubbles, next door, encouraging patrons to “drop a load while you lose a load.” 

She said she was honored to serve as host for the prolific event. 

“This is an organization that funds so many scholarships for Black students and promotes education in a way that lets them know they are not alone,” said Williams. “Anytime you can impact a community, especially when it’s education-driven, I’m all in. It’s in my DNA to want to help and inspire people.” 

The ball will feature a live performance by emerging pop and R&B singer Gabby Samone. Proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships will support books, room and board, tuition and fees for students. 

Wilson said she was over the moon when she discovered she was an honoree. 

“I am just so truly grateful that my name would even be considered in association with an organization that has such a tremendous legacy,” said Wilson. 

JPMorgan Chase has been a long-standing supporter of HBCUs. It maintains partnerships with 19 institutions. In 2021, the firm teamed up with the UNCF to launch the J.P. Morgan Wealth Management Scholarship Program, which is set to award 375 scholarships through 2025. 

“The significance of the United Negro College Fund cannot be overstated. It goes far beyond its investments in HBCUs and student bodies,” said Wilson. It really has significance for our entire community because as individuals, regardless of their financial means, have access to quality education it drives inclusion for our community.”

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By AFRO Staff

Artificial intelligence (AI) can bring on feelings of hope for unlimited discovery just as much as it brings on fear of the future. In 2024, there’s no area left untouched by the possibilities of AI: art, music, all types of sciences and on and on. 

The range is awesome and fills us with awe and fear. Now, experts say AI can enhance medical testing beyond the results that have been garnered in the past. Leadership Baltimore County is opening the door to that information in its Oct. 29 event, “Can AI Save Your Life?”

Panelists Jayful Doswell, founder of Juxtopia; Todd Marks, founder of Mindgrub Technologies and Tim Merchant, founder of RadNet, will discuss how harnessing data-driven insights for early detection and AI can be transformative.

According to the National Cancer Institute NCI, “The rate of new cases of female breast cancer was 129.4 per 100,000 women per year. The death rate was 19.3 per 100,000 women per year.”

NCI statistics on breast cancer reveal that “approximately 13.1 percent of women will be diagnosed with female breast cancer at some point during their lifetime, based on 2018–2021 data, excluding 2020 due to COVID.” 

According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), “While breast cancer incidence rates among Black and White women are similar, mortality rates are markedly different, with Black women having a 38 percent higher death rate from breast cancer.”

BCRF attributes the disparity to “social, economic, geographic, and lifestyle factors…Black women are statistically more likely to have diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, and are less likely to breastfeed after childbirth—all of which are risk factors for breast cancer. They are more likely than White women to have inadequate health insurance or access to health care facilities, which may affect screening, follow-up care, and completion of therapy.”

RadNet implemented the ACT Program — a patient outreach initiative driven by artificial intelligence and a deep commitment to equitable healthcare and improving health outcomes for all. 

The ACT program combines advanced AI with the compassion and expertise of specially trained contact center agents. By understanding how each individual prefers to engage, RadNet has seen an increase in access to screenings, especially for African-American women, where disparities in early detection have historically been a challenge.

To further drive awareness in the African-American community, RadNet has partnered with WNBA legend, Sheryl Swoopes, who has personal ties to the devastating impacts of cancer, to help spread the word that early detection saves lives. The goal is simple: to make sure most women get screened, more lives are saved and every community has equal access to the care they deserve.

The discussion will be 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Oct. 29 at USI, 11350 McCormick Road, Executive Plaza III, Hunt Valley, Md.

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By Caley Fox Shannon

Early voting began Oct. 24 in Maryland, with some voters lining up before sunrise to cast their votes when the polls opened at 7 a.m. for president, Senate, House, ballot initiatives and various local races.

In Montgomery County, early birds formed a line at dawn outside the Silver Spring Civic Building.

Campaign volunteers set up tables on the plaza and unpacked sheafs of sample ballots to hand out. Inside, election judges plugged in ballot scanners, opened boxes of pens and laid out “I Voted” stickers.

“It’s a festive time,” Alan Bowser of Silver Spring told Capital News Service. Bowser was first in line at 6 a.m., and said he’s held that honor in every cycle since early voting became an option in Maryland.

Early voting began in the state in 2010 after Marylanders overwhelmingly favored a 2008 ballot question empowering lawmakers to write early balloting into law. In the intervening years, the Maryland General Assembly has voted four times to expand the number of early voting sites.

State Board of Elections Deputy Administrator Katherine Berry told CNS that as of 2:30 p.m. Thursday, more than 90,000 voters had turned out to cast their ballots. That pacing is on par with early voting turnout in 2020, Berry said, but far higher than the 2024 primary.

Bowser, a precinct chair for the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, told CNS the voters he speaks with are feeling motivated to elect the two women of color running close races at the top of the ticket: Vice President Kamala Harris for president and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for Senate.

Webb Smedley was out in the brisk morning sporting a Harris Walz cap in woodland camo, paired with an Alsobrooks t-shirt featuring the candidate’s portrait.

Smedley, who is retired, said that this is the first time he has volunteered for a campaign.

“I think that it’s the most important election of my lifetime, and I’ve voted since…for a long time,” he said.

Also on the Democratic ticket in Montgomery County is Rep. Jamie Raskin, who is running to keep his seat in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District.

Raskin arrived at the polls himself just after 7 a.m., greeting supporters with hugs and shaking hands with officials from the local board of elections. The Hill projects Raskin has a 99% chance of beating out Republican opponent Cheryl Riley to stay in Congress.

Walking in the front door of the polling place, Raskin told CNS, “I can’t wait to vote for Kamala.”

Of the many campaign signs dotting the parkway in front of the Civic Building, there was only one for Donald Trump, an unsurprising reality in deeply blue Montgomery County.

But that doesn’t mean there weren’t Republicans at the polls in Silver Spring.

Michael Fletcher, a Republican from Olney, was reprising his role as a poll watcher, a designated individual approved to observe election activities.

Fletcher told CNS that he became interested in being a poll watcher after the 2020 election, when, in his words, “there were so many allegations and innuendo and things like that. So I thought I’d get more involved and see how the process worked.”

Although Trump continues to repeat false claims of fraud in the 2020 election, a lie spread by FOX News and prominent Republicans like Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Fletcher said that he hasn’t seen anything concerning at the polls in his county.

“I think the Board of Elections in Montgomery County does a really good job of training their judges,” Fletcher said. “But I also like to think that just my presence here maybe makes everybody get up a little higher on the step, you know, do a little bit better job.”

For Montgomery County Board of Elections Secretary Amie Hoeber, a Republican, it’s frustrating that so many within her party continue to cast doubt on the voting process. She told CNS, “I find it fair and reasonable, and object to the people who consider it a problem.”

Hoeber has already cast her ballot by mail and wants to reassure the public that mail-in voting is another option that is “completely secure.”

Montgomery County Board of Elections President David Naimon said many voters like to wait until the last minute, but he urged the public to resist the “real human tendency to procrastinate.”

Polling places specially designated as early voting centers in Maryland are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Thursday October 31. More information about early voting can be found on the State Board of Elections website.

Catch AFRO’s Managing Editor, Alexis Taylor at an early voting location here!

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By Melissa Lavigne-Delville,
Jessica Yu C

With just a few weeks until a historic presidential election, political anxiety has reached fever pitch. Four months ago, Hers took the pulse on overall stress levels across the country and the results are eye-opening. 

Obviously, the political landscape has changed quite a bit in the last four months—it’s been an election season marked by a series of unprecedented events: not one but two assassination attempts, a major third party candidate dropping out and endorsing one of his rivals, and of course, the sitting president dropping out of the race and endorsing the vice president for his party’s nomination. 

Data from the Hers study fielded in May 2024 reveals how cities were feeling about the election prior to President Biden dropping out. 

Pre-Election Stress Levels Across the Country

According to the study, 11.5% of respondents named “the upcoming presidential election” as a top source of stress, which at first blush didn’t seem all that high. However, American cities swung in their stress levels from just 3% who were worried about the election (Birmingham, AL) to 20% (Austin, TX). 

Generally speaking, the cities most and least stressed about the upcoming election were also the ones most and least stressed about the state of the world. 

Austin was the fifth most anxious about the state of the world (26%, tied with Philadelphia), surpassed only by Atlanta (29%), Cleveland (29%), Detroit (27%), and New Haven (27%). Birmingham, AL, on the other hand, wasn’t as actively worried about the state of the world: Only 11% said it was a top source of stress, about half that of respondents overall (20%). 

On the other side of the spectrum, more than one-fifth (21%) of Birmingham residents named no sources of stress as compared to only 8% of the rest of the country who felt the same. 

Hers ranked cities from most stressed about the upcoming presidential election to least stressed. In May, Democratic-leaning cities topped the political stress test. Meanwhile, Republican-leaning cities fell near the bottom of the list (see Most to Least Politically Anxious Cities list below). 

DC Was Comparatively Calm, Cool, and Collected

Interestingly, the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., was among just two Democratic-leaning state cities that fell within the 10 least stressed major metropolitan areas in the U.S. at the time. The other was Washington D.C.’s neighbor, Baltimore, MD. 

While it’s difficult to explain why two cities at the epicenter of politics felt just fine, they may simply be used to all the hoopla. For them, political stress is business as usual. 

Most to Least Politically Anxious Cities (May 2024)
Percentage of survey respondents who indicated the upcoming presidential election as a top source of stress

Austin, TX – 20%
Minneapolis, MN – 18%
Philadelphia, PA – 17%
Atlanta, GA – 17%
Detroit, MI – 17%
Denver, CO – 16%
Sacramento, CA – 16%
Portland, OR – 16%
Charlotte, NC – 15%
Salt Lake City, UT – 15%
New Haven, CT – 14%
Nashville, TN – 14%
Greenville, SC – 14%
Houston, TX – 13%
Los Angeles, CA – 13%
Las Vegas, NV – 13%
Orlando, FL – 12%
Little Rock, AR – 12%
Honolulu, HI – 12%
St. Louis, MO – 12%
Omaha, NE – 12%
New York, NY – 11%
Tampa, FL – 11%
Oklahoma City, OK – 11%
San Francisco, CA – 11%
Seattle, WA – 11%
Des Moines, IA – 11%
Boston, MA – 10%
Pittsburgh, PA – 10%
Miami, FL – 10%
Raleigh, NC – 10%
San Antonio, TX – 10%
Norfolk, VA – 10%
San Diego, CA – 10%
Albuquerque, NM – 10%
Cleveland, OH – 10%
Providence, RI – 9%
Memphis, TN – 9%
Phoenix, AZ – 9%
Chicago, IL – 9%
Kansas City, KS – 9%
Milwaukee, WI – 9%
Baltimore, MD – 8%
New Orleans, LA – 8%
Columbus, OH – 8%
Dallas, TX – 7%
Washington, DC – 7%
Louisville, KY – 7%
Indianapolis, IN – 6%
Birmingham, AL – 3%

Get the data

Tips for Keeping Political Anxiety at Bay

While stress levels by city may have shifted since May, what Republicans, Democrats, and Independents all might agree on—other than their health, a story Hers reported on in July—is that this election cycle has been a rollercoaster. Here are some tips for keeping calm and carrying on through the fall.  

Practice mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind to help reduce stress. Recent research shows mindfulness meditation may be as effective at reducing anxiety as medication for some people.

Try stimulus control. Stimulus control is a behavioral psychology technique in which a stimulus that typically triggers a certain behavior is modified so that the behavior is less likely to occur. You might find that your political anxiety increases when reading the news, listening to the radio, or scrolling through social media. Try setting limits around content consumption to keep this anxiety at bay.

Talk it out. Research proves that simply naming your feelings can help calm you down. Saying “I’m anxious/agitated/restless” helps build insight into what you’re feeling and why you’re feeling it. And once you’re more aware of the distress you’re feeling, you’re more likely to do something to manage your anxiety and stress.

Head to the polls. If you’re feeling stressed about the election, make a plan to vote. No matter which candidate you support, being civically engaged may help you feel personally fulfilled and alleviate psychological distress. According to research, civic engagement can have a positive impact on mental health. Voting allows people to weigh in on processes and policies that are bound to affect the society they live in. And activism has been linked to happiness, personal fulfillment, and social well-being.

Remember radical acceptance. If you try all of the above and still find yourself in distress over the politics of our nation, it might be time to consider practicing a dialectical behavior therapy skill called radical acceptance. Radical acceptance means acknowledging and even embracing difficult circumstances—and

Data and Methodology

This study is based on a 5,504-person online survey, which included 5,000 18-to-65-year-old respondents in the top 50 metropolitan areas (100 respondents per city) and a nationally representative sample of 504 18-to-65-year-old respondents to contextualize results. The study was fielded in May 2024.

Findings were analyzed by more than 100 demographic and psychographic cuts, including city, region, gender (when Hers refers to “women” and “men,” this includes all people who self-identify as such), age, race and ethnicity, relationship status, parenting status, sexual orientation (heterosexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, pansexual, asexual, queer, etc.), and political affiliation, among other areas of interest. 

Metropolitan populations were determined by 2022 Census data. In order to represent as many states as possible within the study, five cities that did not fall in the top 50 metropolitan locations were selected in place of cities in states already represented. Cities added to the study included New Orleans, LA (51), Providence, RI (53), Little Rock, AR (59), Honolulu, HI (68), and Omaha, NE (71). Cities replaced in the study included West Palm Beach, FL (39), Jacksonville, FL (41), Grand Rapids, MI (42), Harrisburg, PA (44), and Greensboro, NC (45).

Respondents were asked to rate their happiness on a one to five scale. To rank the happiest cities in America, Hers looked at the number of respondents who rated themselves as a four (happy describes me) or five (happy very much describes me) to create an average happiness score.

All data in this study are from this source, unless otherwise noted. Independent research firm Culture Co-op conducted and analyzed research and findings.

This story was produced by Hers and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.

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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 Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

The 2024 Baltimore Running Festival returned on Oct.19 with over 12,000 participants taking to the streets of Charm City for the annual race. The event featured a variety of races, including a marathon, a half-marathon, a 10K and 5K, along with the challenging “BaltiMORON-a-Thon,” where participants ran both the 5K and half-marathon on the same day.

Runners participated with different goals as their motivation to finish the race. Some ran on behalf of non-profit organizations, with hopes of raising awareness for a greater cause. Meanwhile other races were running with personal fitness or health goals in mind.

“Black people, we are number one in those health disparity categories and because of this my motivation to keep moving is not wanting to become a statistic,” said Demetri Garner, a senior research associate for Medstar Health Research Institute. “I want to help educate someone else and let them know that it is possible to be Black and be active. As a Black man, the motivation is in any kind of movement.”

Garner ran in this year’s 5k portion of the race as a way of staying fit, but also on behalf of Helping Up Mission, a local nonprofit organization focused on providing hope to people experiencing homelessness, poverty or addiction. The organization works to meet the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of those who seek help. The veteran runner noted that seeing fellow Black runners at the event is always encouraging and it helps break the stigma regarding Black people’s participation in these sorts of events.

“This is the opportunity to have representation and to break the stigma in our own community that we don’t participate in these events,” he said. “When we are represented in those spaces, we become further included in the benefits of being active. These societies can spill over into our community as well. Those connections, those partnerships with different nonprofits, the education for our communities– those barriers become less existent when we are represented in those spaces.”

The challenge of the race seemed to be another motivating factor for some of this year’s participants. Months of dietary changes, weight training and mental discipline helped runners like Dr. Karsonya “Dr.Kaye” Wise Whitehead, spoke with the AFRO about her intense training process leading up to the big race. 

“I have been working with my coach over this half year and we wanted to try it one more time. We wanted to see if we could be faster than we were two years ago, ” she said. “I’ve been weight training and working with a nutritionist for the last two years but I committed to training for this race since April of this year.”

Whitehead shared similar sentiments to Garner in regards to health being wealth. She noted that having Black representation at these events is vital, as it serves as an example of healthy living for Black youth and the community at large. Additionally, she explained that committing to a healthy lifestyle can be done in little steps.

“We need to be able to see ourselves in these spaces so we can see that these things are important and possible,” she said “We have to have an extra commitment to being healthy because of how we’re disproportionately affected by diabetes, high blood pressure, lund and cardiovascular diseases. Being committed to your health isn’t hitting a trainer or eating only organic food but simple choices like choosing to bake as opposed to frying.”

Runners from all across the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area enjoyed a race course that put a spotlight on the City of Baltimore’s iconic spaces, including the Inner Harbor, historic Federal Hill, and Fells Point. The marathon route even went through the Maryland Zoo, adding a unique touch to the race. 

The full course offered a mix of flat terrain and steeper paths, which helped attract  both casual runners and those looking to compete in more notably intense races like the Boston Marathon. In addition to the in-person races, virtual race options allowed runners from other regions to participate, ensuring that the Baltimore Running Festival’s spirit could be felt beyond the city limits.

This year’s first place winner for the overall marathon was 30-year-old Willy Fink of Gaithersburg, Md. He finished the long-haul in two hours and 21 minutes. He was then followed by second and third place winners, 37-year-old Alexander Loper of Abingdon, Md., and 28-year-old, Louie Levine of Arlington, Va.

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By DonnaAnn Ward
Community Organizer

On Sept. 29, I sat down and wrote a petition. Along with hundreds of other  Marylanders, I watched– in stomach churning horror– the video of an elderly man  beaten unconscious and head stomped on the street in front of his home on Sept. 26. 

I collated the thoughts of my neighbors and wrote a petition asking Governor Moore to remove Vinny Schiraldi, secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services. The next day a friend put it online.

Since Sept. 30th to today, Oct. 17th, I count at least 20 incidents of youth violence involving an estimated 41 juveniles, only three of whom have been detained and charged. The latest juvenile to be a DJS failure is Tracee Parker the 17-year-old who  was in possession of a handgun that had been modified to act like a machine gun  when he was arrested at Howard High in Columbia, Md. in the middle of the school day. Out of the three violent crimes Parker has been arrested for, he was on electronic  monitoring for two. 

Parker murdered a 26-year-old man while on electronic monitoring.  

At this point, over 2,000 signatures have been collected and sent to Governor Wes Moore, who in 2022 changed state regulation to remove charging and detaining powers for arrested juveniles from the state’s attorneys. That control was then given to the Department of Juvenile Services, whose secretary, Vincent “Vinny” Schiraldi holds the distinction of being the only appointee to not receive unanimous support.  

It was Schiraldi’s failures in New York and D.C. that led to his being fired. New York  fired him when the violence at Rikers was so extreme union prison guards were  refusing to work. D.C. fired him after a costly two-year investigation into why he was  hosting parties for juvenile males from maximum security facilities at his home.  

So, here we are twenty days after a 66-year-old resident was beaten unconscious and stomped on the head. And what has Moore done?  

The governor has allotted an additional ten million dollars for Schiraldi’s failing Thrive  Academy and its 20 percent recidivism rate. In the first year, 23 out of the 126 enrolled  juveniles were re-arrested and were in possession of a handgun, two were shot. A state  investigation has been requested into the violence and substance abuse in DJS  facilities. Juveniles are being re-arrested while on electronic monitoring, several re-arrested on the same day they were put on monitoring. 

Ivan Bates has repeatedly stated that juvenile crime is out of control, the police are frustrated, eleven community associations and 2,662 citizens mailed their request for Moore to remove Schiraldi.  People are frightened, angry and baffled by Moore’s continued support for Schiraldi.  

And the response? Crickets. Not a single town hall, not one victim contacted, no public  comment on the problems Maryland did not have before Schiraldi was given power  over our state’s juveniles.  

There is talk of class action lawsuits, a Federal Consent Decree, investigations, hate  crime charges being leveled and parents being arrested. What is this going to cost  Maryland, in human capital, money, reputation diminishment and trust? The easiest  solution in everyone’s mind is to remove Schiraldi. 

Everywhere Vinny Schiraldi goes chaos, violence, lawsuits and failure are the result.  So, why is a smart, educated, confident parent like Moore hanging onto a snake oil  salesman like Schiraldi? Emperor Vinny has no clothes. 

Marylanders are waiting for Gov. Wes Moore to wake up and see reality. How many more people will be killed, beaten,  robbed and traumatized while we wait?

The post Op-ed: The community needs DJS Secretary Vinny Schiraldi to step down appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

The trial for 18-year-old Daaon Spears, accused of participating in the Jan. 4 mass shooting that claimed the life of 16-year-old Deanta Dorsey, began on Oct. 17 inside of the Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse in Baltimore. 

Spears is one of two people accused of murdering Dorsey, who was a student of Edmondson-Westside High School. The shooting took place during the school day at the Edmondson Village Shopping Center. Dorsey was the sole fatality of the shooting, which left a total of five young men shot during the school’s lunchtime.

Thiruvendran “Thiru” Vignarajah, representative for the Dorsey family, spoke to members of the press outside of the courthouse on Oct. 15 about the trial.

“This is an important chapter for this family as they seek a measure of justice,” said Vignarajah. “The family is here to remind the world that their son is not forgotten– that there is a hole in their hearts that no courtroom will fill. They hope and pray that a measure of justice is delivered in the next few days.”

Brandon Taylor, Spears’ attorney, shared few comments on the case, but urged people to pay attention to the facts.

“Pay attention to the evidence,” said Taylor on Oct. 15.  “Public opinion will always be public opinion.”

In this case, 12 jurists were seated and there are at least three alternatives. The jurists and alternatives are primarily people of color.

Both the victim and the defendants in this case are young, Black males.

Taylor shared his frustrations concerning the Baltimore City judicial system with the AFRO. 

“Everyone accused of a crime is supposed to be viewed as innocent until proven guilty, but with the sound of chains in the hallways, the ability to see people chained and escorted down the hallways with officers and having four or five officers in the courtrooms…some inherent bias is going to arise,” said Taylor.

Throughout day one of the trial, Judge Robert K. Taylor Jr. and courtroom law enforcement made sure to unshackle the defendant while jurists were present. Spears was shackled again during breaks and when officers needed to transport him down the hallway.

The other person accused of murdering Dorsey is Bryan Johnson, 18.  He was mentioned throughout day one of the trial, but is still awaiting his trial date.

At the time of the incident, Spears and Johnson were 16, but both were tried as adults.

The trial is in a small courtroom with three rows of seats in the middle, mainly for the families of Dorsey and Spears, and two rows of seats to the left of the courtroom for reporters and other attendees.

Both the prosecutor, Rita Wisthoff-Ito, and Taylor gave brief opening statements. 

Wisthoff-Ito painted a picture of what happened on the day of the shooting and emphasized the intent of those who committed the crime.

“What is the intention but to kill when you fire at someone like this?” said Wisthoff-Ito. “If you fire multiple times you are going to kill somebody.”

Dr. Edernst Noncent, the medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Dorsey, confirmed that Dorsey was shot 16 times.

The prosecution presented several 911 calls and police-worn body camera footage to the jury and called up nine witnesses throughout the day. The audio clips of the calls helped depict how harrowing the scene was for attendees.

Callers depicted the scene to dispatchers while verbally reacting to Dorsey’s body on the ground, not breathing.

One caller repeatedly yells “he’s gone,” after realizing that one of the wounded young men– Dorsey–was already dead. Another caller could be heard shouting several times in disbelief. 

People in the courtroom could hear individuals wailing and police sirens in the background as the callers spoke with dispatchers.

Though the evidence was tough to hear, both sides are counting on the jury to process the information and make a decision on Spears’ fate. 

In his opening statements, Taylor asserted that the prosecution would fail to present a motive and Spears’ DNA in connection with this incident to the jury.

“Spears is accused of a crime he did not commit,” said Taylor. “Spears was not responsible for what happened here.”

As the trial continues, the AFRO will continue to provide updates.

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By Patricia Merritt
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Thelma Watershed Wair, one of the historical Little Rock Nine who integrated an Arkansas high school in 1957 amidst an angry mob of White separationists and who later graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), has died. She was 83.

Wair’s sister, Grace Davis, confirmed to The Associated Press that Wair died Saturday at a hospital in Little Rock from complications of multiple sclerosis.

Wair’s history-making story began in 1957 with the other eight students: Melba Pattillo Beals, Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Terrence Roberts and Jefferson Thomas.

The students integrated Little Rock Central High School three years after the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954 declared in the Brown vs. Board of Education case, that segregated classrooms were unconstitutional.

Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus deployed the National Guard for three weeks to prevent the Little Rock Nine from enrolling in the school. This led to President Dwight D. Eisenhower sending members of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division to escort the students into school on Sept. 25, 1957.

After graduating high school, Wair continued her education through the Southern Illinois University System. She earned a bachelor’s in home economics from SIU Carbondale in 1964. She achieved a master’s in guidance and counseling from SIUE in 1970 and completed an administrative certificate in education from the University in 1972.

Wair chose a career in education and was committed to community outreach, working as a home economics teacher and guidance counselor for East St. Louis School District #189, until her retirement in 1994. Her classroom efforts earned her the Outstanding Role Model Award, given by the East St. Louis Top Ladies of Distinction.

Wair went on to receive other awards and distinctions. One was an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from SIUE. The University bestowed Wair with the honor during its May 2016 commencement. 

Wair was also named as one of SIUE’s 2016 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees. The Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes and honors SIUE alumni who, through leadership, character and hard work, have made exceptional contributions in their chosen field, in their communities and at SIUE.

The post Thelma Mothershed Wair, Little Rock Nine member dies at 83 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Photo: igorkol via 123RF

Too many people were not taught about money in school or by their parents and have developed poor habits of overspending, ignoring their finances, or not planning for the future.  Financial success is available if you are willing to set goals and make a plan to achieve them. This roadmap will guide you through the process. 

Set Goals

When it comes to setting financial goals, the more emotionally connected you are to them, the more successful you are likely to be. Paying off your credit card debt may feel like the right thing to do, but it can be difficult to stick to your plan unless you are motivated by what that achievement means for you and your financial well-being. Start by envisioning what a financially stable and prosperous life looks like for you. Some questions to consider are:

• How would my life be better without money stress?
• What would my home look like if I had enough money?
• How would I spend my free time?
• How could I make my life easier?
• How would I be more generous?

Once you have a clear vision of your future, set goals to help you achieve it. Along with being tied to your vision, your goals should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Brittney Castro, a certified financial planner at Mint, shared some tips with CNBC about setting achievable goals, including making small, progressive shifts instead of setting goals that are too extreme. 

For example, say that you use this debt calculator to set a goal to pay off your credit card debt. A SMART goal would be to pay off my $10,000 credit card debt by cutting back on my shopping and paying $524 toward the debt for 24 months to achieve my long-term goal of saving for a larger apartment. 

Understand Money Psychology

The study of how emotions and beliefs affect our financial habits, like saving and spending, is known as money psychology. Our childhood often shapes these behaviors. For instance, our perceptions of the availability of money and the effort required to earn it are influenced by growing up with affluence, as middle class, or in poverty. We also internalize our parents’ financial beliefs and behaviors, consciously and unconsciously. We may develop ingrained notions of money like “there will never be enough” and “money is best saved, not spent.” The good news is that we can choose which attitudes and actions support us in reaching our objectives and try to develop new ones if they stand in the way.

Additionally, money psychology helps us understand how our emotions, such as stress, sadness, or even happiness, can lead to impulsive buying or poor decisions. For example, fears about losing money may keep us from investing, or unrealistic expectations about our financial knowledge could lead us to invest in risky avenues. Some people will use past experiences as excuses for staying stuck in poor decision-making or avoidance, such as saying things like, “I’m not good with money.” Fortunately, when we understand how money psychology plays a role in our behaviors, we can address these issues and practice being more mindful of our financial decisions. 

Photo: strelok via 123RF

Educate Yourself

Since most of us don’t learn about personal finance in school, we must engage in our own education. So, how do you find helpful resources?

Yahoo Finance reports that only 4% of people have read a financial book. Yet, books are a great way to learn about budgeting, investing, money psychology, and other helpful financial concepts and strategies. You may prefer to listen to money podcasts to hear real-life examples, such as Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, The His and Her Money Show, or I Will Teach You to Be Rich. 

Online research can be a valuable tool for learning more about specific topics. Make sure you are using reliable sources such as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s Financial Literacy Resource Directory, Investor.gov, or Better Investing. You can also search for workshops hosted by local colleges, libraries, or banks in your area. 

Improve Your Money Skills and Create Good Habits

Like any other skill, getting good with money takes practice and self-evaluation. These skills include refraining from overspending, saving, and investing wisely. You may slip up on occasion or make mistakes. But the faster you return to working on your goals, the less financial damage you will cause. Eventually, these practiced skills can become natural habits.

Savings and habit trackers can be supportive tools for monitoring your day-to-day decisions and long-term goals. When making sound financial decisions feels challenging, remember to continue educating yourself and keep your long-term vision in mind as a motivator. Build on each success with new goals that will bring you closer to financial security and freedom.

SPONSORED BY JPMORGAN CHASE

The post Follow This Roadmap for Financial Success appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com

Chocolate City was full of Howard University students and alumni of all ages as the Washington, D.C.-based HBCU marked its 100th homecoming. However, its perhaps most consequential alumnus – Vice President Kamala Harris, who is poised to make history in her current run for the presidency – was a no-show.

The 2024 Democratic Party presidential nominee was originally scheduled to come to the homecoming with vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. Instead, she penned a letter to her alma mater in recognition of the centennial homecoming celebration. 

“I am honored to extend my warmest greetings to all the students, faculty, staff and fellow alumni of Howard University gathered to celebrate our 100th homecoming,” said Harris in the letter sent to the Hilltop on Oct. 19. 

Entertainment headliners for the centennial celebration included singers Leon Thomas and Coco Jones and rapper Real Boston Richey. But, of course, the marquee attraction was the football game on Oct. 19.

“Homecoming is so welcoming. Whether you’re a current student, former student, alum, or just visiting, Howard finds a way to say hello to you. You really have access to whatever you want in terms of food, party environments, service opportunities and HBCU culture at large,” said 2022 Howard graduate and former student-athlete Michael Codrington.

Alumni from Tennessee State University and Howard came to the capital city to show support for their football teams in a sold out homecoming matchup between the Tigers and the Bison.

The visiting Tennessee State Tigers would defeat the Howard Bison in the matchup, 27-14. At the end of the third quarter, the Bison only trailed by six points after running back Eden James ran in for a 2-yard touchdown. However, on the ensuing kickoff, return man CJ Evans ran back a 99-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up 27-14. Neither team scored points in the fourth quarter and that would end up being the final score.

Junior wide receiver Karate Brenson led the way with 153 receiving yards for the Tigers, and Howard running back Jarrett Hunter had 102 yards and a touchdown for the Bison. Defensively, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) preseason defensive player of the year Kenny Gallop Jr. finished the game with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss. For Tennessee State, defensive backs Jalen McClendon and Tyler Jones both had an interception.

With the loss, the Bison fall to 3-4 on the season. Tennessee State improves to 6-2 on the season, with a 3-1 conference record. This is the Tigers’ best start under head coach Eddie George. Howard will begin MEAC conference play on Oct. 26 against Norfolk State.

“Homecoming was full of celebration and a sense of community.  The events, from the game to spending time on the yard, felt like home as an alum,” said Rhonda Biscette, a 1990 graduate of Howard. “The 100th homecoming made it even more special. The environment represented a sense of pride and the reputation we hold as ‘The Mecca.’”

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By Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) on Oct. 17 announced 60,000 additional teachers, nurses, firefighters and government public administrators would have their loans canceled under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. 

“I promised to fight to ensure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity,” said President Biden in the announcement on Oct. 17, reminding the public of his original campaign promise to relieve student debt. 

“The 60,000 borrowers who have just been contacted brings the total number of persons whose debt has been canceled to more than 1 million,” said James Kvaal, under secretary of education, in an AFRO interview.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program provides debt cancellation to public service workers at the local, state and federal levels who have accumulated 10 years of repayment and 10 years of public service. 

For educators like Jamie Walker-Sallis, who entered the field of special education because there were not enough Black teachers, news that her remaining loan payments were canceled came as a godsend. 

“A letter came in the mail. I didn’t believe it,” said Walker-Sallis, who is now the equity and learning support administrator with Davenport Community School District in Iowa. “I looked in my account and it was zero.” 

DOE wants borrowers to know that loan forgiveness is ongoing and people who think they qualify for public service loan forgiveness should sign up now at StudentAid.gov. 

“We are continuing to process applications for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program,” said Kvaal. “I encourage all public service professionals to enroll in the Public Service Debt Forgiveness Program now, so we can ensure your payments and years of service are counted toward debt forgiveness.” 

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program began in 2007, yet only 7,000 persons had received loan forgiveness before the Biden-Harris administration restructured the program. During the current administration, $175 million in total debt impacting 5 million borrowers has been canceled. While less than the $400 billion in student loan relief Biden originally requested, it exceeds debt relief efforts by prior administrations. 

“We expect there will more than likely be another announcement regarding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program before Jan. 20,” Kvaal said.

“I encourage borrowers to contact us even if they believe errors were made in reviewing their information,” he added. “We will review your case. The Department of Education will be working to relieve student loan debt whenever we can for people who have dedicated a portion of their careers to public service.”

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By Colleen Long and Will Weissert
The Associated Press

JONESBORO, Ga. (AP) — Kamala Harris on Oct. 20 summoned Black churchgoers to turn out at the polls and got a big assist from music legend Stevie Wonder, who rallied congregants with a rendition of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.”

Harris visited two Atlanta area churches as part of a nationwide push known as “souls to the polls.” It’s a mobilization effort led by the National Advisory Board of Black Faith Leaders, which is sending representatives across battleground states to encourage early voting.

After services, buses took congregants straight to early polling places.

At both churches, Harris delivered a message about kindness and lifting people up rather than insulting them, trying to set up an implicit contrast with Republican Donald Trump’s brash style. With just 16 days left until Election Day, Harris is running out of time to get across her message to a public still getting to know her after a truncated campaign.

“There is so much at stake right now,” she said at the Divine Faith Ministries International in Jonesboro. “We understand for us to do good works, it means to do it in the spirit of understanding that our strength is not based on who we beat down, as some would try to suggest. Our strength is based on who we lift up. And that spirit is very much at stake in these next 16 days.”

Wonder led the crowd in singing his version of “Happy Birthday” to the vice president, who turned 60 on Oct. 20.  When he was done, she appeared to choke up, saying, “I love you so much.”

Wonder grinned and said “don’t cry” before telling the crowd how important it was for people to get out and vote.

“We’re going to make the difference between yesterday and tomorrow,” he said.

Harris later said that she “had to check off a whole big one” on her bucket list because of Wonder singing her a birthday song, which prompted the singer to spring up and lead the congregation in a quick verse of “Higher Ground.”

Pastor Donald Battle said of the election: “Georgia’s gonna be the state that turns it for the vice president.”

“Souls to the Polls” as an idea traces back to the Civil Rights Movement. The Rev. George Lee, a Black entrepreneur from Mississippi, was killed by White supremacists in 1955 after he helped nearly 100 Black residents register to vote in the town of Belzoni. The cemetery where Lee is buried has served as a polling place.

Black church congregations across the country have undertaken get-out-the-vote campaigns for years. In part to counteract voter suppression tactics that date back to the Jim Crow era, early voting in the Black community is stressed from pulpits nearly as much as it is by candidates.

In Georgia, early voting began on Oct. 15, and more than 310,000 people voted on that day, more than doubling the first-day total in 2020. A record 5 million people voted in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.

Earlier Oct. 20, the Democratic presidential nominee attended New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, where the congregation also sang “Happy Birthday.”

New Birth Pastor Jamal Bryant called the vice president “an American hero, the voice of the future” and “our fearless leader.” He also used his sermon to welcome the idea of America electing its first woman president, saying, “It takes a real man to support a real woman.”

“When Black women roll up their sleeves, then society has got to change,” Bryant said.

Harris referenced scripture as she promoted the importance of loving one’s neighbor, and then drew a contrast to the current political environment.

“In this moment, across our nation, what we do see are some who try to deepen division among us, spread hate, sow fear and cause chaos,” Harris told the congregation. “The true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up.”

One congregant who got a hug from Harris was 98-year-old Opal Lee, an activist who pushed to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday.

Harris is a Baptist. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish. She has said she’s inspired by the work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and influenced by the religious traditions of her mother’s native India as well as the Black Church. Harris sang in the choir as a child at Twenty-Third Avenue Church of God in Oakland.

Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, attended church in Saginaw, Michigan, and his wife, Gwen, headed to a service in Las Vegas.

Also Oct. 20 Harris sat for an interview with the Rev. Al Sharpton and was asked about the idea that she might see her support slipping among Black men — some of whom might be reluctant to vote for a woman for president. Former President Barack Obama suggested that might be an issue during a recent campaign stop for Harris in Pittsburgh.

Harris said she had garnered support from many key Black male leaders, adding, “there’s this narrative about what kind of support we are receiving from Black men that is just not panning out in reality.”

On Oct. 21, she will campaign with former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., in the suburbs of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

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By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO

Homecoming services for Melvin L. Stukes were held Oct. 8 at the Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Randallstown, Maryland.  The former Baltimore City councilman and member of the Maryland House of Delegates died unexpectedly at his home in Pikesville during the morning of Sept. 21. He was 76.

Rev. Cordell E. Hunter Sr., presiding elder emeritus of the Baltimore Conference of the A.M.E. Church, officiated over the ceremonies. 

Several dignitaries, family members and friends attended the homegoing service for Stukes, including retired Maryland Supreme Court Chief Judge Robert Bell, former Baltimore City Comptroller Joan Pratt, former Baltimore City Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm, Maryland lobbyist Bruce Bereano, House of Delegate member N. Scott Phillips, D-Dist. 10, and Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, D-Dist. 10.

Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller was introduced by the Speaker of the House of Delegates Adrienne Jones after she applauded the work of Stukes, a former delegate.  “He was a hard worker who cared about the people  he represented,” Jones said. 

Miller presented a citation to the family on behalf of Gov. Wes Moore, Jones and herself. The lieutenant governor, who also served alongside Stukes in the House of Delegates, also told stories that reminded people of the man they knew.  

“‘Pops’ is what we affectionately called him,” she said.  “I recall the many times that Pops was called to give a prayer in the House of Delegates. Everyone in the house chambers, including the reporters, the guests, the pages, the speaker of the House and all 141 delegates, braced ourselves, knowing what was coming next.”

“He had a way of turning a simple prayer into a lasting experience, one that compelled all of us to stand up [and] hold hands across the aisle during the entirety of his prayer,” she continued. “And those who know Pops know that Pops  was never short of words. It was classic Pops reminding that prayer isn’t just listened to, it is felt; and it moves through us, connecting us in ways that words alone cannot.  It was a simple but powerful gesture of touch that we were all in together; connected with a shared responsibility to lift each other up and not tear each other down despite our political differences. That was Pops.”

Bruce Bereano, a lobbyist in Annapolis, said, “I saw firsthand the commitment he had to his district, his dedication. He was all about service; that is why he was elected over and over again. May he rest in peace.” 

Councilwoman Felicia Porter, who represents the 10^th District of Baltimore, which Stukes also represented as a councilman and delegate, said, “I am here out of gratitude for the work he has done.  I have great respect for him. He was a dedicated public servant.”

Family members and friends, one by one, spoke of Stukes’ dedication to his community while he was in office and even after he retired from public service, including Peggy Jackson-Jobe, chair of the Cherry Hill Community Coalition.

Numerous citations were presented to the Stukes family from political and community leaders, among them Congressman Kweisi Mfume and Mayor Brandon Scott.

The sermon was delivered by Rev. Raymond F. Edmonds Jr., pastor of Union Bethel A.M.E. Church. That was followed by the interment at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Owings Mills, Maryland.

The post Former Baltimore lawmaker Melvin Stukes laid to rest appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Learn about ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) issues ahead of the 2024 election

United Way’s programs and services, as well as our advocacy work, supports equity, access, and opportunity for all—with a focus on ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households.

People at or below the ALICE budget threshold struggle every day to pay for the basics—like housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and childcare. In Maryland, 39% of households—nearly one million—don’t bring in enough income to keep pace with the cost of living. 

A significant portion of Maryland’s workforce, including cashiers, cooks, restaurant staff, drivers, warehouse workers, health aides, childcare providers, office staff, and more, live as ALICE. A majority of these peopel are working in one or more jobs, and still live just one emergency away from financial crisis. 

Policy change is a powerful way to break down longstanding barriers and strengthen lives, communities, and our economy. As we approach the 2024 election, it is crucial for voters to be aware of the challenges for ALICE households—which affect us all—at the ballot box. 

The Maryland State Association of United Ways’ #VoteForALICE social media campaign encourages voters to consider ALICE issues at the ballot box and prioritize policies that promote economic stability and opportunity for all.

Hundreds of thousands of workers in Maryland currently live below the ALICE threshold, including 36% of retail salespersons, 49% of cashiers, and 12% of the state’s registered nurses. These hardworking individuals contribute essential services to our communities, but their income can’t keep pace with the high cost of living in the state.

“As we approach the 2024 election, it is crucial for eligible voters and policymakers to be aware of ALICE issues and consider the needs of ALICE households when voting,” said Franklyn Baker, President and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland. “Our Maryland State Association of United Ways stands united in our vision for healthy, thriving communities and work around the clock to tackle challenges in housing, childcare, transportation, digital access, and more that impact ALICE households—and policy change is often the first step in addressing inequities that prevent people from getting by—or even getting ahead.”

Want an easy way to stay informed on the issues and directly contact your elected officials? Sign up for Voter Voice, United Way’s advocacy platform that educates and mobilizes supporters, and does the work of reaching out to policy makers for you! 

“The Maryland State Board of Elections is committed to educating eligible voters about how to participate in the General Election and appreciates the Maryland State Association of United Ways and others’efforts to communicate with Marylanders around the upcoming election,” said Jared DeMarinis, StateAdministrator, Maryland State Board of Elections. “Marylanders should visit the VOTE MD website  for information on registering to vote and how to vote in this important election.”

Make your voice heard and take action today! UNITED, we can help improve the financial security and well-being of Maryland households that struggle to make ends meet.

To learn more about the challenges ALICE households face, to read the latest interactive ALICE Report, and to find helpful election resources so that you can vote to help ALICE households, visit uwcm.org/ALICE.

About United Ways in Maryland

United Ways in Maryland support and drive work in their respective regions to advance healthy communities, financial security, youth opportunity, and community resiliency.

The post United Way’s ALICE campaign highlights challenges for working families in Maryland appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware

Every Black Christian worshiper has heard this phrase at one time or another: “Oh, you can do better than that.” It’s often said in reference to the vim and vigor of the phrases of praise offered by the congregation–or the lack thereof. 

“You can do better than that” is repeated, as if what’s being uttered is never good enough for the recognition of God’s blessings. As if more vigorous praise is a more acceptable offering with an added benefit for the “praiser.”

And maybe rightfully so. For many people of faith, praise is more than just a spiritual practice — it’s a tool for better health. From the familiar call to “do better than that” in expressing praise to the quiet strength of individual worship, faith and wellness have long been intertwined. 

”I’ve seen it close up, that people of faith health quicker and require less pain medicine, even if they have had a more extensive disease,” says Baltimore-based licensed practical nurse Tammy Saunders.  who’s been a nurse for years and is now a consultant. 

Referring to her work on a cancer unit, she said, “I’ve always been meticulous about getting meds to my patients on time and often, more often than not, more women than men, would not need the medicine at that time. They’d ask for help going to the bathroom or answering some other need, but it would be almost time for the next dose before they needed more meds.” 

Saunders added, “And I wasn’t even saved then to understand what was going on. I just easily recognized the difference.”

What Exactly Is Praise?

Not to be confused with worship, praise is a show of appreciation for what God has done. Worship is the acknowledgment of God’s essence, the “isness” of God. 

Churches often establish a sort of praise character — some loud, others not so loud. And within that collective praise is the added expression of all the arts, instruments, dance, singing, artistic expression and even reading of scriptures of praise. 

This generally describes the time of “praise and worship” in the average Black church, if there is such a thing as an average Black church.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, many traditional Black churches began to exchange choirs for “praise and worship” teams who led the entire church in a section of congregational singing of repetitive choruses in lieu of hymns with three to five stanzas and the gospel hymns that had previously been the mainstay and staple of church music. As an addendum to the singing, congregants are encouraged to lift their voices with chants of phrases like “Praise the Lord,” “Hallelujah,” “God is good,” and “We bless you Lord,” — or whatever else flows out of the heart and soul.

And studies seem to highlight the correlation between the utterances of praise and the health of the praisers.

The Praise and Health Connection

A 2017 study, “Church Attendance, Allostatic Load and Mortality in Middle-Aged Adults” suggested that “people who attend services at a church, synagogue or mosque are less stressed and live longer.” 

The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. Researchers found that middle-aged (ages 40 to 65) adults—both men and women—who attend church or other houses of worship reduce their risk for mortality by 55 percent.

One of the researchers, Vanderbilt professor Marino Bruce — who is also a Baptist minister — wrote that they “found that being in a place where you can flex those spiritual muscles is actually beneficial for your health.” 

In “Neurophysiological Benefits of Worship,”  Michael Liedke, a nurse practitioner, suggested that worshiping God causes an increase in BPNF, a neurotransmitter that helps grow healthy brain cells. “Every morning, we wake up with 300 million more brain cells. When we worship, gamma waves are created in our brain that can actually help us feel the presence of God.”

Psalm 22:3 says God inhabits the praises of his people, and “we actually get a physical boost as these gamma waves fire in our brains while we worship,” he wrote.

According to Liedke, gamma waves do more than just make us feel better, they actually increase our intelligence, too. 

“Research has shown that as you worship, you increase in wisdom, and there’s an increase in your capacity to understand the goodness of God,” he wrote. “So your relationship with God deepens as you worship him. As you worship, your brain is comprehending wisdom from the living Word helping grow your capacity to understand that God absolutely adores you. Interestingly, just seven minutes of worship every day will change your brain.”

This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.

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Sponsored by JPMorganChase

Getting in the habit of saving money is important, as it helps lead to creating a financial cushion to cover future expenses. Saving is not easy, especially when everyday products are at an all-time high given recent years’ rising inflation and simply suggesting cutting back on small indulgences can be irritating.

Thankfully, there are options to help saving money become more of a habit to better equip you for life’s unexpected needs. Before determining how much to start saving, first understand money coming in and money coming out – like cost of rent, food, car or public transportation, utilities, and other direct payment expenses, such as subscriptions to various streaming services. Apps can help track these recurring expenses, making it a good time to reconsider or renegotiate them.

Once you’ve understood your monthly budget, check what’s remaining to determine a doable amount to start setting aside each month. When it comes to saving, there are various strategies, from keeping a certain amount in your bank account each week, to automating transferring money from your checking to your savings account each month. You can also save for something specific, like a vacation, home project, or a splurge you’ve had your eye on for a while. Here are a few saving account options to consider:

Standard Saving Accounts are the most common, easy to access and typically open. Savings accounts can often be accessed and managed online or through the bank’s mobile app, which can make things easier. Before choosing an account that best suits your needs, ask if there is a monthly service fee and potential ways to waive the fee.

Money Market Accounts are similar to savings accounts, but the customer receives more interest on their money, something that varies with banks. They usually require a minimum balance.

High Yield Savings Accounts are increasingly popular, often coming with higher interest rates, making them suitable for short-term savings goals. They work a lot like the typical savings account, allowing for deposits and withdrawals, but there may be transaction limits and minimum balance requirements. They are also protected up to $250,000 at FDIC insured banks.

Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are highly sought after when interest rates are favorable, but you must commit to leaving the money deposited in the CD untouched for the agreed upon term, which is usually months or years. There may be minimum deposit requirements, but they offer returns so are useful for short-term goals, such as the down payment on a house or car.

Long-Term Accounts provide an opportunity to accumulate returns over years, depending on how the markets fluctuate. These accounts are designed for a specific financial goal and have tax advantages. Consult your financial institution for long-term savings account options, some of which may include:

• 529 Plans: Saving over the years to pay for the education of a child, grandchild, or niece/nephew. Savings are tax-deferred and can only be used for the beneficiary’s education, whether for college or another educational institution.
• 401(k): Retirement savings accounts your employer offers. Contributions are usually made monthly (a percentage of the salary) via direct deposit. There are limits to how much you can contribute.
• IRA: There are various types of individual retirement Accounts (IRAs), offering another personal retirement savings option. Contributions are limited, not necessarily offered by an employer, and like the 401(k), they are only used after retirement.

Be sure to ask your bank or financial advisor whether the account you plan to open has a monthly deposit or balance minimum, or any additional requirements or fees. For more budgeting and savings tips, visit chase.com/financialgoals.

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For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy.

Deposit products provided JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC

 © 2024 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

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By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com

From Staten Island, N.Y., to Hampton, Va.; Washington, D.C., to North Carolina and now Atlanta, Baltimore native Dylan Beard’s track journey has taken him all over the Atlantic seaboard. Now, he is on a mission to make sure that he is not just a feel-good story, but a force to be reckoned with. 

Beard’s name has been trending in the track world lately. His surprise upset victory at the 2024 Millrose Games in February combined with his recent appearance on the “Today” show has gotten him a little bit more public attention. As NBC Sports reporter Lewis Johnson said to Beard in a post-race interview, “Dylan, you’re on the map. Hurdles.”

Prior to the 60-meter hurdle race at “the world’s most prestigious indoor track and field competition,” Beard wasn’t included in the camera shot until a few seconds before the starting gun went off. Division II superstar Cordell Tinch, 2022 World Championships runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles, and Trey Cunningham,  2019 USA Outdoor World Champion in the 110-meter hurdles, were highlighted prior to the race. When the man from lane one shocked the field and crossed the line victorious, NBC’s announcer asked, “And on the inside, is that Dylan Beard?”

Yes, that is Dylan Beard, the man who virtually led the race from wire to wire.

The Baltimore native graduated high school in 2016, originally committing to Wagner University. At Wagner, Beard was named the Northeast Conference’s (NEC) Most Outstanding Rookie Performer his freshman year at the NEC Indoor Track and Field Championships. He still holds the record in both the 60-meter hurdles and the 110-meter hurdles for the Wagner Seahawks. After three years, Beard made the decision to transfer to Hampton University. 

“[Historically Black colleges and universities] were the only schools that showed me love. When I was transferring from Wagner, the goal was to get that full scholarship. The Hampton head coach at the time offered me a 75 percent scholarship and I was cool with that because that is pretty much what I was getting at Wagner. Then just one day during the summer he reached out and he’s like, ‘Hey man, I just adjusted your scholarship to a full scholarship. Congratulations,’” said Beard.

After being both a Big South conference team champion and an individual champion in the 60-meter hurdles at Hampton, Beard obtained his bachelor’s degree. Beard still had two spring seasons of eligibility left from the spring 2020 season being canceled and the blanket year of eligibility granted to all NCAA athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beard decided to utilize the rest of his eligibility at Howard University in the nation’s capital. This presented Beard a unique opportunity to further his education and gain the tutelage of Olympic medalist and world champion David Oliver. 

“Think about it, right? You’ve got this guy who’s never broken 14 seconds in the 110 [hurdles] and has a good indoor time but only has two outdoor seasons,” said Beard, draped in his Team USA gear from the USA Outdoor Championships. “Coach Oliver offered me 80 percent, and I mean, they just showed the most love. I had one conversation with the coaches and I already liked what they were saying.” 

The next two years would result in Beard shattering his head coach’s 110-meter record at the school with a time of 13.29, which was the second fastest time in the nation that year. He also left Howard with two individual Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles in the 110-meter hurdles and his master’s in public health. 

Transition to the Pros

After originally being torn on pursuing track professionally, Beard ultimately made the decision to move down south and embark on a dream that he had set for himself at a young age. 

“I said I wanted to be a professional athlete when I was like… 5 years old. I thought it’d be football or baseball or something. Track and field kind of snuck up on me and stuck. I genuinely do this because I love it… Honestly and realistically, if I had to set a goal, it would be to enter that 12 second club. That sub-13 second [110-meter hurdle] race club,” said Beard. 

Beard’s former head coach and the director of track and field at Howard University David Oliver, whose name is in the record books for running the second fastest 110-meter race, was on a similar journey when he graduated from Howard and wanted to pursue a career in track and field. Oliver moved down to Florida, worked at the Nike store and trained in his free time. Beard moved to North Carolina and worked at the deli at Walmart full time, all while training professionally alongside fellow Olympic hopeful Cameron Murray and coach Rueben McCoy. 

“Beard has all the talent in the world,” said Oliver. “He puts in the work and he’s already shown what he can do at the collegiate level. He’s off to a good start, now he just has to continue to show up when it matters. That’s what the greats do.”

For the Love of the Sport

All-Americans, national champions and American record holders alike, there are many athletes today that are competing in the sport of track and field at a professional level but not receiving much compensation from it. In track and field, you don’t have many athletes that continue to pursue the sport post-collegiately that aren’t either indebted or in love. 

Beard, currently the 10th-fastest man in the world in the 110-meter hurdles, received a very interesting sponsorship that will allow him to continue to compete professionally while also being able to continue to work at Walmart as a deli associate. He is believed to be the first track and field athlete to be sponsored by Walmart. 

“It was a lot of behind the scenes stuff but my agent and Walmart worked together and they got me a deal that I am pretty happy with. I like the base salary and I am satisfied with it,” said Beard.

Although Beard was shooting to make Team USA for the Paris Olympics, he was still excited to watch the Games and his season did not end at the US Olympic Trials. 

“After the Olympics, the rest of my meets are overseas, mostly in Europe. I am trying to compete in more Diamond League meets and just run as much as possible because that is the name of the game. We don’t stop in June or July. I am trying to make it to August or September and get a feel for that because that is what all the other pros do,” said Beard. 

He was also surprised on the “Today” Show with a $20,000 check from Walmart to support his Olympic dream and professional track endeavors. 

“Perseverance. I mean, it always just seems to work out when you keep pushing forward,” said Beard. “When I was growing up, my dad would always say, ‘Three things define you: Your character. Your integrity. Your word.’ So that kind of stuck with me. When you’re 95 [years old], you want to look back on your life and say I gave it my all…. What I’ve noticed is when you put your best foot forward in everything you do, you’re planting seeds. And I always somehow reap the benefits of my work ethic and efforts when I put my best foot forward.” 

The post Dylan Beard: Overcoming obstacles and embracing his journey appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware

Overview:

Since the 2020 election, far-right vigilantes have begun appearing at polling places, threatening poll workers and voters, usually in Black communities. Coupled with strict voter I.D. laws and criminal penalties for voter fraud, voting can be an uncomfortable experience.

For decades, voting for president every four years was as easy and safe as picking up a loaf of bread from the supermarket: show up to the polls, cast your ballot, and move on with the rest of your day. Then, the 2020 election happened. 

There were lies about election fraud and strict voter ID laws some say are racist. Vigilante “poll monitors,” some of them armed, menaced voters and poll workers, often in Black communities. Intimidating new rules were imposed that all but declare a blue vote in a red state may not be counted. 

It’s enough to make a faithful voter wish for divine intervention. Faiths United to Save Democracy, however, could be the next best thing. 

A nonpartisan, multi-racial, interfaith organization, FUSD is an organization designed to help and protect voters on Election Day. It dispatches trained, non-partisan volunteers —  poll chaplains — to help ensure free and unhindered access to the polls for members of vulnerable communities. 

Armed With the Law

Together with “peacekeepers” — lay volunteers trained with the chaplains —  they support voters, explain the rules or help them report irregularities, including electioneering, harassment and intimidation. The goal: help people navigate rules that could make it more difficult for Black people, young people, the elderly and differently abled to cast a ballot and have it count.

FUSD’s voter protection campaigns this year will take place in the South, including Alabama, Florida and Texas, along with Ohio and several key swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. 

The organization was created in the wake of the 2020 election to “protect the sacred freedom to vote of vulnerable citizens” because of “wide acceptance of political violence and the increase in anti-voting laws,” Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, a clergywoman and activist, said in a letter to new team members.

Amen, says Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, pastor of the Second Episcopal District of the AME Church in Washington, D.C. 

“We’re going to watch and pray that there be no intimidation, no obstruction, and no challenges,” he says. “We just want to keep the peace. We are 100 percent non-partisan in nature.” 

With early voting already underway in more than a few states, Faith United to Save Democracy and partner organizations — including the NAACP, Latino Christian National Network, the National Council of Churches, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and the Nation’s Mosque — have dispatched some of the peacekeepers and poll chaplains they’ve trained since summer. 

While some right-wing poll watchers show up with loaded guns, the FUSD teams are armed only with knowledge of election rules and laws, nonviolent intervention tactics, a voting-rights hotline, and, of course, prayer. The need for peacekeepers and poll chaplains is clear, according to an FUSD press release. 

Fighting Chaos with Witness

Since the 2020 election, “voters have faced increasing barriers to exercising their right to vote,” according to the FUSD statement. “Nearly 400 voter restriction measures in 49 states, from ID laws to limited access to mail voting, have been proposed or passed. These laws erect barriers that disproportionately limit people of color, the elderly, and the poor from being able to vote.”

At the same time, “increasingly violent rhetoric and events throughout the 2024 election,” including election fraud conspiracies and death threats to poll workers, “have given voters credible concern about violence or intimidation at the polls,” according to the statement.

To counter those developments, “trained poll chaplains and peacekeepers will be deployed to cities and polling sites in areas of greatest need in this critical time for the future of our democracy,” according to the FUSD statement.

Though trained together, peacekeepers will be inside polling places as helpers while poll chaplains will stand outside to assist voters as needed. The task is simple, says Dr. James Perkins, pastor emeritus of Detroit’s Greater Christ Baptist Church.

“Be on time, let your presence be known, and be helpful as needed,” he says. “And keep the number of the hotline handy, just in case it’s needed.”

“The involvement of poll chaplains and Peacekeepers is essential in actively safeguarding the vote in local communities,” says Rev. Moya Harris, director of racial justice at Sojourners, a faith-based social justice nonprofit and FUSD member. “This is integral to our call as people of faith — to combat chaos with love and witness.”

This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.

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Bank of America – Financial Planning Month

By Janet Currie 
Special to the AFRO

Financial education is integral to workforce readiness and overall life skills success, which is why it’s important for young people to understand financial basics, especially by the time they enter the workplace. Whether their goal is to manage their first paycheck, build savings and credit, own a home, start a business, or make a difference in the community, financial education and resources can help young people get on the path to achieve those goals. 

The good news is there are helpful and free resources available for every stage of financial lives. One example is Bank of America’s Better Money Habits®, a free online platform of easy-to-understand tools and content, in both English and Spanish, to help people understand their money, make confident choices, and improve their financial health.  As we get back into the school year, the curriculum is also offered by local Bank of America bankers to nonprofits and schools, bringing this important content directly to those who can benefit most.

So, what do students and young adults need to know most? Usually, it’s all about budgeting.  Here are six steps to help young people create a budget:

1. Calculate your net income. The foundation of an effective budget is your net income, which is take-home pay. Focusing on your total salary instead of net income could lead to overspending because you may think you have more available money than you do.

2. Track your spending. Once you know how much money you have coming in, the next step is to figure out where it is going. Tracking and categorizing your expenses can help you determine where you are spending the most money and where it might be possible to save.

3. Set realistic financial goals. Make a list of your short- and long-term financial goals. Short-term goals should take around one to three years to achieve and might include things like setting up an emergency fund or paying down credit card debt. Long-term goals, such as saving for retirement, may take decades to reach.

4. Make a plan. List your fixed expenses, or regular monthly bills such as rent or car payments, as well as your variable expenses, which change from month to month on such things like groceries and entertainment.

Use the expenses you compiled to get a sense of what you will spend in the coming months. Then compare that to your net income and priorities. Consider setting specific—and realistic—spending limits for each category of expenses.

5. Adjust your spending to stay on budget. Now that you have documented your income and spending, you can make any necessary adjustments so that you don’t overspend and have money to put toward your goals. Look toward your “wants” as the first area for cuts as opposed to your needs.

6. Review your budget regularly. Once your budget is set, you should review it and your spending on a regular basis to be sure you are staying on track.

To help youth and their families strengthen their financial knowledge, Bank of America bankers in Maryland also deliver virtual and in-person Better Money Habits curriculum and financial guidance across local communities. We work with partners like Maryland Food Bank, Back on My Feet, and Helping Up Mission, among others, to tailor the content and teach families and community members to take control of their finances.

The world can be an exciting place filled with opportunities for our youth, but we must provide the know-how and tools to help them get there. 

Janet Currie is the president of Bank of America, Greater Maryland.

The post Starting financial education early appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ryan Coleman
Special to the AFRO

In 2024, 99 percent of Marylanders asked by the Gonzales poll said they pay enough or too much in taxes. A UMBC Institute of Politics poll shows over 76 percent oppose increases in state government services and taxes. They also express concern about their personal finances. The Tax Foundation ranks Maryland 45th for the state and local tax burden on residents. The verdict is in: No more taxes and fees.

According to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation reached the highest levels since 1981 in 2022— putting everyday necessities like food, fuel and rent out of reach for many. And like most economic downturns, including the Great Recession and the pandemic, Black communities are disproportionately impacted. This means that Black households are now spending more of their post-tax income on necessities like food and energy, according to a new Bank of America report cited by Business Insider.

The middle class just isn’t what it used to be. The poor and the plummeting middle class are financially burdened enough with high inflation without having additional taxes and fees that lower their standard of living.

To get into Maryland’s middle class, a household has to have an income of at least $65,641. Compare that to the $35,323 middle class in Mississippi. Maryland residents’ purchasing power is down because it is costing consumers more money to buy the same products they bought a year ago. Black residents have to fight to get quality stores, high quality education and good customer service.

Over the last four years, the state budget has grown by a whopping 32 percent. In 2021, the total budget was $47.9 billion. The 2024 budget stands at $63.3 billion. Has your salary grown by 32 percent in four years?

Gov. Wes Moore balanced this year’s budget by fee increases, transferring funds from various balances, and taking money out of the Rainy Day Fund. 

Moore did not raise taxes–to his credit. But the General Assembly passed the Paint Tax, the Uber Tax, increases in the Cigarette Tax and vehicle registration fees – to name a few. The vehicle registration fee has upset every Marylander. It’s a fee that Marylanders must pay which is why it’s the hardest to swallow. While the governor did not propose them, neither did he veto them.

Former Gov. Martin O’ Malley is a friend of mine. However, he fell into the trap of raising too many fees which outstripped the appetite of Marylanders. His miscalculation ushered in a Republican governor for eight years. 

Gov. Moore, please do not fall into this trap. Do not raise any taxes, and veto any additional fees that affect the middle class.

The post Maryland’s middle class cannot afford any additional taxes or fees appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Marnita Coleman
Special to the AFRO

On Oct. 5, New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore celebrated a monumental 122nd anniversary. But this year, it was more than just a traditional service. The church also honored the retirement of the Rev. Jerome Stephens, director of community outreach for U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and a devoted member of New Shiloh for 47 years. 

Stephens’ public service has left a lasting impact across the state. His official retirement date is Nov. 30.

Amidst the celebration, the spotlight shone brightly on Stephens’ wife, Paula, whose grace and strength have been a cornerstone of his journey. Seated beside her were their two daughters, Candice Stephens, community liaison for Baltimore County Public Schools and Brittany Stephens, member recruitment lead for Maryland Corps Service Year Option. The look of pride and adoration in their eyes was a beautiful reminder of the family’s enduring bond and shared legacy of service.

Reflecting on his tenure with Sen. Cardin, Stephens said unlike many in power who impose restrictions on their employees, their relationship was “unique.”

“He allowed me to be Jerome on the job. He recognized my strength and connection to the community,” Stephens said.

The director of community outreach position was created to clarify Stephens’ role and demonstrate Cardin’s commitment to the community. Stephens was empowered within the organization and was Cardin’s “connector and bridge.” 

Valuable resources were brought into the Black community through Stephens’ influence, supporting initiatives like the New Shiloh Village, New Psalmist Baptist Church STEM program, AFRO Charities, and Harbor Bank’s tax credit projects for community development.

“My presence on Senator Cardin’s staff was enough to impact a lot of things,” Rev. Stephens said.  “I was ingrained into the community more than the average staffer for any congressional member because of my tenure in the faith community and community at large.” 

Stephens also emphasized the importance of having staff who reflect the community, as they better understand its needs and desires.

The Rev. Dr. Harold A. Carter Jr., pastor of New Shiloh, noted that Stephens’ political background positioned him to lead the church’s community development corporation as chairman of the board. Though he later “graciously stepped down” to avoid conflicts of interest, Rev. Stephens raised “the political consciousness of the board” and helped secure a multimillion-dollar grant, Carter said. His guidance was key in the construction of two apartment buildings—The New Shiloh Senior Living and Family Buildings, totaling 212 units—with a third for grandparents raising grandchildren set to break ground in 2025.

Dr. Carter said that Stephens consistently embraced New Shiloh’s vision for community development, focusing not just on buildings but on “building relationships” with the Northwest community and beyond. His strategic, “behind-the-scenes” efforts have been key to getting things done, often without seeking any credit for himself.

The retirement celebration reached a pinnacle as two of Maryland’s most prominent leaders, Cardin and Gov. Wes Moore, shared heartfelt sentiments honoring Rev. Stephens. 

“Jerome has been an incredible source of strength for our office and has represented the community extremely well,” Cardin said.

The longterm lawmaker said Stephens had been a “bridge” between the faith community and the federal government. Stephens used this opportunity to “bring needed resources to strengthen the Black community,” he said.

Partnerships for Public School 103, the historic elementary school in Baltimore attended by former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; Arena Players, and the former Congressman Parren J. Mitchell’s home, are just some of the many examples where Stephens was the bridge to help. 

“He provided a way we could listen to the faith community and also get information out to the faith community,” concluded Cardin.

Gov. Moore, too, had a personal connection with Stephens.

 “This is my man, Jerome!” Moore declared.  

“I want it to be clear:  Without Jerome Stephens, there is no Governor Wes Moore. From the beginning of this process, we started with prayer,” Moore continued. “This is someone who understands the importance of the faith community—not just in decisions made, but in their impact.” 

He continued, “I love this man for how he loves his wife and honors the Word. Jerome Stephens hasn’t just made me a better friend; he’s made me a better public servant, father, governor, and most importantly, a better husband. I love you, and I thank God for you and all you’ve meant to me over the past three years.”

These powerful words resonated throughout the packed sanctuary, where a sea of distinguished guests listened intently. Among them were Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, Congressman Kweisi Mfume, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Coppin State University President Anthony Jenkins, Baltimore postmaster LeGretta Y. Goodman, Baltimore Councilman Julian E. Jones Jr. and countless others from across Maryland. 

In a powerful moment, Dr. Carter stepped away from his seat, inviting Rev. Stephens to take his place as the messenger of the day, marking this milestone event with profound respect and love.

Affectionately called the “Country Preacher,” Rev. Stephens captivated the crowd with a lively sermon titled “Oh to Be Kept,” serving as a genuine testament to his enduring faith and steadfast commitment over the years.

He shared personal stories of his journey from Plain Dealing, Louisiana, to his upcoming retirement, marking a heartfelt close to his journey.

Nearly two decades ago, with some hesitation, Stephens embraced this opportunity, guided by the words of the late Rev. Dr. John L. Wright, pastor of First Baptist Church of Guilford in Columbia, Md., who said, “Jerome, it’s not your job. It is the community’s job, and you are there to serve the community!” Those words have stayed with Stephens throughout his career, and he still hears that voice guiding him today. 

Stephens wrapped it up, “I want people to know that I did the best I could to serve the community!”

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By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire 

Bath & Body Works is facing backlash after releasing its holiday themed “Snowed In” candle, which bears a design some social media users claim resembles imagery associated with the Ku Klux Klan. The Columbus-based retailer swiftly apologized and announced it would be removing the candle from shelves.

The controversy erupted when a Reddit user posted an image of the candle featuring a close-up snowflake design set against a maroon background. Although intended as a winter motif, some users noted a striking resemblance to the pointed hoods associated with the KKK, leading to terms like “klandle” and “KKKandle” circulating online. 

“I know it’s one of those paper snowflakes, but I can’t be the only one who sees ‘it,’ right?” asked the Reddit user. The post quickly gained traction, with users on platforms like X questioning how the design passed quality checks. 

“Wait, how did nobody at Bath & Body Works clock the klandle?” one user exclaimed.

In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for Bath & Body Works stated, “We are committed to listening to our customers and to addressing mistakes, even those that are unintentional. We apologize to anyone we’ve offended and are working to remove this item from our stores while evaluating our process going forward.”

While some criticized the oversight as insensitive, others dismissed the controversy, arguing that society is becoming overly sensitive.

“This isn’t just a branding mistake; it’s a reminder of how sensitive cultural symbols can be,” commented one user. Meanwhile, another argued, “People see ‘racism’ in everything nowadays.”

This incident is not Bath & Body Works’ first brush with controversy. In 2022, the company faced criticism for a Black History Month collection featuring kente-cloth-inspired packaging, which some considered cultural appropriation. 

Bath & Body Works, which became an independent public company in 2021 and operates over 1,850 locations across the U.S. and Canada, reported $7.4 billion in revenue last year.  

“Let’s hope they take this as a lesson in awareness and responsibility,” one online user noted.

The post ‘Snowed In’ candle controversy: Bath & Body Works apologizes after claims of klan resemblance appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

As students in America reach high school, where they anxiously look forward to getting their driver’s license, enjoying their first encounter with “true love,” even dreaming about moving on to college and, for the first time, being on their own, there’s another obstacle they must face before receiving their diploma: conquering the works of William Shakespeare. 

Widely considered to be the preeminent dramatist and one of the most influential writers in the English language, Shakespeare, also known as “The Bard,” stands at the top of the Western canon of great literary figures.  

But for many students, particularly those of color or those who come from schools that lack adequate financial and academic resources, Shakespeare looms like an evil specter – a ghostly figure with words they struggle to understand and with characters and storylines that bear little resemblance to the world in which they live. 

However, the times, they are a-changin’. At least that’s the case in Washington, D.C., where the Folger Theatre, which is affiliated with Folger Shakespeare Library, is currently offering a jaw-dropping, fresh take on one of The Bard’s most beloved tragedies, “Romeo and Juliet.”     

Raymond O. Caldwell, born in Germany to a Black man and German woman, and an accomplished, award-winning director and producer, makes his directorial debut at the Folger. And while remaining true to the text, Caldwell dismantles any preconceived notions one might have about Shakespeare and his love story of two teens which, because of political tribalism and their families’ thirst for influence and power, ends tragically. 

As the curtain rises, the chorus, garbed in hooded black robes, takes center stage to speak the prologue, still delivered within the safe confines of the literary form familiar to Shakespeare and traditionally employed in 17^th century poems of love – the Petrarchan sonnet. But that’s where the similarities end. 

From then on, the director shocks our senses with a Romeo (Cole Taylor) and Juliet (Caro Reyes Rivera) that are both people of color; Juliet’s nurse who, like Juliet and her mother, speak both English and Spanish; and characters who indulge in the frequent, misguided use of both alcohol and cocaine. 

The rear of the stage is dominated by screens which project images and words – exemplifying the dominance of social media and other modern technological advances, like Iphones, on society – which constantly juxtaposes with the rhythmic cadence of Shakespeare’s classical iambic pentameter. For example, some of the playwright’s most enduring lines are delivered as the characters live chat, post messages on their social media accounts and text one another – sometimes, while riding the District’s Red Line train on their way to “Verona.”

Perhaps these changes to the play are so easily embraced by the audience because they represent our reality – the world in which we live, work and play. 

As for the actors, themselves, they further illustrate 21^st century American society with a cast of Black, White, Asian and Hispanic thespians, interracial marriages and bilingual speakers. Some major characters, like Tybalt and Mercutio, are recast as women, straying from Shakespeare’s original version of the roles. 

On his website, Caldwell describes himself as one who’s “drawn to the grandiose and the grotesque, the transcendent and the trashy. My aesthetic often pays homage to drag, club-kid, queer, Black, Filipinx and pop culture.”  

As for the staging of the play, Caldwell situates “Romeo and Juliet” in a fictitious world reminiscent of Washington, D.C., as he examines the violent consequences when systems like family, religion and government fail to protect and guide society’s youth. 

“As the young lovers navigate their world of chaos and conflict, our version of the play challenges audiences to grapple with how wealth, class, substance abuse, mass media consumption, politics and tribalism shape our capacity for love and exacerbate violence,” Caldwell said in a statement.  

Caldwell added that his reimagined “Romeo and Juliet” is part of a broader movement to make the arts more inclusive.

“Playwrights, designers, directors, universities and regional theaters are working together to redefine the theatre for the age we live in . . .,  making theatre accessible to communities that long have been disenfranchised and are giving voice to stories that have long woven the American tapestry but who have gone unheard,” he said. 

Karen Ann Daniels, the theater’s artistic director and director of programming for the Folger Shakespeare Library, said one of the reasons why “Romeo and Juliet” was chosen for the current season is because of its timeliness due to the election.

“Because we, as well as the Folger Shakespeare Library, are within close proximity to Congress, the Capital and the Library of Congress, that means we can have conversations about democracy in ways that others cannot,” she said. “We seek to pique one’s while never pressing visitors to our complex to choose sides.” 

Daniels also said the classic play “has the widest appeal.” 

“People seem to see themselves in the world of the play,” she added, although there is some disconnect. 

“Shakespeare continues to be studied in schools and his works are even embedded in American culture – from cartoons to movies,” Daniels said. “However, one of the reasons why many youths and adults alike don’t understand Shakespeare is because of the way he’s presented – he’s not always friendly to younger or ethnically diverse communities and audiences.”

Part of the ethos of the Folger Shakespeare Library – and the theater by association – is making the famed playwright more accessible to modern-day audiences. And recent renovations to the Library, along with reimagined productions like “Romeo and Juliet” will, hopefully, draw morw people through the doors and advance their mission, Daniels added.

“This play has it all – its cast is multicultural, the show is done bilingually and there are mixed relationships, all of which serve as a metaverse of the world. We’ve had several groups of high school students from the area come see the show and among their comments, I’ve heard them say that with the use of social media infused in the production, it’s like watching a movie. As they go on to college, or out into the workforce, we hope they’ll understand that this institution is for them,” she said. 

“This is the work we do: We present the plays of Shakespeare. But we do so because we want people to respond to him and his works while opening him up to people in ways that make them feel like they are not small but rather part of his world.”

For more information about “Romeo and Juliet” or to visit the newly renovated Folger Shakespeare Library, which anchors the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, visit www.folger.edu. “Romeo and Juliet” continues through Nov. 10 at the Folger Theatre. 

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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.

The post T.I. and Tiny Harris win $71 million lawsuit against MGA over L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Ericka Alston Buck
Special to the AFRO

Family, friends, and the broader theater community are urgently pleading for the public’s help in the ongoing search for 28-year-old Broadway dancer Zelig Williams, who has been missing for two weeks. Williams, known for his performances in Broadway productions like “Hamilton” and “MJ: The Musical,” was last seen on Oct. 3 in Columbia, S.C.

Williams’ disappearance has sent shockwaves through the arts community. 

His mother, Kathy McLaughlin-Williams, shared an emotional plea during a press conference held by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. 

“I just want Zelig to come home,” she tearfully stated. “He’s all I’ve got.” 

After speaking briefly, she collapsed into the arms of a family member, overcome with emotion.

Williams’ car was found the day after his disappearance in an isolated parking lot near the Palmetto Trail, about 15 miles from downtown Columbia. Deputies have not ruled out any possible theories on the dancer’s disappearance, including foul play. 

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott emphasized that the department is using every resource available in the search. “We have used every means of manpower and technology that is available,” Lott said. “And we’re going to continue to search until we find him.”

Members of Williams’ family say that he stopped taking his prescribed medication, which they believe may leave him vulnerable or in a trance-like state. 

His cousin, Mieoki Corbett-Jones, explained that Williams is the light of his family, particularly for his mother, who lost her two daughters in a car accident in 2004. 

“Zelig danced for his sisters; that’s how he began,” she said. “He is dancing with his sisters in his heart.”

In a heartwarming tribute to Williams, fellow dancers at Southern Strutt Dance Studio, where Williams trained as a child, recently performed a dance in his honor. 

“After they were done performing, they said they felt hopeful and wanted to share the same love Zelig gave to them back to him,” said studio owner Nancy Giles.

Giles recalled Williams’ journey from a bright 12-year-old eager to learn to a Broadway star. 

“He had so much light about him,” she said. “He could make you laugh, make you cry and fill your heart all in one performance.”

Broadway star Hugh Jackman, who worked with Williams on “The Greatest Showman” tour, has also joined the efforts to locate him. Jackman shared a heartfelt message on social media, writing, “Zelig, we love you and are praying for your safe return.”

Private investigator Chandra Cleveland has been hired by the family to assist in the search, with a focus on tracing any recent interactions Williams may have had in local churches. Cleveland urged anyone with information to come forward, especially those in the religious community where Williams had been seeking a place to worship. The family’s press release highlighted that Williams was a “devoted believer in God” and had been exploring his faith before his disappearance.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, where callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward. As the search for Zelig Williams continues, his family and the community remain hopeful that he will return home safely.

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By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

Morgan State University’s historic Magnificent Marching Machine marching band has been selected to perform in the 137th Rose Parade, which will take place in California on Jan. 1 2026.

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association goes through a very selective process to decide who will participate in the annual parade. While thousands of high school, college, community and military bands apply alongside international groups, only 20-25 bands are chosen to take the main stage. 

The limited spots make the selection process intense; the university stated that the bands are judged upon “musicianship, marching ability, and entertainment or special interest value,” among other attributes.

While this will be the university’s first time participating in the California  New Year’s tradition, they are more than ready to show what the Magnificent Marching Machine can do.

“The selection of Morgan’s Magnificent Marching Machine to participate in the 137th Rose Parade is a major achievement, not just for our band but for the entire Morgan community,” said Dr. David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University in a statement. 

“This is an extraordinary moment of pride for Morgan, and I do not doubt that the world will be as captivated by the Magnificent Marching Machine as we are every time they take the field.”

Dr. Jorim Reid, Morgan State’s director of the bands, expressed the importance of the achievement and what it means for Morgan to have this opportunity. The annual parade is viewed by more than 50 million people worldwide.

“There’s no bigger event in the marching band world than the Rose Parade. When you perform on New Year’s Day, the eyes of the world are watching,” said Dr. Reid in a statement, emphasizing the global significance of the event. 

“It is an honor for our university to be invited, and a great opportunity for our students and marching band program to be highlighted globally,” said Dr. Reid. “We look forward to our turn to participate in what’s known as ‘The Granddaddy of Them All.’”

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By Sen. Cory McCray (D-Md.- District 45)

As a lifelong Baltimore resident and parent of four children, ages 8 to 17, the recent video released by the Baltimore Police Department showing a group of teenagers brutally attacking an individual in the Butchers Hill community on Sept. 26th deeply shook me. 

My concern only deepened upon learning that one of the suspects arrested for the crime was 15 years old. Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley have voiced frustrations over the system that allows repeat juvenile offenders to cycle in and out without meaningful intervention. Disturbingly, this 15-year-old, apprehended for his alleged involvement in this violent crime—where a handgun was reported—was no stranger to the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS).

The uptick in violent incidents involving young offenders is not just an isolated problem, but a broader public safety issue that demands immediate attention. 

As a public servant, I’ve seen firsthand the impact this crisis has on our communities. The number of emails, phone calls and face-to-face interactions with constituents expressing their fears has skyrocketed. Residents, particularly the elderly and families with young children, feel vulnerable to becoming the next victims of youth violence. This latest incident validates their concerns—everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes and communities.

While addressing crime is critical, we must also focus on the systemic issues driving this violence. Zip codes with high poverty rates often correlate with high crime rates, which is why we must adopt a multi-faceted approach that includes both preventative measures and enforcement.

Legislative actions to increase accountability

To address this crisis and bring greater accountability, I sponsored Senate Bill 652, known as the Department of Juvenile Services Transparency Act of 2024. 

Under this new law, DJS must document whether juveniles under their supervision were involved in fatal or non-fatal shootings, their age, and the jurisdiction where they reside. 

Effective Oct. 1st, SB 652 mandates DJS to submit a detailed annual report outlining the steps taken in response to each juvenile incident, including timelines of actions. This enhanced transparency will allow us to understand the after-action programs in place, such as how quickly DJS makes contact with a shooter or victim under their supervision. By tracking these patterns and the system’s response, we can better identify areas that need improvement, restoring public trust.

Building on these efforts, I also sponsored Senate Bill 468, requiring private home detention monitoring agencies to operate under new guidelines when an individual violates pretrial conditions. These agencies must now notify the courts and law enforcement within an hour of a violation, ensuring prompt intervention. Previously, gaps in the notification process allowed individuals to violate their conditions without consequences. Companies that fail to comply will face penalties, reinforcing accountability.

These efforts are just two examples of the 18 bills my office successfully championed during the last legislative session. Each bill reflects a commitment to accountability and safety while keeping the well-being of Baltimore’s families and communities at the forefront.

Addressing root causes: A balanced approach

While these legislative tools help bolster public safety infrastructure, we must also address the root causes of crime. Poverty, food insecurity, and lack of recreational and educational opportunities play a significant role in shaping the lives of our youth. I’m working with Henson Development, Mayor Scott, and the Housing Authority of Baltimore to bring a grocery store to the Somerset footprint at the intersection of Central Avenue and Orleans Street, which would increase access to healthy food for families in need.

We’re also working to expand recreational opportunities like the 4M Swim Club on Walther Avenue and Northern Parkway, led by Mr. Thorpe. While Mr. Thorpe spearheads this effort, we’re helping in the process, recognizing how critical it is for our youth to have safe, engaging environments. In housing, we’re partnering with Northeast Housing Initiative in the 4×4 neighborhood and Rebuild Metro in the Johnston Square footprint to increase homeownership and address vacancies.

Education is another key component in the fight against crime. We’re building two new schools—Furley Elementary School and Northeast Middle School—to provide modern, safe learning environments for our children. These preventative measures are just as important as the enforcement strategies, and together, they form a holistic approach to building a safer Baltimore.

With the 18 bills my office helped pass during the last legislative session, it’s clear that we are committed to a balanced approach. Legislation like SB 652 and SB 468 strengthens accountability, while our efforts to address food security, recreation, housing, and education create the foundation for lasting change.

Conclusion

It would be a disservice to our community if we focused solely on penalties for crimes without addressing the underlying causes. While Senate Bills 652 and 468 are critical steps toward increasing transparency and accountability, we must also continue to fight for food security, recreational opportunities, homeownership, education, and public transportation. Only by addressing both the symptoms and the root causes of crime can we create a safer, more equitable Baltimore—one that I’ll be proud to leave to my children and grandchildren.

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By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO

Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant was celebrated in a ceremony of life fit truly for a queen, as she was often called during the two-hour homegoing service on Oct. 5. The service included a host of family, friends, politicians and onlookers who came to pay their respect to the highly-regarded community leader, wife and mother. The service was held at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church,  located at 1300 Druid Hill Avenue in Baltimore. Bryant’s husband, Bishop John Richard Bryant, who pastored the church for more than a decade, listened as those in attendance spoke kind and powerful words about his wife of 55 years. 

Recordings of sermons, prayers and songs by Bryant echoed throughout the church during the family hour, carrying the voice of the late missionary to people in multiple overflow rooms of the church and those gathered on the sidewalks outside of Bethel. Famed violinist Dr. Melanie R. Hill, trumpeter and composer Dontae Winslow and the Bethel Community Choir provided music during the service.

A procession of A.M.E. bishops gave greetings to the family as they approached the pulpit. The line was led by Bethel A.M.E.’s senior pastor and first lady,  Rev. Dr. Patrick D. Clayborn and Dr. Sheri Smith Clayborn, respectively. 

Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning, co-pastor of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Fort Washington, Md., presided over the service. 

“We all come on this day to Bethel A.M.E. Church and virtually around the world to give God praise and to celebrate the loving life, the legacy and the ministry of Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant. Lovingly, respectfully and affectionately she was called by many as Rev. Mother C and Queen Mother,” said Browning. 

The service continued with scriptures, songs, prayer and praise. Well-wishers delivered messages through their tears reflecting on Byrant’s presence in their lives including former member of the Maryland House of Delegates and friend, Dr. Salima Marriott, sisters Elise Williams and Rev. Quintalyn Williams Phillips. 

Naomi R. Bryant, one of Bryant’s grandchildren, spoke about her “Nana.”

“She was a mother and grandmother even outside her own bloodline.There are so many people around the world who have been blessed by her mentorship, love and support,” said Naomi Bryant. “When you think of Nana, we want you to picture her smiling at you; her laugh. Picture her praying for you and over you, picture her encouraging you and laying hands on you. Nana will continue to live on in our hearts and her legacy and blessings will anoint the many generations to come.”

Together Bryant and her husband, Bishop John Richard Bryant birthed and nurtured two children through adulthood, Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant, founder of Empowerment Temple in Baltimore and now pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia and Rev. Dr. Thema Simone Bryant, a licensed psychologist, minister, author, sacred artist and president of the American Psychological Association. 

Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant paid a heartfelt tribute to his mother via his social media platforms. 

“The only reason why I am still alive is because of the grace of God and because of the prayers of Cecelia Bryant,” he said.

Rev. Dr. Thema Bryant spoke for both herself and her brother during the homegoing celebration. Her words brought laughter and tears.

“Behold the woman, behold the mother of multitudes,” said Rev. Dr. Thema Bryant, to those gathered. “In the natural she birthed two children, in the spirit she birthed a movement and we–her fruit– understand her assignment. She mothered generations of intercessors and midwifed global consciousness with a heart for the African diaspora.” 

Bryant’s daughter said that her mother lived by the African proverb, “when you pray, move your feet.” 

“She came with an assignment to set the captives free,” said Rev. Dr. Thema Bryant. “She held up a mirror for women of African descent to see and embrace the truth of our glory… ‘Ma,’ as we– Jamal and I–called her, was known for her commitment to youth and education.” 

“What you don’t know…is the Cecelia Bryant Summer Enrichment College Preparatory Academy Camp that had two attendees: Jamal and Thema,” she continued. “We had to memorize and recite chapters of the Bible; go with her to hospitals and nursing homes where she served communion. Jamal read the scripture and I would praise dance between wheelchairs.  All of this prepared us to catch the baton and carry the movement forward.” 

Rev. Dr. Thema Bryant said that her mother was “a gifted speaker, preacher and poet,” and recalled how her mother would prep her for oratorical contents– which she won every year, except one. The year she wasn’t selected as the top orator, Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant demanded to know why they picked the wrong student. 

“The teachers told her they didn’t pick me because my piece was not age appropriate. Well, I realized this week that she and I practiced that piece over and over again–not so that I could win an elementary school competition– but so that all of these years later, I would hear her voice challenging me now to say the words again– with feeling. Those words were ‘Oh death, where is your sting? Oh grave, where is your victory?…Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Tell God thank you,” she said, as the crowd rose to their feet. 

Artistic tribute was given by the Akosua Visions Dance Ministry, which includes Bryant’s granddaughter, Ife Davis.

Zephia Bryant, founder and CEO of the Bryant Educational Leadership Group, acknowledged the numerous citations Bryant received, including from Maryland  Gov. Wes Moore, Congressman Kweisi Mfume,  Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Maryland State Senators Antonio Hayes, Jill Carter, bishops from around the world, ministers and many others.

The sermonic selection by Rev. Carolyn Elizabeth Irvin Brailsford, Episcopal Supervisor of the A.M.E. Church’s 10th District, brought smiles to the face of Bishop Bryant.

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, president of the National Council of Churches of Christ, delivered the eulogy.  

“I must say that I don’t remember the day or the time in which I met Rev. C., but what I do remember is when I saw her…God spoke clearly in my heart ‘this is my prophet and she’s walking the prophet’s walk.’” 

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie called on those gathered to remember the sterling qualities of Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant’s life and marvel at what God has done through her. 

“Could it be that Rev. C.’s greatest achievement– besides marriage and what she called the adventures of motherhood– is that she stood and she stood as a prophetic voice?,” quipped McKenzie. “She stood at a time when women were historically ignored. She stood demanding courage and unwavering faith in the face of rejection after rejection. She stood with and by her husband in a global ministry spanning three continents from Africa, India, the Caribbean to Canada and all points in between.”

McKenzie went on to explain the uniqueness of who Bryant was to the world and to those gathered. 

“She was a woman who refused to stay in her culturally assigned place. God saw her before she was seen or heard and she said she is the spirit personification of the warrior Queen Mother Nana Yaa Asantewaa. She is the warrior Queen Mother and according to the gospel of Cecelia she is the daughter of the Dust; a soul created, redeemed and anointed by Jesus.”

McKenzie encouraged others to live as Bryant did– “without fear and with Christ all the days of her life.” 

Following the procession of the bishops and family, an internment at Kings Memorial Park took place in Windsor Mill, Md.

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By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) faced off against former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in their first and only debate. The two front runners are aiming to replace retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who has said he will not seek a seat in Congress in Jan. 2025.

On Oct. 10, NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd moderated the debate alongside three panelists, WBAL’s Deborah Weiner, NBC Washington’s Tracee Wilkins and Maryland Public Television Anchor Jeff Salkin. The two candidates answered questions about reproductive freedom, foreign policy and more.

On the issue of abortion, Hogan stated that he would codify Roe v. Wade if elected, however Alsobrooks stated that Hogan’s actions told a different story when he was governor.

“The fact of the matter is when the former governor had an opportunity to stand up for the women of Maryland, he didn’t,” said Alsobrooks. “He vetoed abortion care legislation. He double downed and refused to release the funding to train abortion care providers. This was just two years ago.”

“The fact of the matter is there will be no vote on Roe if he gives the majority to the Republicans in the Senate,” added the Prince George’s executive.

Hogan fired back and stated, “Her whole campaign is based on lies.”

“When I ran for governor, I promised to support women’s access to abortion and I delivered on that promise for eight years,” said Hogan.

To which Alsobrooks stated, “The problem he’s going to have is his party doesn’t agree with him. The Republican Party has declared war on the reproductive freedoms of women, contraception, IVF. The fact of the matter is there will be no vote on Roe if he gives a majority to the Republicans.”

During the debate, the former Maryland Governor made it clear to voters that he is running as a moderate and not as a Republican.

“You’re going to hear nothing but red vs. blue,” said Hogan during his opening remarks. “I care more, a lot more about the red, white and blue.”

“The only way we’re going to make a difference is if we can find strong, independent leaders,” Hogan added.

However, Alsobrooks used her time to undermine Hogan and tie him to the Republican Party.

She contended that if Hogan were to win the election, he would help the GOP pass legislation that aligns with the party’s agenda including passing a national abortion ban.  

“The fact of the matter is, if he wanted to be an independent, he should have run as one,” said Alsobrooks. “When Mitch McConnell called him, he put the jersey on…he ran into the game.”

Later in the debate, Alsobrooks addressed controversy that she benefited from tax credits that she did not qualify for and used thousands of dollars on a pair of properties in the DMV.

According to reports, the Prince George’s County executive claimed a homestead tax exemption for more than a decade that is to be used on an individual’s primary residence, yet the property at issue was a rental. In addition, Alsobrooks also claimed a tax break created to help senior citizens for her home in Washington, D.C. This helped her cut her taxes in half.

During the debate, Alsobrooks argued that the Washington D.C. home belonged to her grandmother and that when she took on the mortgage the tax credit was already in place.

“When I learned about it, I reached out to the D.C. government, and I have paid back the amount of that tax credit, and I’m working to pay off the interest,” said Alsobrooks.

Although the two candidates focused most of their attention on issues plaguing the nation, they briefly discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Alsobrooks stated that Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas and called for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in order to provide aid to those impacted in Gaza.

“We recognize a horrific attack that occurred in Israel on Oct. 7 and I believe that in this moment, we have an obligation to make sure that we’re getting those hostages home to their families,” said Alsobrooks. “And then we get to a ceasefire, making sure, as well, that we get aid into Gaza for the Palestinians who are suffering.”

Hogan said that the U.S. needs to continue to support Israel and he criticized Alsobrooks for supporting both sides.

“At moments like this, people have to stand up and be counted and we as a country have to stand with our allies and Israel is our most important ally,” said Hogan. “And I don’t think you can try to walk down the middle on this issue.”

With just a few weeks to go before Nov. 5, Alsobrooks holds a nearly double-digit lead ahead of the former governor and could become the state’s first Black senator.

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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 Dayvon Love

Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (LBS) has a revolutionary pan-African nationalist perspective that prioritizes Black sovereignty and self determination.  

We operate primarily in the political and policy advocacy arena with a theory of change that requires tremendous courage, rigorous intellectual work, base-building among Black people and high integrity.  These are the things that we aspire to because we believe that these are essential characteristics necessary to be effective advocates for Black people.

The suffering of the masses of Black people is fertile ground for opportunism. In this capitalist society, people are looking for jobs to survive. In many cases, jobs and careers have the impact of centering themselves around advancing the careers of the people who are doing the jobs, and not the communities being served by the work at hand.  It is easy for people to confuse these two things because– in this society– Black people have been conditioned to equate the accomplishments of individual Black people (i.e. first Black person to…. fill in the blank) with group success. What also makes this more complicated is that there are some Black people that will use their positions to help other Black people in their arena.  While this is good, there are limitations. This route creates a class of Black people who benefit from being well networked amongst a handful of Black people that have access to opportunities due to their proximity to mainstream institutions. While this may bring on success for those involved, the Black communities being served are left relatively unchanged.

One of the things that I take pride in as a co-founder of LBS is the fact that much of our work has had a wide and meaningful impact on the masses of Black people in Baltimore. We have done the work to help to establish BCIITY in west Baltimore, an organization that invests money into grassroots organizations to address youth trauma. We have worked on the establishment of the Baltimore City Children and Youth Fund, which invests resources in Black grassroots organizations around the city with $12 million a year statutorily allocated every year. LBS has also done advocacy work on bail reform, aimed at significantly reducing the amount of people in Mayland who spend time in jail because of high priced bail premiums. We have also spent countless hours advocating for investments in community based violence prevention efforts that have empowered Black grassroots orgs to be the basis for the historic decline in violence in Baltimore in the last couple of years. These are just a few of the many things that LBS has done over the years to impact the lives of Black people. My standard for asking people to support LBS is whether we are able to deliver observable positive impact on the community.

Too many Black people in my generation characterize their own personal and professional advancement as a win for the culture. They believe that their mere presence in a space of influence or power is a win for Black people. The emphasis on appearance, clout and being cool with the right White people take precedence over a deep knowledge of history, rigorous expertise and a standard that requires that the community concretely benefit from your work. 

If you are a person in Baltimore and you claim to work on economic justice, it might be hard to take you seriously if you are unaware about the following: 

-Congressman Parren Mitchell’s work on minority set asides

-Walter P. Carter’s efforts on empowering community based organizations and Madeline Murphy’s work on the Community Action Agency in Baltimore 

-The advocacy work of Margaret McCarty and Annie Chambers who diligently labored to provide support children and families

My generation tends to relate to history– at best– as a reference.  We may drop some names and know some historical events.  A more substantive relationship to our history is needed, not merely as historical references, but as a resource.  We should use the blueprints that have been produced for us by our ancestors as the architecture of our thinking and the work that we produce.  Which requires deep study and to take our people and our traditions seriously.

The hustle on the suffering of Black people has become normalized. I am sure that I am in the minority when it comes to this line of thinking. I also know that there are people who will be annoyed or even insulted by this commentary. But I don’t think anyone will legitimately argue against the general concept I have described here. What tends to happen is that people avoid engaging in this issue because it can flare up a range of insecurities and deep feelings. My urgency in addressing this is that the masses of Black people continue to have their suffering normalized, while a handful of us get to go to the galas, happy hours, mixers and fundraisers. 

Take selfies, dance, have fun, but the question that should be addressed as the price for these forms of leisure when you are taking money in the name of empowering Black people is whether the impact of your work is meaningfully felt by our community –beyond our immediate social circles. 

I am militantly committed to this standard because the fate of our community depends on it.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

The Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) recently received a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Family Services to expand anti-human trafficking efforts. The funding will enhance GBMC’s existing programming focused on identifying, supporting and rehabilitating victims of human trafficking.

One of GBMC’s dedicated team members who work directly in the company’s safe domestic violence and child protection program spoke with the AFRO about the work they do, their plans for expansion and what the Baltimore community can do to help combat human trafficking. 

“We do lots of training throughout the community. We trained almost 10,000 people last year alone. We’re really involved in community outreach,” said Ashley McAree, the trafficking liaison at GBMC. “All of our trainings are provided completely free of charge and we’re focused on building that awareness so we can try to prevent trafficking before it even occurs.”

“When a trafficking victim enters the hospital, we want to make sure they’re not falling through the cracks,” she continued. “We want to make sure that they’re receiving the appropriate care every single time.”

McAree went on to discuss the resources they provide victims and how important it is that these survivors receive total care when recovering from this kind of experience.

“We were able to build our program up to meet the needs of the survivors in our community,” she said. “Whether that be the medical forensic exams we offer, or birth control, HIV protection or prophylaxis, sexually transmitted infection prophylaxis. Additional resources include emergency shelter, referrals for mental health services, referrals for other services that we are not able to offer. We offer pretty comprehensive services within the hospital.”

Human trafficking remains a pressing issue in Maryland and across the nation, with victims often hidden in plain sight. The grant will enable GBMC to expand its outreach efforts, provide their patients with more resources and better understand the needs of survivors.

McAree noted that GBMC is focused on finding and providing more proactive care to people who come from high risk backgrounds. Explaining that children in foster care, from minority backgrounds and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to fall victim to human trafficking. 

“There’s a ton of risk factors for human trafficking. Some of the main risks are young age, underserved populations, which would include racial disparities, those in foster care systems, those that live in poverty and people with mental health issues or substance abuse issues. There’s lots of different risk factors,” McAree said. 

Korin Arkin, of the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH), echoed similar sentiments to McAree. Arkin noted that people who oftentimes fall victims to systemic issues are the same people to be affected by human trafficking. 

“Things that make people vulnerable to exploitation are things like systemic racism, economic inequality. Anything that would make somebody vulnerable to any type of oppression or violence or harm is also going to make them vulnerable to human trafficking,” said Arkin. “While human trafficking is something that can happen to anyone, it most often is affecting communities where people are already vulnerable and already at high risk. Vulnerabilities like youth who are in the foster care system and  not every person of color, not every kid in the foster care system is trafficked, but they are at higher risk for exploitation because they have a need that’s not being met by the systems in our country or by the people around them.”

Arkin explained that human trafficking is a highly underreported and prosecuted crime meaning  that the hotline is only able to account for the amount of human trafficking crimes that are reported but that never truly includes all of the instances of human trafficking that are happening

Despite not being able to account for every victim of sex trafficking, McAree was able to provide us with some statistics to help conceptualize how many people in Maryland this issue is touching  

“In Maryland, females make up about 80 percent of the reports of human sex trafficking, and in Maryland, 32 percent of all reports of human sex trafficking are of children under the age of 18,” she said. 

According to a 2021 report from the Polaris Project, 21 percent of sex trafficking and sex labor victims were Black. Additionally, a 2024 report from Rights 4 Girls regarding child sex trafficking and Black girls noted “Of the more than 10,000 cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, nearly 40 percent were Black women and girls— the highest of any racial group.”

As GBMC rolls out these initiatives over the coming months, the organization aims to position itself as a leader in the fight against human trafficking, demonstrating that healthcare institutions can play a pivotal role in addressing social issues and providing holistic care to vulnerable populations.

McAree explained that the community at large can get involved in this fight against human trafficking by educating themselves and making themselves aware as to what they signs of human trafficking look like. 

“The number one thing is awareness and knowing what sex trafficking is and what it is not. Because that’s a huge problem right now. A lot of community members think sex trafficking is this glorified and kind of glamorized thing that you see on the movies and on TV,” she said. “Because of this you’re going to miss actual victims and miss those red flags. The most important thing is to be aware of what it is and  what it looks like.”

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By Ethan Ashley

Education has always been a contentious issue, but as we approach the 2024 elections, it’s become ground zero for broader cultural and political clashes. Book bans targeting diverse and inclusive materials are on the rise, and restrictive gag orders are silencing classroom discussions on critical topics like race, gender and American history. 

With the conservative agenda of Project 2025 gaining traction, the threat to both democracy and public education has never been more urgent. In times like these, it’s easy to feel powerless—but, as citizens, we can’t afford to disengage. The fight for our country’s future begins at the local level, particularly with our school boards.

Though often overlooked, school boards are the backbone of our democratic process, influencing the education of nearly 90 percent of America’s children who attend public schools. Their decisions determine everything from which books make it into classrooms to the curriculum that teaches civics and voter education. They are the gatekeepers of academic freedom and have a crucial role in shaping young people’s understanding of democracy. School boards are responsible for dismantling the remnants of systemic racism in education and laying the foundation for future citizens who will either uphold or dismantle democratic values.

That’s why who sits on our school boards is so critical. Diverse representation on these boards ensures a variety of perspectives, particularly when it comes to identifying inequities and implementing inclusive policies. 

However, school boards in the U.S. were designed in a different era, for a different demographic. Historically led by white, male landowners, school boards have not evolved to reflect the diversity of the communities they now serve. Today, although public school students are more than 55 percent students of color, a 2022 survey by School Board Partners found that 64 percent of school board members are white, highlighting a significant gap in representation.

This May the nation celebrated the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the decision that outlawed segregation based on race in public schools. At the time of the ruling, roughly 90 percent of students were white. Since then, public school demographics in America have continued to morph into being more racially and ethnically diverse: less than half of students are white, meaning that about 55 percent of public school students identify as minority populations, with more than a quarter being Hispanic, and nearly 15 percent being Black. These numbers don’t even account for non-English native language speakers, students with disabilities, students identifying as part of the LGBTQ community, or students in varying socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Across the country this fall, people will go to the polls and cast votes that will have a major impact on the future of our country. With over 21,000 seats up for election this year, School Board Partners is among the groups working to ensure voters realize the importance of school board elections specifically.  

The reality is that the tensions we’re witnessing around education will continue to compound — but we have the collective power to choose a better future by electing a more diverse candidate pool who will advocate for policies and procedures that meet the needs of students, no matter their background. By nature and design, school boards were established by the people, for the people. It’s time to bring our school boards into the present and deliver on that founding promise. The future of democracy depends on it.

This op-ed was originally published by Word in Black.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

Deyane Moses is a woman of many passions, one of the most notable being art. For nearly a decade, she’s been dedicated to researching, displaying and honoring Baltimore’s Black history and culture. 

In a place like Charm City, where rich Black history is preserved and shared by many organizations, it takes individuals like Moses to push the city forward by honoring its storied past.

The AFRO recently caught up with the artistic activist about the work she’s doing beyond Afro Charities, her experience as an archivist and what’s next for her as an exhibit curator.

AFRO: How did you get your start as an art and exhibit curator ?

DM: ​​I came into this field unknowingly.  I used to be in the military as a broadcast journalist and when I got out of the military, I came back home to the D.C., Maryland and Virginia  (DMV) area. I attended school at MICA the Maryland Institute College of Art to pursue photography. However, while I was there, I noticed that the demographic of the school did not look anything like the city. I started looking into their history and I ended up utilizing the AFRO archives to uncover history that talked a lot about the racism at the school from the early 1800’s until 1954, when schools were desegregated. I started an archive database for that,  along with making an exhibition and having a demonstration talking about that history, and it kind of blew up. I didn’t know I was curating– I was simply moving intuitively. 

When I was  working on the Maryland Institute Black archives, which is the project I started while I was at MICA in undergrad, I also ended up starting my own company called Blackives to assist with research and making exhibitions with the community at large surrounding Black history. So a lot of work that I did there was creating programs mostly thinking about preserving the legacy of Black artists in Baltimore. Once I found out what curation actually was, I went on to pursue my master’s degree at MICA and I got my Master of Fine Arts in curatorial practice. I continued to work on exhibitions and learn more about the craft and also more about archives. And then that’s when I ended up connecting with Savannah Wood, the executive director of Afro Charities, and we’ve just started working from there.

AFRO: What has been the most challenging part of being an exhibit curator ? 

DM: I would say it always comes down to funding. In Baltimore, I’ve made so many connections. We have so many friends and we get a lot of donations, but at times you do need real funding and people should be paid. Artists should be paid. We want to be able to pay people and put on great programs and exhibitions. 

Funding is important for my archival work, but it has been really tough as an independent curator. I think that’s one of the toughest things– finding financing and the other thing is time. 

As an independent curator I’m working on my projects and working at my full time job. I also have my passion projects that I want to work on. Finding that balance between time and funding is always going to be difficult.

AFRO: This year a series of museums across the city worked with MICA students to curate exhibits dedicated to textile artists Elizabeth Talford Scott.Can you talk to me about the work you did with the Elizabeth Talford Scott initiative? 

DM: It was a life changing experience, I can tell you that for sure. It was life changing to come back to be a teacher. I now have mad respect for teachers, even more than I did before. The effort that they have to put in to work with so many students– while also having to collaborate with so many outside organizations, it’s a lot of work! 

The class I taught was not normal by any means. Usually it’s a group of students collaborating with one organization, but this had multiple venues, multiple directors, multiple students, different personalities and this teaching experience really taught me a lot about myself. It was definitely a switch from being a teacher to being a student. 

As for honoring Elizabeth Talford Scott, I learned more about her. I thought I knew about her work, but I can say that when you start to curate and you’re storytelling. While you’re pulling together objects to talk about that story, those objects– they start to really speak to you.I feel like a lot of people in the class were starting to have connections with Elizabeth and her pieces. To honor her was amazing. To be a part of that and to see her legacy grow, and to be a part of that, that’s one of the things that pushes me every day. I didn’t always see Black people depicted as artists, so to see the work that she was doing and to see her tribe, to learn more about her life– I see a lot of herself within me. 

AFRO: What does your dream exhibit look like ?

DM: How much do I want to say? I’m still dreaming!  I have big dreams! Let’s see, how can I phrase it without giving all of it away? I’m very much interested in spaces, but I’m also very interested in extended spaces– extended reality. To be specific, I see the future with technology and I see where we’re going and I want to be a part of that. I’ll be honest, I’m really not sure what it’s going to look like in the future in terms of curating in these digital spaces but my dream space is a digital space that’s accessible to all and accessible on a variety of different devices. My dream exhibition would take place in a digital space, involve Black folks, involve Black history and definitely involve Baltimore– that would be my dream exhibition.

AFRO: What’s next for you as an exhibit curator, as a creative director and an artist?

DM: ​This is a new role for me as the director of partnership and programs for Afro Charities, but I’ve always represented the AFRO and Afro Charities, no matter where I go. People can expect to see a lot of programming from Afro Charities in 2025. Next year we have some great innovative partnerships coming from Afro Charities. 

As for my independent practice as a curator, Blackives is going to make a comeback. I’m revamping Blackives to go back and research for different organizations and different community groups to help them uncover their history. Also, Tom Miller week is going to be bigger and better. I’m hoping to partner with some other organizations who have him in this collection. I’m also currently working in the technical field. I’ve purchased a new custom computer  that I’ve been really working on getting into this extended reality world. Whether it’s virtual, mixed reality or augmented reality– I’m really trying to learn and get into this new field. 

I want to work with other like minded individuals. The year 2025 is going to be popping for me. I’m really excited for my role at Afro Charities, but also for my personal passion projects and my side consulting business. 

*This article has been edited for clarity.

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By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire

Vice President Kamala Harris has unveiled an extensive agenda designed to dismantle systemic barriers and foster new opportunities for Black men across America. The agenda, announced on Oct. 14, spotlights wealth-building, health equity, criminal justice reform and expanded education and job training access. Her plan follows recent controversial remarks by former President Barack Obama, who addressed concerns about voter turnout among Black men and stressed the importance of participating in the election.

Obama’s comments in Pittsburgh were roundly criticized as scapegoating Black men, though he emphasized the high stakes of the 2024 election, noting that some African American males might hesitate to vote. He suggested that part of the reluctance could stem from discomfort with the idea of a woman president. Harris’s plan aims to address the specific needs of Black men, with initiatives focused on financial empowerment, healthcare and education.

Forgivable loans and wealth creation

Harris’s economic plan centers on wealth-building and supporting Black entrepreneurship. Her administration would provide one million forgivable loans, each up to $20,000, to help Black men and others who have faced significant barriers to starting a business. By partnering with community banks and mission-driven lenders, Harris aims to make capital accessible to Black entrepreneurs looking to launch or expand businesses in fields ranging from technology to landscaping and beyond.

Additionally, Harris has proposed a significant expansion of the Small Business Startup Tax Deduction, increasing it from $5,000 to $50,000, which would allow Black entrepreneurs to offset startup costs. She also plans to boost access to venture capital, low-interest loans and incubators specifically for Black-owned businesses. Recognizing that Black entrepreneurs are frequently denied credit, Harris’s plan includes reforms to expand affordable banking services and crack down on hidden fees that inhibit wealth accumulation in Black communities.

Pathways to high-demand jobs and expanded education access

Harris’s agenda promotes education, training and mentorship programs to equip Black men with the skills needed to succeed in high-demand fields. Her plan emphasizes registered apprenticeships and credentialing programs, which would provide hands-on training for jobs in sectors like cybersecurity, renewable energy and healthcare. She also seeks to eliminate unnecessary college degree requirements for 500,000 federal jobs, making these roles more accessible to Black men who may not have pursued higher education.

To increase the representation of Black male teachers—a crucial role model for young Black students—Harris said she plans to invest in teacher training programs through the Department of Education. By collaborating with HBCUs and MSIs, the Democratic presidential nominee hopes to build a pipeline for Black male educators, addressing the severe underrepresentation in this profession, where only 1 percent of teachers are Black men. Research has shown that Black students benefit academically and socially when they have Black male teachers, yet structural barriers have prevented many from entering the field. Harris also supports the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to attract and retain Black male teachers, ensuring they have a pathway to long-term careers in education.

Financial protections in the digital economy

Harris’s plan includes protections for Black men who invest in cryptocurrency and other digital assets, acknowledging that over 20 percent of Black Americans have owned these assets. Among her goals is establishing a regulatory framework to safeguard digital investments, ensuring that Black men are protected as they participate in the burgeoning digital economy. The framework would set standards to protect investors from fraud and provide educational resources on digital asset management.

Health equity and addressing medical debt

Health equity remains a cornerstone of Harris’s agenda. She has introduced a National Health Equity Initiative focused on Black men, which would address high rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, prostate cancer and sickle cell disease. Harris proposes capping insulin costs at $35 per month and limiting out-of-pocket expenses on prescription drugs to $2,000 annually. Additionally, she said she would expand funding for sickle cell research and build a national database to improve prevention and treatment.

To tackle the burden of medical debt, which disproportionately affects Black men, Harris proposes removing medical debt from credit reports and working with states to relieve outstanding medical debt. The effort would help Black men access better credit, opening doors for homeownership and business financing.

Criminal justice reform and economic opportunities in legal cannabis

The vice president also has committed to legalizing recreational marijuana at the federal level, which she argues will reduce incarceration rates for Black men and create economic opportunities in the emerging cannabis industry. By working with Congress to ensure the safe cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana, Harris would remove long standing barriers that have disproportionately impacted Black men. Her plan would establish pathways for Black men to access licenses and jobs in the legal cannabis sector, providing a chance to build wealth in a market that has historically excluded them.

Affordable housing, homeownership, and financial literacy

Harris further proposes building three million affordable housing units during her first term to address the housing crisis. She would offer up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, aiming to triple the number of new Black homeowners annually by the end of her term. The initiative would specifically target those who have been unable to buy homes due to a lack of generational wealth, which disproportionately affects Black families.

Still, another facet of her plan would tackle racial bias in home appraisals, a pervasive issue that often results in undervalued properties in majority-Black neighborhoods. Her proposal would mandate training and accountability measures for appraisers to ensure that Black homeowners receive fair property valuations, helping to close the racial wealth gap.

Community events and outreach

As part of her outreach to Black men, the Harris-Walz campaign is launching several community-centered events. The “Black Men Huddle Up” initiative will feature NFL and NCAA watch parties in battleground states, where Black men can discuss the upcoming election and its implications for their communities. In addition, the campaign will host a series of Economic Freedom Talks, with notable Black entrepreneurs discussing strategies for business growth and financial independence. Harris’s team is ramping up its Shop Talk series, Brother to Brother canvass events, and launching new testimonial ads to reach Black voters in states like Pennsylvania, Georgia and Michigan.

In stark contrast to Trump’s agenda

Harris’s proposals directly counter Donald Trump’s Project 2025, which she argues would dismantle progress for Black communities. Trump’s plan includes:

• Reinstating stop-and-frisk practices.
• Cutting funding for urban education.
• Eliminating critical programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, which many Black families rely on.
• Harris’s agenda seeks to offer Black men a comprehensive path to economic stability and success, positioning her as the candidate dedicated to addressing their unique challenges.

Harris’s detailed plan appears to offer Black men a vision of leadership, opportunity and economic empowerment, which she argues is essential for the future of Black communities. She believes investing in education, health and wealth-building would help address systemic inequities and build a path to prosperity for Black men nationwide.

“Donald Trump could care less about equipping hardworking Americans with the tools needed to get ahead,” campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond stated. “While Vice President Harris is promising to equip Black men with the tools needed to pursue our dreams and aspirations, Donald Trump is promising Black men in America a national nightmare.”

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Shadra Strickland celebrates the historically Black tradition of double dutch with her new children’s book, “Jump In!”

The author and illustrator held a read along at The Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Waverly branch on Sept 28 to interact with young readers and their families. Strickland’s book highlights the importance of a community at play together, with bright illustrations that show young and old bonding through the power of the jump rope.

Strickland told the AFRO that art has always been a part of her life, she studied design, writing, and illustration at Syracuse University and furthered her education by earning her master’s at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. 

Strickland’s work has earned many awards, including the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award in 2010, the same year she won an NAACP Image Award. She has also received the Ashley Bryan Children’s Literature Award, which she earned in 2011. 

Strickland has worked on several books as an illustrator, and shared that “Jump In!” allowed all of her artistic passions to collide.  

“I was able to combine all of those skills – writing, illustration and graphic design to come together and create books,” she said. 

The inspiration for “Jump In!” came from Strickland’s own memories and experiences of being outside with her friends at school and enjoying recess, which was a time she looked forward to– especially being an only child. 

“I spent a lot of time playing alone,” she said. “One of the things that was always really exciting about going to school was being able to have recess and go outside and play with my friends.”

Strickland said one day she came across a commercial that called up nostalgic memories of her childhood. She decided to write a book about the joys of playing outside as a kid in hopes of inspiring other children and people to get outside and play. 

“I hope that they can see themselves in those characters – I hope that it inspires them to want to go outside and play,” said Strickland. 

The book serves as an invitation to all people to play together. She shared that the diversity in the book is a reflection of the diverse neighborhood she grew up in as a child and the world she lives in today.

“This book particularly is an invitation for everybody,” Strickland told the AFRO. “All people, of different ages, genders– everybody– can come on the playground.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Stanton Elementary School language arts instructional coach Jazzmyne Townsend has been named the 2025 D.C. Teacher of the Year. The ceremony took place at the Ward 8 school on Oct. 3.

The recognition enables Townsend to represent the District on the Council of Chief State School Officers where she will be able to advocate for the needs of her students and those across Washington, D.C. on a national level.

“This teacher is a role model for other teachers and a role model for students,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser, during the announcement. “This educator believes every student deserves a teacher who is passionate about their growth and development, a teacher who goes above and beyond to make sure every student in their classroom has everything they need to learn to be successful.”

Townsend began teaching at Stanton Elementary last year as a special education teacher. She previously served as a pre-K, kindergarten and first grade teacher at Randle Highlands Elementary School. She also served as a preschool and pre-K teacher at Friendship Public Charter School’s Chamberlain Campus.

Over her tenure, Townsend started a mentoring program for young Black girls called My Sister’s Keeper. She’s also dedicated herself to improving literacy. A self-published children’s book author, Townsend has helped students publish their own works.

Bowser surprised her with the honor during a school assembly for National Book Month, which started on Oct. 1. Townsend shed tears while walking up to receive the award, which included a $7,500 check.

“I am honored, and I am humbled to receive this recognition,” said Townsend during her acceptance. “I don’t do this by myself. I share this recognition with the leaders who have poured into me as an educator and who have built environments where I can be reflective of my practice.”

She also acknowledged her students.

“I share this recognition with my students who have motivated me with their curiosity and who have inspired me with their resilience,” said Townsend. “I am a better teacher because of my students.”

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) led the selection process for the Teacher of the Year award. It is given to an educator who advances the growth of all students, demonstrates leadership outside of the classroom and promotes the teaching profession. Townsend is also up for the National Teacher of the Year award.

Interim State Superintendent Antoinette S. Mitchell offered her congratulations to Townsend and explained that the teacher is known for her unique ability to make traditional lessons fun and engaging.

“For math class once, she had her students create a multiplication table as big as they are,” said Mitchell during the announcement. “For literacy, she actually partnered with a laundromat to create a service learning project called ‘Loads for Literacy.’ Any teacher that can connect literacy and laundry deserves this award.”

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“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, 
examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.

On Monday Kamala Harris unveiled a new agenda for Black men. The plan is extensive, but I want to highlight 10 specific steps she would take as president that would empower Black men with the tools we need to build wealth, provide for our families, and lead our communities.

Number 1. Business Loans. Black Americans are twice as likely to be denied credit by banks, so Harris would provide 1 million fully forgivable loans of up to $20,000 to Black entrepreneurs and others who have historically faced barriers to starting a new business or growing an existing one. 

Number 2. More Jobs Without College Degrees. Harris would eliminate unnecessary degree requirements and promote pathways for those without college degrees for 500,000 federal jobs. 

Number 3. More Black Male Teachers. As a former high school English and social studies teacher, I know it’s important for young Black males to see Black men in front of the classroom as role models and mentors. Only 1% of public school teachers are Black men, so Harris would create pathways for more Black men to become teachers, including apprenticeship programs and loan forgiveness. 

RELATED: Obama’s Challenge to Black Men — Don’t Fall for Trump’s Lies

Number 4. Health Care. My uncle, who had sickle cell disease, died last year, and I know several Black men my age who have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. And don’t get me started on the mental health needs of the Black men in my family and community. I see it every day. We’ve been traumatized by an unfair criminal justice system and a world that demonizes us instead of understanding us. Fortunately, Harris would launch a National Health Equity Initiative focused on Black men that addresses sickle cell disease, diabetes, mental health, and prostate cancer. 

Number 5. Weed Equity. Black men have been disproportionately arrested and incarcerated for marijuana-related charges. Now that cannabis is becoming more socially acceptable and profitable, it’s only fair that we benefit from the changing system that hurt us. Vice President Harris not only wants to legalize recreational marijuana but also create opportunities for Black Americans to succeed in this new industry. 

Number 6. Ban the Box. I have a law degree, and yet when I lived in Harlem, I was still stopped on the street, arrested, and locked up in jail. I know Black men have been targeted by a racist criminal justice system. Harris would work with Congress to require businesses to limit the unnecessary use of criminal arrest histories, convictions, and credit scores in employment decisions. 

RELATED: 10 Ways to Be a Better Black Voter

Number 7. Mentorship Programs. Harris would expand funding for community mentorship programs with a proven track record of helping young Black men succeed. She will also support programs like My Brother’s Keeper.

Number 8. Support Black Farmers. Harris would continue to support Black farmers and ranchers who have been denied access to capital. As vice president, she already distributed funding to thousands of Black farmers and ranchers in a $2 billion relief package. 

READ MORE: How Will Project 2025 Affect Black America?

Number 9. Relieve Medical Debt. My stepfather passed away in April 2020 , with a mountain of medical debt. Vice President Harris plans to work with states to relieve medical debt, which is the leading cause of bankruptcy in America, and disproportionately hurts Black Americans.

And Number 10. Crypto Protection. More than 20% of Black Americans, including me, have owned cryptocurrency assets. I lost money in crypto, but the high-risk, high-reward crypto markets provide opportunities outside of the existing stock market for many Black men. A Harris administration would support a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and other digital assets to protect Black men who invest in these assets. 

So, let me answer a few questions I’ve already seen from critics. 

Question 1. Why didn’t she do this in the last four years? Because she’s not the president. She’s the vice president. Trump was actually a president, and he did none of these things in his four years in office.

Question 2. But why do some of these policies say Black men “and others”? Why aren’t they all Black-specific? Well, because Trump’s Supreme Court Justices and federal judges keep striking down programs that focus on Black people? Trump’s Supreme Court ended race-specific affirmative action in college admissions. A Trump-appointed federal judge forced the Minority Business Development Agency to help white people. Another Trump-appointed federal judge blocked a disaster relief program for Black farmers. And two Trump-appointed federal judges in Georgia blocked a private program by the Fearless Fund to help Black women in business.

RELATED: With a Trump Win, Republican Judges Will Rule the Courts—and Our Lives

If Trump’s judges won’t allow a private group of Black women to help each other, do you think they’re going to let a government program that only helps Black men and excludes others? No. But this is what happens when we don’t vote. So we have to create clever ways to get around the Trump MAGA Republican bans on helping Black people.

Question 3. Yeah, but why does it feel like Democrats only care about Black women? Yes, Joe Biden elevated two very prominent Black women in the past four years:VP  Kamala Harris and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. But the Democratic Party is filled with Black men in positions of power and leadership. The highest-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives is Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who will become the first Black Speaker if Democrats win the House in November. The highest ranking leader in the military is Lloyd Austin, the first Black Secretary of Defense. Two of the three Democratic Black U.S. senators — Raphael Warnock and Cory Booker — are Black men. The Democratic governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, is a Black man. The mayors of New York City, Chicago, and Atlanta are all Black men in the Democratic Party. And the only Black person ever elected president, Barack Obama, is also a Black man. 

And Question 4: But isn’t Trump better for Black men? Was he better for Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise — the Exonerated Five teenagers who went to prison when Trump led a lynch mob against them for a rape they did not commit, and then refused to apologize after they were exonerated by DNA evidence? Was he better for the Black casino workers who sued him for racial discrimination? Was he better for Colin Kapernick and the NFL players he attacked for taking a knee? Was he better for Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police Officer who had to fend off a mob of angry white Trump supporters who tried to take over the Capitol on January 6? Was he better for the Haitian American Black men in Springfield, Ohio, who were subjected to death threats because of Trump’s lies about them eating dogs and cats? Was he better for Marcellus Williams, the Black man who was executed by the State of Missouri last month because Donald Trump’s three Supreme Court Justices refused to agree with the Democratic Justices to stop the execution? Was he better for the Black farmers denied relief by his judges? Was he better for the Black men who died while he mismanaged the COVID pandemic? And will he be better for the Black youth who will be harassed by the police when he brings back stop and frisk? 

Kamala Harris wants to help Black men build wealth, provide for our families, and lead our communities. Trump wants to use us as political pawns in his angry MAGA campaign. Those are the choices. Choose wisely.

Keith Boykin is a New York Times–bestselling author, TV and film producer, and former CNN political commentator. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Keith served in the White House, cofounded the National Black Justice Coalition, cohosted the BET talk show My Two Cents, and taught at the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University in New York. He’s a Lambda Literary Award-winning author and editor of seven books. He lives in Los Angeles.

The post Kamala Harris Has a Plan for Black Men. Trump Never Did appeared first on Word In Black.

The post Kamala Harris Has a Plan for Black Men. Trump Never Did appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

in 3 days

Photo: standrets via 123RF

When you’re on the verge of starting a business, entrepreneurship can feel overwhelming. Even if you have a great product idea, you may not know where to begin when it comes to making your dream a reality. 

If you’ve got an eye toward an entrepreneurial future, read on to learn how you can get your footing and launch a successful business.

4 Must-Know Terms

Starting your own business comes with learning a new vocabulary, too. Here are four of the most essential terms an aspiring entrepreneur needs to know from the very beginning — and what to do with them.

• Market research: This is a critical first step in launching a business. Market research analyzes consumer behavior and market trends to determine whether there is reliable demand for your product, what competitors you will be facing, which demographics your business could reach, and more. You can conduct your own research by reaching out to potential customers with surveys and questionnaires, utilizing existing research resources, or blending these two options.
• Business plan: This step can be as detailed as you want it to be, but a business plan at least outlines your business’ purpose and audience, its legal and organizational structure, your plan for making money, and your funding needs. This document is critical not just for your own ability to strategize but also for showing others (from potential partners to investors) that your business fills a need and will be viable.
• Value proposition: This short statement only needs to be a few sentences long, but it has to distill an essential concept — why customers and investors alike should choose your business over your competitors. You can create a value proposition to pitch your business to investors or even to market your product.
• Revenue model: This is your roadmap for how you will make money in the short- and long-term. It can combine multiple possible revenue streams (there are many, from subscriptions to advertising to licensing). This model should be part of your larger business plan.

4 Must-Take Steps

While starting a business comes with an endless to-do list, there are a few core steps you’ll need to take to launch and grow a product with longevity.

Secure the Right Funding

In today’s entrepreneurial landscape, there are a number of ways you can harness the proper support to get your business off the ground. Your funding options may include: 

• Self-funding with your own assets or support from people close to you.
• Crowdfunding support from a larger audience interested in your idea.
• Securing a venture capital or angel investor, either of which will require an equity stake in your business.
• Applying for a small business loan through a bank, credit union, or the Small Business Administration.

Photo: freebird2000 via 123RF

Get Your Legal Affairs in Order

There are a number of legal steps you’ll need to take to create a functional business. First, you’ll want to pick a business structure, a legal label that will impact your business’ taxes, available funding sources, liabilities, and more. Choose your structure carefully — you can’t easily change it.

Next: 

• Register your business with applicable federal and state agencies.
• Secure your tax IDs, including a federal employer identification number and, if required, a state tax ID number.
• Secure the proper licensing and permitting based on your local requirements.
• Purchase the right types of insurance, which may depend on your municipality’s requirements.
• Research to ensure you’re complying with local regulations, from zoning laws to food handling restrictions

The most helpful resource through this entire process is a business attorney. A lawyer can help you take the right steps as you decide on a business structure and form your company, but can also guide you through everyday legal situations — from drawing up contracts to handling taxes — as your business grows.

Set up Your Banking

Regardless of the size of your company, you’ll want to make sure you separate your personal and business finances, both for convenience and for tax purposes. While opening a business bank account is simple, do your research and talk to the professionals at a trusted financial institution to determine which accounts are right for your business structure. 

Put Yourself Out There

Whether networking comes naturally to you or you dread it, it’s essential that you create a community of mentors and industry peers who can answer questions, offer advice, connect you with potential investors, and help you grow your network further. Get involved with your chamber of commerce, go to conferences and trade shows, and get plugged into industry social media groups to create virtual connections. 

Entrepreneurship will always be challenging, but your dream is attainable. Your business idea can become a reality with strategic research and modeling, innovative funding and legal decisions, and the right industry connections.

SPONSORED BY JPMORGAN CHASE

The post Entrepreneurship Basics: What to Know to Start a Business appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Photo: standrets via 123RF

When you’re on the verge of starting a business, entrepreneurship can feel overwhelming. Even if you have a great product idea, you may not know where to begin when it comes to making your dream a reality. 

If you’ve got an eye toward an entrepreneurial future, read on to learn how you can get your footing and launch a successful business.

4 Must-Know Terms

Starting your own business comes with learning a new vocabulary, too. Here are four of the most essential terms an aspiring entrepreneur needs to know from the very beginning — and what to do with them.

• Market research: This is a critical first step in launching a business. Market research analyzes consumer behavior and market trends to determine whether there is reliable demand for your product, what competitors you will be facing, which demographics your business could reach, and more. You can conduct your own research by reaching out to potential customers with surveys and questionnaires, utilizing existing research resources, or blending these two options.
• Business plan: This step can be as detailed as you want it to be, but a business plan at least outlines your business’ purpose and audience, its legal and organizational structure, your plan for making money, and your funding needs. This document is critical not just for your own ability to strategize but also for showing others (from potential partners to investors) that your business fills a need and will be viable.
• Value proposition: This short statement only needs to be a few sentences long, but it has to distill an essential concept — why customers and investors alike should choose your business over your competitors. You can create a value proposition to pitch your business to investors or even to market your product.
• Revenue model: This is your roadmap for how you will make money in the short- and long-term. It can combine multiple possible revenue streams (there are many, from subscriptions to advertising to licensing). This model should be part of your larger business plan.

4 Must-Take Steps

While starting a business comes with an endless to-do list, there are a few core steps you’ll need to take to launch and grow a product with longevity.

Secure the Right Funding

In today’s entrepreneurial landscape, there are a number of ways you can harness the proper support to get your business off the ground. Your funding options may include: 

• Self-funding with your own assets or support from people close to you.
• Crowdfunding support from a larger audience interested in your idea.
• Securing a venture capital or angel investor, either of which will require an equity stake in your business.
• Applying for a small business loan through a bank, credit union, or the Small Business Administration.

Photo: freebird2000 via 123RF

Get Your Legal Affairs in Order

There are a number of legal steps you’ll need to take to create a functional business. First, you’ll want to pick a business structure, a legal label that will impact your business’ taxes, available funding sources, liabilities, and more. Choose your structure carefully — you can’t easily change it.

Next: 

• Register your business with applicable federal and state agencies.
• Secure your tax IDs, including a federal employer identification number and, if required, a state tax ID number.
• Secure the proper licensing and permitting based on your local requirements.
• Purchase the right types of insurance, which may depend on your municipality’s requirements.
• Research to ensure you’re complying with local regulations, from zoning laws to food handling restrictions

The most helpful resource through this entire process is a business attorney. A lawyer can help you take the right steps as you decide on a business structure and form your company, but can also guide you through everyday legal situations — from drawing up contracts to handling taxes — as your business grows.

Set up Your Banking

Regardless of the size of your company, you’ll want to make sure you separate your personal and business finances, both for convenience and for tax purposes. While opening a business bank account is simple, do your research and talk to the professionals at a trusted financial institution to determine which accounts are right for your business structure. 

Put Yourself Out There

Whether networking comes naturally to you or you dread it, it’s essential that you create a community of mentors and industry peers who can answer questions, offer advice, connect you with potential investors, and help you grow your network further. Get involved with your chamber of commerce, go to conferences and trade shows, and get plugged into industry social media groups to create virtual connections. 

Entrepreneurship will always be challenging, but your dream is attainable. Your business idea can become a reality with strategic research and modeling, innovative funding and legal decisions, and the right industry connections.

SPONSORED BY JPMORGAN CHASE

The post Entrepreneurship Basics: What to Know to Start a Business appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Nickelodeon is letting kids’ voices be heard this election season with the return of its Kids Pick the President “Kids’ Vote” poll and a brand-new special debuting Monday, Oct. 28. Beginning today, kids can cast their vote for who they want to be the next president at kidspickthepresident.com. The results of the poll will be revealed during the half-hour special, hosted by Nate Burleson (CBS Mornings, NFL Slimetime, The NFL Today) and his 14-year-old daughter, Mia Burleson (NFL Slimetime). The Kids Pick the President “Kids’ Vote” is an informal non-scientific poll, meant for entertainment purposes only.

The Kids Pick the President special will premiere Monday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), on Nickelodeon and be available day and date on Paramount+, Nickelodeon YouTube, Nick.com and the Nickelodeon Pluto TV channels (Nick Pluto, 90’s Kids TV, Totally Teen). The special will also be available the following day on Nick On Demand.

“The opportunity to host the Kids Pick the President special, alongside my daughter Mia, has opened up our whole family to conversations about the importance of standing up for what we believe in and the power of democracy,” said Nate Burleson. “As parents of three, it has always been a priority for me and my wife Atoya to teach our kids that their voices matter—that they not only need to get involved, but stay involved with the issues and topics they care about.”

“We believe kids of all ages deserve to be seen and heard, and we’re proud of the role that our Kids Pick the President initiative has played in elevating their voices around important issues in their lives for the last nine election cycles,” said Jean Margaret Smith, Senior Vice President,  Nickelodeon Public Affairs. “Through the personal stories of the families featured in the Kids Pick the President special, we hope to empower kids to champion the causes they care about, and inspire them to impact change in their communities and beyond.”

After kids cast their vote for who they want to be the next President of the United States at kidspickthepresident.com, they can download an “I Voted” badge, and learn more about the candidates and electoral process. To further support family conversations in the home, Nickelodeon has partnered with NAMLE (The National Association of Media Literacy Educators) on a guide to provide information and resources for parents around media literacy that will also be available on the site.

Told from a uniquely kid-led POV, the half-hour Kids Pick the President special will platform the issues young people care about most in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Kids from all sides of the political spectrum will share their personal stories and opinions on topics, including the economy, future of AI and technology, and health.

Nickelodeon’s Kids Pick the President is part of Our World, the brand’s global prosocial initiative to inspire kids and provide them with tools to activate their individual and collective agency. Nickelodeon’s Our World is supported by a coalition of partners, including 4-H, Afterschool Alliance, Ashoka, The Aspen Institute, Association of Children’s Museums, ChangeX and Jack & Jill of America, Inc. Caregivers and kids can access resources and more information at www.nickourworld.com.

Kids Pick the President is produced by Nickelodeon Productions and overseen by Ashley Kaplan, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Unscripted & Digital Franchise Studio; Paul J Medford, Vice President, Unscripted Current Series; Luke Wahl, Vice President, Unscripted Creative; and Jana Blumenthal Vice President, Production. Luke Wahl and Ben Plumier serve as Executive Producers.

Over its 45-year history, Nickelodeon has built a legacy of addressing important social issues and galvanizing kids through thoughtful initiatives and programs. Whether encouraging kids to be agents of change through The Big Help and Together for Good; encouraging them to get active through the Let’s Just Play grants program and Worldwide Day of Play; educating kids about the electoral process and its significance through Kids Pick the President; showcasing tangible steps kids can take to help the environment through The Big Green Help; celebrating kids and teens who are going above and beyond to help others through the Nickelodeon HALO Awards; or preparing preschoolers for Kindergarten through Beyond the Backpack, Nickelodeon has inspired millions of kids across the globe to take action to improve their communities, their lives and the world around them.

Nickelodeon, now in its 45th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PRA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brands.

The post PRESS ROOM: Nickelodeon lets kids’ voices be heard election season with return of Kids Pick the President ‘Kids’ Vote’ poll and brand-new special appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

With safety concerns and pay raises on the bargaining table, the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) and the District of Columbia Public Schools reached a tentative five-year contract agreement on Sept. 30.

When preliminary contract negotiations began last September, some teachers criticized Dr. Lewis Ferebee, chancellor of D.C. Public Schools, for not attending the initial meetings with WTU officials. However, Ferebee did make his presence known in subsequent meetings. 

During a televised statement, Ferebee pointed out that the previous contract, which was reached during the pandemic, was different from the new contract in that it is forward facing rather than retroactive. He added that his team simply did not have adequate outcomes in the last contract negotiation.

While it took just over a year for both sides to reach an agreement, the Union’s last contract took over three years, and the one preceding that required close to five years in negotiations. 

In a press release from WTU, President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons said that she’s pleased with the contract, and that further details will be made public within the next few weeks after union members have reviewed the tentative agreement. 

“The highlights of the contract include fair and good pay raises but maybe more importantly, educators will be able to work under better conditions that should go a long way to improving recruitment and retention problems that have plagued the District,” she said, adding that her team pushed hard and obtained “decent and fair raises over the course of the five-year contract, despite the District’s contention that it was working in a tight financial environment.” 

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten agreed, describing the tentative agreement as a “real accomplishment.” 

The post Washington teachers’ union reaches tentative five-year contract agreement appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com

As election day draws near, Black voters face a pivotal moment, as candidates at national, state and local levels take distinct approaches to addressing critical issues, like health disparities, wealth gaps, reproductive rights, voter suppression and education. 

With a polarizing presidential race, tight races in Congress and contentious ballot measures, it becomes even more important for voters to identify the policies that enable them to thrive. The AFRO sat down with three leading, nonpartisan voter organizations that seek to empower the Black community to determine which issues are the most pressing. Here’s what they said. 

National Coalition on Black Civic Participation 

Voting rights

Voter roll purging, or removing individuals from registered voter lists, has escalated in recent years. The practice is meant to preserve the integrity of the list, clearing out people who have died or moved, but a number of states have used it to remove people due to infrequent voting in recent elections.

“Most Black people, close to 60 percent, live in the South where you have a lot of voter purging taking place,” said Melanie Campbell, president of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP). “Voting rights is a big issue for us.” 

NCBCP has spearheaded a voter preparedness campaign to ensure people are registered to vote, know where their polling location is and understand the protections that exist.  

Economic security 

The economy has been a hot-button issue this election season. Campbell said Black women in particular are experiencing a great deal of concern over their finances. 

“We did a poll earlier in the year, and the number one issue for Black women had to do with economic security— issues around paychecks not making it all the way through the month and matching bills,” said Campbell. “There’s a high level of anxiety for Black women across generations.” 

Campbell also pointed out that the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged communities in the Southeast, would mean even more implications for the U.S. economy. 

Black Girls Vote

Economic security 

Leaders of Black Girls Vote (BGV) also touched on the economic plight of Black women. Founder Nykidra Robinson pointed out that they are the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurs in the U.S., but they need to be able to preserve the wealth they are creating. 

“We have a lot of Black women who are heads of households or the breadwinner, but it’s tough,” said Robinson. “Even though we’re going to school and getting educated, we have student loan debt payments that come with our salaries, which can be limited.” 

She also highlighted the steep cost of housing today. Homeownership has traditionally been identified as a way to create generational wealth. But, if home prices are out of reach, this avenue may be closed to Black families. 

“The cost of housing is now astronomical, and Black women want to purchase homes,” said Robinson. “For those who are able, we want to make sure that they can stay in their homes and not just buy them.” 

Health equity 

BGV advisory board member Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, a public health sociologist, raised health care affordability, quality and access as a major issue up and down ballots this year.

“Health disparities exist along lines of race but also along income and geography. We need to vote for candidates who prioritize health equity and ensure that those policies are designed to reduce disparities by addressing social drivers,” said Ramjohn. “Most of what contributes to your health happens outside of your doctor’s office.”

The Black community faces disparities in maternal health, cancer rates, mental health treatment,  heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Social determinants of health, or the conditions in which a person lives, works and ages, significantly impact these disparities, according to Ramjohn. 

She warned that the next president will inherit multiple public health epidemics, including those related to Black maternal health, gun violence, 

“Black women are three times more likely to suffer from maternal morbidity and maternal mortality when compared to their White counterparts,” said Ramjohn “We also know that firearm violence, which is now a leading cause of death among children, is concentrated in marginalized, racial and ethnic communities.”

Addressing reproductive justice is also a major issue under health care. While many associate the term with abortion access, it encompasses much more than that. 

“When we hear about reproductive justice, there’s so much talk about abortion, but we’re not talking about in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments or surrogacy,” said Robinson. “We’re not talking about the mothers who desire to have a child and may not be able to conceive or have complications when trying to have a child.” 

Black Voters Matter Fund

Economic security 

Co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund LaTosha Brown explained that Black communities consider the health of the economy at an individual level rather than global. 

“We’re not thinking about the health of the economy based on how the GDP is doing or the unemployment rate being lower,” said Brown. “We’re looking at costs and the health and wellness of our communities.” 

As Black families, who were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, continue to recover from the pandemic, she said they have become increasingly sensitive to the rising costs of goods.

Like BGV, Brown called attention to pricey housing costs, which have made it difficult and sometimes impossible for African Americans to attain homeownership. 

“The cost of homes has exploded and risen to the point where it’s been cost-preventative for people coming out of college and new families to get a new home,” said Brown. “We need people with strong housing policies so we can build wealth.”

Student loan forgiveness

Though millions of Americans have outstanding student loan debt, there is a stark gap in the amount owed by Black borrowers and their counterparts. According to the Education Data Initiative, African-American college graduates owe an average of $25,000 more in student loan debt than White college graduates. 

Brown highlighted legal attacks, largely led by Red states, on President Joe Biden’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, which is designed to make payments more affordable, expand forgiveness and eliminate interest. 

“They’re willing to give corporate welfare to bail banks out and millions of dollars to wealthy business owners in Paycheck Protection Program loans, but then there’s been attacks on student loan forgiveness,” said Brown. “That impacts us economically.”

Education

In recent years, assaults on Black history in schools have increased. Brown noted that several states have sought to ban AP African American studies and critical race theory. 

“Why is our history less valuable than any other? It is American history,” said Brown. “We have to see that that’s not just an attack on African American history; that’s an attack on our identity.”

The post Navigating the ballot: Key issues facing voters in the 2024 general election appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ericka Alston Buck
Special to The AFRO

The James E. Lewis Museum of Art (JELMA) at Morgan State University has opened a landmark exhibition titled, “Keeping the Culture: The Last Twenty-Five Years,” running from Sept. 29 to Dec. 13, 2024. 

Curated by Robin Cherry Howard, this exhibit showcases an extraordinary collection of African American art, highlighting the museum’s acquisitions over the last 25 years. Through an array of paintings, sculptures, photographs and works on paper, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience and cultural identity of Black artists, exploring key themes like history, social justice and the African-American experience.

The exhibit serves as a powerful testament to the evolving narrative of African-American art. Gabriel Tenabe, director of JELMA, emphasized this in his foreword, noting, “Art tells stories, it provokes thought, and it bridges cultures across time. Dr. James E. Lewis understood the power of art to connect us to our shared histories better than anyone.” 

This vision is evident throughout the exhibition, which honors the contributions of African-American artists who have shaped and transformed the creative landscape over the past two-and-a-half decades.

“The artists’ contributions are vibrant and filled with dynamic energy,” said curator Robin Cherry Howard. “These works provoke thought, inspire connection and engage every sense.” 

“Keeping the Culture” features works from master artists like Elizabeth Catlett, Ed Clark, Melvin Edwards, Sam Gilliam, Valerie Maynard and Faith Ringgold, all of whom played critical roles in amplifying African-American voices in the art world. 

Their works in this collection address issues of ancestry, the Middle Passage, slavery, human rights, cultural trauma and civil rights, making their presence in this exhibit both necessary and poignant. These artists’ pieces are more than just displays; they represent movements of resistance, power and identity in a society that often sought to silence them.

Local Baltimore legends also shine in the exhibit, with significant contributions from artists such as Robert Houston and Oletha DeVane. Also included are Alma Roberts and Ernest Shaw, both of whom are alumni of Morgan State University. Their works are complemented by newer voices, such as Schaun Champion and photographer Devin Allen, whose powerful images gained national attention following the 2015 Baltimore Uprising. Allen’s photograph of the protests, which appeared on the cover of Time magazine, depicted a young demonstrator fleeing from a squad of police officers wearing face shields and wielding clubs. The younger artists add an essential part to the exhibit, representing the intersection of art and activism in today’s social landscape.

“This exhibit is so special to me. I am deeply honored to have my work included along with so many giants of the art world. The very focus of the exhibit, ‘Keeping Our Culture,’ is a major focus of my most recent body of work,” said Alma Roberts, one of the contributing artists. 

“To have my artwork hanging in this museum, at my alma mater, makes it that much more special. JELMA is truly a hidden treasure, and this exhibit, including works from the museum’s permanent collection, highlights just how important it is to the continuum of art institutions in this city and this state.” Roberts continued.

This exhibit is an emotional and sensory journey. Visitors walking through the museum will experience a deeply immersive environment. The space is alive with color and emotion, with artworks that provoke reflection and dialogue about past and present struggles and triumphs.

“Keeping the Culture” is an exhibit that  is particularly impactful for the African-American community, as the space feels like a sanctuary for Black voices. The walls are adorned with powerful imagery, from Ernest Shaw’s portrait of a squeegee kid—a figure often emblematic of concentrated poverty and sometimes violence in Baltimore’s streets—to haunting depictions of the lynching of Black ancestors. One standout piece shows Harriet Tubman in all her defiant strength, while another portrays the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a jail cell, highlighting his fight for civil rights. Each piece calls the viewer to reflect on the triumphs and tragedies that define African-American history.

For many, the exhibit is more than a collection of art. It is a celebration of Black identity and culture, housed within a space that feels uniquely designed to honor that heritage. The energy within the exhibit is one of remembrance, reflection and celebration, as the stories told on the walls resonate deeply with the audience.

As visitors move from one piece to the next, they are not merely observing art, they are engaging in a cultural conversation. Whether it’s the raw social commentary in Devin Allen’s photographs or the colorful depictions of history by Elizabeth Catlett, each artist contributes to the rich tapestry of the African-American experience.

“Keeping the Culture: The Last Twenty-Five Years” is a must-see exhibit for anyone looking to connect with the profound beauty and history of African-American art. As JELMA’s latest showcase, it stands as a tribute to both the past and the future of Black artistic expression. The museum is offering free admission for all visitors, and the exhibition will be open until Dec. 13, 2024.

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By Stephen Whyno
AP Sports Writer

BALTIMORE (AP) — Lamar Jackson threw for 323 yards and a touchdown to outshine rookie Jayden Daniels in a showdown between two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks this season, Derrick Henry ran for two TDs and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Washington Commanders 30-23 on Oct. 13 for their fourth consecutive victory.

Jackson found Mark Andrews for the tight end’s first touchdown of the season and completed nine passes to Zay Flowers for 132 yards — all in the first half. Henry had 132 yards and his NFL-leading eighth and ninth TDs as the Ravens (4-2) mixed and matched the pass and run to near perfection.

Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin on two TD passes, but did not get nearly enough help from the backfield in a matchup of the two top rushing offenses in the league. With Brian Robinson Jr. out because of a knee injury, Washington (4-2) got just 52 yards on the ground.

The Commanders’ defense struggled to contain Jackson and Henry, allowing Baltimore to rack up 484 yards, and their winning streak ended at four with a loss at the hands of an opponent that is starting to look like the legitimate Super Bowl contender it was expected to be.

The masterclass by the Ravens included scoring drives of 93 and 94 yards, three sacks of Daniels and enough to overcome an early interception by Jackson when the ball went off Andrews’ hands and was caught by rookie Mike Sainristil for Washington’s first pick of the season. 

Struggles defending against the pass continued, with Daniels going 24 of 35 for 269 yards, but again Baltimore was able to outscore its problems.

Henry became the first player to rush for a TD in each of his first six games since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2005. Andrews tied Todd Heap for the most catches since the team moved to Baltimore with the 41st of his career.

Injuries

Ravens: LB Malik Harrison (groin), CB Arthur Maulet (knee and hamstring) and DE Broderick Washington (knee) were inactive.

Commanders: DT Jonathan Allen was ruled out early in the fourth quarter with a pectoral injury. … DE Dorance Armstrong left in the second with a rib injury. … DE Clelin Ferrell missed a fourth consecutive game with a knee injury.

Up next

Commanders: Host the Carolina Panthers Oct. 20.

Ravens: Visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 21.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Hurricane Helene touched down in Florida on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 storm that devastated communities across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service deemed it among the most powerful storms to hit the United States with days of torrential rainfall and powerful winds. 

Then came Hurricane Milton. With winds of up to 120 miles an hour, the Category 3 storm slammed into popular cities in Florida, such as Tampa and Orlando. An estimated 500,000 people lost power and roads quickly flooded. 

More than 200 people died as a result of Hurricane Helene, making it the deadliest hurricane to hit the country since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Now, Florida is grappling with recovery from another catastrophic storm, Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Oct. 9. 

With homes washed away, persisting power outages and impassable roadways from consecutive hurricanes, organizations are racing to deploy help to those who were in the path of first, Helene, and then, Milton. 

“We know that people are generous and want to do everything they can to help after a disaster,” said Stephanie Fox, national media lead for the American Red Cross (Red Cross). “Our priority is to provide shelter and support to those affected. Financial donations are the quickest and best way to help those who need it most.” 

More than 2,000 Red Cross volunteers have assembled to provide shelter, food, water and other support to families affected by Helene. The humanitarian organization has set up shelters in the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida, where residents can get hot meals and emotional support. 

Emergency response vehicles have also been deployed to deliver meals, water and supplies to those in need. As the hurricanes led to the cancellation of blood drives across the Southeast, the Red Cross is working to restock blood products. 

“Donations of clothing and household items divert resources away from our mission, whereas financial donations can be used right away to directly help those affected, such as replacing lost items like prescription medications or reading glasses,” said Fox. 

Baltimore resident Deneen Penny-Rymes spoke with the AFRO about the dire situation experienced by her daughter, Dia Rymes, in late September following Helene. Dia Rymes, a teacher, lives in Hazlehurst, Ga. 

Deneen Penny-Rymes said she thinks her daughter concealed the gravity of the situation in the beginning to prevent her from worrying. Now, the severity has become clear. 

“She sent me a text and said, ‘Mom, I’m going to send you my CashApp because I need help.’ She’s 48. She’s never asked me for help,” said Deneen Penny-Rymes. “I burst into tears because I knew she was in trouble. She never, ever asked for any help. When she said that, I figured it was bad.” 

Fortunately, the main structure of her daughter’s home stayed intact. But, all of the windows have shattered, and the screens have blown out. Her house’s addition has been demolished, and her barn is sitting under the weight of a fallen tree. 

With no power or water, Dia Rymes’ and her significant other began traveling to towns, up to an hour away, to obtain necessities. But that was only possible while gas was available, and with no access to debit or credit cards, money to purchase gas ran low. Banks were forced to shut down and many other forms of payment were thrown offline due to power outages. Deneen Penny-Rymes recently discovered that pool water was a saving grace for her daughter in the immediate days after the storm, as it was the only source of water to bathe and flush toilets. 

As the need for relief in impacted communities continues, organizations have warned people to protect themselves from scams and disinformation. Fox cautioned that those seeking aid should avoid anyone who says they are a Red Cross volunteer and asks for money. The organization’s aid is always provided at no charge.

She also provided guidance for those looking to donate.

“Beware of visits, calls or emails from people claiming to offer financial assistance, asking for your social security number, bank account or other personally sensitive information. Giving out this type of information can lead to identity theft,” said Fox. “Research charities through Charity Navigator, Charity Watch Group, the Better Business Bureau and GuideStar before donating.”

The post A time to help: Red Cross weighs in on how to aid Southeastern communities recovering from back-to-back hurricanes appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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 Jasmine Clarke
Special to the AFRO

Black family reunions are a time for people to connect over shared history and memories as they reinforce family structure. This important tradition reunites relatives across time and place, and helps mend the fragmentation and displacement caused by American chattel slavery and the Great Migration. 

As a family archivist, I have an interest in Black family traditions and became curious about the ways people document, preserve and share the family reunion tradition. 

Before joining the Afro Charities team as an archival processing fellow, I was working to organize and preserve a collection of family images, documents and videos that originally belonged to my grandmother, Melbahu Gibbs. 

One of the videos I digitized was our 1993 family reunion. It begins with my family in Boston, Mass., loading into a van and driving down to Atlanta, the city where my grandmother was born. While I didn’t attend this reunion, I remember the stories and memories that came from it. While digitizing, I watched the video in awe as my grandmother walked from table to table encouraging family members, many of whom have since passed on, to introduce themselves to one another and to answer her various questions: “What’s your name? Where are you from? What are you looking forward to at the family reunion?” She persisted even as some shied away. 

I believe my grandmother knew the value of family reunions and I’m grateful for her persistence. Her commitment to documenting our family history continues to inspire me. That 1993 reunion video is a historical record that has allowed me to learn the names and stories of my ancestors and living relatives within my lineage.

At Afro Charities, I have the unique opportunity to engage with a collection that conveys the rich lives of everyday Black people. Inspired by my own personal history, I began researching Black family reunions in the collection and learned about The Blackwell Family Reunion Association while processing a folder titled “Largest Family.” 

The Blackwell family’s reunion tradition started in 1952 after the funeral of Nay Woodrow Blackwell. After that event, family members decided to gather for more joyous occasions in the future, and in 1953 they held their first reunion. 

When I delved deeper into the folder, I learned about Thelma Doswell, a family member who started recording each family member’s names at their annual reunions. She used her skills as a researcher and genealogist to create expansive family trees. Her first tree, created in 1959, is a folk art piece that is 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide and includes the names of 1,500 family members. She continued to make family trees until 1991. That final tree contained over 5,000 names tracing her ancestors back to West Africa. Doswell’s family trees are now historical records that can be found in the Library of Congress, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. 

I often ask myself how we can continue to fill the gaps in Black historical records that exist because of the lack of comprehensive records and documentation of enslaved Black people. I believe we have the personal and communal agency to participate in this process, like my grandmother and Ms. Doswell. Their dedication to Black family history is a testament to that. They each used their unique skills to document the tradition of family reunions, preserving and ultimately protecting Black historical narratives. 

Family reunions are intentional gatherings that serve as rituals of remembrance in the face of Black violence and oppression, connecting our past, present and future. I’m inspired by this rich tradition, the people who continue to uphold it and the different ways we can all participate in protecting our collective history.

The post Op-ed: The legacy of family reunions appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

The Baltimore Book Festival, a top annual event for Charm City book lovers, celebrated its 25-year anniversary Sept. 28-29. More than just a literary event, the festival is a proud celebration of authors, small businesses, cultural preservation and fostering community from members across Baltimore.

The Waverly community hosted the two-day festival, home to multiple bookshops, including Red Emma’s, Normals Books and Records, Urban Reads and The Book Thing of Baltimore. Over 100 authors and guests joined the festival to engage in conversations about book bans, Black history, education and more, making it an inclusive event welcoming to all.

Lisa Snowden, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Baltimore Beat, discussed “Preserving History: How the Black Press Safeguards the Past,” in collaboration with members of the Afro Charities team. Writer Bry Reed moderated the conversation, which was led by Snowden, Deyane Moses, director of programs and partnerships for Afro Charities, and Bilphena Yahwon, processing fellow at Afro Charities. 

According to The Pew Research Center, only “about half of Black Americans (51 percent) say they are very or extremely informed about the history of Black people in the U.S. Nearly four-in-ten (37 percent) say they are somewhat informed, while 11 percent say they are a little or not at all informed.” Furthermore, research found that most Black adults learned history from friends and family. 

Afro Charities, a key player in preserving Black history nationally, boasts an archival collection of over 130 years of history from the AFRO-American Newspapers and beyond. This collection is a vital resource for those interested in learning about history, and the organization has made it its mission to make it accessible.

Moses shared that the AFRO was “a major outlet for civil rights leaders and everyday people to talk about the good news as well as the things that were happening in their communities.”

“The AFRO is so, so critical for that narrative- they’ve been doing that work and championing that work since 1892, when the paper was founded,” she said. 

The AFRO archives have been part of several historic contributions including shows, museums, movies, and more. She shared that they can also be a tool for genealogical research, allowing people to track their family and history.

“I want to make sure everyone out there knows that we are a resource that is accessible right now,” she said, adding that history is very “cyclical,” and it is often repeated, as can be found in the archives. 

Snowden spoke on how the work of telling Black stories should be handled with care. She warned of the dangers of constantly turning out stories and moving on because sometimes stories, especially with minorities, need detailed care. 

“If you’re turning stuff out, you’re not treating it with care—you’re not treating it with respect,” said Snowden. She shared that they can’t do all the stories in Baltimore due to having a small team. However, she expressed that they can ” do a few things and do them really well—approaching it with dedication.”              

Snowden shared that they have already taken measures to preserve and digitize the legacy of the paper to archive the stories they have shared. She stresses the importance of printed media in the archival process – they look forward to archiving the paper more physically.

Yahwon revealed that archiving is not easy and requires patience, hard work, attention to detail  and effort. In the past, the archives weren’t as accessible to the open public.

“You couldn’t just go on ProQuest or come to Afro Charities to get a tour out of the blue; people had to do that work,” Yahwon said. “I think that when we get people more familiar with the labor of archiving, they will be able to understand more how they’re able to get online in search of words – that it is somebody who has to put in every single thing.”

She came to this work after yearning for knowledge about her roots in Liberia, where she is originally from, but moved to America due to the Liberian Civil War in 2001. Through her research, she found a lot of information about Liberia that was documented through the AFRO and reached out to Afro Charities. Now, as a processing fellow, Yahwon is able to give insight to how the AFRO reported on issues in other countries, via local contacts and on-the-ground reporting.

To learn more about Afro Charities and their work, visit Afrocharities.com. 

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By Tamara Ward, NABJ Pew Youth Justice Fellow

To most, an 11-year-old schoolgirl might seem like an unlikely offender. But nearly six years ago, one sixth-grader was arrested and taken to jail for refusing to sit in her assigned seat within an Anne Arundel County public school classroom. 

Logan Ewing, an attorney with Disability Rights Maryland, shared in her testimony at a recent Ways and Means Committee hearing in the Maryland House of Delegates that the student suffered from anxiety for years and had a documented Section 504 Plan indicating a tendency to shut down when called out in front of others. 

But despite her documented disability, on that particular day, when a teacher asked the girl to move to her assigned seat and she gave no response—merely stood from her seat and did not move any further—the teacher called the assistant principal. The assistant principal called 9-1-1. 

By the time the officers arrived, the student was compliant and walking to the front office as directed, Ewing said, adding, “The police asked her why she wasn’t listening, and she shrugged, saying, ‘I don’t know.’ At this point, three male police officers handcuffed her, arrested her and took her to the police station. … She sat in a holding cell for nearly three hours while she’s waiting for her mother to come get her.” 

Ewing called the incident needless, preventable and traumatizing for the client and her entire family. The case was later resolved by the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) without any further action, but the incident will have a lasting effect. 

“Our client will live with this trauma for the rest of her life because the school wrongly decided that involving police was the best option and the police were able to use the charge of disturbing school activities to criminalize an 11-year-old child’s disability-related behavior,” Ewing testified. 

The student’s mother declined an interview request citing that a related case had been settled and she had signed a non-disclosure agreement. 

The student, who is now older and whose identity is protected, is one of many students across the state charged with disturbing school activities or personnel—year after year. 

In fiscal 2023, DJS received 858 referrals of students charged with disturbing school activities or personnel, according to its latest Data Resource Guide. Anne Arundel County and Wicomico County public school districts led the state that fiscal year with school-based arrests for the disturbing school charge, with 225 and 195 charges respectively. 

But the data tells a deeper story—particularly when examining arrest breakdowns by disability and race. 

“Black children are five and a half times more likely to be referred to the Department of Juvenile Services than white children for disturbing schools, and children with disabilities are 3.3 times more likely than children without disabilities to be referred for disturbing schools,” said Levi Bradford, an education attorney with the Public Justice Center, who also testified at the same hearing in support of a bill to remove the charge. “The disparities on race and disability status are alarming for the disturbing schools charge.” 

Bradford continued, “The disturbing schools charge pushes Black children and children with disabilities further and further along the school-to-prison pipeline.” 

Bradford confirmed in an interview that 629 of the 858 referrals for the charge were for Black youth. 

Total arrests down, but disparities loom large 

Not limited to the disturbing schools charge, school-based arrests in general across Maryland’s 24 public school districts in school year 2022-2023 totaled 1,568 for elementary, middle and high schools, according to recently released Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) arrest data. That number represents a 28% decrease from school year 2021-2022, when arrests totaled 2,187.

“Overall, Maryland’s local educational agencies are moving toward the goal of a statewide disciplinary approach which is “rehabilitative, restorative, and educational,” said John White, MSDE’s interim senior executive director, Office of Communications and Community Engagement, in a statement.

Despite the reduction in overall number of arrests from the prior year, further analysis of MSDE’s data also shows that Black students and students either on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan are referred to DJS for school-based offenses more than any other student groups. 

“There is disproportionality related to students with disabilities and Black students. You can also look at Black students with disabilities and see disproportionality,” said Alyssa Fieo, an assistant public defender who works within the Maryland Office of the Public Defender. 

Fieo, who is also an education attorney, provides support to other public defenders throughout the state when they have education-related issues and concerns or when there is an overlap of a school discipline issue with a charge.

Of the reported 1,568 arrests in 2022-2023, Black students accounted for 57% of all arrests but represented 33% of the student population. Students with disabilities accounted for 48% of arrests yet they only represent 13% of student enrollment statewide. 

Out of every thousand students enrolled in Maryland’s public schools, two students are likely to be arrested, based on the 2022-2023 data. For Black students the arrest rate is higher. Three Black students are likely to be arrested out of every thousand Black students enrolled in the state’s public schools. The arrest rate for students with disabilities is even higher. Out of every thousand students with disabilities enrolled in Maryland’s public schools, seven students with disabilities are likely to be arrested. 

The arrest rate is higher than the state’s in some school districts, and so is the disproportionality. Wicomico County Public Schools led the state in arrest numbers this past school year, moving up from the second spot from 2021-2022. 

The data, published in Maryland Public Schools Arrest Data School Year 2022-2023, includes the arrests of students in all public school districts or local education agencies for the school year. The report includes arrests resulting from referrals from school personnel and School Resource Officers (SROs) to local law enforcement or DJS for disciplinary offenses committed on or off school grounds. 

A physical arrest is when a student is physically placed under arrest by a law enforcement official. A paper arrest occurs when there is an officer-initiated referral or request for charges by school officials to DJS. These arrest offenses range from serious violent offenses to the more benign like disruption, disrespect and the use of electronics. 

Antiquated statute perpetuates arrest disparities 

School-based arrests in some school districts can be attributed to a section of the Maryland Education code that allows students to be charged with a misdemeanor for disturbing school activities or personnel. 

In Maryland Code, Education § 26-101 it is prohibited for anyone to willfully disturb or prevent the orderly operation of an elementary, secondary or higher education institution or threaten or harm students or staff. Quite often, schools/officers use this charge to address adolescent behavior that does not rise to the level of criminal conduct. 

Bradford, who is an attorney on the Education Stability Project for the Public Justice Center, said this “kitchen sink charge” is not useful. 

“It’s almost exclusively charged alongside other more serious offenses,” said Bradford. “Last year, not a single referral where disturbing schools was the only charge was actually formally filed in the court. The charge that most frequently accompanies disturbing schools is by a wide margin misdemeanor of assault – fights in schools.”

Bradford said fighting is already a chargeable offense. He advocates for removing the ability to charge a student with disturbing school at their own school. 

It is the goal of the Education Stability Project to advance racial equity by reducing overuse of suspensions, expulsions and school-based arrests that disproportionately target Black students and other students of color. 

In fiscal 2022, Bradford said, the disturbing school or personnel charge was the fifth most common juvenile offense referred to DJS, and the fourth most racially disparate offense. “Of those most common offenses, it is the No. 1 most racially disparate offense.” 

Leading the effort to remove the statute from the education code through House Bill 615 is Del. Shelia Ruth, a Democrat who represents parts of Baltimore County, where students were charged 74 times with the Disturbing School Activities offense. 

Ruth said at the bill’s hearing that for fiscal 2023, 73% of the students arrested under this law were Black. 

“That’s 2.24 times the 32.7% of students who are in Maryland schools who identify as Black,” Ruth said in her testimony, referring to disproportionality. 

“Because of implicit bias, people often perceive the behavior of Black children as more threatening compared to the same behavior conducted by white children, children of the same age,” Ruth said. 

She referred to state data that shows 32.9% or one-third of children charged with this offense are students with disabilities. 

“Many are charged for things that are covered under their IEP – things that should be handled within the IEP process, and yet they’re arrested for that,” Ruth said. 

Ruth’s bill passed in the House of Delegates but its Senate companion SB512 died in committee. 

School arrests among Black students disproportionately high 

MSDE’s data reveals a significant disproportionality when it comes to the arrest of Black students in Maryland public schools as a whole. 

Of the 1,568 school-based arrests statewide, 887 arrests were of Black students, more than any other racial group in the school year 2022-2023. 

White students represented 33% of enrollment in all 24 school districts, yet represented just 25% of school arrests (385). Latino or Hispanic students represented 22 percent of the school population and only 9% of school arrests (146). 

This has been a pattern in Maryland. In the year before, Black students represented roughly 61% of school arrests, at 1,335 arrests, even though they comprised only 33.2% of the school system’s total enrollment. Conversely, white students represented 33.9% of the total enrollment

but comprised only 21% of school arrests that year with 472 arrests. Latino students represented 20.7% of enrollment and roughly 8 percent of school-based arrests that same school year at 189 arrests. 

For 2022-2023, statistically, Wicomico, St. Mary’s and Washington county school districts have among the highest rates of arrests of Black students. 

Moreover, among all the school districts in Maryland, Wicomico has the highest number of arrests at schools and the highest level of disproportionality. There, for every 1,000 Black students enrolled in Wicomico County Public Schools, 28 were arrested. Black students only represent 37% (5,537) of Wicomico’s school population of nearly 15,000 students, but they accounted for 75% of school-based arrests. White students accounted for 18% of arrests, even though they represented 37% of the population. Latino students were 14% of the population and 5% of arrests. 

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) logged 175 arrests in 2022-2023, where 27 Black students were arrested for every 1,000 Black students enrolled in the school district. And, while Black students represented only 19% of the school system’s population, they accounted for 53% of school-based arrests. School-based arrest data is not widely reported on. 

“We are very concerned about the arrests data that continues to show the disproportionality among Black students and students with disabilities in St. Mary’s County Public Schools. Though the numbers are decreasing, our schools are facing societal and behavioral challenges that bring about unacceptable numbers of arrests in our schools. And for many this is the start of “The Pipeline to Prison,” said Janice Walthour, a former high school principal and current chair of St. Mary’s NAACP Education Committee. 

Walthour said in an interview the committee sought information on school climate and culture, as well as the results of a recent student survey. She said she intends to discuss the arrest disparity for both groups at the committee’s next quarterly meeting with SMCPS Superintendent J. Scott Smith. Attempts to reach Smith for comment were unsuccessful by press deadline. 

Washington County Public Schools posted similar arrest numbers to the year before, but its arrest rate for Black students dropped. In the previous school year, 20 out of every 1,000 Black students were arrested. This year, only 15 out of 1,000 Black students were arrested. 

However, disproportionality still exists in Washington County. Black students represented nearly half of all school-based arrests even though they were only 16% of the school system’s population.

Just north of Baltimore, there is a mixed bag of highs and lows for arrest data in Harford County Public Schools (HCPS). Arrests decreased from 185 in 2021-2022 to 115 in 2022-2023. But Black students accounted for 64% (74 arrests) of arrests last school year, up 3% from 2021-2022. 

HCPS’s Manager of Communications Jillian Lader acknowledged in a statement that the number of students “charged” fluctuates from year to year and are impacted by many factors. 

“When calculating data for 39,000 students, minimal changes as were seen this year, are kept in perspective- even when the overall data reflects positively on the school system,” Lader said. “That said, anytime we see a disproportionate report of data based on race at the school level, it is concerning to us as a community. These concerns continue to be seen throughout the country and must be addressed as a society to ensure all students, regardless of race, are set up for success at school.”

Now with the sixth-highest school-based arrests in the state, Harford ranked fifth in 2021-2022. That year Black students constituted 114 of all arrests which is concerning for the local NAACP. 

“This is something new that we’re turning our attention to,” said Harford County NAACP President Vicki Jones. “We’re actually going to launch an NAACP Parent Council and the parent council will be responsible for looking at things like these and identifying things that we need to work with the school system to try to alleviate or correct.” 

Jones sits on a police accountability board, as well as the sheriff’s community advisory board, and works full time in the county’s school administration. 

“The way that law enforcement interacts with people of color, particularly Black people, in Harford County has been on our radar,” Jones said, noting there have been a disproportionate number of arrests in the community of Edgewood and the local NAACP has received complaints about local law enforcement frequenting the area and stopping people. 

She suspects arrest numbers for Black students are higher at schools along the Route 40 corridor where more Black residents live, or where there are high minority student populations. 

Recent data confirms her suspicion, with 86 of the 114 arrests happening at Joppatowne High School (42), Aberdeen High School (21) Edgewood High School (17) and Edgewood Middle (6) in 2022-2023. 

“We know things are happening to our Black kids that are not happening to white kids,” Jones said, referring to complaints from the community. “There’s so much that we need to pay attention to, especially in Harford County. It is a place that, 10 years after the Board of Education said you need to desegregate things, it stayed segregated. And so, it is a slow-moving county and we’re trying to stay up on as much as we can to push them forward.” 

Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) once held the top spot for arrests in the state, with 444 school-based arrests in 2021-2022. MSDE’s 2022-2023 data shows school-based arrests for ACPS dropped to 150, a dramatic 66% decrease. Along with it dropped the arrest rate of Black students, from 17 to five out of every thousand Black students. The reduction in arrests coincide with new AACPS Superintendent Mark Bedell’s arrival in 2022. 

“For our part, we have spent – and will continue to spend – time around professional development as it regards classroom management. Dr. Bedell’s focus since he arrived has been on creating climates where every student can belong, grow, and succeed. He has talked often about the need to help students feel a sense of belonging “no matter how they show up,” AACPS Chief Communications Officer Bob Mosier said in a statement, on what measures the school system implemented to achieve such dramatic reductions. 

Even though the number of arrests decreased, a disproportionate number of Black students are still arrested. While Black students make up 22% of Anne Arundel’s enrollment, they account for 57% of school-based arrests.

Mosier said the decision to charge or arrest a student lies with the police, but acknowledged that AACPS has a role to play as well. 

“We are continuing work around equitable practices in all our endeavors and spending,” said Mosier, pointing to spending additional time on classroom management so that issues that do not need police involvement can be handled in other ways. 

“Equity work extends to every portion of our school system and is in no way limited to instructional personnel. It is critical for all employees to have broader lenses so that they can appropriately contribute to and help resolve small conflicts before they become larger ones.” 

Like Anne Arundel, Worcester County Public Schools had a high arrest rate for Black students in 2021-2022. And, like Anne Arundel, it experienced a dramatic decrease, 60%, in arrest rates for Black students in 2022-2023. The year prior, for every 1,000 Black students, 20 were arrested. The recently released MSDE data reveals now only eight Black students were arrested per every 1,000 Black students enrolled. 

But Worcester’s school population is a fraction of Anne Arundel’s, and Black students represent only 18% of the school population yet more than half of all the total 54 arrests. 

Pattern of disparate arrests revealed for students with disabilities 

There is evidence that discipline disparities are even more apparent for Maryland students with disabilities. 

In 2022-2023, 106,216 students identified as having a disability, either receiving special education services through an IEP or on a 504 plan requiring accommodations for academic success. 

While students with disabilities only represented nearly 13% of the state’s total school population, collectively they accounted for 32%, or 495, of the 1,568 school-based arrests statewide. So, for every 1,000 students identified as having a disability, four students were arrested in 2022-2023. 

The overall numbers are significantly down, but once again, a pattern of disproportionality continues from the year before, when for every 1,000 students identified as having a disability, nine students were arrested in 2021-2022. Students enrolled in special education accounted for 28%, or 617, of the 2,187 school-based arrests, while those on 504 plans accounted for nearly 16%, or 349 arrests. This problem is on the state’s radar, as well as disability advocates. 

In the February 2023 report Deep Dive: Students with Disabilities, Part 2, then Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury acknowledged there is “significant disproportionality” of arrests of students with disabilities.

Disability Rights Maryland and its coalition partners are reviewing the newly released data and will use the data to identify those districts where advocacy and reform is most needed. One school district of concern is Wicomico County. 

Wicomico County arrest rates of students with disabilities is disproportionately high. Out of every thousand students with disabilities enrolled in Wicomico County Public Schools (WCPS), roughly 36 of those students were likely to be arrested, based on the 2022-223 data. That is nine times higher than the state’s arrest rate for students with disabilities. 

In a revised version of the recent MSDE arrest data report, due to journalist-identified data anomalies, Wicomico reported 57 of its 204 arrests were of students with disabilities. This category of students represented 10% of school enrollment but represented 28% of all arrests. 

Disability Rights Maryland has been monitoring Wicomico for disparate treatment of disabled students. The nonprofit advocacy group focuses on improving the lives of Marylanders with disabilities and opposes the use of SROs in schools. 

Often, the organization advocates for students with IEPs and 504s who have been arrested at school, engages in local policy work and partners with coalitions to address related school discipline matters. 

“There’s districts on the Eastern Shore whose numbers and disproportionality are very high and so we are concerned,” said Megan Berger, the group’s legal director. “Students end up being handcuffed and transported by SROs to the hospital,” Berger said, referring to emergency petitions. 

The Hechinger Report recently detailed the misuse of emergency petitions in Wicomico County to remove students from school and take them to hospitals for psychiatric evaluations over the last eight years, to the tune of 750 instances. The removals disproportionately affect Black and disabled students. 

“We’ve been very concerned about the disparate impact on Black students and students with disabilities,” said Berger. “The data bears out–Black students with disabilities are subject to sort of the highest rates of disproportionality.” 

The Wicomico school district has long been under fire and under investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) before for its disparate treatment of students of color and disabled students. In 2017, DOJ and the school district entered into a settlement agreement to report discipline and behavior numbers and to foster a discrimination free environment for minority students. 

Numerous attempts to confirm with Wicomico County Public Schools’ Public Information Officer Tracy M. Sahler the reason for the high arrest numbers among Black students and students with disabilities, and what progress the school system has made since the DOJ settlement were unsuccessful by story deadline. However, Sahler offered in statement that there were only 11 physical arrests during the 2022-2023 school year. 

“Each of these was an instance in which a student was removed from the school setting in a manner deemed necessary by law enforcement,” said Sahler, noting the additional 193 instances were “paper arrests” in which an officer of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office or other law enforcement agency petitions for charges to DJS. 

Sahler added that “the number of arrests in any Maryland school system, including Wicomico, is directly related to alleged violations of the law. Each instance is handled individually and appropriately, with consideration for the safety of all persons in the school building including the student involved. Decisions regarding arrests are made by law enforcement officers, who have the greatest understanding of and responsibility for upholding the law.”

Somerset and Dorchester school districts are also of concern to Disability Rights Maryland. School-based arrest data for students on an IEP or 504 Plan in Somerset and Dorchester counties in recent years have typically been fewer than 10. However, in school year 2015-2016, Dorchester had an arrest rate of 16 per 1,000 students, which is the highest of all 24 school districts that school year. 

Megan Jones, assistant managing attorney for Disability Rights Maryland, said they are not surprised to see the higher disproportionality on the Eastern Shore and attributes it to the use of SROs where other resources or interventions are scarce or where staff is not aware of other resources and options. 

“What we see on the Eastern Shore is that there is not the same amount of access to interventions and supports. Districts are smaller. There are less resources. The non-public placements and specialized programs are farther away,” Jones said, adding that schools and families who attend them can “feel like they’re on an island.” The emergency petitions are schools’ way of “reaching for whatever supports they can find when they can’t find interventions and the appropriate supports.” 

Many of the non-public schools, disability resources and in-patient programs are concentrated on the Western Shore. 

West of the Bay Bridge, for every 1,000 students with disabilities enrolled in the Anne Arundel school system, five were arrested in 2022-2023. In that year, there were 44 arrests of students with IEPs and 15 arrests of students with 504 plans, accounting for 38% of 165 arrests, but only 12% of the population. 

To Anne Arundel’s credit, the number of arrests and arrest rates dropped dramatically. In 2021-2022, there were 106 arrests of students with disabilities, and for every 1,000 students with disabilities enrolled in the school system, 20 were arrested that year. 

Disability Rights Maryland represents individual students in Anne Arundel County but is attempting to do more systemwide advocacy to address the problem. 

Berger acknowledges that trying to drill down on the “whys” of certain school districts where arrest numbers of disabled students are high, whether on the Western or Eastern shores, is a difficult task. 

“Is it sort of the school system taking a more punitive approach? Is it a lack of training? … Special education planning and appropriate supports for students who, you know, may be manifesting behaviors that are harder to manage,” Berger said. “I don’t think we have enough insight to say at this point but we’re certainly trying to use the data to address the systems where the rates are the highest and to bring to the leadership’s attention and to request change.” 

Disabilities Rights Maryland and Maryland Office of the Public Defender are part of a coalition named the Maryland Suspension Representation Project (MRSP), along with the the Public Justice Center, the University of Baltimore School of Law Family Law Clinic and the University of Maryland School of Law Youth, Education and Justice Clinic. 

Committed to protecting the due process rights of Maryland students who face school push out, MSRP reached out to Anne Arundel’s school Superintendent Mark Bedell, and AACPS leadership to discuss the disparity last fall. The groups met in late March. 

MSRP member Lucy Portera represents youth in Anne Arundel County as a public defender. Portera confirmed the meeting and said MSRP was glad to meet with AACPS leadership to discuss school-based arrests and school discipline, particularly given the disproportionate impact on Black students and students with disabilities. 

In an issued statement MSRP said, “Students need to be in school to access education services. When their school experience is interrupted by an arrest or suspension, it is difficult for those students to get back on track academically and to feel welcome in the school setting.” 

MSRP described AACPS leaders as open and transparent regarding the issues and the work that needs to be done. 

MSRP added, “We intend to continue meeting to move towards our shared goals of creating and maintaining positive school environments that meet the needs of all students. Reducing arrests and suspensions will make schools safer in the long term and improve both attendance and academic performance.” 

According to Mosier, the groups held a very collaborative and constructive meeting during which members shared concerns with school staff and had a collaborative dialogue about the issues and their genesis. He anticipates it is the first in a series of meetings where they will “dig deeper into issues and solutions.”

This article was originally published by Black News and Views, a division of the National Association of Black Journalists.

The post From homeroom to handcuffs: Part 1 – Data shows African American and disabled students are disproportionately caught in the school-to-prison pipeline in Maryland public schools, many for low-level offenses appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Obama is asking all men, including Black men, to rethink our relationship with women in positions of power, and to reevaluate our understanding of manhood.

By Keith Boykin

“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.

Former President Barack Obama just ignited a firestorm of debate about Black men and manhood. Speaking to Black men in Pittsburgh on Oct. 10, Obama warned about the attitude of “sitting out” of the election “or supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you because you think that’s a sign of strength.” 

“Putting women down” is “not acceptable,” he said. 

His comment sparked criticism from those who felt Obama was scolding Black men again. I have a more nuanced take with two key points.

Black Men Are a Success Story

First, Black men are a success story for Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party. After all the gaslighting from Republicans about Black men leaving the Democratic Party four years ago, Joe Biden won 87 percent  of the vote from Black men in 2020. That makes us the second most loyal constituency of the Democratic Party. Only Black women, who voted 95 percent for Biden, are more supportive. 

A Washington Post-Ipsos poll last month found Black men overwhelmingly support Harris over Trump on every issue, including abortion, crime, the economy, and immigration. The Pew Research Center found that Black men are more confident in Kamala Harris than Trump to make good decisions about issues that affect us. A CNN poll last month found very little gender divide among Black voters. And research this summer found that Black men in Georgia supported Kamala Harris and strongly disapproved of Trump. 

That means Kamala Harris will probably win 85 percent to 90 percent of Black men. That’s good news, and Black men should be celebrated for that. 

Personally, I don’t understand how any Black man could vote for Trump after he led a lynch mob against the now exonerated Central Park Five, lied about Barack Obama’s birth certificate, blackballed Colin Kapernick out of the NFL, and bragged about bringing back racist policing tactics like stop-and-frisk. But I also know that unanimity of opinion is unattainable. No candidate or party is ever going to get 100 percent of Black people to support them, but 87 percent is pretty damn good. 

That’s why I’ve said before that we can’t pathologize Black men for our voting patterns when other groups, mainly White women, are the real problem.

An Internal Conversation With Black Men

That brings me to my second point. Contrary to the hot takes on social media, I don’t think Obama was scolding or pathologizing Black men. Instead, he was having an internal conversation with Black men to get us to examine some of the reasons that some of us don’t support Kamala Harris. That’s why the Black men Obama was speaking to in the room seemed to agree with him. 

The question is how do you increase voter turnout for Black men, when 66 percent of Black men said they planned to vote compared to 71 percent of Black women, and that tiny gap could make a huge difference in a close election.

Obama made a point that a small but vocal contingent of men, including Black men, refuse to support any woman candidate for president. Many of them have unrealistically high expectations for Kamala Harris but don’t hold Trump to the same standards. 

One Black man in Pennsylvania told reporters he plans to vote for Trump because Harris “doesn’t come from a background similar to the majority of Black Americans.” That makes no sense. Does he think a White man who spent his career refusing to rent to Black people and spreading racist lies about us understands the Black experience better than a Black woman who grew up in Oakland, attended Howard University, and joined AKA sorority? I’m sorry. I call bullshit. That man just doesn’t want to vote for a woman.

Obama wasn’t speaking to all Black men. He was speaking to that man and to the Black men who have no problem with Trump selling cheap mugshots and $400 gold sneakers as “Black outreach” but when a Black woman who spent her entire life around Black people tries to get them to vote for her it’s considered “pandering.” Just stop lying about why you’re voting for Trump because you’re making yourself sound ridiculous. 

“And you’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses, I’ve got a problem with that,” Obama said. “Because part of it makes me think — and I’m speaking to men directly — part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.”

It’s the exact same message that Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul delivered on the “Win With Black Men” Zoom call with 40,000 Black men supporting Kamala Harris in July. “Sometimes as Black men we get confused as to what strength is, and sometimes we think that standing behind a Black woman as a leader does not display strength as Black men,” Raoul said. 

So why are we acting all new with Obama?

He wasn’t just focused on Black men. He delivered a similar message to all men at a rally in Pittsburgh the same day. “I’m sorry, gentlemen — I’ve noticed this, especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior, the bullying and the putting people down, is a sign of strength,” he said. “I am here to tell you that is not what real strength is and has never been.”

Part of the confusion may be that critics thought he was shaming the Black men in the room when actually he was describing an issue he’s seen among other men in the community. But Obama is asking all men, including Black men, to rethink our relationship with women in positions of power, and to reevaluate our understanding of manhood.

Being a man is not about controlling women, mocking the weak, or insulting the vulnerable. That’s a caricature of manhood that Trump creates. Manhood is about honesty, fairness, responsibility, duty, and courage. A real man is secure enough in his identity to stand up in a crowd of “yes men” and tell them “No” when they do wrong.

True manhood is powerful. It’s about using our strength not just to help ourselves, but to help those in need.

Keith Boykin is a New York Times–bestselling author, TV and film producer, and former CNN political commentator. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Keith served in the White House, cofounded the National Black Justice Coalition, cohosted the BET talk show My Two Cents, and taught at the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University in New York. He’s a Lambda Literary Award-winning author and editor of seven books. He lives in Los Angeles.

This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.

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A group of White evangelical pastors are urging their followers to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris — and Franklin Graham is not happy.

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware

In his prime, the Rev. Billy Graham, the legendary Baptist minister and televangelist, was known as the “Pastor to Presidents.” Over nearly seven decades, Graham was a regular presence in the Oval Office, giving spiritual counsel to every sitting president from Harry Truman to Donald Trump. 

Since entering politics in 2016, Trump himself has had the White evangelical Christian vote on lockdown. In the 2020 presidential election, for example, Trump’s tough brand of social conservatism led 70 percent of them to choose him over President Joe Biden.

Now, a group of White evangelical pastors want to break Trump’s political grip on the faithful. They are urging their followers to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, using Graham’s and Trump’s own words to make their case.

And Graham’s son, Franklin Graham — a staunch Trump supporter and an influential figure in conservative politics— isn’t happy about it. 

The younger Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelist Association, has demanded  Evangelicals for Harris (EFH) cease and desist their campaign, and vowed to sue if they don’t stop airing their ad. 

In an interview with Premier Christian News, Franklin Graham slammed EFH, and condemned Harris — the first woman of color to occupy the vice presidency, the first to win a major party’s nomination for the presidency, and who is running neck-and-neck with Trump— as “anti-Christ in her positions.” 

“They are trying to make it look like my father would have supported Vice President Harris,” Graham said. “My father was a strong conservative all of his life, theologically as well as politically. He would have never voted for or supported someone like Kamala Harris — someone who is almost anti-Christ in her positions. She has done nothing to support people of faith and what we believe and what we stand for.”

But EFH is standing its ground. 

“Our communications, our references to Billy Graham, and this larger discussion of our community’s values are absolutely critical to a healthy democracy,” according to a response to Graham’s threat. 

At issue is the decades-long claim conservatives have on evangelical voters. 

By definition, every Christian is an evangelical; the word simply signifies the belief in God as creator and Jesus Christ as savior and signals a commitment to the gospel he taught when he was on Earth. 

Controversy ensues when regular evangelical churchgoers unwaveringly support Trump — a boorish, twice-divorced convicted felon and purported sexual abuser with little familiarity of the Bible and no clear church affiliation. 

Just recently, a group of evangelicals issued a call to return to Christianity’s basic tenets of faith and away from the political draw to Trump.

What seems to most upset the younger Graham about EFH is its video ad comparing his father’s words to Trump’s crude self-assessment. 

For example, the ad begins with a video of Billy Graham preaching: “But you must realize that in the last days, the times will be full of danger, men will become utterly self-centered and greedy for money.”

Then, there’s a clip of Trump: ”My whole life I’ve been greedy, greedy, greedy. I’ve grabbed all the money I could get. I’m so greedy.”

The membership of EFH includes different races and varied faiths, and they claim credit for helping Biden reach the White House four years ago. Their platform cites the accomplishments of the current administration and Harris’ religious background; they argue she isn’t a newcomer to Christianity and has a platform aligned with Christian values.

“We keep surprising people,” Rev. Jim Ball, founder and chair, said in a statement. “We helped Joe Biden win in 2020 and we’re helping Kamala Harris today.

”Her policies are pro-family. As a former prosecutor and attorney general, she will defend our democracy, the rule of law and continue the drop in crime,” he said. “She’ll keep the government out of private family matters. She’s pro-environment and pro-climate action. And she will keep the economy growing and wages increasing, while continuing to bring prices down.”

This article was originally published by WordinBlack.com.

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Key leaders and community members to convene for Baltimore’s 3rd annual economic development event

Baltimore, MD – The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) announces that registration for the third annual Baltimore Together Summit, set to take place on November 12, 2024, at Baltimore Center Stage, is now open. This year’s Summit will bring together community, government, and business leaders to continue the important dialogue of building a more inclusive and prosperous economic future for Baltimore City.

Launched as part of Baltimore’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), Baltimore Together seeks to address racial inequities and expand economic opportunities across the city. The Baltimore Together 2024 Progress Report and updated Implementation Matrix, to be released at the Summit, will highlight strategies for fostering inclusive economic growth and ensuring opportunities for all. The Summit will also celebrate key milestones from the past year, including the launch of the Baltimore Economy Dashboard, the release of Downtown RISE, and the city’s swift response to the Key Bridge collapse while looking ahead to new initiatives that promote growth and resilience.

“Baltimore Together is a collective vision that belongs to every resident, business, and organization in our city,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “This plan serves as our north star as we continue to create a more inclusive and vibrant economy. It’s about bringing everyone to the table, breaking down barriers, and ensuring that economic growth benefits all Baltimoreans, not just a select few. Together, we are building a future where opportunity is within reach for everyone in our city.”

The opening day of the 2024 Summit will feature discussions on key topics such as strategies to address vacant housing and West Baltimore redevelopment, ways businesses can drive positive change through civic engagement, and an in-depth look at the life sciences sector as a key driver of growth in Baltimore. Participants will hear from prominent speakers, including Tom Barkin, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Alice Kennedy, Commissioner, Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and Mayor Brandon M. Scott. 

Additionally, throughout the week, ten workshops will be held across the city, focusing on pivotal topics crucial to Baltimore’s economic development and growth, including youth entrepreneurship, West North Avenue revitalization, Baltimore’s film and television industry, and supporting and empowering small local businesses. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with experts, participate in interactive sessions, and contribute to shaping Baltimore’s economic future.

 “This Summit is more than a meeting; it’s a movement,” said Colin Tarbert, president and CEO of the BDC. “Baltimore Together reflects our commitment to overcoming economic disparities and building a thriving, resilient city. Our economy has been growing steadily for two decades, and despite challenges like the Key Bridge collapse, we are poised for even greater growth. This is our moment, and we welcome everyone to join us in shaping Baltimore’s future.”

This year’s Summit is made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, M&T Bank, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, BGE, and the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA). Last year’s Summit attracted over 700 registrants and more than 850 livestream participants. This year, the BDC aims to surpass those numbers by encouraging even broader community involvement. 

To be part of the Summit and join this important conversation, register today at www.BaltimoreTogether.com. For more information or to learn how your organization can get involved, please contact us at baltimoretogether@justeconomy.com.

About the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC)

The BDC is the economic development agency for the City of Baltimore. Our mission is to grow the city’s economy in an inclusive manner by retaining, expanding, and attracting businesses and promoting investment, thereby increasing career opportunities for residents.

 About Baltimore Together

Baltimore Together: A Platform for Inclusive Prosperity is a culmination of a two-year process to develop a five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Baltimore City. During this process, we gathered insights, feedback, and recommendations from more than 300 diverse voices representing business, government, and community.  However, this is much more than a report; this effort represents a commitment to driving economic growth in an inclusive and equitable manner to ensure everyone has the opportunity for success.

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By Nyame-kye Kondo
Special to the AFRO

Chesapeake Shakespeare Theatre’s production of  “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is now in its final weekend. 

The play is the second installment in a series written by August Wilson, called “The American Century Cycle,” (also known as the “Pittsburgh Cycle”), which chronicled the Black experience in America during the decades of the 20th Century. 

The current production of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is directed by KenYatta Rogers, and is part of a three-year initiative in Baltimore aimed at celebrating  Wilson. Theaters around the city are producing all 10 of Wilson’s plays chronologically for the first time in history. The first was “Gem of The Ocean,” which premiered at Arena Players in April.

“Baltimore has a vibrant, but siloed theatre community,” said Lesley Malin, producing executive director of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, in a statement. “Seemingly, there has never been a time when Baltimore theatres have worked together for a common artistic goal – a festival of productions.  Until now…”

“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is a piece of work that leaves not only space for the story of Blackness to be told, but for it to be reinterpreted for years to come.

August Wilson’s writing is the epitome of good storytelling. From the dialogue itself to the choices made by Rogers, Wilson’s writing is and forever will be, a stellar guide.

Written in 1984 and published and staged for the first time in 1986, “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is set in 1911 and takes place primarily in a boarding house during the Great Migration, a time where African Americans moved in droves from the American South in search of opportunities in the big cities of Chicago, Detroit and Pittsburgh. It follows the nomadic journey of mysterious traveler Herald Loomis, played by Josh Wilder, and his daughter Zonia Loomis, portrayed by young actress Kenya Mitchell, as they search for his long-lost wife in Pittsburgh. 

The varied and colorful characters Loomis encounters in the boarding house, each on their own journeys, become important catalysts for a cathartic release. The result is a vivid exploration of spirit, transcendence and the human ties that bind. 

Reimagined in the intimate but unique space of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Theatre in Downtown Baltimore, the set design includes a small kitchen, with a dining table, and a stairway that leads to an upper level. Rogers’ directorial vision is complimented by the unique stage lighting, illuminating the space while the intentionality of the set subtly acts as a necessary intermediary for character development. 

“Chesapeake Shakespeare’s thrust stage provides the perfect space to explore the themes of faith and sacrifice, isolation and belonging, bearing witness to the resilience, creative spirit within the Black American community,” Rogers noted in a press release. “Redemption comes from within and without, and utilizing elements of design and performance, we are crafting an immersive experience that connects ancestor to performer, performer to audience member, and audience member to one another as well as to themselves.”

It is obvious that Wilson’s words resonate with the actors, with thespians such as Jefferson A. Russel commanding the audience’s attention in the role of Seth Hall, the owner of the boarding house. 

Mecca Verdell, a staple of the regional Arts scene, plays the character Molly Cunningham. Verdell spoke to the power of Wilson’s words:

“August Wilson was able to write about communities and how they operate in a real, heartfelt and powerful manner. The characters in each decade are truly human in whatever circumstances they are. I think everyone should absorb Wilson’s work because it’s Black stories that are unapologetically Black without explaining what it means to be Black to Black people,” she said. “You have to pay attention to everything that August Wilson is putting inside the writing. Nothing is by accident. As a poet myself, I was able to pick up on how August Wilson layered imagery and metaphors …The play is much like a poem to me. A poem has repeating verses that keep finding themselves until it has new meaning. Much like these characters.”

Verdell told the AFRO that she was familiar with Wilson’s plays via the work of Phylicia Rashad and Viola Davis, who have popularized the playwright’s work for younger generations. However, this is the first time she’d been in a play written by Wilson.  

“This feels like one of those moments where all the work I’ve done as a performer has led me to this,” said Verdell. “I had a mission this year to only do Black, contemporary work and being a part of this August Wilson Celebration means so much. This work gives me a sense of freedom to be as authentic as I like —being a Black actor— while also making me a student with every performance we have.”

It’s young artists like Verdell that link younger generations to Wilson’s timeless work. 

“He really depicted what was going on in the 1900s and how slavery destroyed the Black family,” said theater patron Damien Maddox. “All of his plays depict something that was relevant then and is still relevant now. It’s like we can’t break the cycles.” 

The post ‘Joe Turner’s Come and Gone’  in final weekend at Chesapeake Shakespeare Theatre appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor 
dbailey@afro.com

So, you’re cleaning up your diet, your exercise routine is finally consistent and you’re thinking now is the time to start adding nutritional supplements, natural herbs and products to take your healthy lifestyle goals to the next level. 

But where do you start?

The Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area (DMV) hosts a wide range of natural health food stores and herbal shops to get started on a natural wellness journey that is right for you. 

The first thing to think about is the kind of store you feel most comfortable exploring. Smaller shops, like D.C.’s Dynamic Health and Wellness, can offer specialized service and an individual connection with experienced staff, who are linked with both the community and herbal health. People like Evette H., one of the specialists at the small store on its H Street location. 

“We’re headed into the cold and flu season. Everybody’s starting to move inside and not getting enough vitamin D3,” said Evette. “So that’s a good place to start, along with the right magnesium.

“Elderberry and vitamin C are also good places to begin,” Evette added. “Most of us are always in need to strengthen the immune system, and good quality, basic supplements offer a good start.”

Evette is a fan of sea moss, a plant she says is one of the healthiest for overall health. 

“People from the Caribbean and other nations have always known about sea moss, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, it began to be more popular with Americans,” she said. Dynamic Health and Wellness has sold the raw plant for more than 15 years but sells the supplements as well. 

The nationally regarded Cleveland Clinic indicates that although sea moss and its supplements have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they are safe for consumption. The Cleveland Clinic considers sea moss as a “superfood,” helpful with immunity, gut health and blood sugar management. 

Blue Nile, located on Georgia Avenue near Howard University, is another dependable Black-owned herbal shop serving D.C.’s Shaw community with natural remedies for close to 50 years. The unassuming yellow and blue sign outside the small row house belies the abundance of herbs, remedies, teas and tinctures inside.  

Blue Nile staff member and health enthusiast Ramon Thompson is especially concerned about lower levels of immunity against illness affecting many Black people.  Like Evette, Thompson agrees that Black Americans usually need higher levels of B3.  He also has other helpful hints for everyone using natural remedies to remain in optimal health while getting ahead of cold and flu season.  

“I normally tell my clients to get started in August, before cold and flu season has set in. But if you are just getting started, supplements or teas like echinacea and pine needles can boost your immune system,” Thompson said.

Thompson also recommends that clients brand new to medicinal herbs stop by between 4-6 p.m. to discuss specific health concerns and wellness goals. 

“There’s a natural way to address most of our health issues. We just need to take the time to prioritize wellness,” he added. 

The DMV is also a great place for health food co-ops, stores owned by members instead of corporate investors. GLUT, a health food co-op in Mt. Rainier, Maryland, just blocks from the northeast D.C. border, is the granddaddy of DMV health food co-ops. 

Anyone who has ever walked up 34th street in tiny Mt. Rainier has seen the huge carrot outside of GLUT’s building. 

“Many people come to us looking for herbal remedies. We want all our co-op members to start their search for herbal remedies by being informed,” said Steve Smallwood, GLUT staffer. Smallwood has been part of the GLUT community for 15 years.  

Smallwood recommends the book “Prescription for Herbal Healing” by Phyllis Balch to co-op members as they begin to explore the world of herbal remedies.  

Although Smallwood is not a licensed herbalist, his years with GLUT have given him experience with many common wellness concerns people come searching for herbal cures to address, including organ cleansing, prostate issues for men and hormone balance for women. 

‘’If you are interested in an organ cleanse, start with the colon,’ Smallwood says to customers asking about cleansing other organs such as the liver and kidney. “A basic colon cleanse will help other cleanses to be more effective.

He added, “Learning to fast is also a basic healthy practice for persons seeking to take their wellness journey to the next level.”

The co-op employee’s final advice was that not all cures fit all.

“Every remedy is individual, based on the client’s health profile,’’ he said. 

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By Chris O’Meara, Brendan Farrington and Ty O’Neil
The Associated Press

LITHIA, Fla. (AP) — Florida residents slogged through flooded streets, gathered up scattered debris and assessed damage to their homes on Oct. 11 after Hurricane Milton smashed through coastal communities and spawned a barrage of deadly tornadoes.

At least 10 people were dead, and rescuers were still saving people from swollen rivers, but many expressed relief that Milton wasn’t worse. The hurricane spared densely populated Tampa a direct hit, and the lethal storm surge that scientists feared never materialized.

Gov. Ron DeSantis warned people to not let down their guard, however, citing ongoing safety threats including downed power lines and standing water that could hide dangerous objects.

“We’re now in the period where you have fatalities that are preventable,” DeSantis said. “You have to make the proper decisions and know that there are hazards out there.”

About 2.2 million customers remained without power in the state, according to poweroutage.us. St. Petersburg’s 260,000 residents were told to boil water before drinking, cooking or brushing their teeth, until at least Oct. 14. 

Also Oct. 11, the owner of a major phosphate mine disclosed that pollution spilled into Tampa Bay during the hurricane.

The Mosaic Company said in a statement that heavy rains from the storm overwhelmed a collection system at its Riverview site, pushing excess water out of a manhole and into discharges that lead to the bay. The company said the leak was fixed Oct. 10.

Mosaic said the spill likely exceeded a 17,500-gallon minimum reporting standard, though it did not provide a figure for what the total volume might have been.

Calls and emails to Mosaic seeking additional information about Riverview and the company’s other Florida mines received no response, as did a voicemail left with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The state has 25 such stacks containing more than 1 billion tons of phosphogypsum, a solid waste byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer mining industry that contains radium, which decays to form radon gas. Both radium and radon are radioactive and can cause cancer. Phosphogypsum may also contain toxic heavy metals and other carcinogens, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury and nickel.

Florida’s vital tourism industry has started to return to normal, meanwhile, as Walt Disney World and other theme parks reopened. The state’s busiest airport, in Orlando, resumed full operations Oct. 11.

Arriving just two weeks after the devastating Hurricane Helene, Milton flooded barrier islands, tore the roof off the Tampa Bay Rays ‘ baseball stadium and toppled a construction crane.

Crews from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 11 were assisting with rescues of people, including a 92-year-old woman, who were stranded in rising waters along the Alafia River. The river is 25 miles (40 kilometers) long and runs from eastern Hillsborough County, east of Tampa, into Tampa Bay.

In Pinellas County, deputies used high-water vehicles to shuttle people back and forth to their homes in a flooded Palm Harbor neighborhood where waters continued to rise.

Ashley Cabrera left with her 18- and 11-year-old sons and their three dogs, Eeyore, Poe and Molly. It was the first time since Milton struck that they had been able to leave the neighborhood, and they were now headed to a hotel in Orlando.

“I’m extremely thankful that we could get out now and go for the weekend somewhere we can get a hot meal and some gas,” Cabrera said. “I thought we’d be able to get out as soon as the storm was over. These roads have never flooded like this in all the years that I’ve lived here.”

Animals were being saved, too. Cindy Evers helped rescue a large pig stuck in high water at a strip mall in Lithia, east of Tampa. She had already rescued a donkey and several goats after the storm.

“I’m high and dry where I’m at, and I have a barn and 9 acres,” Evers said, adding that she will soon start to work to find the animals’ owners.

In the Gulf Coast city of Venice, Milton left behind several feet of sand in some beachfront condos, with one unit nearly filled. A swimming pool was packed full of sand, with only its handrails poking out.

Some warnings were heeded and lessons learned. When 8 feet (2.4 meters) of seawater flooded Punta Gorda during Hurricane Helene last month, 121 people had to be rescued, Mayor Lynne Matthews said. Milton brought at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) of flooding, but rescuers only had to save three people.

“So people listened to the evacuation order,” Matthews said.

Heaps of fruit were scattered across the ground and trees toppled over after both Milton and Hurricane Helene swept through Polk County and other orange-growing regions, Matt Joyner of trade group Florida Citrus Mutual said Oct. 11.

Milton arrived at the start of the orange growing season, so it is still too early to evaluate the full scope of the damage.

Florida has already seen orange production diminish over the years, with the industry still recovering from hurricanes of years past while also waging an ongoing battle against a deadly greening disease. Milton could be the knockout punch for some growers, Joyce said.

In the western coastal city of Clearwater, Kelvin Glenn said it took less than an hour early Oct. 10 for water to rise to his waist inside his apartment. He and seven children, ranging in age from 3 to 16, were trapped in the brown, foul floodwaters for about three hours before an upstairs neighbor opened their home to them.

Later that day, first responders arrived in boats to ferry them away from the building.

“Sitting in that cold, nasty water was kind of bad,” Glenn said.

Short-term survival is now turning into long-term worries. A hotel is $160 a night. Everything inside Glenn’s apartment is gone. And it can take time to get assistance.

“I ain’t going to say we’re homeless,” Glenn said. “But we’ve got to start all over again.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has enough money to deal with the immediate needs of people impacted by Helene and Milton but will need additional funding at some point, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said Oct. 11.

The disaster assistance fund helps pay for the swift response to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and other disasters. Congress recently replenished the fund with $20 billion — the same amount as last year.

___

Farrington reported from St. Petersburg, Florida. Associated Press journalists Terry Spencer outside of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Stephany Matat in Fort Pierce, Florida; Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale; Lolita Baldor and Michael Biesecker in Washington; and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed.

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“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, 
examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.

Former President Barack Obama just ignited a firestorm of debate about Black men and manhood. Speaking to Black men in Pittsburgh on Thursday, Obama warned about the attitude of “sitting out” of the election “or supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you because you think that’s a sign of strength.” “Putting women down” is “not acceptable,” he said. 

His comment sparked criticism from those who felt Obama was scolding Black men again. I have a more nuanced take with two key points.

Black Men Are a Success Story

First, Black men are a success story for Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party. After all the gaslighting from Republicans about Black men leaving the Democratic Party four years ago, Joe Biden won 87%  of the vote from Black men in 2020. That makes us the second most loyal constituency of the Democratic Party. Only Black women, who voted 95% for Biden, are more supportive. 

A Washington Post-Ipsos poll last month found Black men overwhelmingly support Harris over Trump on every issue, including abortion, crime, the economy, and immigration. The Pew Research Center found that Black men are more confident in Kamala Harris than Trump to make good decisions about issues that affect us. A CNN poll last month found very little gender divide among Black voters. And research this summer found that Black men in Georgia supported Kamala Harris and strongly disapproved of Trump. 

RELATED: Stop Lying, Trump Didn’t Solve Black Unemployment

That means Kamala Harris will probably win 85 to 90% of Black men. That’s good news, and Black men should be celebrated for that. 

Personally, I don’t understand how any Black man could vote for Trump after he led a lynch mob against the now exonerated Central Park Five, lied about Barack Obama’s birth certificate, blackballed Colin Kapernick out of the NFL, and bragged about bringing back racist policing tactics like stop-and-frisk. But I also know that unanimity of opinion is unattainable. No candidate or party is ever going to get 100% of Black people to support them, but 87% is pretty damn good. 

That’s why I’ve said before that we can’t pathologize Black men for our voting patterns when other groups, mainly white women, are the real problem.

An Internal Conversation With Black Men

That brings me to my second point. Contrary to the hot takes on social media, I don’t think Obama was scolding or pathologizing Black men. Instead, he was having an internal conversation with Black men to get us to examine some of the reasons that some of us don’t support Kamala Harris. That’s why the Black men Obama was speaking to in the room seemed to agree with him. 

The question is how do you increase voter turnout for Black men, when 66% of Black men said they planned to vote compared to 71% of Black women, and that tiny gap could make a huge difference in a close election.

RELATED: 10 Big Lies Trump and the Republicans Tell About Kamala Harris

Obama made a point that a small but vocal contingent of men, including Black men, refuse to support any woman candidate for president. Many of them have unrealistically high expectations for Kamala Harris but don’t hold Trump to the same standards. 

One Black man in Pennsylvania told reporters he plans to vote for Trump because Harris “doesn’t come from a background similar to the majority of Black Americans.” That makes no sense. Does he think a white man who spent his career refusing to rent to Black people and spreading racist lies about us understands the Black experience better than a Black woman who grew up in Oakland, attended Howard University, and joined AKA sorority? I’m sorry. I call bullshit. That man just doesn’t want to vote for a woman.

Obama wasn’t speaking to all Black men. He was speaking to that man and to the Black men who have no problem with Trump selling cheap mugshots and $400 gold sneakers as “Black outreach” but when a Black woman who spent her entire life around Black people tries to get them to vote for her it’s considered “pandering.” Just stop lying about why you’re voting for Trump because you’re making yourself sound ridiculous. 

“And you’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses, I’ve got a problem with that,” Obama said. “Because part of it makes me think — and I’m speaking to men directly — part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.”

It’s the exact same message that Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul delivered on the “Win With Black Men” Zoom call with 40,000 Black men supporting Kamala Harris in July. “Sometimes as Black men we get confused as to what strength is, and sometimes we think that standing behind a Black woman as a leader does not display strength as Black men,” Raoul said. 

So why are we acting all new with Obama?

He wasn’t just focused on Black men. He delivered a similar message to all men at a rally in Pittsburgh the same day. “I’m sorry, gentlemen — I’ve noticed this, especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior, the bullying and the putting people down, is a sign of strength,” he said. “I am here to tell you that is not what real strength is and has never been.”

Obama is asking all men, including Black men, to rethink our relationship with women in positions of power, and to reevaluate our understanding of manhood.

Being a man is not about controlling women, mocking the weak, or insulting the vulnerable. That’s a caricature of manhood that Trump creates. Manhood is about honesty, fairness, responsibility, duty, and courage. A real man is secure enough in his identity to stand up in a crowd of “yes men” and tell them “No” when they do wrong.

True manhood is powerful. It’s about using our strength not just to help ourselves, but to help those in need.

Keith Boykin is a New York Times–bestselling author, TV and film producer, and former CNN political commentator. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Keith served in the White House, cofounded the National Black Justice Coalition, cohosted the BET talk show My Two Cents, and taught at the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University in New York. He’s a Lambda Literary Award-winning author and editor of seven books. He lives in Los Angeles.

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By Nick Jones
Abel Communications

Readers of the Visit Baltimore 2024-2025 Fall and Winter guide will see a familiar face early on, as AFRO News and Afro Charities leadership authored the issue’s lead story “Printing Progress.”

The AFRO is the oldest Black-owned business in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, and reported on the civil rights movement at every step. Now they are taking readers through the journey at the tail end of what Gov. Moore declared, “Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights.”

The piece is written by AFRO Publisher and CEO Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper and Afro Charities Executive Director Savannah Wood, both members of the founding Murphy family.

Featuring historical photos from the AFRO Archives, the story takes readers from the AFRO’s founding in the early 1890s, to the company’s exciting future plans.

“The AFRO is part of Baltimore’s story, and we are honored to share a bit of history with Visit Baltimore readers,” said Draper. “As leaders in the Black Press locally and nationwide, we document the people, places and stories that make Black History complete.”

Wood noted the important role Charm City has played in the records of time.

“Baltimore consistently punches above its weight when it comes to nationally significant history,” said Wood. “So much of that history is documented in the AFRO Archives. While we await our new headquarters, we’re proud to partner with museums and cultural spaces throughout the city to display these rich resources.”

Examples of AFRO-documented history can be found throughout Baltimore, including at the

National Great Blacks in Wax museum, the Lillie Carroll Jackson Museum, the Maryland Center for History and Culture and more.

In 2026, Afro Charities is set to open a state-of-the-art research center to house the AFRO

Archives, and serve as headquarters for both Afro Charities and AFRO News.

To learn more about the AFRO, visit afro.com. To support the AFRO Archives, visit afrocharities.org/donate.

About the AFRO

The AFRO is the oldest Black-owned business in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, and the third-oldest in the United States. For over 130 years, the AFRO has offered a platform for images and stories that advance the Black community, fulfilling the vision of John H. Murphy Sr., a formerly enslaved man who founded the publication with his wife, Martha Howard Murphy. Today, through the leadership of Murphy’s great-granddaughter, Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, the AFRO remains the Black Media Authority, providing readers with good news about the Black community not otherwise found.

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By Wayne Campbell

“Mental health is not a destination but a process.”- Noam Shpancer, PhD.

Oftentimes, we discount the association between work and the state of our mental health and this is problematic. The work place is frequently a site of conflicts, gossip. Toxic, stress, strained interpersonal relationships.  The world of work is rooted in a culture of meeting deadlines and eventually this unrealistic messaging takes a toll on one’s mental health. In addition to the complexities and intersections concerning the workplace, there is stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health.

Unfortunately, many employees do not know where to turn for mental health support and therefore they suffer in silence.  Poor working conditions, victimization, and other unhealthy working situations pose a serious risk to our overall quality of life and productivity. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that with 60 percent of the global population in work, urgent action is needed to ensure work prevents risks to mental health and protects and supports mental health at work.  This clearly means that mental health at the workplace is a serious issue to be discussed.  

World Mental Health Day takes place annually on Oct. 10. The day is set aside to raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues.  It is critical for governments, employers, the organizations which represent workers and employers, and other stakeholders responsible for workers’ health and safety to work together to improve mental health at work.  Depression, anxiety and panic attacks are all real life experiences which can be very much debilitating.  

Poor mental health can lead to decreased performance, absence from work, and increased staff turnover. Depression and anxiety alone result in the loss of approximately 12 billion workdays each year.  Reducing workplace discrimination through awareness, training, and engagement with people living with mental health conditions creates healthier, more inclusive work environments​. 

History of World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day was established on Oct. 10, 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. Since then, it has been observed every year with the aim of raising awareness in the global community about critical mental health agendas through collaboration with various partners to take action and create lasting change. Over the years, this day has gained momentum, becoming a platform for governments, organizations and individuals to develop initiatives that focus on various aspects of mental health care.

Mental Health A Basic Human Right

As human beings we are all susceptible and vulnerable to mental health challenges. Although governments and employers have the primary responsibility to protect and promote mental health at work, you can take steps to support your own well-being. Learn techniques to manage stress and stay mindful of changes in your mental health. If needed, reach out for support from a trusted friend, family member, colleague, supervisor or health professional. 

Although mental health is a basic human right, the costs associated with treating mental disorders can be rather prohibitive. As a result, more can and should be done to support mental wellness. One practical step in support of mental health comes via health insurances. In many jurisdictions, health insurance does not cover the cost associated with receiving counseling and this is yet another barrier to mental wellness. Each employee should have a minimum number of paid counseling services visits per annum.  The management and care of mental health takes various stakeholders including psychologists.   

Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health. This includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community.  What is needed is more public/ private collaboration in mental health care services.   In fact, the National Standards Curriculum should rigorously interrogate the issue of mental health wellness at both the primary and the secondary levels.  There is also an urgent need for the government to revitalize community mental health services.  This is especially important in this post pandemic era.  As a society, we must be proactive regarding mental wellness and as such we should consider creating a specific category of leave days for mental health. It is also very important to acknowledge and cater to our spiritual side.  Addressing mental wellness takes into consideration all aspects of our beings.  Additionally, men who actively seek out mental health services are oftentimes viewed as weak and this is yet another barrier to mental wellness. Every leader and employee can play a role in promoting workplace mental health.  

Changing Workplace Culture

Employers and employees must work together to change the workplace culture to one of diversity, support, and tolerance.  Let us show we care about mental health and implement where necessary measures at the workplace to assist our fellow colleagues and indeed ourselves to cope with life’s ups and downs. Some of these measures can be as simple as being a Source of Social Support. Let us all try to engage in active listening with some colleagues and provide emotional support. If you are in a supervisory role, it is important for you to proactively build a psychologically safe environment, be a role model for mental health practices, and be a source of social support for those within your team.  The state of our mental health impacts our overall health. Finally, where necessary we should encourage our colleagues to take their earned vacation leave in order to rejuvenate themselves so they can give of their best. In some cases you might need to change careers or place of work in order to restore that peace of mind which is so very important for mental wellness. Our thoughts are important in safeguarding our state of mental wellness. Therefore, it is critical that the workplace be seen as healthy and conducive to enhance our mental health.   

On this World Mental Health Day let us all show some empathy and compassion especially in the workplace.

In the words of Michelle Obama, we would never tell someone with a broken leg that they should stop wallowing and get it together. We don’t consider taking medication for an ear infection something to be ashamed of. We shouldn’t treat mental health conditions any differently. 

#WorldMentalHealthDay

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These two women have consistently demonstrated their dedication not only to the Black community but to all constituents, regardless of their leadership roles.

Harris announced her candidacy for the presidency on July 27. A Howard University alumna and proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Harris has a long history of public service. She joined the California Bar Association in 1990 and began her career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County. From there, she advanced to become the first woman elected as San Francisco district attorney, then served as California’s attorney general from 2011 to 2016. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2017, she represented California until joining the Biden administration as vice president.

During her time as vice president, Harris has been an influential advocate on issues such as reproductive rights and voting rights protections. She was instrumental in passing the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act and securing $16 billion in support for historically Black colleges and universities. Her advocacy extends to Black farmers, small business owners, and initiatives to reduce Black unemployment and increase generational wealth among Black entrepreneurs.

Similarly, Alsobrooks, a Maryland Democrat and distinguished member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is poised to make history. A win for Harris would make her the first woman president of the U.S., and a victory for Alsobrooks would mark Maryland’s first Black woman senator.

Alsobrooks faces former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin. The AFRO endorsed Alsobrooks as the Democratic nominee in the Maryland primary and joins other prominent Maryland leaders, such as House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones and Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, in supporting her. Former President Barack Obama also recently endorsed her, highlighting her record on public safety.

The AFRO is proud to be in the number of supporters for Alsobrooks, which at one time included former Gov. Larry Hogan. 

In a 2022 live stream, still available on verified Youtube and Meta (Facebook) pages for the former state official, then Gov. Larry Hogan praised Alsobrooks for her “incredible leadership,” and even though his own father held the office of Prince George’s County executive from Dec. 1978 to Dec. 19, 1982, Hogan said “I can’t remember a better county executive than Angela Alsobrooks.” 

The outcome of this race could impact which party controls the U.S. Senate. Currently, Democrats hold 48 seats, and two independents caucus with them, while Republicans have 50 seats. Harris, as vice president, has the power to cast tie-breaking votes, giving Democrats a slim majority.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who endorsed Alsobrooks last October, praised her efforts to build schools and attract jobs to Prince George’s County.

 “In our Maryland, we have lowered homicides, made historic investments in education, brought record-low unemployment to the state, and signed some of the strongest laws in America to protect reproductive freedoms. Angela Alsobrooks has been a partner every step of the way,” Moore said.

Alsobrooks has supported economic development in her county and was instrumental in securing the new FBI headquarters bid last year.
For these reasons, the AFRO is proud to endorse both Kamala Harris for president and Angela Alsobrooks for the U.S. Senate. Remember to register to vote by Oct. 15 and plan to cast your ballot on Nov. 5.

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By Reginald Williams
Special to the AFRO

Slow-moving showers hovered over Asheville, N.C., on Sept. 25. At the time, Hurricane Helene was a Category 1 hurricane, swelling on Cancun’s eastern Gulf of Mexico. By the evening of Sept. 26, that Category 1 hurricane dumped more than nine inches of rain on Asheville, and by noon Sept. 27, the city, perched 2,134 feet above sea level and 392 miles to the nearest coastal waters, began to feel the unimaginable devastation of being submerged by floodwaters. By the afternoon of Sept. 27, the Category 1 storm grew to a Category 4, causing residents in North Carolina to flee in search of safety.

The breath of Helene’s raging rivers stretched for more than 600 miles through ten states, with the most intense destruction in North Carolina. Meteorologists estimated that between four and five months of rain descended on Asheville in three days. 

“You have entire communities that are gone. They have just washed away,” Janice Royall Garland, who lives approximately 10 minutes outside the city limits of Asheville in Weaverville, told the AFRO. “It is phenomenal. This is scary.”

Janice Royall Garland, her husband Mike, and her mother were without power from Sept 26. to Sept 28. The power outage severed access to water. The Garlands use well water, which has a pump that requires a power source. They, too, had intermittent cell tower access, making it challenging to contact their families. 

“At first, it was disheartening because we didn’t see anything in the way of help coming for days,” Janice Royall Garland said. “Now we see the convoys of power companies from other states coming to help.” 

Mudslides and buried roadways left residents with sparse access to rescue crews. Several ambulances attempting to render aid instead ended up floating in the raging waters, along with the cars and houses of residents. 

The torrential rain floods robbed people of their homes and the memories stored in them. Lives were also lost. Fatalities in Asheville rose above 40 on Oct. 2. Nationwide, more than 160 people are reported dead, according to The Associated Press. Dead bodies were reported to be trapped in trees and floating in rivers of stormwater, resembling the sights and sounds of Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 tropical cyclone that landed in New Orleans. That storm was responsible for 1,392 deaths and an estimated $125 billion in damages.  

In Tallahassee, Fla. residents like Perry Kalip and his mother, Martha Kale, sought shelter at a school in the area. In fear of falling victim to the storm’s rapidly changing conditions, the pair traveled to Fairview Middle School in search of a safe place to wait out the hurricane. 

Before Helene landed in Asheville, it traveled unexpectedly through Augusta, Ga., providing a destructive punch to the Georgians. 

“That storm sat on top of this area for three hours,” declared Mohra Hill-Smith. “We had those 80 mile per hour  high winds and two tornadoes in those three hours. The community has taken a hit.”

Hill-Smith feels blessed while needing a new roof and siding, stating that fallen trees have split a few of her neighbor’s homes in half. Like Asheville, Augusta experienced no power, irregular cellular service, and the inability to find gas. 

“When I left on Saturday, there was no food in the stores. The drug stores were closed. I couldn’t get my medication. Gas stations three hours, and longer waits,” explained Hill-Smith. “It was very dire straits.” 

In an attempt to reach safety, Hill, a cancer patient on oral medication, traveled on Sept. 28 with a friend to Conyers, Ga. While there, a new emergency confronted them. 

“On Sunday, we woke up to an emergency alert in Conyers stating there was a chemical fire in the area. We were put under a mandatory shelter-in-place for two days. So, we left one disaster and went to another disaster,” explained Hill.

Because of Asheville’s climate and its projected safety from severe weather, realtors tabbed the city as a prime living destination. However, the confluence of the Swannanoa River and the French Broad River, which sandwich the city of Asheville, is why the town and neighboring communities fell victim to flood waters. Subsequently, Asheville’s physical infrastructure will take years to rebuild, they’ll also have to repair its social infrastructure. 

There is never a good time to be devastated by a violent rainstorm, but this may be the worst time. Asheville, which rests in the foothills of North Carolina, is a tourist community primarily because of the region’s climate and environment set on the backdrop of the ethereal Blue Ridge Mountains. September through early November is the time of year when the city experiences its most significant economic impact. 

Janice Royall Garland said she found some deliverance despite the storm’s devastation. She says the storm washed away—at least momentarily—the political descent that fractured North Carolina residents before Helene.

“On our little road, we’re seeing a sense of community,” shares Janice Royall Garland. “You can Google people in the area and see how they will vote, but with things like this, those differences are set aside. You see people hauling water, and they ask, ‘Do you need drinking water, flushing water, or both? What do you need? Frankly, I’m over the whole election thing. Since last Thursday, nobody is talking about it. Instead, it’s do you have water? What do you need? Gas? What do you need?’ That’s the shift in thinking when these kinds of things happen.”

According to information released by the White House, “In total, FEMA has shipped over 8.5 million meals, more than 7 million liters of water, 150 generators and over 220,000 tarps to aid response efforts for this historic storm.” 

The Biden Administration also said that “FEMA assistance in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia can include a one-time $750 payment to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies.” 

“After registering for disaster assistance, individuals may also qualify to receive disaster-related financial assistance to repair storm-related damage to homes and replace personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay,” reported information released by White House officials. “Homeowners and renters with damage to their home or personal property from previous disasters, whether they received FEMA funds or not, are still eligible to apply for and receive assistance for Hurricane Helene.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Supreme Court of Maryland visited Frederick Douglass High School, now situated at Northwestern High School’s former campus, on Oct. 2 to hold off-site oral arguments. Students from 15 Baltimore City public schools, private schools and universities attended the proceedings, including Baltimore City College High School, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Morgan State University and Forest Park High School.

This is the third time Maryland’s highest court has hosted oral arguments outside of its headquarters in Annapolis, Md.

“Last year, our court voted unanimously to find a sufficient cause to sit on a rotational basis at various locations across the state in order to provide an educational opportunity like this one to high school and college students,” said Justice Shirley M. Watts, who represents Baltimore City. “That I can find or document, this is the first time that this very court has ever sat in Baltimore City.”

Watts is the longest-serving justice on the court. She became the first Black woman judge on the Maryland Supreme Court in 2013 after being appointed by former Governor Martin O’Malley.

She noted that Frederick Douglass High School was a fitting location for the court to sit.

“Justice Thurgood Marshall was a graduate of Frederick Douglass High School,” said Watts. “Founded in 1883, Frederick Douglass High School was the first school in the state of Maryland to offer high school education to African-American students.”

The court heard oral arguments in two cases at the school: Homer Walton, et al. v. Premier Soccer Club, et al. and State of Maryland v. Dominick Scarboro.

The former involves whether a violation of Maryland’s concussion policy can be considered the main cause of a concussion injury. The latter surrounds whether an appellant is responsible for proving whether the closure of a courtroom is a significant enough issue that it violates their constitutional right to a public trial.

The oral arguments took place on the 57th anniversary of Marshall, being sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court. Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader said the event was an opportunity for justices to interact with the state’s young people.

“Holding oral arguments in the community, especially in schools, is an important part of the Maryland Judiciary’s community outreach efforts, which help further public understanding of the work of the courts,” said Fader in a statement. “Holding arguments outside of Annapolis provides an opportunity to bring civic education directly to students, teachers and the local community and to give the members of the court the opportunity to meet and engage with students.”

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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. 

The post Layoffs begin for Circulator employees in D.C. as phase-out plans continue appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ralph E. Moore Jr.
Special to the AFRO

There are 16 predominantly Black Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, but by Christmas Day 2024, there will only be seven.  

Nine congregations will be removed from their then shuttered church homes and folded into other churches. Under a plan announced earlier this year in May, the number of parishes in Baltimore, sadly, will be reduced from 61 to 23. And unfortunately, the plan entitled obscurely, “Seek the City to Come,” will affect Black Catholic parishes at a greater rate than White or Hispanic parishes. Proportionately speaking, more Black Catholics will be evicted from their church home than any other racial group in the city.

Churches are being merged into other churches because the archdiocese thinks the number of Sunday attendees is too low and the costs of maintaining church buildings are becoming increasingly unaffordable. There is no talk of faith in their calculations– only finance. No talk of the historic racism practiced in Catholic churches for centuries included segregated seating, ushers ignoring Blacks in predominantly White churches and seminaries and convents refusing to admit Blacks. 

African Americans remained faithful to God in the past while waiting for Whites to receive communion first before anyone Black could partake of the Blessed Sacrament– a form of White supremacy even at the highest of Christian religious ceremonies.

Again, Black Catholic churches and schools have routinely been shut down within the Catholic Church in the United States. We have remained faithful through enslavement, segregation, mass incarceration and mass poverty.

And so, church authorities counting on our strong faith in God announced the closing of nine of the 16 Black Catholic churches, surprising members, disappointing and angering most Black Catholics in the oldest Catholic archdiocese in the nation.

The church hierarchy, represented by Urban Vicar Bruse Lewandowski and Archbishop William J. Lori, are treating Black Catholics and others as if pieces on their hierarchical chess board, moving parishioners around while disrupting routine Sunday travel and congregations’ familiar membership and in-house practices.

We are overwhelmingly elderly congregants in the Black churches and most expected to be funeralized from their church home. So, that expectation will itself die. 

The Black Catholic churches that will remain in place are St. Bernadine; St. Ambrose; New All Saints; St. Veronica and St. Francis Xavier. Merged into St. Bernadine will be: St. Edward, St. Gregory, St. Peter Claver and St. Pius V. 

New All Saints Church will absorb St. Cecilia and Immaculate Conception (the church in Baltimore City, not the church of the same name in Towson). Also, Blessed Sacrament Church will be merged into St. Matthew Church along with several others.  Finally, St. Francis Xavier Church will absorb the congregations and incomes of St. Ann and St. Wenceslaus churches, while their buildings will be closed. 

The nine Black Catholic churches will be shut down in the middle of the Thanksgiving to Christmas holiday season. The official date is Dec. 1, 2024. It will make the statement from the archdiocese to Black and other churches: “Merry Christmas, you’re closed!” 

Sounds very heartless, because it is!.

When Baltimore had a majority White population, most Catholic churches in the city were White.  But as white folks moved out of the city to the suburbs following the 1954 Brown decision, which ruled against racial segregation in schools and elsewhere by extension, inner-city church congregations became mostly Black. Even more Whites moved out of the city following the assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968.  Black Catholics (the remnant) remained in Catholic Churches sustaining them for decades. 

Certainly, Black folks moved to the suburbs, too.  But most to this day have returned to their home church traveling distances of three, four, five and six miles to get back to the church in the neighborhood where they grew up and where some attended the church’s local Catholic school.  

The Archdiocesan bishops with their “Seek the City to Come” decrees have done nothing but wreak havoc within the diocese.  Some pastors have already been removed.  Vacant church buildings will be added to neighborhoods already struggling with vacant houses. And congregations of strangers in the past forced together by the bishops have often not been able to get along.

The day St. Ann Church closes is the day I leave Catholicism for good. Dec. 1, 2024 I will say goodbye to 72 years of being Catholic since I was three months old.  Others will leave too, I am told.

The post Multiple Catholic church homes set to permanently close in December appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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.

October 7, 2024

Photo: soccer4460 via 123RF

While each person’s journey differs, many of us will share a few life events requiring significant investments. These milestones include major purchases, such as a first car or home. They also include investments in education, such as college or pursuing advanced degrees. Getting married, having children, and retiring are stages of life that bring financial changes. Discover what tools are available to prepare you for large expenses and specific life events. 

When preparing for financial milestones, it is wise to have a few financial tools available, including:

• A good credit score.
• A savings account for specific large purchases or emergencies.
• Investment accounts.

Purchasing Your First Car

Often, your first considerable expense is a car. Whether it is a new or pre-owned car, you may need to borrow money to pay for the vehicle in full. Car loans allow you to make monthly payments for a pre-determined length of time, typically between 24 and 72 months. The larger your downpayment (how much you can pay upfront), the lower your monthly payments will be. 

The annual percentage rate (APR), which includes interest and fees, will impact your monthly and overall total cost. Compare loans and rates from banks and dealerships to understand all the loan terms and how much the actual total cost of the car will be. 

Paying for College 

Rising tuition costs make college an increasingly expensive endeavor. Tuition, room and board, books, supplies, and travel expenses can quickly add up. 529 College Savings Plans allow you to save post-taxed dollars without paying earned income tax as long as the money is used for educational purposes. 

Other options for yourself or your children include scholarships, grants, and loans. Federal student loans typically have lower interest rates, and repayment options are based on financial need. Private lenders and banks also offer student loans. Beyond paying for college, student checking accounts and credit cards allow young adults to start building credit and manage their money with low credit limits and other safety nets. 

Getting Your First Job

With your first full-time job often comes additional responsibilities of paying rent and other bills. At the end of the month, there may not be a lot of money left over. However, saving and investing even a little bit every month can set you up for long-term financial success. Starting to invest at a young age allows for your money to compound or grow exponentially for longer. By adding the interest earned each year to your investments, your money has the potential to grow significantly. 

If your job offers a 401(k) retirement plan or payment matches, take advantage of it! If you don’t have this option at your job, consider opening a traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA). A high-yield savings account is an excellent place to start saving for large purchases and rainy-day funds. 

Photo: plaping via 123RF

The Wedding and Beyond

Weddings are another considerable expense, with an average cost of $33,000 in 2024. While you can finance these costs with a credit card or even a wedding loan, the best option is to create a budget and accumulate the money in a savings account. 

After the wedding, many couples merge finances and open joint checking and savings accounts. Kellogg School Eli Finkel reports that “researchers determined that a joint bank account can help couples align their financial goals and adhere to communal norms, rather than behave in a more transactional way.” 

Buying a House

Somewhere along the way, you may decide to buy a home, which usually involves a mortgage. Applying for a mortgage will determine whether you can afford a home and for how much. Understanding the difference between fixed and adjustable rates, insurance requirements, and closing costs is essential. Later, once you have built up equity, you may qualify for a home equity loan (HELOC) for improvements or other expenses.

Having Children

Bringing children into the world may prompt you to explore life insurance options to protect your family from financial hardship if something happens to you. Term life insurance covers a chosen period, typically 10, 20, or 30 years. If you keep the policy active, whole life or permanent life insurance provides coverage until your death. These policies have higher premiums with a portion that builds cash value. With both types of plans, you will name beneficiaries to receive the money if you die. 

Preparedness and smart decision-making can protect your financial well-being at each life stage. Building trusting relationships with your bank, financial advisors, and other institutions can create valuable resources. Their guidance can help you navigate the varying financial tools available for each milestone.

The post Essential Financial Products for Every Major Life Event appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Johnathan Landrum Jr. and Hillel Italie
The Associated Press

Cissy Houston, a two-time Grammy-winning soul and gospel artist who sang with Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and other stars and knew triumph and heartbreak as the mother of Whitney Houston, has died. She was 91.

Cissy Houston died Oct. 7 morning in her New Jersey home while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, her daughter-in-law Pat Houston told The Associated Press. The acclaimed gospel singer was surrounded by her family.

“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We [loss] the matriarch of our family,” Pat Houston said in a statement. She said her mother-in-law’s contributions to popular music and culture are “unparalleled.” 

“Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.”

A church performer from an early age, Houston was part of a family gospel act before breaking through in popular music in the 1960s as a member of the prominent backing group The Sweet Inspirations with Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee Warwick. The group sang backup for a variety of soul singers including Otis Redding, Lou Rawls and The Drifters. They also sang backup for Dionne Warwick.

Houston’s many credits included Franklin’s “Think” and ”(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man.” The Sweet Inspirations also sang on stage with Presley, whom Houston would remember fondly for singing gospel during rehearsal breaks and telling her that she was “squirrelly.”

“At the end of our engagement with him, he gave me a bracelet inscribed with my name on the outside,” she wrote in her memoir “How Sweet the Sound,” published in 1998. “On the inside of the bracelet he had inscribed his nickname for me: Squirrelly.”

The Sweet Inspirations had their own top 20 single with the soul-rock “Sweet Inspiration,” made in the Memphis studio where Franklin and Springfield among others recorded hits and released four albums just in the late ’60s. The group appeared on Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and sang background vocals for The Jimi Hendrix Experience on the song “Burning of the Midnight Lamp” in 1967.

Houston’s last performance with The Sweet Inspirations came after the group hit the stage with Presley in a Las Vegas show in 1969. Her final recording session with the group turned into their biggest R&B hit “(Gotta Find) A Brand New Lover” a composition by the production team of Gamble & Huff, who appeared on the group’s fifth album, “Sweet Sweet Soul.”

During that time, the group occasionally performed live concert dates with Franklin. After the group’s success and four albums together, Houston left The Sweet Inspirations to pursue a solo career where she flourished.

Houston became an in-demand session singer and recorded more than 600 songs in multiple genres throughout her career. Her vocals can be heard on tracks alongside a wide range of artists including Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, Jimi Hendrix, Luther Vandross, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, Roberta Flack and Whitney Houston.

Cissy Houston went on to complete several records, including “Presenting Cissy Houston,” the disco-era “Think It Over” and the Grammy-winning gospel albums “Face to Face” and “He Leadeth Me.”

In 1971, Houston’s signature vocals were featured on Burt Bacharach’s solo album, which includes “Mexican Divorce,” “All Kinds of People” and “One Less Bell to Answer.” She performed various standards including Barbra Streisand’s hit song, “Evergreen.”

Never far from her native New Jersey or musical origins, Houston presided for decades over the 200-member Youth Inspirational Choir at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church, where Whitney Houston sang as a child.

Cissy Houston would say that she had discouraged her daughter from show business, but they were joined in music for much of Whitney’s life, from church to stage performances to television and film and the recording studio. Whitney’s rise seemed inevitable, not only because of her obvious talents, but because of her background: Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick were cousins, Leontyne Price a cousin once removed, Franklin a close family friend.

Whitney Houston made her debut on national television when she and Cissy Houston sang a medley of Franklin hits on “The Merv Griffin Show.” Cissy Houston sang backup on Whitney’s eponymous, multi-platinum first album, and the two shared the lead on “I Know Him So Well,” from the 1987 mega-seller “Whitney.”

They would sing together often in concert and appeared in the 1996 film “The Preacher’s Wife.” Their most indelible moments likely came from the video for one of Whitney’s biggest hits from the mid-1980s, “Greatest Love of All.” It was filmed as a mother-daughter homage, ending with a joyous Whitney exiting the stage of Harlem’s Apollo Theater and embracing Cissy Houston, who stood in the wings.

On Feb. 11, 2012, Whitney Houston was found dead — from what was ruled as an accidental drowning — in a Beverly Hills bathtub. Cissy Houston would write about her daughter in the memoir “Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night The Music Stopped.”

In 2015, Cissy Houston was grieving again when granddaughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, the only child of Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston, was found unconscious in a bathtub, spent months in a coma and died at age 22. The family was back in the news in 2018 with the release of the documentary “Whitney.” which included allegations that Dee Dee Warwick (who died in 2008) had molested Whitney when she was a girl.

Cissy Houston was briefly married to Freddie Garland in the 1950s; their son, Gary Garland, was a guard for the Denver Nuggets and later sang on many of Whitney Houston’s tours. Cissy Houston was married to Whitney’s father, entertainment executive John Russell Houston, from 1959-1990. In addition to Whitney, the Houstons also had a son, Michael.

Cissy Houston was born Emily Drinkard in Newark, the youngest of eight children of a factory worker and a housewife. She was just 5 when she and three siblings founded the Drinkard Singers, a gospel group that lasted 30 years, performing on the same bill as Mahalia Jackson among others and releasing the 1959 album “A Joyful Noise.”

She later said she would have been happy to remain in gospel, but John Houston encouraged her to take on studio work. When rockabilly star Ronnie Hawkins (along with drummer Levon Helm and other future members of The Band) needed an extra voice, Cissy Houston stepped in.

“I wanted to get my work done, and get it done quickly. I was there, but I didn’t have to be part of them. I was in the world, but I wasn’t of the world, as St. Paul put it,” Houston wrote in “How Sweet the Sound,” remembering how she soon began working with the Drifters and other singers.

“At least in the recording studio we were living together as God intended us to. Some days, we spent 12 or 15 hours together there,” she wrote. “The skin-deep barriers of race seemed to fall away as we toiled side by side creating our little pop masterpieces.”

Pat Houston said she is thankful for the many valuable lessons learned from her mother-in-law. She said the family feels “blessed and grateful” that God allowed Cissy to spend so many years.

“We are touched by your generous support, and your outpouring of love during our profound time of grief,” Houston said on behalf of the family. “We respectfully request our privacy during this difficult time.”

The post Grammy-winning singer Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston, dies at 91 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

On Oct. 4, Morgan State University held its 40th annual fundraising gala at Martin’s West, located in Baltimore. The gala is an annual celebration of the historically Black university and supports scholarship funds for current and prospective students. In attendance were Baltimore City Mayor M. Brandon Scott and his new wife, Hana, with baby bump number two; WBAL TV Co-Anchor Jenyne Donaldson and Con. Kwesi Mfume (D-Md.-07), his wife, Tiffany Mfume and a host of community leaders, residents and alumni.

The post Morgan State University hosts 40th Homecoming Gala 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 Sonali Kolhatkar

A Florida resident named Isaac Menasche received a home visit this September from a police officer asking whether he’d signed a petition for a ballot measure.

The petition, which Menasche had indeed signed, was for a November initiative overturning a strict abortion ban that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed last year. Now the governor is attempting to discredit those signatures using state-funded cops. According to the Tampa Bay Times, state law enforcement officers have visited the homes of other signers as well.

DeSantis created an elections police unit in 2022 to investigate so-called election crimes. By that August, he’d arrested 20 “elections criminals” for allegedly voting improperly in the 2020 election.

A majority of those arrested — some at gunpoint — were Black. Most had been formerly incarcerated and thought they were eligible to vote, since Floridians had overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure restoring their voting rights. But DeSantis and his GOP allies in the state legislature used every maneuver they could to thwart that popular decision.

If anyone is breaking voting laws intentionally in Florida and elsewhere, it’s White conservatives who’ve been caught engaging in deliberate voter fraud numerous times, including attempting to vote multiple times and voting under the names of their dead spouses.

Further, given that voter intimidation is patently illegal, DeSantis is clearly the one flouting laws.

DeSantis’s fellow Republican, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is on a similar crusade. He recently authorized police raids on the homes of people associated with a Latino civil rights group called the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), including grandparents in their 70s and 80s.

Like DeSantis, Paxton has been aggressively prosecuting voters of color based on little to no evidence of nefarious intent. The most egregious example is the conviction and harsh sentencing of a Black voter named Crystal Mason. Mason spent six years fighting her case and was acquitted last May because of a lack of evidence.

Bruce Zuchowski, a Republican county sheriff in Ohio, called on supporters to “write down all the addresses of the people who had signs in their yards” so they can be forced to take in migrants — whom he called, in a garbled Facebook post, “human locusts.” Local residents say they feel intimidated.

It’s not just government officials. The extremist Heritage Foundation sent staffers to the homes of Georgia residents thought to be immigrants, in an effort to find voter fraud where none existed. (This is the same organization behind Project 2025, a playbook for a future Republican president promising the dystopian destruction of federally funded programs.)

And of course, the loudest and most bizarre conspiracy theories come from Donald Trump, who invokes non-existent fraud to explain why he lost the 2020 election. His billionaire backer Elon Musk has added fuel to the fire by amplifying these false claims.

If their rhetoric weren’t so dangerous, it would be funny that Trump is a felon and Musk is an immigrant.

There’s a long and disturbing history of voter suppression aimed at communities of color, from poll taxes to lynchings. Although the 1965 Voting Rights Act was aimed at preventing such race-based suppression, right-wing justices on the Supreme Court gutted parts of the law, opening the door to systematic disenfranchisement and intimidation.

Numerous investigations of voter fraud claims have repeatedly been found to be utterly baseless. So why do Republicans make them?

As a federal judge in Florida concluded, “For the past 20 years, the majority in the Florida Legislature has attacked the voting rights of its Black constituents. They have done so … as part of a cynical effort to suppress turnout.” And that’s precisely the point.

There are strict laws in place against voter intimidation. And while the Biden administration is ready to enforce them with a small army of lawyers, it’s critical that voters know their own rights and ask for help if they believe their right to vote is under threat.

This op-ed was originally published by OtherWords.org.

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By Kemo Cham and Jessica Donati
The Associated Press

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AP) — Companies that bring solar power to some of the poorest homes in Central and West Africa are said to be among the fastest growing on a continent whose governments have long struggled to address some of the world’s worst infrastructure and the complications of climate change.

The often African-owned companies operate in areas where the vast majority of people live disconnected from the electricity grid, and offer products ranging from solar-powered lamps that allow children to study at night to elaborate home systems that power kitchen appliances and plasma televisions. Prices range from less than $20 for a solar-powered lamp to thousands of dollars for home appliances and entertainment systems.

Central and West Africa have some of the world’s lowest electrification rates. In West Africa, where 220 million people live without power, this is as low as 8 percent, according to the World Bank. Many rely on expensive kerosene and other fuels that fill homes and businesses with fumes and risk causing fires.

At the last United Nations climate summit, the world agreed on the goal of tripling the capacity for renewable power generation by 2050. While the African continent is responsible for hardly any carbon emissions relative to its size, solar has become one relatively cost-effective way to provide electricity.

The International Energy Agency, in a report earlier this year, said small and medium-sized solar companies are making rapid progress reaching homes but more needs to be invested to reach all African homes and businesses by 2030.

About 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, it said, out of a population of more than 1.3 billion.

Among the companies that made the Financial Times’ annual ranking of Africa’s fastest growing companies of 2023 was Easy Solar, a locally owned firm that brings solar power to homes and businesses in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The ranking went by compound annual growth rate in revenue.

Co-founder Nthabiseng Mosia grew up in Ghana with frequent power cuts. She became interested in solving energy problems in Africa while at graduate school in the United States. Together with a U.S. classmate, she launched the company in Sierra Leone, whose electrification rates are among the lowest in West Africa.

“There wasn’t really anybody doing solar at scale. And so we thought it was a good opportunity,” Mosia said in an interview.

Since launching in 2016, Easy Solar has brought solar power to over a million people in Sierra Leone and Liberia, which have a combined population of more than 14 million. The company’s network includes agents and shops in all of Sierra Leone’s 16 districts and seven of nine counties in Liberia.

Many communities have been connected to a stable source of power for the first time. “We really want to go to the last mile deep into the rural areas,” Mosia said.

The company began with a pilot project in Songo, a community on the outskirts of Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown. Uptake was slow at first, Mosia said. Villagers worried about the cost of solar-powered appliances, but once they began to see light in their neighbors’ homes at night, more signed on.

“We have long forgotten about kerosene,” said Haroun Patrick Samai, a Songo resident and land surveyor. “Before Easy Solar we lived in constant danger of a fire outbreak from the use of candles and kerosene.”

Altech, a solar power company based in Congo, also ranked as one of Africa’s fastest growing companies. Fewer than 20 percent of the population in Congo has access to electricity, according to the World Bank.

Co-founders Washikala Malango and Iongwa Mashangao fled conflict in Congo’s South Kivu province as children and grew up in Tanzania. They decided to launch the company in 2013 to help solve the power problems they had experienced growing up in a refugee camp, relying on kerosene for power and competing with family members for light to study at night.

Altech now operates in 23 out of 26 provinces in Congo, and the company expects to reach the remaining ones by the end of the year. Its founders say they have sold over 1 million products in Congo in a range of solar-powered solutions for homes and businesses, including lighting, appliances, home systems and generators.

“For the majority of our customers, this is the first time they are connected to a power source,” Malango said.

Repayment rates are over 90 percent, Malango said, helped in part by a system that can turn off power to appliances remotely if people don’t pay.

___

The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The 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 David Klepper
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The facts emerging from Hurricane Helene’s destruction are heartrending: Businesses and homes destroyed, whole communities nearly wiped out, hundreds of lives lost, hundreds of people missing.

Yet this devastation and despair is not enough for the extremist groups, disinformation agents, hucksters and politicians who are exploiting the disaster to spread false claims and conspiracy theories about it and the government’s response.

According to former President Donald Trump, the federal government is intentionally withholding aid to Republican disaster victims. Far-right extremist groups warn on social media that officials plan to bulldoze affected communities and seize the land from residents. A tale straight from science fiction asserts that Washington used weather control technology to steer Helene toward Republican voters in order to tilt the presidential election toward Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

The claims, according to experts and local officials dealing with disaster response, say less about the reality of the widespread damage from Helene than they do about America’s fractured politics and the fear and distrust shadowing an election year marked by assassination attempts and escalating global tension.

Debunking conspiracy theories takes time away from recovery efforts

As rescue work continues and authorities try to separate fact from fiction, the conspiracy theories are not helping. 

Elected leaders from both parties have had to set the record straight and urge people not to give into fear and rumor.

“If everyone could maybe please put aside the hate for a bit and pitch in to help, that would be great,” posted Glenn Jacobs, the retired professional wrestler known as Kane, who is now the Republican mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. Jacobs’ post was intended to rebut rumors that workers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency were seizing relief supplies from private citizens.

Many of the conspiracy theories focus on hard-hit North Carolina, a state key to winning the White House. Rumors circulated that FEMA was raiding storm donations and withholding body bags, forcing local hospitals to stack the bodies of victims. One claim suggested federal authorities would condemn the entire town of Chimney Rock and prohibit resettlement in order to commandeer a valuable lithium mine nearby.

False claims of blocked relief flights and aid withheld from Republicans

Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, X and SpaceX, posted that private relief flights to North Carolina were being blocked by the Federal Aviation Administration, a claim dismissed as false by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Despite the tradition of Democrats and Republicans putting aside politics for disaster response, many conspiracy theories suggest Democrats such as President Joe Biden or North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper are intentionally withholding aid from Republicans. Trump has pushed the claim, as has North Carolina’s lieutenant governor, Mark Robinson, the embattled GOP nominee for governor.

“They’re being treated very badly in the Republican areas,” Trump told Fox News, ignoring reports and photo and video evidence of recovery efforts underway throughout the region. “They’re not getting water, they’re not getting anything.”

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones endorsed Trump’s fact-free allegation. Jones, the founder of InfoWars, popularized the idea that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut that killed 20 children in 2012 was faked. “Exclusive: Victims of Hurricane Helene Confirm The Federal Government is Purposely Blocking Rescuers and Stealing Aid In an Attempt to Keep Deep Red Areas From Voting,” Jones posted Ocr. 3 on X.

Disinformation campaigns by China and Russia amplify the misleading claims

State-run media and disinformation campaigns run by China and Russia have amplified false and misleading claims about the response to the storm. Both countries have used social media and state news stories to criticize responses to past U.S. natural disasters, part of a larger effort to stoke division and distrust among Americans.

State and local officials from both parties have condemned the conspiracy theories as rumors, saying the focus should be on recovery, not political division and hearsay. 

Responding to the hoaxes is taking up time that should go toward assisting victims, said North Carolina state Sen. Kevin Corbin, a Republican who urged his constituents not to give into hoaxes.

“Friends can I ask a small favor?” Corbin posted Oct. 3 on Facebook. “Will you all help STOP this conspiracy theory junk that is floating all over Facebook and the internet… Please don’t let these crazy stories consume you.”

After Robinson, the GOP candidate for North Carolina governor, posted that state officials had not prepared for the storm, a spokesman for the governor accused Robinson of mounting “an online disinformation campaign.” North Carolina officials say the response to Helene is the largest in state history, including thousands of members of the National Guard and other recovery workers, millions of meals, dozens of aircraft and more than 1,000 chainsaws.

Trump has tried to tie the hurricane’s aftermath to immigration, a leading issue of his campaign. He falsely claimed that FEMA had run out of money because all of it had gone to programs for undocumented immigrants.

The agency’s funding for disaster aid is stretched, but that is because of the many parts of the country dealing with the effects of hurricanes, wildfires and other calamities. Disaster aid is funded separately from other Department of Homeland Security programs that support immigration-related spending.

Far-out tales of space lasers, fake snow and weather control technology

Bizarre stories proposing that the government used weather control technology to aim the hurricane at Republican voters quickly racked up millions of views on X and other platforms.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., endorsed the idea, posting Oct. 2 on X: “Yes they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.”

Far-out tales of space lasers, fake snow and weather control technology — sometimes tinged with antisemitism — have spread after recent natural disasters, including a snowstorm in Texas and last year’s wildfire in Maui.

Experts who study conspiracy theories say big events like disasters — or the Sept. 11 attacks or the COVID-19 pandemic — create perfect conditions for conspiracy theories to spread because large numbers of anxious people are eager to find explanations for shocking events.

Responding to the volume of false claims about Helene, the Red Cross urged people to consult trustworthy sources of information and to think twice before reposting conspiracy theories.

“Sharing rumors online without first vetting the source and verifying facts ultimately hurts people — people who have just lost their homes, neighborhoods, and, in some cases, loved ones,” the organization wrote in a public plea.

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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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By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com

Generations of Morgan State University students and alumni flooded the historically Black college’s Northeast Baltimore campus on Oct. 5 to celebrate its homecoming. Highlights of the week included a homecoming concert on Oct. 3, a pep rally on Oct. 4 and the parade and football game on Oct. 5. 

“My favorite part of homecoming for me is seeing the advancement,” said Tara Carter, a two-time graduate of Morgan State University. “We hear a lot about the big schools, but when you see just how much Morgan has been doing as a top research institution for Maryland, it’s amazing for me to see this.”

“I am big on spending time with friends,” said Carter. “We didn’t even make it to the football game, but I still bought tickets to make sure we are supporting our teams.”

Dr. David Wilson, president of Morgan State, in an Oct. 6 letter sent to the Morgan State community, praised those who made the celebration a time to remember. 

“Homecoming 2024 invited our entire community to fully embrace Morgan’s rich and enduring legacy, and I am proud to say we did just that,” said Wilson. “Generations of Morganites converged on our campus, embracing the rites, rituals and traditions that unify us as one family.”

“Of course, the Bears’ victorious football game was the centerpiece of Homecoming. We estimate that more than 25,000 people were on Morgan’s campus…with several thousand tailgating in designated areas,” he continued. “Thanks to our comprehensive security plan and advanced preparation, including a strengthened presence of uniformed officers and security personnel, we were able to effectively manage the challenges posed by the very large crowds.”

Homecoming week for the Morgan State Bears kicked off with a performance by BET Award-nominated artist Sexxy Red on Oct. 3. The following night, Morgan State held a pep rally to highlight all of the varsity teams on campus. 

“Morgan has a rich history,” said Kendra Woolridge, a director for the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and owner of a multi award- winning vegan nail polish company, Janet and Jo. “We have the first HBCU collegiate lacrosse team in the nation. It’s stories like that that need to be amplified.”

On the gridiron, the Morgan State Bears (3-3) dominated the Lincoln University Lions, from Pennsylvania, 41-0. Wide receiver Andre Crawley led the way with 134 total yards, six catches and two total touchdowns. He scored one touchdown receiving as well as passing for a 21-yard touchdown. Running back Myles Miree also contributed with two touchdowns himself, both on the ground. 

“Homecoming has been great for me. It’s my first homecoming. I am a freshman and I’ve been to the pep rally. I also went to the skate and laser tag night that was on Oct. 3,” said Renee Salter, who is studying psychology.

In efforts to ensure the safety of all attendees, Morgan State administration and leadership made significant security enhancements for the 2024 homecoming activities, including over 3,100 camera views for surveillance purposes, AI-supported weapon detection and plate-reading technology. On Oct. 5, the “official Homecoming day,” all campus buildings and dorms closed at 3 p.m. and the campus officially closed at 7 p.m.

While the security measures were bolstered, dirt bikers descended on the area after the game concluded, further complicating traffic when they caused an accident. And Baltimore Police Department officers responded to a shooting that took place around midnight, after all official homecoming activities were finished. 

Wilson acknowledged the incidents in his letter, stating that “illegal dirt bike riders—unaffiliated with Morgan—engaged in reckless behavior along Hillen Road and E. Cold Spring Lane, leading to a serious traffic accident.” 

The university president said that the “off-campus shooting” was “unrelated to Morgan.” 

“While these events are deeply disappointing, I want to be clear: they have no connection to our university other than their proximity,” he wrote. “Rest assured, I have been in contact with Mayor Scott, and members of my team have been in constant communication with the Baltimore Police Department.”

“Today, I am pleased to report that there were NO violent incidents on campus throughout the week. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Chief Lance Hatcher, the MSUPD, and all the security personnel, for their exceptional work in executing the Homecoming Security Plan and ensuring campus safety.”

Overall, the experience was an overwhelmingly positive event– one for the history books. For some Morgan State graduates, the weekend represented their first time back in Baltimore for a homecoming in several years. 

Silver Spring, Md. native, Shantá Reid, now a paralegal in Washington, D.C., was proud to make her 2024 return to her alma mater. 

“This is my first homecoming since 2019,” she said.

This article was updated on Oct. 13. 

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By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO

The Maryland Democratic Party collaborated with members of the Divine Nine (D9) – Black sororities and fraternities – to host a virtual get-out-the-vote rally for Vice President Kamala Harris and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Democratic candidates for the U.S. presidency and Senate, respectively. 

In attendance were members from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,  Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. These organizations have played a pivotal role in politics over the years and hope to help Harris, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Alsobrooks, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, get elected on Nov. 5.

Alsobrooks, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.-4) also made appearances during the virtual rally.

Alsobrooks told attendees that the relationship between D9 fraternities and sororities is “very important.” 

“When we fight together, we’re going to win,” she said. 

That coordinated effort would be needed in what she called “the most consequential election of our time.” 

“We have the real profound obligation to ensure that we build a future that that really befits the dignity of our children and grandchildren and so many of the struggles that we have fought for…. Ensuring that our daughters and granddaughters have the right to enjoy reproductive freedom and that we are also building communities that are safe and affordable,” said the Prince George’s County executive.

“We know we have the power to make a change and we have the power that was instilled in us and passed on to us by our ancestors, the power to make the impossible possible.”

Following Alsobrooks’ remarks, Moore took center stage and told rally attendees that he is “beyond excited” about the upcoming election, adding, “It’s our time.”

He also emphasized the role of Black Greek organizations in ensuring that success. 

“The road to Washington [D.C.], it runs through the D9. The road to the White House, the road to the Senate seat, it runs through the D9,” said Moore. “This is a crew that moves mountains.”

If elected, Harris would make history as the first Black female president of the United States and Alsobrooks would become the first Black woman elected as a U.S. senator from Maryland, however, Moore said it’s not about making history.

“We love it [but] that’s not the assignment,” said the governor. “The reason we are going to make Kamala Harris the next president of the United States is because she is brilliant and she is the best. The reason we are going to make Angela Alsobrooks the next senator for the state of Maryland is because she is brilliant and because she’s the best and we care about our future and we’re going to protect it.”

Jeremiah Pope, the chairman of the African American Leadership Council, delivered remarks and urged fraternity and sorority members to get out and vote.

“I don’t have to say much because as D9 ambassadors, this is what we do. We always get out. We register people to vote. We always stay fired up,” said Pope. “As Michelle Obama says, ‘We always do something.’”

Lamont Riley, a D9 ambassador, said fraternities and sororities are “undeniably influential” and have made history in the past by helping Moore get elected. And, he added, they hope to do it again with Harris and Alsobrooks.  

“Remember we had a Divine Nine brother who started to run for governor of Maryland with just 1 percent name recognition. But what happened? We had the Divine Nine, our network, family, friends and neighbors who became a mobilizing force,” said Riley. “We’re going to do it again…. It’s time to activate and ensure Angela’s vision becomes a reality.”

Dasia Scott, digital director of the Maryland Democratic Party, then led a discussion on ways Divine Nine members can utilize social media to mobilize voters for Harris and Alsobrooks.

“We’ve created for you all different Divine Nine themed frames for you to utilize on your social media accounts and we made them based on the colors of different organizations,” she said.

Rev. Regina Clay, a member of the Maryland Democratic Party’s outreach team, discussed the important role that faith leaders play and why they need to use their platforms to ensure community members have a plan for Nov. 5.

“We have been educating our faith leaders, who sometimes get inhibited about talking about elections. We’ve been sharing with them that they need to have an operation voter turnout, an action plan,” said Clay. “We know that death and life are in the power of the tongue. So, we speak [voter turnout] into existence.”

The Maryland Democratic Party plans to host another event titled “Black Marylanders for Kamala and Angela” on Oct. 6.

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By Dara Delgado, Allegheny College

(THE CONVERSATION) Many Black leaders are swinging into action for the Harris-Walz campaign – and clergy are no exception.

On Aug. 5, 2024, The Black Church PAC hosted a “Win With the Black Church” webinar to register voters, sign up volunteers and raise funds for Vice President Kamala Harris. The kickoff event, which organizers said raised US$500,000 and boasted 16,000 attendees, was hosted by the political action committee’s co-founder, Mike McBride – pastor of The Way Christian Center in California.

Apart from politics, McBride shares something else with many of the people on the webinar, including gospel singer Erica Campbell, pastor Jamal Bryant and co-founder the Rev. Leah Daughtry: All draw on Pentecostal faith.

As a scholar of American Pentecostalism and Black Studies, I see this event as but one example of Black Pentecostal and charismatics’ increasing visibility in American politics – a notable shift from the past.

Power of the Holy Spirit

Pentecostalism is a global Protestant Christian movement. As an evangelical Christian tradition, Pentecostalism emphasizes salvation through Jesus Christ and the centrality of scripture. It differs, however, in its understanding of the Holy Spirit: how God’s energy and essence work in the world.

Across most denominations and traditions, Christians believe in the Holy Spirit – part of the Holy Trinity, together with God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son.

Pentecostalism is distinct, however, because its adherents claim that they directly experience the active presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, through spiritual gifts such as healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues – a spiritual experience consisting of a series of unintelligible speech-like utterances and sounds. Pentecostals believe that speaking in tongues, or “glossolalia,” is a divine language and an essential means for communicating with God.

Pentecostals draw inspiration from the Book of Acts, part of the Bible that describes the founding of the early church after Jesus’ death. Chapter 2 depicts an event called the Pentecost, when disciples of Jesus were gathered together. Scripture describes them suddenly “filled with the Holy Spirit and (beginning) to speak in other tongues,” yet onlookers heard their own language spoken. In this moment, Pentecostals believe that the power of the Holy Spirit was poured out on Christ’s followers – and that it has been accessible ever since.

Because Pentecostals maintain that this type of spiritual activity continues today, they also emphasize speaking in tongues as evidence that someone experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Glossolalia is seen as a critical entryway to the faith and to personally experiencing the Holy Spirit in your life.

Apart from Pentecostal churches, Christians called “charismatics” have similar beliefs about the dynamic activity of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Charismatic Christians, however, are affiliated with other denominations, from Catholicism to mainline Protestant churches.

Black Pentecostal tradition

Within the global Pentecostal and charismatic landscape, Black American churches form a distinct tradition.

In June 2024, with support from the Public Religion Research Institute, PRRI fellows Youssef Chouhoud, Flavio Rigerio Hickel and Leah Payne and I conducted a survey of 2,418 adults in the United States. Half of the 734 Black respondents identified as Pentecostal or charismatic. Similarly, in 2021, Pew Research Center reported that “half of all Black churchgoers say services include speaking in tongues.”

Scholars of American Pentecostalism maintain that from its inception, the movement was indebted to the religious practices of enslaved Black Christians. Black Pentecostal churches and organizations formed in the early 20th century as a result of racism. In 1914, for example, the white founders of the Assemblies of God, USA decided to disaffiliate from the predominantly Black Church of God in Christ.

Black Pentecostalism teaches that Christians have an obligation to do good in the world. Social engagement has been essential to many Black Pentecostal identities and congregational life since their beginnings, especially material works of mercy – feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and educating the ignorant.

Eyes toward heaven

Such commitments were a stark contrast to Black Pentecostals’ civic life and political involvement.

Although there have been Pentecostals associated with politics and community activism, the tradition does “not possess an explicit political theology,” as Pentecostal theologian Steven M. Studebaker observes. Black Pentecostal traditions especially have often oriented themselves away from this world’s sociopolitical affairs, toward concerns about personal and social morality and hope of heaven.

In fact, for generations, American Pentecostals broadly prided themselves on being intentionally apolitical. Black churches and leaders were key to mobilizing the Civil Rights Movement, for example, but Pentecostals believed that their most important contribution was through prayer, as historian Jonathan Chism notes.

Moreover, Black Pentecostals’ absence from politics reflects a history of discrimination and condescension from other Black Americans, including Black mainline Christians. During the early to mid-20th century, Black Pentecostals were often seen as lower class, unlike other Protestant groups such as Black Baptists and Methodists.

Critics feared the emotionality of their religious expression and their tendency toward gender inclusivity, which they worried would make Pentecostals a liability in the push for Black Americans’ rights. Black Pentecostals were not trusted with representing Black social and political interests in the public square.

Recent shift

Since becoming the Democratic nominee, Harris has garnered a wellspring of support from Black faith leaders, including influential Black preachers who either remain in or came up in the Pentecostal or charismatic congregations. Among them are Traci Blackmon, Chrisette Ellis and Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes.

Trump has enjoyed endorsements from a smaller number of Black Pentecostal leaders, but without the same celebrity status as the Black Pentecostal or charismatic preachers backing Harris. Take for example Darrell Scott, a pastor from Ohio, who remains firm in his support. Harry R. Jackson, a prominent Black pastor in conservative circles who died in 2020, was a religious adviser to the former president. Most recently, Lorenzo Sewell, the pastor of 180 Church in Detroit, addressed the Republican National Convention.

On both sides, these developments mark a noticeable shift among Black Pentecostals from private prayers or local social engagement to visible political involvement. This is also true for some of their conservative evangelical counterparts, especially Black Baptists affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, who are leaving that denomination over differences in social and political issues, especially around race.

In the same 2021 report, Pew highlighted the political tensions embedded in race and religion for Black Christians in the United States. Only 10% of Black Americans lean toward the Republican Party, but that percentage doubles for Black Protestants who attend a mostly white church. Still, what this data helps show is that for the majority of Black Christians, their political views are more reflective of their experiences with race than their congregational affiliation.

Contemporary Black Pentecostals and charismatics are turning the page on their history of political apathy – whether through public endorsements, voter registration drives or as part of groups such as the Black Church PAC. Churches have long been a pillar of how Black Americans “hold and build political power in this country,” as McBride told Religion News Service. Pentecostals are working to keep that legacy alive – and expand the proverbial walls of the Black church.

The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. The Conversation is wholly responsible for the content.

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By Vincent Leggett and Rhys Burns
Special to the AFRO

The Chesapeake Bay has long been a lifeline, nurturing the growth of Marylanders from the Piscataway people to European settlers, and continues to provide the seafood on dinner tables today. From the colonial era to the present, the Bay and its watersheds have offered beauty, sustenance, economic growth and employment, particularly to marginalized communities. 

Historically, the seafood and maritime industry along the Chesapeake has been dominated by African-American watermen and waterwomen. These individuals endured grueling physical labor and low wages to build a legacy for themselves and their families.

Watermen worked the boats and skipjacks, dredging for oysters and setting traps for crabs, while waterwomen labored in factories, shucking oysters, picking crabs and canning the products. They also worked in the kitchens of many Black-owned seafood restaurants that emerged along the Bay’s watershed communities in the early 1900s.

There are numerous African American-owned seafood companies across Maryland, but one prominent example is Crisfield Seafood in Crisfield, Somerset County. 

Crisfield proudly calls itself the “Crab Capital of the World.” At one point, the city had more than 20 crab packing houses. According to Pete Lesher, chief historian at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, “In 1938, Crisfield alone produced 13 percent of Maryland’s hard crab catch.” That year, the average catch was 25,949 barrels of crabs, each weighing about 100 pounds.

Local crab houses and restaurants relied on laborers to pick crab meat from the shell. Hundreds of crab pickers, mostly African-American women, worked long hours, often 12 to 16 hours a day. The work was demanding, with high quantities of meat expected to be picked quickly, and workers were paid by the gallon.

By April 1938, the people of Crisfield were in dire straits. The Great Depression had not yet lifted, and about 300 garment workers, mostly women, had lost their jobs two weeks earlier when two factories closed. A town official estimated that 90 percent of Crisfield’s workforce was unemployed. 

On April 4, 1938, the town’s crab picking companies cut workers’ wages from 35 cents per gallon to 25 cents per gallon. Company officials assumed the pickers would be grateful to still have jobs. Instead, two days later, 600 predominantly African-American women crab pickers went on a five-week strike. They demanded the wages be restored to 35 cents and that the companies recognize the Congress of Industrial Organizations Cannery Union (CIO) as their union. This strike brought the crabbing industry to a halt and caused ripples along the Eastern Shore.

As the strike continued, a White crowd of 100 to 300 people gathered near a Black section of town on North Fourth Street. They broke into several homes, searching for strike leaders Michael Howard and Martina Cooper, threatening to “ruin” them if found. Unable to locate the leaders, the crowd turned to Shiloh Church, where they overturned Howard’s car and set it on fire in front of the church.

After weeks of violence and significant profit losses, the packing companies conceded, restoring wages to 35 cents a gallon and officially recognizing the CIO Cannery Union as the workers’ bargaining agent. This historic strike led to explosive growth for the National Cannery Union, particularly among African Americans in the South and migrant workers in the West. 

More importantly, it ensured the continued success of African-American watermen and waterwomen. Through their efforts, today Maryland watermen like Lewis Carter can still work the Bay and provide fresh, local seafood that is exported worldwide, from Europe to Japan, and to local markets. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

A Fulton County judge has overturned Georgia’s six-week abortion ban. Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled on Sept. 30 that the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act was unconstitutional, permitting abortions up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. 

McBurney declared that the ban violated citizens’ right to privacy under the state’s constitution. 

“For these women, the liberty of privacy means that they alone should choose whether they serve as human incubators for the five months leading up to viability,” said McBurney in the opinion. “It is not for a legislator, a judge or a commander from ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’ to tell these women what to do with their bodies during this period when the fetus cannot survive outside the womb anymore than society could—or should— force them to serve as a human tissue bank or to give up a kidney for the benefit of another.” 

Since the decision, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has filed an appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court to reinstate the six-week ban. This is the second time McBurney has struck down the abortion law. The first took place in November 2022 but the state’s supreme court reversed his ruling. 

The LIFE Act has garnered considerable scrutiny in recent weeks after a September investigative report from ProPublica found that a 28-year-old Georgia woman died of septic shock after waiting 20 hours for doctors to administer abortion care.

Medical assistant Amber Thurman traveled to North Carolina to terminate her pregnancy due to her state’s ban. She missed her appointment, but the clinic gave her an abortion pill to take. Once home, Thurman experienced a complication—her body hadn’t purged all of the fetal tissue from her body. 

A standard dilation and curettage (D&C) could have saved her life, but Georgia’s law made performing the procedure illegal with minimal exceptions. The ProPublica report revealed that a state maternal mortality review committee deemed the death preventable. 

Thurman’s family spoke out on the tragedy for the first time during the Unite for America live stream event with Oprah Winfrey and presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Sept. 19. 

“Amber was not a statistic,” said her mother, Shanette Williams during the stream. “She was loved by a family, a strong family, and we would have done whatever to get our baby the help that she needed.” 

She continued, “You’re looking at a mother who is broken.” 

Thurman left behind a 6-year-old son. She had recently landed a new apartment and was thinking about attending nursing school when she discovered that she was pregnant. 

During the live stream, her family denounced the Georgia doctors who failed to care for her as well as the government officials responsible for the ban. 

“We trusted them to take care of her, and they just let her die because of some stupid abortion ban,” said her sister, CJ Williams during the stream. “They treated her like she was just another number. They didn’t care for her as if she was their daughter or their granddaughter. She’s not here, and she’ll never come back.”

Harris said Thurman’s story is one that is not an isolated case since the reversal of Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision gave states the power to regulate abortion. Today, 13 states have made it illegal, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. 

“The former president chose three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade,” said Harris during the stream. “They did as he intended, and in state after state, these abortion bans have been passed that criminalize healthcare providers.” 

Most states that have banned abortion, including Georgia, allow exceptions when the mother’s life is at mortal risk. But, some, including Harris, believe these exemptions are ambiguous and can cause medical professionals to hesitate in performing life-saving procedures due to legal ramifications. 

Although the Dobbs decision enabled states, like Georgia, to reverse and eliminate abortion protections, many contend access was limited well before the ruling. 

“Even before the actual Dobbs case that ultimately took out Roe V. Wade was decided upon, it could have been argued that Roe V. Wade did not exist in this country before then,” said Monica Simpson, executive director of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. “There were states, like Mississippi, that only had one abortion clinic. We know that access is not always granted even when a federal right has been put into place.” 

Simpson’s southern-based nonprofit led the lawsuit against the state of Georgia, which resulted in the recent reversal of the LIFE Act. The organization fights for reproductive justice by boosting the voices of indigenous women and women of color—groups who are heavily impacted by anti-abortion laws. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women accounted for the highest percentage, 41.5 percent, of all abortions in 2021. 

They also face the worst maternal health outcomes. The CDC reported that the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times more than White women. 

“If you think about the picture of maternal health in this country, it’s a pretty bleak one in what is considered to be one of the most industrialized countries in the world,” said Simpson. 

Apart from racism, a lack of comprehensive sex education in public school systems, reduced access to the health care system and lower maternity coverage have contributed to the dire state of Black maternal health, according to Simpson. 

She said the now lawful abortion bans and restrictions across the country will only exacerbate adverse maternal health outcomes for Black women. 

“Access is constantly being restricted across this country and, particularly, in the South. That means the region where there’s the most limited access to abortion is also where Black women are living the most,” said Simpson. “We’re more likely to live in a state where there is an abortion ban, and, now, we’re basically being forced to potentially hold a pregnancy to term that could be detrimental to our lives.” 

Regina Davis Moss, president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, said barriers to accessing abortions can also impact a person’s financial situation. 

“Black women are having to travel over long distances for multiple days sometimes. There’s transportation costs, hotels, meals, child care and missed time off from work,” said Moss. “When you think about some of the reasons that people decide not to continue a pregnancy, largely it’s because of the economics, so it further becomes insurmountable.” 

Six weeks has become the threshold for several abortion bans across the country. Moss said this cutoff often takes place before women discover they are pregnant. 

“This notion that that’s plenty of time is a myth,” said Moss. “Plenty of time for whom? Not usually the average woman.” 

She also explained that some opponents of abortion believe the decision to terminate a pregnancy to be a flippant one. They think it’s taken lightly and neglect to consider the serious health and economic implications an unplanned pregnancy can have, according to Moss. She said this is a misconception. 

“We are forgetting that these are people, and these are real lives,” said Moss. “These decisions are very difficult and personal.” 

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By Bruce Schreiner
The Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The death toll from Hurricane Helene inched up to 227 on Ocr. 5 as the grim task of recovering bodies continued more than a week after the monster storm ravaged the Southeast and killed people in six states.

Helene came ashore Sept. 26 as a Category 4 hurricane and carved a wide swath of destruction as it moved northward from Florida, washing away homes, destroying roads and knocking out electricity and cellphone service for millions.

The number of deaths stood at 225 on Oct. 4; two more were recorded in South Carolina the following day. It was still unclear how many people were unaccounted for or missing, and the toll could rise even higher.

Helene is the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005. About half the victims were in North Carolina, while dozens more were killed in Georgia and South Carolina.

The city of Asheville, in the western mountains of North Carolina, was particularly battered. A week later workers used brooms and heavy machinery to clean mud and dirt outside of New Belgium Brewing Company, which lies next to the French Broad River and is among thousands of city businesses and households affected.

So far North Carolinians have received more than $27 million in individual assistance approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said MaryAnn Tierney, a regional administrator for the agency. More than 83,000 people have registered for individual assistance, according to the office of Gov. Roy Cooper.

In Buncombe County, where Asheville is located, FEMA-approved assistance has surpassed $12 million for survivors, Tierney said Oct. 5 during a news briefing.

“This is critical assistance that will help people with their immediate needs, as well as displacement assistance that helps them if they can’t stay in their home,” she said.

She encouraged residents impacted by the storm to register for disaster assistance.

“It is the first step in the recovery process,” she said. “We can provide immediate relief in terms of serious needs assistance to replace food, water, medicines, other life safety, critical items, as well as displacement assistance if you cannot stay in your home.”

Helene’s raging floodwaters shocked mountain towns hundreds of miles inland and far from where the storm made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, including in the Tennessee mountains that Dolly Parton calls home.

The country music star has announced a $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing immediate assistance to Hurricane Helene flood victims.

In addition, her East Tennessee businesses as well as the Dollywood Foundation are combining efforts, pledging to match her donation to Mountain Ways with a $1 million contribution.

Parton said she feels a close connection to the storm victims because so many of them “grew up in the mountains just like I did.”

“I can’t stand to see anyone hurting, so I wanted to do what I could to help after these terrible floods,” she said. “I hope we can all be a little bit of light in the world for our friends, our neighbors — even strangers — during this dark time they are experiencing.”

Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner said the company, including Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation, would increase its commitment and donate a total of $10 million to hurricane relief efforts.

In Newport, an eastern Tennessee town of about 7,000, residents continued cleaning up Ocr. 5 from the destruction caused by Helene’s floodwaters.

Mud still clung to the basement walls of one Main Street funeral home. The ground-floor chapel of another nearby was being dried out, a painting of Jesus still hanging on the wall in an otherwise barren room.

Newport City Hall and its police department also took on water from the swollen Pigeon River. Some of the modest, one-story homes along its banks were destroyed, their walls crumbled and rooms exposed.

Farther east in unincorporated Del Rio, along a bend in the French Broad River, residents and volunteers toiled to clean up. The smell of wood hung in the air as people used chainsaws to cut through downed trees, and Bobcats beeped as they moved mangled sheet metal and other debris. Many homes sustained damage, including one that slid off its foundation.

___

Associated Press journalists Jeff Roberson in Newport, Tennessee; Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa; and Denise Lavoie in Richmond, Virginia, contributed.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

In a continued effort to promote inclusivity, fairness and justice for all residents, the Baltimore Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR) is hosting Civil Rights Week. Taking place from Oct. 4-12, the event serves as a platform for education, advocacy and reflection on the ongoing struggles for equality and justice and other pressing civil rights issues in the city.

OECR, alongside local leaders, activists and community members, has curated a dynamic lineup of events that engages the community in meaningful discussions and actions around the intersections of race, gender, disability and socio-economic status within the framework of civil rights.

“Civil rights can’t be forgotten. I could go on and on about the things that are currently being discussed across the nation in 2024, and so many of them show that these conversations have to continue,” said Caron Watkins, interim director for OECR. “Although we’re delivering this message in a very concentrated way for this week, this is also the work our office is doing year round.”

Watkins continued, “We can look at history. We can look at the current dimension and we can plan for the future by bringing people together that are interested in protecting civil rights and advancing equity.” 

The theme for this year is “From Protest to Progress,” and the week was kicked off on Oct. 4 with “Prayers for the City.” As part of this event, faith leaders representing different denominations across the city were asked to pray for the city during their respective services.

Following that will be the 31st Baltimore City Civil Rights Breakfast on Oct. 7, during which selected community leaders and changemakers will be honored, including Anthony Jenkins, president of Coppin State University; Taylor Branch, author and historian who wrote a Pulitzer Prize-winning trilogy on the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Jamye Wooten, founder of CLLCTIVLY, a Black philanthropy network; Larry Gibson, famed law professor, activist and author; and Wanda Best, executive director of the Upton Planning Committee.

Throughout the week, a series of workshops, panel discussions, trainings and interactive sessions will be held in-person and online centering on civil rights issues, such as racial justice, housing equity and voters rights. Special attention will be given to the current challenges Baltimore faces, including police reform, affordable housing and educational disparities. 

On Oct. 8, a full day of events will be held between two locations: National Federation of the Blind (NFB), located at 200 East Wells St. in Baltimore, and the Morgan State University Student Center, located on the Northeast Baltimore campus at 1700 E. Coldspring Lane. 

At 10 a.m. on Oct. 8, information released by OECR states that NFB programming will engage “Baltimore City children with disabilities and their families or caregivers for a day of enriching programming co-hosted by the OECR and Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success (MOCFS).” Later, from 2:30-4:30 p.m., NFB will also offer “an opportunity to Baltimore City residents, particularly those who are themselves living with disabilities, to make their concerns known” and get answers from city officials. 

That afternoon, in-person events will be held at Morgan State University. At 4 p.m., the ties between Prince Hall Freemasonry and historically Black colleges and universities will be discussed. That will be followed by a 6 p.m. panel session with Marco K. Merrick, founding director of the Community Concert Choir of Baltimore, titled, “Music of Change: Protest, Uplift and Hope.”

The “Future Paths Expo: Beyond College Doors” session will take place at Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center, located at 201 Reedbird Ave., on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The same day, Coppin State University will host two panels: “From Protest to Progress: How the Birthplace of Redlining Turned into the Black Butterfly,” will take place from 4-5:30 p.m., with a focus on redlining in Charm City; and from 6-9:30 p.m., the panel session “Women of Courage: Baltimore’s Civil Rights Trailblazers.” Both events will be located in the Tawes Center Ballroom.

Oct. 10 will feature a conversation on “Immigration and Inclusion: A History of Struggle and Progress” at the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, located in the 1300 block of Division St. The Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Branch Library will host the Civil Rights Week reception at 400 Cathedral St. from 7- 9 p.m. on Oct. 11. And the week closes out on Oct. 12 with the Historic Upton Neighborhood Walk and Resource Fair at St. Peter Claver Church, which is located at 1526 N Fremont Ave. 

The OECR has partnered with various community organizations, advocacy groups and local businesses to ensure the week reflects the diverse needs and interests of Charm City residents. This collaborative approach aims to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose as the city works toward a more equitable future.

Through this programming, along with several others, the Baltimore OECR hopes to inspire tangible changes both within local government and across communities. Civil Rights Week will spotlight the voices and efforts that have long sought to dismantle inequality and encourage every Baltimorean to be an active participant in the continued fight for justice.

For a full list of Civil Rights Week activities, visit this link. 

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By Aria Brent 
AFRO Staff Writer 
abrent@afro.com 

Vice President Kamala Harris announced that she and running mate, Tim Walz will be making their way to several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) this homecoming season as they focus on securing the votes of young Black students. HBCUs in battleground states like Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania will be visited during the eight stop tour. Harris’ alma mater, Howard University (HU), is on the list of schools that will receive a visit in the coming weeks. 

Known as “The Mecca” throughout the HBCU community, Howard’s homecoming is highly acclaimed and often attended by students, alumni and people from other universities too. However, this year is their centennial anniversary and they’ll be celebrating 100 years of camaraderie, community and HBCU pride. The annual event is something that many alumni look forward to attending each year, however Harris’ scheduled appearance seems to be serving as an additional incentive for people to return to the yard. 

“I’m super excited for her to be at homecoming. I think Howard’s homecoming is the perfect place for her campaign,” said Jamel Wright, a 2017 graduate of HU. “This is a great opportunity for her to engage with the community and for us to hold her accountable for some of the concerns we have.”

Wright noted that an event centered around reuniting people is the perfect occasion for Harris’ presidential campaign. He explained that it provides an opportunity for her to take a grassroots approach to interacting with her supporters and hearing their needs and wants. 

“In the Black community, voting rates can be low and this is a great occasion for her to speak to members of the Black community and hear our demands,” he said. “The Black community usually seems to be last when it comes to presidential campaigns so her going on this homecoming tour is very strategic.”

Other HU alumni who spoke to the AFRO shared similar sentiments, noting her tour to be smart and innovative.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before. I think it’s a smart way of trying to appeal to a different generation of voters,” said Mekhi Abbott, a 2023 graduate of HU. “Her being an HBCU graduate makes her relatable. And I wouldn’t be surprised if candidates in the future decide to do the same thing.”

Although Madame VP is the first to go on an HBCU homecoming tour, many of the institutions she’s visiting are no stranger to being the breeding grounds for political and social change. 

“HBCU homecomings are more than just celebrations of culture and school pride; they are pivotal moments for political and civic engagement. Historically, HBCUs have been at the forefront of voter education and registration initiatives, making homecoming an ideal space for political campaigns,” said Yolanda Stewart, Ph.D, a 1994 graduate of HU. “These events offer a unique opportunity for political campaigns to connect with an educated, civically engaged community that has been instrumental in shaping social and political movements.”

Stewart currently serves as the president of the Columbus, Ohio chapter of the Howard University Alumni Association and she’s excited to see Harris return to campus for such a monumental celebration. She noted Harris’ journey of hardwork and high achievement to be well understood by many in the HBCU community– making her return a full circle moment. 

“I’m incredibly excited to welcome Vice President Kamala Harris back to the yard for such a historic moment. Howard University has a rich tradition of producing leaders and to see one of our own not only succeed but also return to campus during a pivotal time is inspiring,” she said.  “It reflects the journey of many HBCU graduates who have worked tirelessly for progress and justice. Homecoming is not just a celebration of the past, but a moment to look toward the future and having Kamala Harris on campus reinforces the powerful legacy that HBCUs like Howard continue to uphold.”

Harris is returning to her old stomping grounds on Oct.19. However, she won’t be there long because she’s scheduled to attend homecoming events for Clark-Atlanta University (CAU) and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCAT) on that same day. 

The homecoming tour started on Sept.28 at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina, next the tour will stop in Pennsylvania and Virginia to visit Lincoln University and Virginia State University, respectively, on Oct.12. That following weekend the duo will be at HU, CAU and NCAT and on Oct. 26, the tour will conclude in Atlanta when the Harris-Walz campaign attends the combined Spelman and Morehouse College homecoming.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by Yolanda Stewart, Ph.D are her personal opinions and do not reflect the views of any organizations with which she is affiliated.

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(Black PR Wire) Memphis, Tenn. – The National Civil Rights Museum is proud to announce the distinguished honorees for the 33rd Freedom Award, recognizing their exceptional contributions to civil and human rights. The Freedom Award, the Museum’s signature event, pays tribute to individuals who have shown unwavering commitment to promoting equity and justice.

The esteemed honorees for the 33rd Freedom Award are:

XERNONA CLAYTON, civil and human rights activist and producer who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the SCLC, has been a trailblazing leader in civil rights and broadcasting for 60 years. Clayton is renowned as the Founder and President of the Trumpet Awards Foundation. Her pioneering spirit in broadcasting continues to inspire generations.

SHERRILYN IFILL, President and Director-Counsel Emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF), has left an indelible mark on civil rights advocacy. Her tenure as Director-Counsel saw LDF’s increased engagement in civil rights issues, particularly in combatting voter suppression and racial discrimination.

SPIKE LEE, Academy Award-winning filmmaker whose groundbreaking work has reshaped filmmaking and cinema, has inspired national conversations around race, representation and culture. Lee is also a dedicated educator, serving as a tenured professor committed to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers.

The prestigious Freedom Award ceremony will be held October 17, 2024, at 7:00 pm Central at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN. It will be preceded by the Pre-Award Gala and Red Carpet at 5:30 pm at the adjacent Halloran Centre.

This year’s Freedom Award host is MC Lyte, a legend in music and entertainment. She is a pioneering artist and a formidable actress in television and film. The evening of captivating performances also includes Grammy-nominated recording artist, Deborah Cox, whose talent spans music, Broadway, television, film, and fashion.

The celebration extends beyond the evening festivities, as the Museum will hold a hybrid Student Forum on October 17 at 10:30 am Central at FedEx Forum. This inspiring educational forum aims to empower middle and high school students to take action and create positive change in their communities.

The National Civil Rights Museum has a rich legacy of honoring distinguished civil and human rights leaders, including Coretta Scott King, Nelson Mandela, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, Stacey Abrams, Kerry Kennedy, and many more. The Freedom Award signature sponsors are FedEx and Hyde Family Foundation.

Tickets for the evening event are available via Ticketmaster.  Event sponsorships are available. To sponsor, or for further information and updates, visit www.freedomaward.org.

About the National Civil Rights Museum:

Located at the historic Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was tragically assassinated, the National Civil Rights Museum provides an in-depth overview of the American Civil Rights Movement. Since its establishment in 1991, the Museum has attracted millions of visitors from around the world, with a profound mission to preserve the legacy of Dr. King and advocate for ongoing human rights struggles. As a Smithsonian Affiliate and a recipient of the prestigious 2019 National Medal Award, the Museum continues to inspire action and foster positive social change.

Source: National Civil Rights Museum

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By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

On October 3, Morgan State University (MSU) held the grand opening of its state-of-the-art Health and Human Services Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new building is one of several to open in 2024, underscores MSU’s commitment to growth and development for its students and community. 

MSU’s Marching Band, the Magnificent Marching Machine, cheerleaders and ROTC Bear Battalion members welcomed state and city officials, faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community. 

“This is the sixth building this year that we would have cut the ribbon on either brand new or renovated,” Congressman Kwesi Mfume (D-Md.-07), chairman of the Board of Regents said. “It’s important that a center like this will be here for many, many years to drive home the fact that we can overcome disparities if we are providing the correct health and human services to our communities.”  

According to research conducted by Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute, “every single health indicator, including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, childhood asthma, smoking and poor mental health days is higher for African Americans than for White residents” in Baltimore. 

The  208,000-square-foot, six-story $171M project has been in the works since 2019 with construction beginning in 2021. It will serve as an academic and research facility for faculty and students, providing essential resources directly for the Baltimore Community and society.

“I want our students to know that this is indeed for you – we will serve Baltimore, we will serve the larger region,” Dr. David Wilson, president of Morgan State University stated at the ribbon cutting. “We will serve the nation by educating the next generation of health professionals, the next generation of public health leaders, the next generation of social workers and the next generation of scientists.”

According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, in 2023, Black men and women earned only 7 percent of doctoral degrees in science and engineering and just 9 percent of the overall STEM field. 

The center will be the hub for the University’s School of Community Health and Policy and School of Social Work, the University Counseling Center and Prevention Sciences Research Center, and the School of Education and Urban Studies’ Family and Consumer Sciences Department.

The building will give students access to demonstration areas, laboratories, offices, communal areas and more. The Human Services Center is located at the corner of Argonne Drive and Hillen Road in Northeast Baltimore. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

Baltimore resident Darryl Wiggins has not been seen or heard from since Sept. 2, 2022. The 33-year-old, who rented a home on the 600 block of Wyanoke Ave., disappeared after having a disagreement with his landlord days before he went missing. 

Wiggins’ family says the landlord removed his belongings from the

 home and took off his door. But, on the morning of his disappearance, a court ruled that Wiggins had a right to be there as his rent was paid. He returned to the home to take measurements for a new door. After sending them to a friend who planned to help him replace the door, he vanished. 

His mother, Diana Baines, wants answers. 

“I sometimes feel that Darryl has been forgotten about. There haven’t been any updates in a very long time, and I don’t hear from the Baltimore Police Department unless I reach out to them,” said Baines. “I’m not saying they aren’t doing their job; I have to trust they’re doing their best. I just feel, given the circumstances, we should be further along than we are.” 

She described Wiggins as a generous person who is a stranger to no one. He is an avid Baltimore Ravens fan and often had game day superstitions. 

Before he disappeared, Wiggins was regularly involved in his family’s lives. Baines was largely a single mother, and Wiggins viewed himself as the “man of the house.” He also stepped in to be a father figure for his nieces and nephews, attending school and extracurricular activities. 

Wiggins was just starting to get a moving business off the ground when he went missing. 

“Darryl is very family-oriented,” said Baines. “He loved when our family would get together whether it be for the holidays or just someone’s birthday. He lived for his family.”

The Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) provided Wiggins’ missing person’s report, but said it could not comment on ongoing investigations. In the report, police noted that Wiggins did not experience any mental illnesses or health problems. They also confirmed that he typically speaks with Baines every day. 

Her last conversation with her son came at 10:27 a.m. on Sept. 2.

The day after Wiggins went missing, Baines said a friend came over to drop off his paycheck. After knocking on the door and receiving no answer, he asked Wiggins’ landlord whether he’d seen him. 

According to Baines, the landlord said he hadn’t seen him and didn’t know who the friend was talking about. 

Wiggins’ family and friends have been devastated by his disappearance, his mother said. And the lack of leads in his case has her feeling exasperated. 

“I feel it’s not the police but the entire system failing my son,” said Baines. “Every turn I have made to try and get attention to his disappearance has made it nowhere. I feel like we have no rights.” 

She urged the public to come forward and contact BPD with any information regarding Wiggins’ whereabouts.

“The smallest of things can make the biggest difference in the investigation. I think a lot of times people don’t think they know something and they do, or people know something but they’re afraid to come forward. I just want everybody to know the feeling is different when it affects your family.” 

The post Baltimore family continues search for Darryl Wiggins after 2 years   appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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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We’re seeing the death and destruction extreme rainfall causes, and Black folks in the Southeast are disproportionately at risk.

By Willy Blackmore
Word in Black

When Helene reached northern Georgia as a tropical storm at the end of last week, its wind speeds had dropped to the point that it was no longer a hurricane. Huge and comparatively slower-moving too, the storm took two days to pass through the Atlanta metro area, and while it hung over the city it dropped an extraordinary amount of rain: nearly a foot at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport, where the previous two-day record rainfall of 9 inches was set in 1886.

Some areas saw even more rain, like McDonough, Georgia, which recorded nearly 14 inches. According to the latest numbers, nearly 200 people have been killed by the hurricane, including 25 in Georgia, and hundreds of people are still missing.

The storm went from a tropical depression to being forecast as a major hurricane in what was likely record time.

“They had never forecast a major hurricane within 60 hours for a disturbance below tropical storm level,” said Sam Lillo, a meteorologist and software engineer for DTN Weather, based on a computer analysis of the center’s historical forecast data. “The entire forecast is also basically faster than has ever been seen for 36 hours and 48 hours from a tropical depression.” And the resulting storm ended up causing catastrophic damage in Western North Carolina.

When 12, 14, or 31 inches of rain falls just about anywhere it’s going to create problems — but Helene dropped so much water on some Western North Carolina mountain towns that they have all but washed away.

Nearly half of Black folks live in 11 southeastern states —Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Given the concentration of Black folks in the region, that makes hurricanes — and the torrential rain and flooding they often bring — a disproportionate threat to Black households.

As we’ve previously reported, structural racism exacerbates the dangers Black communities face when hurricanes (and so-called 100-year, or 1,000-year storms roll through) and bring torrential rains with them. Atlanta was rebuilt after the Civil War to be, by design, a city where White people lived at the tops of hills and Black people lived at lower elevations — where water (and, before the city developed a municipal sewer system, waste) ran down to. 

It’s no wonder then that research from McKinsey shows that Black people in the Southeast are almost twice as likely to be affected by a hurricane as their non-Black neighbors. And, McKinsey projects that “by 2050, nearly 17 percent of Black-owned homes will be at risk of storm damage.”

Although storms like Helene may have the potential to be worse for Black neighborhoods, they’re so large and so full of moisture that the damage can strike seemingly everywhere. Case in point: Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood, both wealthy and largely White, flooded during the storm too.

Helene is just the latest storm to pose a serious threat of flooding and damage from intense rainfall. Hurricanes have always had the capacity to drench inland areas once they move past the coast — Beryl caused dramatic rain totals and flooding in Vermont in July. But climate change is making these weather events even more intense.

“We can’t talk about Hurricane Helene without talking about climate change, which is causing stronger and more destructive storms,” Michael Mann, a professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania, told ABC News. “Helene is a poster child for the ways that human-caused climate change is amplifying the coastal threat from intensified hurricanes combined with rising sea levels.”

Meanwhile, hurricane season doesn’t end until Nov. 30, so more catastrophic storms could be on the way.

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 Aria Brent 
AFRO Staff Writer 
abrent@afro.com

The disappearance of 24-year-old Tamika Huston opened the eyes of people across the nation when she first went missing in 2004–particularly, the meager news coverage of the South Carolina native’s  case compared to the full court press given to missing White women. 

Most recently, Huston’s disappearance and death was used to highlight how little publicity is given to cases of missing Black women in an ABC 20/20 special, “The Girl Who Looked Like Me.” However in 2008, it served as the inspiration for the founding of the Black and Missing Foundation (BAMFI), a Maryland-based organization focused on bringing awareness to missing Black people nationwide.  

BAMFI co-founder and CEO Natalie Wilson spoke with the AFRO about the organization’s origins, the epidemic of missing Black Americans, the importance of publicity and other means to combat this ongoing issue. 

AFRO: How and when did the Black and Missing Foundation get started?

NW: The Black and Missing Foundation started in May of 2008 and the inspiration behind it is a young lady by the name of Tamika Huston who went missing from my sister-in-law’s hometown of Spartanburg, S.C. We read about how Tamika’s aunt, Rebkah Howard, really struggled to get national media coverage around her beautiful niece who was missing. And the striking part for us is that Rebkah was a publicist and she had access to the media, and they weren’t telling her niece’s story. Some weeks after Tamika went missing, Lori Hacking disappeared and she dominated the news cycle. A year later, Natalie Holloway dominated the news cycle, and we were disheartened to learn that Rebkah reached out to those same reporters, same networks, same programs and she was met with silence. Following this we decided to do some research and my sister-in-law and I found that at that time, 30 percent of all persons missing were of color–primarily Black males. And  we said, let’s do something about it, let’s use our expertise–mine is in media relations, Dericca’s is in law enforcement, and those are the two critical professions needed to find and bring our missing home. And if you fast forward 16 years later, what keeps us going and what’s motivating us is that so many families are struggling and they’re desperately searching for their missing loved ones. They’re being turned away by the very institutions, media and law enforcement hat are sworn to help them. We want to even the playing field and we want our missing to be household names too, because it’s so critical to help find and bring them home.

AFRO: What is the mission of the organization?

NW: The mission of the organization is threefold. One is to bring awareness to missing people of color across the country. Two, is to educate our community on personal safety. And three, again, to bring awareness to this issue because it’s a human rights issue at this point.

AFRO: Have any of the people that you have reported or posted on your website been found?

NW: Absolutely. We have been instrumental in finding more than 500 people–whether they were found deceased or alive. Of course, we still have a lot more work to do because 40 percent of the missing population are people of color and we believe that the numbers are much higher. Because we know that there’s a sense of distrust between law enforcement and the minority community, a population could be not reporting these disappearances. Especially within the Hispanic community, they are not reporting for fear of deportation. In the FBI stats, they classify Hispanics as being White, however, at least 24 percent of Hispanics classify or associate themselves as Black.

AFRO:  You noted that 40 percent of missing people are Black. Do you know the numerical statistics for that ?

NW: The latest statistics show 40 percent of the population and that’s around 163,000 people of color under the age of 18. Let me break it down a bit. So in 2023, 224,706 persons of color were reported missing. Of that group, 162,755 or were under the age of 18.

AFRO: What demographic is making up the majority of those numbers ? So if 40 percent of the missing population is Black people– of those missing Black people is the majority women? Is it children? Is it men? 

NW: We’re seeing the numbers and it’s kind of neck and neck. It’s pretty even, but it’s still an issue because what we’re also finding is that our children tend to remain missing four times longer. They’re not getting the media coverage that’s need. And what we’re also finding is that law enforcement–at least for the cases that we see– nine out of the 10 cases they tend to classify these missing children as runaways. If you’re classified as a runaway, you do not receive the Amber Alert. You definitely do not get any type of media coverage at all.

AFRO: What is being done to tackle this issue both within your organization and on a national and  federal level ?

NW: Awareness is key. If our community isn’t aware that this issue is prevalent, then no one is really talking about it and that’s what we’re doing. We are out in the community. We have partnerships with local and national media platforms to sound the alarm that people of color are disappearing at an alarming rate and we need the community to be aware. And they’re disappearing for a number of reasons. Whether it’s sex trafficking or mental health. This is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Black women are disappearing at an alarming rate because of domestic violence. We need to look at the picture holistically and try to peel back the layers as to why this is happening and try to stem the issue. We recently issued a law enforcement guide to provide policies and procedures that law enforcement officials should follow when it comes to missing persons cases. As I explained, the classification runaway– we don’t use that term at all, and many law enforcement agencies don’t even have that in their policies and procedures. So then why are you classifying children as runaways when you issue the flier? We’re working with legislators to either implement or create laws to protect those that are most vulnerable. It’s the media, it’s law enforcement and the community that plays a great role in solving this issue. What we’re finding is that people tend to turn a blind eye to this issue because they’re not personally affected or they may not know the missing person. What we do is we vet every case and ensure that there’s a missing person report on file so that we won’t be liable for spreading false information. We have to do a better job of utilizing our faith based organizations and schools and medical facilities to really be on the lookout for cases of missing persons or abuse.

AFRO: What is the biggest issue that is fueling Black people going missing ?

NW: Well, there are a whole host of issues. As I mentioned, sex trafficking. There was a study done by the Urban Institute where they interviewed pimps and pedophiles, and their response to trafficking young girls and young Black women is that one, they know that no one would look for them, and two, if someone did look for them and they were caught, the penalty will not be as harsh. How disheartening is that? Sex trafficking, mental health issues, we are seeing an aging population that now have dementia or Alzheimer’s, and they are wandering away. We need to be mindful of that too and domestic violence, but we also have to be mindful of our children that are being preyed upon in foster care. Those that are homeless are overlooked and no one is really keeping track of our children that are in foster care or that are homeless. They’re being preyed upon by these predators and these pimps. 

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By Ryan Coleman 

The Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) provides care and treatment, consistent with the public safety, to boys and girls under the age of eighteen who violate the criminal law, or are likely to violate the law, or whose behavior is such that they may endanger themselves or others. Many close to the juvenile justice system say it is failing them and putting the lives of others in the community in danger.

There is a push to hold the juvenile justice system accountable for juveniles continuing to commit violent acts. We have a society that has the mission to ensure juveniles are given the resources needed. However juveniles don’t have the right to victimize citizens in the United States. Citizens have the right under the Constitution to be safe and live their lives. We can’t sanction under the chance of treatment to allow juveniles to victimize our citizenry.

Many say these local, high profile cases are a prime example as to why accountability is needed:

1. On Sept. 29, in Anne Arundel County, two 14-year-old boys, a 13-year-old girl, and a 16-year-old girl stole a car that crashed into a building, injuring the occupants. They all were released to their parents. 

2. Also in September, two 15-year-olds fled the Maryland State Police and ended up shooting at Baltimore County Police officers. One was charged as an adult, the other released to his parents. 

3. In Baltimore, a 66-year-old man in the Butcher’s Hill area was attacked by two juveniles last month. One was charged as an adult the other was released to his parents.

4. In June, two 17-year-olds and a 15-year-old were arrested for stabbing a man at Towson Mall. One was charged as an adult the others released to their parents. 

DJS intake officers are responsible for determining whether youth who have been taken into custody require secure detention or may be released to a parent, guardian or other responsible adult and, if so, under what conditions. Intake officers are directed by statute (Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings, §3-8A-15) to authorize detention if deemed necessary to protect the youth or others, or if the youth is deemed likely to leave the jurisdiction of the court.

Therefore, DJS has the legal authority and legal obligation to require secure detention for juveniles that pose a threat to public safety. In the above cases they refused to protect Marylanders by holding these juveniles.

DJS announced a policy change on Oct. 1, saying “all youths accused of or charged with a violent felony will be placed on electronic monitoring before their initial court appearance. For those already on electronic monitoring, they will be detained.”

I appreciate DJS making a change, but it does not go far enough. 

First, Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings, §3-8A-15 already directs DJS to hold children who pose a risk. It is not the job of DJS to write the legislation but to follow it. The role of writing legislation is given to the Maryland General Assembly. DJS must follow the law and when they dont must be held accountable.

Secondly, time and time again we have seen youth offenders commit crimes while on electronic monitoring. 

This policy would allow them to victimize two Marylanders before being detained. Marylanders can not continue to see the same story played out over and over again. The leadership of DJS must detain violent juvenile offenders regardless of their age. If DJS’s new policy does not keep Marylanders safe, then the governor should appoint new leadership.

The post Op-ed: Communities in Baltimore deserve better juvenile services appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

Early voting began on Friday, Sept. 20 in Virginia – the first state in the nation to allow in-person voting in the 2024 presidential election. Voters can continue to vote through Nov. 2, the Saturday before Election Day, which will arrive on Nov. 5.

Officials advise checking your registration status online or by calling before visiting your local registrar’s office to vote. According to the Virginia Department of Elections, you do not have to have a reason or fill out an application to vote early. However, voters must provide their name, address and show an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement at the registrar’s office before voting. Virginia residents who desire to vote must register by Oct. 15, but even after that deadline they may register. According to information released by the Virginia Department of Elections, “same day registration refers to the ability to register to vote in-person and immediately vote a provisional ballot after the deadline to register and vote a non-provisional ballot has passed.” This is available due to a law passed not long ago.

“Beginning with the 2022 General Election, the General Assembly approved legislation that provides the ability to register at any time, up to and including Election Day,”  according to the Virginia Department of Elections. “Previously, registration was closed for the 21 days before an election; there was no ability to register to vote after this deadline. The new law allows registration, with limitations, during the 21-day period before an election.”

Other states where early voting has started include Minnesota and South Dakota. 

In Washington, D.C., the deadline to register to vote online or by mail is Oct. 15. Those who wish to vote early may do so between Monday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 3. Qualified non-citizen residents of D.C. can vote in D.C. elections for local offices. However, non-citizens cannot vote for federal offices. Check the D.C. Board of Elections website for more information and details on how to register to vote.

In Maryland, early voting will be held from Thursday, Oct. 24 through Thursday, October 31, with early voting centers open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone who is registered to vote or who is eligible to register to vote can vote during early voting. 

While laws differ from state to state, in Maryland, people convicted of a felony can vote if the felony convictions are not for the crime of buying or selling votes and if they have completed their imprisonment. You can vote while on probation unless you were convicted of buying or selling votes. In Virginia, those convicted of a felony permanently lose the right to vote. And in the District, as of July 2020, those who are incarcerated have the right to vote.

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“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, 
examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.

The new Black unemployment numbers came out today, and it’s a sign of good news for Black Americans.

Four years ago when Trump was president, the Black unemployment rate was 11.9%. Today, the Labor Department reported it’s 5.7%. That’s a 52% drop in Black unemployment in the last four years.

While Trump tries to scare voters with lies about immigrants taking “Black jobs,” the truth is that 2.5 million more Black Americans have jobs than four years ago, and last year we had the lowest Black unemployment rate in history: 4.8%. 

Even more impressive, last year was the first year on record when Black unemployment never rose above 6% at any point during the year. And despite all the talk of leaving Black men behind, the unemployment rate for Black men dropped to 5.1% in September, the first time in a long time when it’s been lower than Black women’s unemployment, which landed at 5.3%.

That’s remarkable.

Some will complain that the comparison with Trump is unfair because his numbers were skewed by the COVID-19 crisis. 

Yes, COVID did affect the economy for Trump, but it also caused supply chain shortages, labor market disruptions, and demand surges that affected inflation for Biden. You can’t blame Biden for Covid-related economic problems of inflation and not blame Trump for the COVID-related economic problems of unemployment. The president’s job is to handle crises, and Trump failed to handle the COVID-19 crisis.

Biden, on the other hand, passed the Inflation Reduction Act, and inflation dropped back down to 2.5%.

When Trump came into office, he inherited a thriving economy from President Obama and made things worse. 

When Biden and Harris came into office, they inherited a failing economy from Donald Trump and fixed it.

Contrary to Republican talking points, the economy didn’t just rebound when Biden and Harris took office because the pre-COVID-19 jobs magically came back. It grew because the federal government took active steps, like the American Rescue Plan that Joe Biden signed in March 2021. That law saved the economy from collapse and provided $1,400 stimulus checks to ordinary Americans. 

RELATED: 10 Big Lies Trump and the Republicans Tell About Kamala Harris

Every single Republican in Congress voted against those checks — and every other part of the law. But they took credit for it, anyway, after they saw its positive effects. 

That’s the way Republicans fool you. They take credit for anything good with the economy and then they blame Democrats for anything bad.

It’s even worse with Trump. He calls any information that’s not good for him “fake news.” And any information that is good for him is completely true — and it’s all because of him.

When Trump first ran for office in 2016 and Black unemployment was going down, he said the numbers were all “phony” and rigged by the government.

RELATED: If Trump Wins, Republican Judges Will Rule the Courts—and Our Lives

But as soon as he got in office, Trump turned around and took credit for Obama’s Black unemployment record and said the numbers were no longer rigged.

“They may have been phony in the past, but it’s very real now,” Trump’s press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters.

Ha ha ha. We lied. Very funny.

Whether it’s poll numbers, election results, crowd size, or unemployment numbers, Trump just creates his own reality.

The Trump White House even created a new term to justify their gaslighting lies. They called it “alternative facts.”

It turns out that Republicans are really good at marketing. But not so good for the economy. 

Bill Clinton made this point at his Democratic Convention speech in August. “Since the end of the Cold War in 1989, America has created about 51 million new jobs,” he said. Democrats created 50 million of those and Republicans only created one. Fact checkers verified it was true. 

Clinton inherited a recession from Bush and dug us out of it. Obama inherited the worst recession since the Great Depression from the Second Bush and dug us out of it. And Biden inherited an economic collapse from Trump, who mismanaged the COVID crisis, and the Biden-Harris administration had to dig us out of it too.

When Trump was president, we lost 2.7 million jobs in four years. Under Biden and Harris, the economy has now added 16.2 million new jobs.

In fact, the worst Black unemployment recorded was 21.2% under Republican president Ronald Reagan. And the best Black unemployment rate in history was 4.8% under Democratic President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Republicans want you to forget that history. They want to pretend that Donald Trump is a successful businessman who can make America great again. But Donald Trump is just a great salesman, who is willing to sell mugshots, Bibles, sneakers, NFTs, watches, and himself to the next sucker in line. 

Why would you trust a guy who inherited $400 million from his daddy, lost it all, and filed bankruptcy six times? 

Look at his record. Trump Casinos went bankrupt. Trump’s USFL Football Team collapsed. Trump Airlines failed. Trump Magazine failed. Trump Steaks failed. Trump Vodka failed. Trump Mortgage failed. Trump University went out of business for fraud. And the Trump Foundation went out of business for fraud. Even his new business, Trump Media, has lost two-thirds of its value in the past six months.

The bottom line is that Donald Trump is a fraud. He’s not good for America. And he’s not good for Black America.

Keith Boykin is a New York Times–bestselling author, TV and film producer, and former CNN political commentator. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Keith served in the White House, cofounded the National Black Justice Coalition, cohosted the BET talk show My Two Cents, and taught at the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University in New York. He’s a Lambda Literary Award-winning author and editor of seven books. He lives in Los Angeles.

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By Mylika Scatliffe
AFRO Women’s Health Writer

Pregnancy and women’s reproductive choices have long been hot button issues in the political arena, even more so in the years since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.

Nearly half of all pregnancies that occur each year around the world each year are unintended. This means roughly 121 pregnancies are not planned, according to the United Nations Fund for Population Activities. 

Abortion and a woman’s right to choose when to bear children–if at all– has been the impetus for numerous protests, legislation and personal, heart wrenching decisions.  What gets lost in the political and moral wrangling is another option: adoption.

Many people think of adoption in terms of a young couple that “got into trouble” or children that have been left in foster care. However, children with medically complex issues don’t immediately come to mind.

Advocates for Children and Families (ACF), a licensed child placement agency based in North Miami, Fl.,  has been advocating for the well-being of children and families since 1992. In addition, their ACF+ program addresses needs specific to the adoption of medically complex children and their families.

“In your typical adoption scenario, you usually have a mom who might be parenting other children on her own, doesn’t have a lot of family or financial support, or the birth father may not be involved,” said Rob Lamarche, executive director of ACF. “Maybe she’s a young woman who is just not at the point in her life where she feels she can take care of a child,  and the stark reality is that there are more and more states where termination is no longer an option. So, she decides to make an adoption plan with ACF.”

ACF+ does not work with children in the foster care system. Instead, they usually work in placing newborns or slightly older children up to the age of about three years old.

“Many of the children whose mothers have made an adoption plan with ACF were intended and parts of families who planned to parent them, but for the discovery of the child having special needs,” said Lamarche.

“They may have learned the baby has Down Syndrome, or had a traumatic birth, or were extremely premature with a three or four level brain bleed, which can have some pretty serious repercussions down the road,” said Lamarche. 

This is where ACF+ comes in. 

“For whatever their personal reasons, they have decided they are not prepared or frankly not interested in parenting a child with very specific and complex needs,” said Lamarche. “We step in to advocate for that child and find a family who is going to be just as thrilled to adopt them as any other family would be to adopt a ‘typical child.’”

Jennifer Kelly, program director for the ACF+, is an expert at navigating adoptions involving children with medically complex issues. She wants to make it clear that while ACF and ACF+ is there to advocate for children and to find them forever homes, they never try to push anyone into adoption.

“We’re here to empower women and families to make the decision that is best for them and their situation. If that means voluntary adoption that’s fine. If in the end they decide they want to parent their baby, that’s fine too,” said Kelly.

Families looking to adopt babies approach ACF as well.  Often families will come forward and say they are open to adopting any child, including one with disabilities or special needs. Others may come forward with limitations such as wanting to only adopt a deaf child because one or both parents are deaf, or they may already be parenting a deaf child.

One of ACF’s biggest current obstacles is letting people know they are out there for both birth  and adoptive families who are looking for a place to go for help to start or expand their families. Kelly also wants to educate them about significant challenges and long-term ramifications of adoption.

“One challenge is to make sure that adoptive families considering placement of a child, that they are not just looking at the adorable, vulnerable infant or toddler in front of them, but that they are being realistic about a child’s medical complexities and the commitment it will entail,” said Kelly.

For example, neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain damage that occurs when a baby’s brain has been deprived of oxygen before or shortly after birth. It affects the central nervous system and babies born with HIE may have neurological or developmental problems.

“A child with severe HIE will continue to grow and become the size of an adult, but their cognitive abilities often will not develop beyond the newborn stage, so you’re eventually going to have to on a daily basis pick up a 120-pound adult and help them bathe and go to the toilet,” said Kelly.

“We have to make sure that families are not just looking at the adorable child in the photo and considering their first few years of life, but they will truly have the ability to meet every need of the next 20 or more years and that they have a realistic view of what that will look like,” said Kelly.

The second biggest challenge is making sure families have access to resources.  In the United States, families who privately adopt medically complex children are eligible for the same benefits available to a family adopting a child from foster care. These benefits include a small stipend and Medicaid until the child reaches adulthood. Very few people in the country understand how to apply for these benefits, or the non-ward adoption subsidy. Kelly is an expert on how to apply for these benefits. After all, she’s been through the process of adopting a medically complex child. Her daughter’s name was Joy.

“When I adopted my daughter,  I didn’t think the adoption subsidy was that important. My ex-husband was a pharmacist, I taught at a university, we had plenty of resources and what I thought was excellent insurance,” said Kelly.

Joy received millions of dollars in health care in the 14 months she lived.

“I was responsible for paying 10 percent which means I had medical debt of about $1,000,000. That’s not sustainable for most families,” continued Kelly.

There are very few people in the country who understand how to apply for the non-ward adoption subsidy benefit, or that it is even available.

“It takes on average about 100-man hours to apply for these benefits, and it’s a daunting task when you have so many other obligations and family to care for. We do the work to get families Medicaid for the child, so they’ll have that stipend to help cover things insurance doesn’t cover. We want to help set families up for permanency, so they’re not facing a financial crisis over trying to provide for their child or children,” said Kelly.

Voluntary adoption is not a challenge just for children with medically complex issues. Children and families in a variety of circumstances often need help. The Cradle is a non-profit, licensed adoption agency headquartered  in Evanston, Ill. The organization has facilitated more than 16,000 domestic and international adoptions since opening in 1923.  The Cradle has been at the forefront of African-American infant adoptions as well as LBGTQ+ placements in the Illinois and Indiana areas.

The Ardythe and Gale Sayers Center for African American Adoption is a program at The Cradle that focuses on adoptive parent recruitment in the Black community. The program began in 1994 and was renamed in 1999 in honor of Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Gale Sayers and his wife Ardythe, who are Cradle adoptive parents.

“It’s really important to us to have a diverse group of families that are prepared to adopt.  Back in the 1990s, we were having women coming to us hoping to place their child with a Black family and we realized we needed more Black families available and willing to adopt,” said Pam Tancredi, vice-president of adoption and family support at The Cradle.

The Sayers Center is one of the only programs in the country that promotes adoption awareness in the African-American community.

“In 2023, 81 percent of Black or multi-racial babies were placed with Black families through the Sayers Center. Since 1953, over 1,000 African-American and multi-racial babies have been placed with adoptive families and over 700 of them are part of the Sayers Center,” said Tancredi.

The Cradle is the only adoption agency in the United States that provides an on-site nursery as a safe, neutral place for infants to stay while their parents decide if voluntary adoption or parenting them is in their baby’s best interest.

“Our team of social workers, counselors, and education and outreach staff offer inclusive, lifelong support to the many people whose lives have been touched by adoption, including birth parents, adopted persons and adoptive parents,” said Tancredi.

The Cradle celebrated its 100-years throughout 2023 and took advantage of the milestone to share its story and build its community of supporters.  

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Dawn Moore, first lady of Maryland, attended United Way of Central Maryland’s 2024 Women’s Forum on Sept. 26, addressing the need to elevate women and change childcare.

Moore said she’s “proud of the work this administration is doing to provide more access so that women can go back into the workforce” after having children.

Through the fiscal year 2025 budget, Gov. Wes Moore (D) and state legislators increased funds toward the state’s Child Care Scholarship program by $270 million. The program provides services for around 30,000 children.

During the forum, speakers pointed out the hardships families experience through the cost of child care. 

“You should not have to make a decision between whether you can take a job or stay with your children,” said  Moore on Sept. 26.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 58 percent of parents exit the workforce because they can’t find suitable childcare.

“You can’t work without child care,” said Reshma Saujani, author and founder and CEO of Moms First, a movement to support mothers in the workforce. 

Saujani pointed out that when child costs are unreasonable or child care is unavailable women are often left to pause their careers to take care of the children.

Dawn Moore highlighted the importance of mothers’ ability to find quality child care and return to the workforce.

“We are needed in the workforce,” said Dawn Moore. “We make up over half the population.”

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, women make up 47 percent of all American employees and are essential in the modern workforce.

Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter (D-District 10) spoke with the AFRO and offered a deeper look into how childcare costs impact Baltimore City.

“When we look at the disproportionate level of the rates of child care versus what African-American women in the City of Baltimore are taking home, obviously a disparity,” said Porter before a city council meeting on Sept. 30.

According to the Maryland Family Network, a non-profit, the estimated cost of child care in Baltimore City is $22,983. With a median family income of $72, 972, Baltimore families are spending about 31.5 percent of their median household income on child care, the highest percentage for any county in the state. 

The Maryland Family Network’s findings reflect a distinct financial burden on families in Baltimore City, a region where approximately 60 percent of residents are Black.

Porter offered some solutions.

“It’s a two-pronged approach. You can’t have good daycares without good daycare providers,” said Porter. “Making sure that we combat the workforce along with the price of childcare, that’s how we’re going to solve that issue.”

Porter laid out some ways federal, state and local governments can and should address the cost of childcare.

“From a federal level, tax incentives for families,” said Porter. “At the state level, making sure that we provide incentives for opening a daycare for daycare workers childcare subsidies for families.”

Porter said city legislators can “look at different zoning options where we can put daycares” in certain areas so they are not over-concentrated in any one location.

She also said city legislators can provide partnerships through philanthropic opportunities, helping daycares remain in underserved communities.

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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 Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Morgan State University’s campus newspaper, The Spokesman, hosted a forum on Sept. 24 for students and the public to hear from leading candidates in the race for Maryland’s U.S. Senate seat. Both Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) and Larry Hogan (R), former governor of Maryland, were invited, however Hogan did not join Alsobrooks on stage to speak with voters in attendance.

If elected, Alsobrooks will make history by becoming the first Black woman to represent the state of Maryland in the U.S. Senate. 

NBC Correspondent, Antonia Hylton, moderated the forum with three student reporters: Lillian Stephens, Aleisha Robinson and Tavon Thomasson.

Alsobrooks  said she was happy to attend the forum, which gave her another opportunity to introduce herself to voters. 

Gun violence 

Firearms were a crucial part of the discussion, as gun violence in the country is a growing concern among voters. 

The 2022 report by Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions stated that “since 2013, the gun death rate among children and teens (1–17) has increased 106 percent. Guns were the leading cause of death among children and teens, accounting for more deaths than car crashes, overdoses, or cancers.”

Data also shows that the fatalities linked to gun violence are higher in Black teens and children.

“In 2021, 46 percent of all gun deaths among children and teens involved Black victims, even though only 14 percent of the U.S. under 18 population that year was Black.” The study also stated that “both the number and rate of children and teens killed by gunfire in 2021 were higher than at any point since at least 1999.”

A panelist pointed out that the Morgan State University community is no stranger to the effects and loss of gun violence. Next month marks a year since the campus shooting that curtailed homecoming events. 

Alsobrooks shared that she was Prince George’s County’s first full-time domestic violence prosecutor, and the issue of gun violence is something that she cares about.

“It is unconscionable that we have had leaders who have been unwilling to make common sense changes that would prevent our children from dying of gun violence.”

According to the Office of Governor Wes Moore ,”Maryland ranks number 31 among the highest rate of gun deaths in the United States.”

Alsobrooks expressed that she has worked towards solving this issue, and as senator, she is going to sign legislation to help resolve the massive gun violence issue. 

“I will work to pass sensible gun legislation to make sure that we are working to ban assault weapons from our communities,” Alsobrooks said.

Reproductive rights 

The Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court case in 197 legalized abortion in the United States. However, it was overturned in 2022. Since then, more than 20 states have placed severe restrictions on abortion or outlawed the procedure all together. 

“It is important that women all over the country have access to reproductive freedoms,” Alsobrooks said. 

“The laws should be equal across the country, which is why I will be in support of the Women’s Health Protection Act.”

The Women’s Health Protection Act protects abortion access and, according to Congress, “prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services.” The act was introduced in 2023 by Wisconsin’s  democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

Economic goals

Aside from gun violence and reproductive rights, the cost of living and inflation were also a key point in the conversation with Alsobrooks. 

She explained that her goal is to attract more companies and opportunities to the state, which would create jobs for the residents she hopes to represent.

“My goal is to attract investment to the state of Maryland that will help large technology companies and other companies that want to invest in the state so that we have six-figure jobs for our young people,” said Alsobrooks. “I’m going to be fighting hard to bring jobs to Maryland.”

Alsobrooks told those in attendance that she is hopeful about the outcome of this election, which will take place in less than 50 days. “I’m going to be a good senator,” said Alsobrooks. “I’m going to go there with not only experience I’ve had over the last 27 years as an executive, but I’m going to take my lived experience.”

Attendees left the forum feeling informed and more knowledgeable about Alsobrooks and her stances on important issues.

“I feel invigorated,” 71-year-old Faye Belt told the AFRO. “Now that we realize it’s all about our future – we can move in a way that we can save this [country].”

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

D.C. Councilmember Robert White is on a mission to renovate downtown D.C. 

On the morning of Sept. 24, White, who is chair of the Committee on Housing, welcomed local and national leaders to discuss housing and economic recovery in a public roundtable discussion. Additionally, people from across the nation with experience in revitalizing their communities were in attendance.

“The idea of building communities, the things that support communities, investing and enlarging the arts downtown and creating outdoor markets– that is our future,” said White. “But I want to hear from people who disagree with me. I’m inviting not just people who share my vision, but people who see it differently so we can say, ‘OK, now it’s time. We’ve heard everything. Time to make decisions and move forward.’ “

With hopes of solidifying a plan by the end of the year, White is aiming to get this process started sooner rather than later. 

Mayor Muriel Bowser shared her five-year-plan earlier in the year and she’s looking to see more people come back to in-person work. White, however, doesn’t see that happening. 

The mayor’s plan has multiple foundational elements. Bowser aims to create business space; reestablish downtown as a place to safely live, work and play; build up the residential base and improve transportation. 

“Mayor Bowser and some other groups have plans, and the government has programs, but we don’t yet have an overarching vision or strategy. That’s a dangerous space to linger in for too long,” he said. “We have to know very clearly where we’re going, what it’s going to take to get there, and how we get from where we are now to there. That requires us to keep our foot on the gas.”

Mayor Bowser and President Biden have both sounded off about workers returning to traditional office settings as a way of helping revitalize downtown, but White doesn’t think that’s very likely. 

“It’s not happening. Don’t waste your energy. Workers are demanding flexibility. Talented people are going to drive the market,” he said. “Let’s turn the page and stop looking at yesterday. Let’s go forward.”

Sydney Stewart, an off-campus student at Howard University gave her thoughts on the efforts by local leaders.

 “I appreciate the convenience of working from home, it’s easier, but also downtown can be kind of scary at night,” said “People are living on top of each other and there’s a major crisis going on with the homeless community.”

Stewart noted the growing need for housing in the downtown area, not only as a way of combating homelessness, but for everyday people looking to live near their jobs and within city limits.

“The cost of living overall is insane but especially for housing,” she said. “We need affordable housing downtown. I’m sure it would help make the area more appealing and it would make more people want to come there.”

White emphasized the importance of making living in the downtown area more affordable to those that help keep the businesses in that area afloat. 

“People who work in our restaurants and accommodate tourists– those are the folks who keep our economy revving–but they can’t afford to live in D.C. now,” said White. “We have too much office space and an urgent need for more housing.”

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