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 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 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 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 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.

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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 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 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 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.” 

The post Residents attempt recovery efforts in devastation of Hurricane Helene 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.

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.

The post Solar power companies are growing fast in Africa, where 600 million still lack electricity appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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.”

The post Herb Brown celebrates 100th birthday appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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. 

The post From the Bay to the table: Black crabbing history in Maryland appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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.” 

The post Georgia judge overturns 6-week abortion ban appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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 Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

AFRO.com now features AFRO Votes, a one-stop shop of resources and information related to the upcoming Nov. 5 election. The new feature on the AFRO’s main web page can be found by scrolling to the bar that says “AFRO Votes” in the middle of the page.

At AFRO Votes, readers can check their registration status, learn about what elections are going on in their local area and request an absentee or mail-in ballot. It also contains a feature to help youth, between the ages of 13 and 17, register as future voters.

Included on the page are articles showcasing the AFRO’s latest election coverage, aimed at informing voters of the issues and platforms being discussed ahead of Nov. 5. 

According to the Pew Research Center, about 34.4 million Black voters will be eligible to vote in November, but not all are registered. 

Though the voter registration deadline is Oct. 15 in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia, eligible voters can still register during the early voting period and on Election Day.

In Maryland, early voting is from Oct. 24-Oct. 31. In D.C., early voting runs from Oct. 28-Nov. 3 and in Virginia, early voting has started and will continue through Nov. 2.

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By Emily Parks
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the PATIENTS Program

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

About the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

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

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By Sandy Arnette
Arnette Media Strategies

Melvin L. Stukes, a beloved political and social activist in Baltimore, died on Saturday, Sept. 21, at his home in Pikesville, Md. He was 76.

Stukes, who dedicated his life to public service and community advocacy, had a decorated career. He was an officer of the Cherry Hill Improvement Association (1979-1990s) and Hall of Fame inductee (2014), the first African American councilman for Baltimore’s 6th District (1991-2004) and a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 41 (2006-2015). He also worked in Maryland’s Revenue Administration Division (1975-1998) and for the Maryland Transit Administration (1998-2019).

Guided by his motto, “Working Together Works,” Stukes was passionate about African American history and heritage and had deep connections in Maryland and South Carolina. He was a 1965 graduate of Scott’s Branch High School in Summerton, S.C., and served for four years in the United States Air Force (1965-1969) before being honorably discharged. In 1975, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Morgan State University.

An avid sports fan, Stukes played football, basketball and baseball in high school and had a deep love for Southern cooking and community gatherings. He helped revive the Scott’s Branch High School Alumni Association by organizing fundraisers and educational events, including a seminar on the historic 1952 Briggs v. Board of Education Supreme Court case and a private screening of the film, Bull Street.

Stukes was a true “Servant of the People,” dedicated to improving the lives of those he loved, mentored and served. He was cherished for his wisdom, integrity and unwavering commitment to his community.

Stukes is survived by his wife, Catherine DeFord Stukes; daughters Tauraine L. and Marian L. Stukes; stepchildren Kevin Deford and Shelia Cofield; sisters Sandra Chipungu (Stafford), Joan Stukes-Maurice (Alix) and Mercedes Eugenia; three step-grandchildren; four nieces; three nephews; one grandniece; one grandnephew; and many cousins, adopted family and friends.

Viewing:
Monday, October 7, 2024, from 5-8 p.m. (Tributes begin at 7 p.m.)
Wylie Funeral Home
9200 Liberty Road
Randallstown, MD 21133

Funeral Service:
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Wake: 10 a.m.
Funeral: 11 a.m.
Union Bethel A.M.E. Church
8615 Church Lane
Randallstown, MD 21133
Livestream: https://unionbethelamec.org/media/livestream

Burial:
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Immediately following the funeral service
Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery
11501 Garrison Forest Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117

This article was originally published by Arnette Media Strategies.

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

The Generational Wealth Diversity Summit celebrated 10 years of providing resources to minority communities on Sept. 28 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore. 

This year, the free event’s theme highlighted the importance of successfully passing down minority-owned businesses and keeping them in the family. 

According to the Howard Business Review, “70 percent of family-owned businesses fail or are sold before the second generation gets a chance to take over. Just 10 percent remain active, privately held companies for the third generation to lead.”

The summit and conversation, led by Sharif J. Small, CEO and founder of S.J.S Financial Firm LLC, was a platform for several business owners to engage in a panel discussion. 

The discussion, which focused on the importance of succession when passing down a business, was a key part of the event. The panel shared insights on how to build a successful family business, life insurance and tax planning, real estate investing and more, all of which are essential for the next generation.

Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, publisher and chairwoman of the AFRO-American Newspapers, was recognized as this year’s pioneer and trailblazer. She engaged in the discussion on behalf of the paper, a publication successfully led by the fourth and fifth descendants of founder John H. Murphy Sr. 

The AFRO has continued to bring news and information to the community for over 130 years, a testament to its enduring success.

Attendees also heard from a thriving group of entrepreneurs who have taken over family businesses: Andrew E. Johnson, CEO of Goode Foods—Canned Beans and Vegetables; Ashley Ivey, executive director of I-CARE Home Health Care; Selena Britton, vice president of Class Act Catering and CEO of Aura Events and Décor, and Brandon M. Wylie, CEO of Wylie Funeral Homes P.A. The panel was co-moderated by Perneita Farrar, CEO of Farrar Legal Services. 

They each shared their journey of taking over the businesses that were passed down to them from their family, but they also talked about the struggles and tribulations that they had to help others prevent making the same mistakes. 

Dr. Draper stressed the importance of having a business and a succession plan no matter what. “If you’re at the top of your company and something happens to you, the question is what happens to your company?”  she said  

Draper shared that people should think about the future and obtain some “insurance that says if something happens to me– even if I do not have a clear succession plan– what happens to my company and how are my assets going to be protected.”

Even with making mistakes, they spoke about the importance of pivoting, taking risks, and building connections. 

“I think something I’m still learning today is the power of connections and branding yourself,” said Johnson, the second-generation owner of Goode Foods. “Really putting yourself out there, as opposed to only pushing your company or your company name.”

He shared that since taking over the family business, he has had to be more public because he is now the face of the company, which was once led by his late father, Emile Johnson. Since doing so, the company has garnered over 400k views and likes across social media platforms. 

Hundreds of attendees left the panel feeling motivated by their new perspective on starting and passing down a business. 

“Being a former business owner, I didn’t think about some of the things on the panel, like succession,” Glenn Smits told the AFRO.

Smits expressed that it is important to pass down Black-owned businesses and for Black Americans to have a plan. “We need to pass everything to the younger generations—we need more events like this to get the word out,” he said.

Eugene Redfern, CEO of Fernland TV, shared that he was excited to come out and get information about how to pass down businesses successfully because he had recently started his own. 

“For a young Black man, this is huge for me,” Redfern told the AFRO. He shared that he enjoyed hearing from like-minded people and “getting insight to doing it right.” 

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By Tom Krisher and Wyatte Grantham-Philips
Associated Press

The union representing U.S. dockworkers has signaled that 45,000 of its members will walk off the job at midnight, kicking off a strike likely to shut down ports across the East and Gulf coasts.

The coming work stoppage threatens to significantly snarl the nation’s supply chain, potentially leading to higher prices and delays in goods reaching households and businesses if it drags on for weeks. That’s because the strike by members of the International Longshoremen’s Association could cause 36 ports — which handle roughly half of the goods shipped into and out of the U.S. — to shutter operations.

ILA confirmed over the weekend that its members would hit the picket lines at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Oct 1. In a Monday, Sept. 30, update, the union blamed the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports, for continuing to “to block the path” toward an agreement before the contract deadline.

“The Ocean Carriers represented by USMX want to enjoy rich billion-dollar profits that they are making in 2024, while they offer ILA Longshore Workers an unacceptable wage package that we reject,” ILA said in a prepared statement. “ILA longshore workers deserve to be compensated for the important work they do keeping American commerce moving and growing.”

ILA also accused the shippers of “gouging their customers” with sizeable price increases for containers over recent weeks. The union said that this will result in increased costs for American consumers.

The Associated Press reached out to a USMX spokesperson for comment.

If drawn out, the strike would force businesses to pay shippers for delays and cause some goods to arrive late for peak holiday shopping season — potentially impacting delivery of anything from toys or artificial Christmas trees, to cars, coffee and fruit.

A strike could have an almost immediate impact on supplies of perishable imports like bananas, for example. The ports that could be affected by the strike handle 3.8 million metric tons of bananas each year, or 75 percent of the nation’s supply, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Americans could also face higher prices as retailers feel the supply squeeze.

“If the strikes go ahead, they will cause enormous delays across the supply chain, a ripple effect which will no doubt roll into 2025 and cause chaos across the industry,” noted Jay Dhokia, founder of supply chain management and logistics firm Pro3PL.

Dhokia added that East Coast ports aren’t the only ones at risk for disruption, as concern leading up to the strike has already diverted many shipments out West, adding to route congestion and more pressure on demand. Impacts will also be felt internationally — particularly in places like the United Kingdom, he said, where the U.S. is its largest trading partner.

ILA members are demanding higher wages and a total ban on the automation of cranes, gates and container-moving trucks used in the loading or unloading of freight.

The coming strike by the ILA workers — set to impact ports from Maine to Texas — will be the first by the union since 1977. West Coast dockworkers belong to a different union and aren’t involved in the strike.

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

All eyes are on what, if any, action the administration might take — particularly just weeks ahead of a tight presidential election. But Biden has signaled that he will not exercise this power.

During an exchange with reporters on Sunday, Biden said “no” when asked if he planned to intervene in the potential work stoppage.

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

At a briefing Monday, Sept 29, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated that the administration had never invoked Taft-Hartley “to break a strike and are not considering doing so now.” She added that top officials were still urging both parties to return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith.

This article was originally published by the Associated Press.

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WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today (Sept. 27) that it has filed a lawsuit against the State of Alabama and the Alabama Secretary of State to challenge a systematic State program aimed at removing voters from its election rolls too close to the Nov. 5 general election, in violation of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA).

“The right to vote is one of the most sacred rights in our democracy,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “As Election Day approaches, it is critical that Alabama redress voter confusion resulting from its list maintenance mailings sent in violation of federal law. Officials across the country should take heed of the National Voter Registration Act’s clear and unequivocal restrictions on systematic list maintenance efforts that fall within 90 days of an election. The Quiet Period Provision of federal law exists to prevent eligible voters from being removed from the rolls as a result of last-minute, error-prone efforts. The Justice Department will continue to use all the tools it has available to ensure that the voting rights of every eligible voter are protected.”

Section 8(c)(2) of the NVRA, also known as the Quiet Period Provision, requires states to complete systematic programs aimed at removing the names of ineligible voters from voter registration lists by no later than 90 days before federal elections. The Quiet Period Provision applies to certain systematic programs carried out by states that are aimed at striking names from voter registration lists based on a perceived failure to meet initial eligibility requirements — including citizenship — at the time of registration. The Quiet Period is an important protection for voters, because systematic removal programs may be error-ridden, cause voter confusion and remove eligible voters days or weeks before Election Day who may be unable to correct the state’s errors in time to vote or may be dissuaded from voting at all. States may remove names from official lists of voters in various ways and for various reasons, but they may not carry-on this kind of systematic removal program so close to a federal election.

On Aug. 13, the Secretary of State announced the launch of a “process to remove noncitizens registered to vote in Alabama.” This was 84 days before the Nov. 5 general election. The Justice Department’s review found that both native-born and naturalized U.S. citizens have received letters stating that their voter record has been made inactive and that they have been placed on a path for removal from Alabama’s statewide voter registration list. The letter directs recipients who are in fact U.S. citizens and eligible to vote to complete and submit an attached State of Alabama Voter Registration Form. In turn, that form instructs that people may not register to vote in the 14 days before an election. This systematic voter removal program, which the State is conducting within 90 days of the upcoming federal election, violates the Quiet Period Provision. 

The Justice Department seeks injunctive relief that would restore the ability of impacted eligible voters to vote unimpeded on Election Day and would prohibit future Quiet Period violations. The department also seeks remedial mailings to educate eligible voters concerning the restoration of their rights and adequate training of local officials and poll workers to address confusion and distrust among eligible voters accused of being noncitizens.

More information about voting and elections is available at www.justice.gov/voting. More information about the NVRA and other federal voting laws is available at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. The department recently announced a new guidance document addressing limits on when and how jurisdictions may remove voters from their voter lists. Complaints about discriminatory voting practices may be reported to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section through the internet reporting portal at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931. 

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

A variety of events will take place at the end of September, leading into the month of October. From expos and art shows to information sessions and film screenings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the next few weeks throughout the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area. 

Maryland

A Black Souliloquy

A Black Souliloquy welcomes Black women to their monthly event, a time to blend creativity and reflection to help Black girls and women connect, unwind and grow together. This month they’ll be exploring the theme of “Finding Peace During Challenging Times,” while stimulating their creativity with a sand candle workshop. During the candle making guests will engage in an open and reflective discussion on maintaining peace and balance when life gets difficult. 

Date: Sept. 28

Time: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. 

Location: Cahill Recreation Center

     4001 Clifton Avenue 

     Baltimore, MD 21216

DMV Black Student Leadership Conference

Black Student Development invites Black students from across the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area to Morgan State University for a day of inspiration, empowerment and connection. Come out for a day filled with insightful workshops, motivational speakers and networking opportunities.

Date: Oct. 4

Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Morgan State University

    1700 East Cold Spring Lane

    Baltimore, MD 21251

Prostate Cancer Health Matters in Montgomery County

The Silver Spring Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity will host their event, “Prostate Cancer Health Matters,” in Montgomery County, Md. This event is open to all, including men, women and families, as prostate cancer is a disease that affects the entire community once a diagnosis is received.  

The event will feature a showing of the film “The Black Walnut,” and the film’s producer, Terrance Afer-Anderson, will be featured in a panel discussion with a urologist and several prostate cancer survivors. The session will be aimed at debunking myths behind prostate cancer and treatment options.

Date: Oct. 5

Time: 12  – 3 p.m. 

Location: 51 Mannakee St. (Science Building)

     Rockville, MD 2085

Black Wall Street Renaissance Pop-Up Shops

Join A-List Productions as they hold their monthly pop-up shop. Come out and enjoy a family-friendly environment that promotes unity, self love and healthy eating all the while keeping Black dollars in the Black community. 

Date: Oct. 5 

Time: 11 – 5 p.m.

Location: Everlasting Life Restaurant and Lounge

     9185 Central Avenue 

     Capitol Heights, MD 20743

Unbought and Unbossed: Shirley Watch Party and Panel Discussion

The Theta Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will host a watch party for the film, “Unbothered and Unbossed,” which tells the legacy of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. Following the film’s showing, a panel discussion will be held for attendees to hear from Maryland State Legislators.

Date: Oct. 6

Time: 3 – 6 p.m. 

Location: Colesville United Methodist

     52 Randolph Road 

     Silver Spring, MD 20904

Bear Witness to Our Story

Morgan State University’s Counseling Center and NAMI Metro Baltimore invited the community to an evening focused on elevating the voices of students and faculty as they explore mental health experiences in the Black community.

Date: Oct.10 

Time: 6 – 8:30 p.m. 

Location: Morgan State University

     1700 East Cold Spring Lane 

     Baltimore, MD 21251

Washington D.C. 

Art to the Future – Art All Night on Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Street

Join the Penn Branch Center as they host the  Art to the Future – Art All Night 2024. Guests can look forward to a night filled with creativity, inspiration and innovation. This year, the fourth annual Art All Night on PAEMS will offer a diverse range of artwork and interactive exhibits from local artists. Event attendees will be delighted with live music and goods from some of D.C.,’s best artisans, vendors and craft enthusiasts.

Date: Sept. 27

Time: 6 – 12 a.m.

Location: Penn Branch Center

     3202 Pennsylvania Avenue

     Southeast Washington, D.C. 20020

Below the Surface: A History in African American Printmaking

Black Art in America is hosting a free art show, highlighting contemporary printmakers from across the nation.

Date: Sept. 27- Nov. 2

Time:11 – 6 p.m. 

Location: 1201 K Street Northwest 

     Washington, D.C. 20005

A Right Proper Block Party 2024

A Right Proper Block Party is returning for the fourth annual Art All Night party. Guests will experience this free event that will feature live music, a fire dancer, artists and local art vendors. Additionally, the Black Beer Garden, hosted by Black Brew Movement, will feature a series of local Black-owned breweries for attendees to enjoy. 

Date: Sept. 28

Time: 5 – 12 a.m. 

Location: 624 T Street Northwest 

     Washington, D.C. 20001

A FORGOTTEN MIGRATION |  Busboys and Poets 

Come out to Busboys and Poets for, “A Forgotten Migration,” a production that tells the story of “segregation scholarships.” The funding was used by states in the Southern part of the U.S. to help Black students seeking graduate education prior to the Brown v. Board of Education era. 

Date: Oct. 9

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Busboys and Poets 14th and V

      2021 14th St 

      NW Washington, D.C. 20009

Virginia 

Walking Tour: Black Heritage Fort Monroe 

Guests are invited to the Fort Monroe National Monument to explore the rich and dynamic history of “Freedom’s Fortress.” 

Date: Oct. 1 – Nov. 8

Time: 1 – 2 p.m.

Location: 30 Ingalls Road

     Fort Monroe, VA

Improving Birth Outcomes: Health Disparities and Black Birthing People 

Virginia Commonwealth University Health office of Health Equity along with the Health Humanities Lab at the Humanities Research Center will host the 2024 History and Health annual symposium on Oct.2. The event will explore the history of reproductive healthcare policies, the social determinants fueling the ongoing Black maternal health crisis and strategies to combat the health and healthcare disparities. 

Date: Oct. 2

Time: 12 – 4:30 p.m.

Location: 800 E Broad St

     Richmond, VA 23219

*All events listed are free to attend.

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By Nicky Forster
The Associated Press

At the site of a race massacre that reduced neighborhoods to ashes a century ago, where murals memorialize a once-thriving “ Black Wall Street,” one African-American mother strives to keep others from dying as they try to bring new life into the world.

Black women are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth as White women in Oklahoma, which consistently ranks among the worst states in the nation for maternal mortality.

“Tulsa is suffering,” said Corrina Jackson, who heads up a local version of the federal Healthy Start program, coordinating needed care and helping women through their pregnancies. “We’re talking about lives here.”

Across the nation, programs at all levels of government — federal, state and local — have the same goals to reduce maternal mortality and erase the race gap. None has all the answers, but many are making headway in their communities and paving the way for other places.

Jackson’s project is one of more than 100 funded through Healthy Start, which gave out $105 million nationally in grants this year. Officials call Healthy Start an essential part of the Biden administration’s plan for addressing maternal health.

Other approaches to the crisis include California halving its maternal mortality rate through an organization that shares the best ways to treat common causes of maternal death and New York City expanding access to midwives and doulas two years ago. Several states passed laws this year aiming to improve maternal health, including a sweeping measure in Massachusetts. And last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced more than $568 million in funding to improve maternal health through efforts such as home visiting services and better identifying and preventing pregnancy-related deaths.

“We need to really identify the birthing people who are at potentially the greatest risk,” New York City health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said, “and then wrap our arms around them throughout their pregnancies.”

A healthy start in Tulsa

Besides coordinating prenatal and postpartum care — which experts say is crucial for keeping moms alive — local Healthy Start projects provide pregnancy and parenting education and referrals to services for things like depression or domestic violence. The local efforts also involve women’s partners and kids up to 18 months. And they focus on issues that influence health, such as getting transportation to appointments.

“You try to get them in their first trimester and then work with them to delivery day, and then we also work with the babies to make sure that they reach their milestones,” Jackson said.

Jackson got help from the local Urban League as a single mom, and felt called to give back to her community. She’s been with Healthy Start for more than 25 years, first through Tulsa’s health department and recently through a nonprofit she started that received about $1 million in federal funds this fiscal year.

“I’m just like a mom to this program,” Jackson said.

Oklahoma overall has a maternal mortality rate of about 30 per 100,000 live births, significantly higher than the national average of about 23. But in Jackson’s quarter-century tenure, she said, there have been no maternal deaths among clients.

Pivotal to Healthy Start’s success are care coordinators like Krystal Keener, a social worker based at Oklahoma State University’s obstetrics and gynecology clinic, where clients get prenatal care. One of her responsibilities is to educate clients about health issues, like how to spot the signs of preeclampsia or how much bleeding is too much after delivery.

She also helps with practical matters: Many clients don’t have cars, so they call Keener when they need a ride to a prenatal visit, and she assists in scheduling one.

With doctors, Keener serves as a patient advocate. On a recent afternoon, Keener sat in on a prenatal appointment for Areana Coles. A single mom, Coles was joined by her 5-year-old daughter, who was born prematurely and spent time in intensive care.

With Coles’ due date approaching, Keener talked about what to watch for around delivery and shortly after, like blood clots and postpartum depression. She advised Coles to take care of herself and “give yourself credit for small things you do.”

During an ultrasound a few minutes later, Coles watched Dr. Jacob Lenz point to her unborn baby’s eyes, mouth, hand and heart. He printed an image of the scan, which Coles immediately showed her daughter.

Keener said she’s gratified that Coles would not be giving birth prematurely this time.

“You made it to term – yay!” she told her client.

Coles smiled. “My body can do it!”

Improving medical care

While programs like Healthy Start focus on individual patient needs, other efforts manage the overall quality of medical care.

California has the lowest maternal mortality in the nation — 10.5 per 100,000 live births, less than half the national rate. But that wasn’t the case before it created a “maternal quality care collaborative” in 2006.

Founded at Stanford University’s medical school in partnership with the state, it brings together people from every hospital with a maternity unit to share best practices on how to deal with issues that could lead to maternal injury or death, like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and sepsis.

“When you look at the rate of maternal death in the United States compared to California, they basically ran neck-and-neck until it was established,” said Dr. Amanda Williams, clinical innovation adviser for the collaborative. “At that time they totally separated and California started going down. The rest of the country started going up.”

In the collaborative, hospitals get toolkits full of materials such as care guidelines in multiple formats, articles on best practices and slide sets that spell out what to do in medical emergencies, how to set up medical teams and what supplies to keep on the unit. The collaborative also tackles issues such as improving obstetric care by integrating midwives and doulas – whose services are covered by the state’s Medicaid program.

At first, some doctors resisted the effort, figuring they knew best, Williams said, but there’s much less pushback now that the collaborative has proven its value.

MemorialCare Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital Long Beach started participating around 2010. The collaborative helps “vet through all the research that’s out there,” said Shari Kelly, executive director of perinatal services. “It’s just so important to really understand how we as health care providers can make a difference.”

For example, if a woman loses a certain amount of blood after a vaginal delivery, “we know to activate what we call here a ‘code crimson,’ which brings blood to the bedside,” Kelly said. “We can act fast and stop any potential hemorrhage.”

She said the collaborative has also helped reduce racial inequities — bringing down the rate of cesarean sections among Black moms, for example.

In July, U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed a similar initiative to California’s, focused on the quality of maternal care nationwide: the first baseline health and safety requirements for maternal emergency and obstetric services in hospitals.

A community perspective

Experts said getting maternal mortality under control at a national level requires tailoring solutions to individual communities, which is easier when programs are locally run.

New York City has a goal of reducing maternal mortality overall — and specifically achieving a 10 percent drop in Black maternal mortality by 2030. Statewide, Black residents are about four times more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth than White residents.

The city is starting with, among others, low-income residents and those living in public housing. The New Family Home Visits Initiative gives pregnant people and those who’ve given birth visits from professionals such as nurses, midwives, doulas and lactation consultants. Vasan said more than 12,000 families have gotten visits since 2022.

Nurse Shinda Cover-Bowen works for the initiative’s Nurse Family Partnership, which has her visiting some families for 2 1/2 years, well beyond the pregnancy and birth. She said “that consistency of someone being there for you and listening to you and guiding you on your mother’s journey is priceless.”

Being grounded in the local community — and its history — is also crucial for Healthy Start projects. The lingering effects of racism are evident in Tulsa, where in 1921, White residents are estimated to have killed 100-300 Black people and destroyed homes, churches, schools and businesses in the Greenwood section. That’s where Jackson lives now, and where health disparities persist.

Being relatable is valuable for Black women, who may distrust the health care system, Jackson said. Plus, knowing the community makes it possible to work closely with other local agencies to meet people’s needs.

Denise Jones, who enrolled in Healthy Start in February, has struggled with anxiety, depression and drug addiction, but has been sober since April.

In mid-July, baby items filled her room — a crib, a bassinet, tiny clothes hanging neatly in a closet — in anticipation of her child’s arrival. Jones, 32, flipped through a baby book, pointing to a sonogram of her son Levi, who would be born within a couple of weeks.

She said she feels healthy and blessed by the help she’s gotten from Healthy Start and Madonna House, a transitional living program run by Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma.

“I have professionals that are working with me and give me support. I didn’t have that with my other pregnancies,” she said. “I’m at one with my baby and I’m able to focus.”

This is the second story in a two-part series examining how the United States could curb deaths from pregnancy and childbirth.

This article was originally published by the Associated Press.

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By Nijiama Smalls
The Black Girl’s Guide to Healing Emotional Wounds

I used to have an issue with forgiveness. I used to hold grudges like no other. I would completely stop speaking to my offender because I wanted to let them know I hated them and no longer “messed with them.”

But here’s what I learned:

Unforgiveness leads to bitterness, which causes one to become endlessly negative and to have an overall cynical outlook on life.

Unforgiveness impacts our overall physical health. Harboring anger, hate and disappointment increases our risk of depression, heart disease and depression.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to see if you are harboring some unforgiveness:

Do you roll your eyes when you hear your offender’s name or see them?

Do you try your best to avoid your offender?

Do you have something negative to say about them when their name is mentioned?

Do you secretly hope something bad happens to them and/or feel they do not deserve good things to happen to them in life?

Do you replay the conversation you had with them in your head dissecting it or wishing you had said things differently?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to do some healing work.

This article was originally published by The Black Girl’s Guide to Healing.

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By J. Pamela Stills
Special to the AFRO

On Sept. 10 the City of Alexandria, Va. honored its residents who are or will be 100 years old or older by Dec. 31.  The centenarian ceremony, held at Alexandria City Hall, brought together city employees, loved ones and guests to join in the celebration.  

Thirteen centenarians made the roll in 2024:

Lois Madolyn Cross Brooks, 100 years old; Dorothea G. Campbell, 101; Jose Croll, 101; Addie Lee Foster, 102; Mediha Frank ,100; Charles F. Funderburk ,101; Walther A. Hammersley, 102; Virginia Hoge, 100; Florence Katz ,100; Marjorie “Peggy” Knowlton, 101; Jane Sara, 104; Alice Schmidt, 104, and Donna Hamilton Shor, 100.

Kate Garvey, director of the Department of Community and Human services, provided opening remarks.  Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, gave congratulatory remarks and presented the in-person attendees with a certificate and city coin. A musical performance was delivered by the Alexandria citizens band.

Two of the four in-person attendees were Lois Madolyn Cross Brooks and Charles F. Funderburk.  Lois Madolyn Cross Brooks is the last surviving member of nine siblings. Mrs. Cross Brooks has one son, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was accompanied to the ceremony by her granddaughter LaJuanne Russell. Mrs. Cross Brooks enjoys reading, interacting with youth, keeping up with political happenings, traveling and is actively engaged working in her granddaughter’s firm, Business Management Associates. Mrs. Cross Brooks shared some secrets to her longevity which includes fresh food, plenty of rest and enjoying an indulgence– hers being a Krispy Kreme raspberry-filled donut every day.

Charles Funderburk served in the Civilian Conservation Corps under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He settled in Alexandria in 1946, working for the St. Agnes School Board. He would later be employed by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association (George Washington Estate), working for almost 50 years until his retirement. Mr. Funderburk has four children and was accompanied by his daughter Jane Funderburk, granddaughter Clarissa Winslow and family friend Franklyn Bundu.

In attendance at the ceremony, Judge Nolan Dawkins, retired.  Judge Dawkins was one of five Black students to integrate the former George Washington High School.  He later became the first Black judge in Alexandria in 1994, starting in juvenile and domestic relations court, a court where “you can make a difference.”  Judge Dawkins retired from the bench in June 2020.

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By Sharon Johnson
The Associated Press

The third-grade students at Roberta T. Smith Elementary School had only a few days until summer vacation, and an hour until lunch, but there was no struggle to focus as they filed into the classroom. They were ready for one of their favorite parts of the day.

The children closed their eyes and traced their thumbs from their foreheads to their hearts as a pre-recorded voice led them through an exercise called the shark fin, part of the classroom’s regular meditation routine.

“Listen to the chimes,” said the teacher, Kim Franklin. “Remember to breathe.”

Schools across the U.S. have been introducing yoga, meditation and mindfulness exercises to help students manage stress and emotions. As the depths of student struggles with mental health became clear in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year endorsed schools’ use of the practices.

Research has found school-based mindfulness programs can help, especially in low-income communities where students face high levels of stress or trauma.

The mindfulness program reached Smith Elementary through a contract with the school system, Clayton County Public Schools, where two-thirds of the students are Black.

GreenLight Fund Atlanta, a network that matches communities with local nonprofits, helps Georgia school systems pay for the mindfulness program provided by Inner Explorer, an audio platform.

Joli Cooper, GreenLight Fund Atlanta’s executive director, said it was important to the group to support an organization that is accessible and relevant for communities of color in the Greater Atlanta area.

Children nationwide struggled with the effects of isolation and remote learning as they returned from the pandemic school closures. The CDC in 2023 reported more than a third of students were affected by feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness. The agency recommended schools use mindfulness practices to help students manage emotions.

“We know that our teenagers and adolescents have really strained in their mental health,” CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen told The Associated Press. “There are real skills that we can give our teens to make sure that they are coping with some big emotions.”

Approaches to mindfulness represent a form of social-emotional learning, which has become a political flashpoint with many conservatives who say schools use it to promote progressive ideas about race, gender and sexuality.

But advocates say the programming brings much-needed attention to students’ well-being.

“When you look at the numbers, unfortunately, in Georgia, the number of children of color with suicidal thoughts and success is quite high,” Cooper said. “When you look at the number of psychologists available for these children, there are not enough psychologists of color.”

Black youth have the fastest-growing suicide rate among racial groups, according to CDC statistics. Between 2007 and 2020, the suicide rate among Black children and teens ages 10 to 17 increased by 144 percent.

“It’s a stigma with being able to say you’re not OK and needing help, and having the ability to ask for help,” said Tolana Griggs, Smith Elementary’s assistant principal. “With our diverse school community and wanting to be more aware of our students, how different cultures feel and how different cultures react to things, it’s important to be all-inclusive with everything we do.”

Nationwide, children in schools that serve mostly students of color have less access to psychologists and counselors than those in schools serving mostly white students.

The Inner Explorer program guides students and teachers through five-to-10-minute sessions of breathing, meditating and reflecting several times a day. The program also is used at Atlanta Public Schools and over 100 other districts across the country.

Teachers and administrators say they have noticed a difference in their students since they’ve incorporated mindfulness into their routine. For Aniyah Woods, 9, the program has helped her “calm down” and “not stress anymore.”

“I love myself how I am, but Inner Explorer just helps me feel more like myself,” Aniyah said.

Malachi Smith, 9, has used his exercises at home, with his father helping to guide him through meditation.

“You can relax yourself with the shark fin, and when I calm myself down, I realize I am an excellent scholar,” Malachi said.

After Franklin’s class finished their meditation, they shared how they were feeling.

“Relaxed,” one student said.

Aniyah raised her hand.

“It made me feel peaceful,” she said.

This article was originally published by The Associated Press.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

Sometimes practicing self-care isn’t about what you’re doing for yourself, but what you’re not allowing others to do to you. Environments and situations that aren’t beneficial can’t always be avoided. However, creating a set of boundaries can help soften the impact it has on you. 

Whether it be with friends, family or colleagues– setting boundaries are a vital part of self-care and necessary for a healthy relationship. 

“I remember the first boundary I set was with my best friend. I remember telling her what I need and what a healthy relationship looked like for me,” said Storm Estes, founder of Survivors not Victims, a non-profit organization focused on helping women of color recover from their experiences with sexual and domestic violence. “Not once have either one of us felt like those boundaries were harmful or problematic or like they needed to be revisited or revised. The only thing it’s ever done is help us have the best friendship possible.” 

Estes noted that she’s no stranger to setting boundaries and it’s something she practices in all aspects of her life, including at work. The women’s protection advocate explained that even with how much she loves the work she does, she sets boundaries within it due to how heavy her field of work can be. 

“The work that I do is really heavy and it’s tiring and it can often take the last of what you have to give. In order to respect the boundaries that I put in place to protect my own needs, I put [work] on the shelf once the work day is over,” she explained. “As the founder of this organization, and with it being so near and dear to my heart, this is personal for me. But I have to constantly set boundaries because it’s easy for me to overly dedicate myself.”

Often misunderstood and incorrectly interpreted, a lot of people on the receiving end of a boundary mistake the self-care tool as an indicator that someone doesn’t want a relationship with them anymore. However, Estes explained that it’s actually quite the opposite and it should be seen as a tool to help create and maintain healthy relationships 

“I think people hear the word ‘boundary’ and it feels like you’re constricting them to a certain space and they can only move in a certain way. But boundaries mean that I love you so much and want this relationship so much that I have to enforce what I need for it to work between the both of us. And I’m communicating that because I want this to be a healthy relationship on both ends.”

Ashley Bryan, Psy.D, has an extensive background in boundary setting from both her personal experiences and the help she’s provided her patients. The mental health specialist shared similar sentiments to Estes, noting that implementing boundaries often saves relationships– not destroy them.

“I often think that boundaries are viewed as a way to push people away but I think that boundaries can be an act of love,” said Bryan.“If you care about someone enough to set that boundary then that means you’re willing to put a tool in place so that you can work on that relationship. Without boundaries relationships can blow up.”

Similar to Estes, Bryan also works in a field that is extremely personal, thus making her more likely to take on the baggage of her clients. The young professional recalled how strenuous her workload was as a student until she was both shown and encouraged to set a boundary in her professional life. 

“While being a psychologist is a beautiful profession, it can also take a toll on you because you’re absorbing everyone’s stories and experiences. I didn’t learn how to set boundaries  throughout grad school,” she said. “I don’t think the model of grad school allowed for that. I found myself pushing myself which led to a lot of burnout and me not feeling like my best self.”

“It took me coming into my internship in my last year of my program to set boundaries. They forced me to do self-care and wouldn’t allow us to work more than 45 hours,” said Bryan. “They were really intentional about teaching us how to sustain ourselves. I noticed a huge difference in terms of my energy around the people I love, I had more space to hold for people and I was happier.” 

It was noted by Estes that one of the most important parts of setting a boundary is enforcing it with yourself. She explained that you can’t force other people to prioritize or respect your boundaries, but standing firm within them regardless of other people is a great way to assure they are followed. 

“I will honor my needs, I will honor my boundaries. I can not make anybody else in this world respect my boundaries. And I’ve learned to be okay with the fact that no one else is obligated to respect my boundaries,” she said. “But in return, I’m not obligated to give them my company. I tell people all the time ‘ my love is unconditional, my presence is not,’ and there are people I will love until the day I die but they’ll never see me in person again. I love that I’ve gotten to a point in my life where that’s how much my needs matter to me. I know that my needs are valuable.”

Just as setting boundaries can be empowering, having them enforced with you can be hard. Bryan provided advice for those who are on the receiving end of a boundary enforcement, encouraging them to look at the situation and to be mindful that it might not be about you as an individual but the dynamic of the relationship. 

“I would encourage those folks to take a step back and think ‘Why is this person setting a boundary with me? Does this have to do with me? Does it have to do with them?’ Also, remind yourself that if this person is willing to have a conversation around setting a boundary there’s some level of care that they have for this relationship,” she said.

“Sometimes it’s not always a reflection on you,” Bryan continued. “And if you love this person, taking the time to hear them and see where they’re coming from might be really helpful. Cause while it might not be your intention to make them feel a certain type of way, it still has an impact.”

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Self-care and wellness have become top of mind for people all around the world. Self-care can look like therapy to time alone with a book.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote their own health, prevent disease, maintain health and to cope with illness.”

Many can benefit from self-care and veterans are no exception.

“I’ve learned over the years from several different other veterans the importance behind taking care of myself,” said Terrence Hayes, deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. “They taught me that if I take an interest in self care that I would be the best version of myself professionally, personally.”

Hayes shared that mental health is one of the most important ways he practices self-care.

Hayes said he uses “yoga, meditation and exercise” to improve and maintain his mental health.

Eli Williamson, co-founder of Leave No Veterans Behind, told the AFRO that he uses swimming to better his health.

“It’s a place that forces you to breathe,” said Williamson. “You can’t swim being tight, rigid.”

Williamson also views swimming as beneficial in teaching “balance and about relaxation.” 

Disconnecting from technology

Hayes said making sure he takes time away from his phone, laptop and the internet helps him enjoy the life in front of him.

“I find that when I tend to disconnect from those items, I’m able to reset my mind,” said Hayes. “I’m able to put things in better perspective and my stress level tends to go down.”

Hayes recognized that in a technological world this can be challenging, but it’s worth it.

“To be able to disconnect from them at least an hour before you lay down for bed is critical,” said Hayes. “You’re allowing your body to truly rest. You have to know when to turn it off so you can actually get that rest time.”

Connecting with others

Though taking a break from technology is encouraged, Williamson said connecting with others is an important aspect of self-care.

“People are very disconnected,” said Williamson. “Right now everyone is connected through phones, but very disconnected interpersonally. They don’t have proximity to one another.”

According to the Army Resilience Directorate, feeling connected with others can help prevent suicide and increase quality of life.

On the flipside of connecting with others, Hayes said making sure he has alone time to journal is important to him because it can be “humbling and restful.”

“Journaling allows me the opportunity to write my thoughts down. Put down things like goals and aspirations,” said Hayes. “I’m able to go back in my journal and see the things that I’ve written and see some of the things I’ve been able to accomplish.”

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By Jacquelyn Clemmons-Muhammed

When exploring the nourishment and nurturing of America’s foundation, you will inevitably find it was built upon Black mothers. From caregiving to wet nursing, our foremothers nourished this soil and it is countrymen. The ability to focus on healing themselves after birth was eclipsed by their primary task to nourish those around them. Sadly, the aftermath of this burden has resulted in generations of Black mothers who haven’t focused on allowing themselves to heal and rest postpartum.

The immediate postpartum period can be a challenging time, both physically and emotionally for new mothers. It is important to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being as you navigate the transition into motherhood. Here are three crucial steps that you can take to nurture your mind and spirit after giving birth.

Give yourself grace

The first and most crucial step in caring for your mental and emotional well-being after birth is to give yourself grace. Understand that it is normal to experience a wide range of emotions during this time, including joy, sadness and anxiety. The pressure to conform to societal expectations of motherhood can be overwhelming, but it is important to remember that there is no “right” way to be a mother. Embrace the journey and allow yourself the space to make mistakes and learn from them.

It is essential to be kind to yourself, particularly in moments when you feel overwhelmed or inadequate. Practicing self-compassion can help alleviate the pressure of new motherhood and help foster a positive mental state. It may be tempting to compare yourself to other family or community members, but be reminded that it is ok to take time to figure out what works best for you.

No matter how small they seem, take the time to acknowledge your accomplishments, and celebrate them. Remember that it is okay to ask for help and take breaks when needed. By giving yourself grace, you are nurturing and giving yourself an opportunity to lay a strong foundation for your motherhood journey.

Create healthy boundaries

Another vital aspect of caring for your mind and spirit after giving birth is to create healthy boundaries. Motherhood often comes with a myriad of responsibilities and expectations, and it is easy to feel pressured to meet everyone’s needs while neglecting your own. Setting boundaries is essential for preserving your mental and emotional energy and preventing burnout.

Establishing boundaries can involve communicating your needs to your support system, including your spouse, partner, family and friends. Clearly articulating your boundaries regarding visitors, responsibilities and personal time will help create a supportive and nurturing environment for both you, your baby and immediate family. It’s okay to prioritize your well-being and establish limits on what you can handle, without feeling guilty about it. By creating healthy boundaries, you are fostering a space that allows you to prioritize healing and self-care while maintaining a sense of balance and control in your home.

Plan and accept support

Lastly, it is so important for Black mothers to plan and accept support during the postpartum period. Being a new mother, no matter how many children you have, can be overwhelming. It is crucial to have a strong support system in place to help you navigate the challenges that come with motherhood. This support can come from a variety of sources, including local postpartum doulas, your spouse or partner, family, friends and healthcare providers.

When considering the type of support you will need, assess the existing needs of your family. Some families may need more hands-on support with older sibling care, others meal planning and preparation, while newborn care support may provide much needed rest and respite in other family dynamics.

Plan for support by reaching out to your loved ones or a professional and discuss specific ways in which they can assist you during this time. Whether it is through help with household chores, caring for the baby, or simply providing emotional support, it is important to communicate your needs and accept help when it’s offered, rather than trying to handle everything on your own.

Additionally, seeking professional support, such as therapy or counseling, can provide invaluable guidance and emotional support as you adjust to motherhood. There are mental health providers with specific training and tools to support postpartum families and their unique challenges. 

It is important to recognize that it is okay to prioritize your mental health and seek help when needed. When mothers are doing well mentally, physically and emotionally, their families thrive. By planning and accepting support, you are creating a strong network of care and habits that will uplift and sustain you during the transformative journey of motherhood.

What fathers can do

Fathers play a crucial role in supporting their partners’ healing after childbirth. During the immediate postpartum period they become the gatekeepers of the health and well-being of mom and baby. By ensuring you receive adequate rest, food and emotional support they can help guard the rhythm of the household.

Listening attentively, offering words of encouragement and showing empathy are important ways new fathers can contribute to their partner’s wellbeing. Taking on practical tasks such as preparing nutritious meals, managing visitors and organizing appointments can alleviate the burden on the new mother. By being actively involved in the postpartum recovery process, he can establish and deepen a healthy bond with both mom and his baby. How a couple navigates pregnancy, birth, and postpartum has strong implications to the longevity and health of their relationship. Mindful support in this season is a father’s investment in a strong foundation for his family.

You’re worth it

Prioritizing mental and emotional well-being after giving birth is essential for Black mothers and their families. By giving yourself grace, creating healthy boundaries and planning and accepting support, you can nurture your mind and spirit during this vulnerable and transformative time. Ultimately, investing in your well-being and seeking supportive care will empower you to thrive and embrace the joys and challenges of motherhood while building a resilient and nurturing foundation for yourself and your family.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

There are many types of therapy to help people overcome or recover from the hardships of life. And although some therapies are practiced by licensed specialists, others are created by people who see a need for non-traditional treatment to be administered. 

Some may turn to retail therapy, but that can be taxing on the pockets after a while. Others may search for happiness via travel, but for some, food is the way to heal the soul. 

“I remember chopping vegetables for a salad and doing things in the kitchen and at the time, I recognized that that process helped me unwind and calm down and kind of recenter myself at the end of the day,” said Julie Ohana, a culinary arts therapist. “I always knew that there was something to it. Flash forward a number of years later, when I was in graduate school, we had to write a master’s thesis on anything we wanted. I knew immediately that I was going to be writing on how cooking can be therapeutic, and that’s what I did.” 

Ohana is the founder of Culinary Art Therapy, a small Michigan based business that’s having a huge impact on participants. With a passion for cooking and over 20 years of experience as a school counselor, Ohana proudly offers her services as a culinary arts therapist. 

She explained to the AFRO that culinary art therapy is the act of cooking or creating something for the sake of doing something that feels good for you. She got her start in her family’s kitchen and has never looked back. Much like her passion for cooking, her desire to help people has always been within her and marrying the two came very naturally. 

“Wanting to help people has always been in me. I think I always knew I was going to be a therapist, and I always knew I wanted to be somebody that helped other people,” she said. “Food is something that brings people together and it’s something that people can relate to and because of that, I just knew that it would be something that other people would be receptive to and could benefit from.”

She noted that there aren’t currently any culinary art therapy programs or degrees in the U.S., however the practice is constantly growing and more people are participating in the creative style of therapy.

“There are culinary art therapy programs in other countries around the world, like Israel. I hope that one day in the U.S., it will be the same but for right now, it’s not the case. I did put together a training program to help other clinicians learn how to utilize these skills in their practice,” she said.

It was noted that culinary art therapy has been found to be beneficial to people of all backgrounds, ages and genders. Ohana explained that a singular session is all some patients need to put them in a better space, however much like traditional therapy its most useful when it’s practiced regularly. 

“It works across the board. It’s great family therapy. There’s nothing more amazing than seeing family dynamics play out as a family’s cooking together,”Ohana said. “I’ve been known to bring vegetables into my office and we chop them together to be able to learn how to practice mindfulness, how to self soothe and ease some anxiety symptoms.”

“It’s also really powerful for older adults, who can reap the benefit of tapping into that ability of reminiscing and memory, because our sense of smell is the strongest sense tied to memory,” she said “When you’re cooking or you’re even talking about certain dishes, it evokes memories, and there can be something really cathartic about being able to look back and talk about those memories with someone.”

And although culinary art therapy is great when practiced by a professional, it can also be done at home  by regular people who have a passion for food and cooking. 

“Pick a recipe that is simple–something that appeals to you. This is not about creating Michelin star restaurant quality dishes, this is about engaging in the process,” said Ohana. “Open your refrigerator, pull out whatever veggies you have and start chopping and start being aware of what you’re doing. Think about how you’re feeling and pay attention to what you need to improve on. Ask yourself, ‘Where do you need help?’ and ‘How do you tune into those things?’ and let that process guide you.

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By Nijiama Smalls
The Black Girl’s Guide to Healing Emotional Wounds

I was meeting with the two IT guys who help me keep my virtual space intact when one of them began to share his mental health journey. The meeting then turned into a healing session. Both of these Black men shared that they have suffered from panic attacks and experienced bouts of anger. The stress of putting on a facade regarding their feelings and emotions began to have an impact on their mental health.

Black men have not always had the space to share their feelings. Not only has it been frowned upon, but it has been weaponized. Let me keep it 100 and say that I have done this myself. I have proudly boasted about the fact that my husband was emotionless. I put his ability to compartmentalize on a pedestal as if it made him superior to men who showed their emotions. I referred to men who did show emotions by demeaning names (sissy, weak, b@#$%made). I was a toxic hot mess. Then, my husband began to suffer from panic attacks.

I realize that I had been conditioned to believe that, in essence, a man who stuffs his emotions is the picture of masculinity. Truth is, the behavior I was celebrating is harmful.

Suffering in silence leads to stress and depression which are linked to hypertension and heart disease. Our attitude towards Black men sharing emotions is literally killing them.

Moreover, instead of healing, many men learn to mask their internal pain by hiding behind anger and they learn to cope with their trauma by grasping onto vices such as sexual addiction. Womanizing is a behavior embraced by men who are attempting to drown unhealed emotional wounds or to gain a sense of self-worth.

We can all be the change for the men in our lives by encouraging our fathers, brothers, husbands, and colleagues to take the journey to heal. Let’s celebrate when they turn to therapy and display and share their emotions (in a healthy way).

This article was originally published by The Black Girl’s Guide to Healing Emotional Wounds. For more on this topic, read The Black Family’s Guide to Healing Emotional Wounds. Brother circles will be coming soon.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) – Recently, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus released its new corporate accountability report, “What Good Looks Like”: A Corporate Accountability Report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – a first-of-its-kind report to hold Fortune 500 companies — across all sectors — accountable to their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments and racial equity investments post-George Floyd.

The new report commissioned by the CBC finds that the majority of Fortune 500 companies that responded to a survey by the CBC remain committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace despite right wing attacks in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action in the landmark Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard in June 2023. Since the ruling, diversity initiatives have come under attack in corporate America, on college campuses in nearly 30 states, and in federal programs and venture capital firms for Black and minority businesses, despite research from institutions such as the Black Economic Alliance Foundation, which proves that 78 percent of Americans agree that corporate America should reflect the racial diversity of the American population, and McKinsey & Company showing that companies with racially diverse executive teams outperform their peers in profitability by 39 percent.

The report analyzes corporate diversity practices based on data shared with the CBC aggregated by industry according to the Global Industry Classification Standard  (GICS) and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Of the Fortune 500 companies reflected in the GICS data, a majority have made progress to their commitments to workplace diversity and racial equity.

The report further outlines 12 Best Practices and innovative approaches (or “What Good Looks Like”), taken by companies across various industries to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplaces and beyond, which the CBC hopes corporations will use as a standardized tool to strengthen, magnify, and expand diversity, equity, and inclusion practices across industries

The report comes nearly 10 months after the CBC issued its corporate accountability letter in December 2023 in response to the ongoing attacks on diversity initiatives in the private sector. The letter urged corporate America, particularly those in the Fortune 500 who made public pledges to diversity and racial equity post-George Floyd, to stand firm in their commitments and to update congressional members on the progress of their commitments.

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford offered the following quote:

“The CBC commends corporate leaders who have overwhelmingly reaffirmed their company’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in their business practices and operations, and those who believe, like most Americans, that diversity is a business and talent imperative. We cannot allow a handful of right-wing agitators to bully corporations, and this report offers corporate America a guide to strengthening their diversity practices. This report is the initial step in a strategic effort to ensure the tools of economic opportunity are protected as we work to advance our Black wealth and economic prosperity agenda in the next Congress to close the Black-white wealth gap in America.”

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By Ngala Killian Chimtom
The Associated Press

MAYOS, Cameroon (AP) — The morning sun filtered through the forest canopy, casting dappled light on this village in Cameroon. For the Baka Indigenous community, it was a timeless image.

But a passing truck broke the silence and stirred up billows of dust, a reminder that the Baka now live an uneasy life along roadsides after being forced from their traditional homes.

The Baka and fellow Indigenous Bagyieli have lived in harmony with the forests of central Africa for generations. But mining and logging activities are encroaching, along with conservation areas, and government policy aims to integrate the ethnic groups into mainstream society.

Lives “were better when we were in the forest,” said Rebecca Gwampiel, a 78-year-old Baka. She prepared yam porridge in front of a traditional hut constructed with arched saplings. In the dusty courtyard, children played football using bound banana leaves.

Among them was Francis, an 11-year-old who has quickly adapted to the new life and has aspirations. “I want to become a nurse,” he declared. “I want to be able to treat my grandmother when she is sick.”

But for many Baka children, such dreams go unfulfilled. Their lack of birth certificates poses a significant barrier — part of a wider global problem. They never saw the need for birth certificates when they barely interacted with the world beyond the forest. Even now, they live far from administrative centers and can rarely afford the transport to reach them.

“Without a birth certificate, he is stuck with me here in the village,” said Francis’ 61-year-old father, Bertrand Akomi. He himself was denied employment by a lumber company because he didn’t have a birth certificate.

The document remains elusive for the more than 120,000 members of Cameroon’s Baka and Bagyieli communities. Without birth certificates, they cannot obtain national identity documents and are excluded from the full benefits of citizenship.

“When births are not registered, how can you identify yourself as Cameroonian?” asked Banmi Emmanuel Dingha, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Cameroon’s National Assembly, calling the document crucial for accessing education, health care and employment opportunities.

There is hope for change. Earlier this summer, Dingha and colleagues in the Cameroon parliament passed a bill allowing the country to accede to two United Nations conventions relating to the recognition of stateless people.

That would “help to significantly reduce discrimination against persons who often are only victims of circumstances,” the government said at the time.

Cameroon’s actions are part of a commitment by African nations earlier this year to address the right to nationality and eradicate statelessness on the continent of more than 1.3 billion people.

The Indigenous people of Cameroon are mostly hunters and gatherers who are long used to easily crossing lightly guarded international borders in search of food and game.

“The Bakas are not only in Cameroon. You find them in Congo, you find them in the Central African Republic, you find them in Gabon and you find them in Equatorial Guinea. And many of them move across forests that straddle all these countries,” Dingha said.

Sebastian Bissolababa, a teacher at a government school in Mayos, emphasized the urgency. Many Baka students can’t move on to secondary education or beyond, and companies often require identification papers, closing another route to integration into society.

The Indigenous Bagyieli, who live some 590 kilometers away in the southern Campo region, face similar challenges.

There, Henri Lema of Nazareth village was returning from hunting, with a porcupine dangling from his spear. He joined his wife, Bilore Marie, in preparing the evening meal.

As he sliced the porcupine, he expressed frustration with the lack of identification documents and the trouble it causes with paramilitary forces and other authorities.

“Each time I have to travel to Kribi (the district administrative headquarters), gendarmes disturb me because I don’t have an ID card,” he said. “I have to pay a bribe each time. And that’s money I don’t even have.”

Simplice Nguiamba is a senior government official in charge of, among other things, ensuring that the Bagyelis in Campo have access to nationality documents.

“In concrete terms, our actions are based on raising awareness, doing advocacy, monitoring and support for Bagyelis,” he said.

Several other groups of Cameroonians also have risked statelessness.The ongoing separatist crisis in the country’s English-speaking North West and South West regions, and the Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North region, have triggered internal displacement, resulting in the loss of birth certificates and national identity cards for many people.

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For more news on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse

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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 Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO

Melvin Stukes, the former Baltimore City Councilman and member of the Maryland House of Delegates died peacefully at his home in Pikesville on Saturday, September 21. Stukes was 76 years-old.  

Born March 15, 1948, Stukes was known for his work in the community and the church. 

He married his companion of sixteen years, Catherine DeFord Stukes, a retired principal, on December 31, 2022. 

“Because he heard God’s call to him, he willingly made his transition with a smile on his face,” said Mrs. Stukes. “It was an honor and privilege to be a part of his life for sixteen years. Melvin followed the footsteps that God provided for him.  He will be missed by all his family and friends. ‘Working together works’ was his theme,” she said.  

Former Baltimore City Mayor Kurt Schmoke, now president of the University of Baltimore, also recalled Stukes’ famous words.

“He lived by the philosophy that “working together works,” said Schmoke, speaking of Stukes, who was a member of the Baltimore City Council from 1991-2004 for District 6. 

Elected officials, community leaders, former constituents and friends were all saddened to learn of Stukes’ death. 

Sheila Dixon, former Baltimore City mayor and former president of the City Council, spoke to Stukes’ heart for the community.

“Melvin loved the people he served,” she said. “He was a true public servant who only wanted the best for the people of Baltimore and for the state of Maryland.  He fought hard for those who had challenges and was a superhero who was their biggest cheerleader.  He was a man of God.”

Former Comptroller for the City of Baltimore Joan Pratt agreed.

“Councilmember Stukes’ leadership was always about his constituency and he represented himself and his district well.  He was a pioneer.”

For eight years Melvin Stukes served in the Maryland House of Delegates, from 2007-2015.  

Retired State Senator Verna Jones, who served with Stukes, spoke with the AFRO about his time in office.

“Melvin was an authentic team player, committed to the economic stability of Baltimore and a fearless fighter for the City and the residents of our 44th District.  I am so honored to have served with him.” 

Stukes served three years in the United States Air Force from 1965-68 and was a member of the Prince Hall Masons Enterprise Lodge Number 3 in Baltimore.

A 1975 graduate of Morgan State University, Stukes worked for the State of Maryland from 1975 until his retirement holding positions in the Comptroller of the Treasury office and the Department of Transportation.

Even after retirement, he continued to serve the community and remained on numerous boards and commissions including the Cherry Hill Improvement Association where he was a founding member and president, the advisory board of the South Baltimore Learning Center and the Baltimore Education and Cultural Institute.  Stukes also stayed involved with the Leon Day Foundation, named in honor of Leon Day, who played for the Baltimore Black Sox in the Negro Baseball League.

“Melvin Stukes was a man for these times… a brother who exceeded the boundaries of devotion and service to  others throughout his life! Well done our good and faithful servant!  Rest in peace,” said Kwame Abayomi, the former Baltimore City Councilman known as Dr. Norman Handy Sr.

“Arrangements are currently being made,” said Catherine DeFord Stukes, adding that arrangements are being made with Wiley Funeral Home.  “There will be a day of tributes and we will inform the AFRO as we complete them.” 

Melvin Stukes is survived by his wife, Catherine DeFord Stukes, two daughters Tauraine and Marian, three sisters, Joan Stukes-Maurice, Sandra Chipungu and Mercedes Eugenia; Two stepchildren, Kevin DeFord and Sheila Cofield, and three grandchildren Dominique Pierre, Kenyetta and Andre Cofield.

Funeral Arrangements:

Viewing:

Monday, October 7, 2024, from 5-8 p.m. (Tributes begin at 7 p.m.)
Wylie Funeral Home
9200 Liberty Road
Randallstown, MD 21133

Funeral Service:

Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Wake: 10 a.m.
Funeral: 11 a.m.
Union Bethel A.M.E. Church
8615 Church Lane
Randallstown, MD 21133

Livestream: https://unionbethelamec.org/media/livestream

Burial:

Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Immediately following the funeral service
Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery
11501 Garrison Forest Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117

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By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware
Word in Black

Overview:

One in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, a potentially deadly disease. However, early detection and treatment can be life-saving.

A member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Dewayne Charleston is comfortable talking openly about his belief in God. That faith was put to the test in 2009, when a doctor’s visit ended with a grim diagnosis: stage 4 prostate cancer.

Prognosis: incurable

“I never thought I would be the type of person who would get cancer,” he told KPRC-TV, a local TV station, in a recent interview. “I knew then that I was in for a journey.”

Charlston’s first step on that journey was prayer, together with his physician in his office. He continued to lean on faith through surgeries, treatments and therapies. At one point he told God he would dedicate himself to educating Black men like himself and fighting the disease “if You give me more years.” 

Now, 15 years after he was first diagnosed, Charleston has kept his promise with the Dewayne Charleston Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching other Black men about prostate cancer and supporting those who have been diagnosed. He also connected it to his bedrock faith with a cancer screening at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church on Sept. 21.

To honor Charleston, the church has announced it will include prostate health in its health ministry. Congregants are being encouraged to mark the occasion by wearing blue on the second Sunday in September. 

Charleston “has lived and thrived with metastatic prostate cancer for more than 15 years and created his foundation to bring national awareness to the need for African American men to have annual PSA tests,” according to the church’s website. “If you have not had a PSA done this year be sure to get tested at Wheeler.”

Disparities persist

It’s an important message for Black men: according to the National Institutes of Health, 1 in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, compared with one in eight White men. Making matters worse, Black men are less likely to be covered by insurance or enroll in clinical trials than White men. 

Perhaps most importantly, Black men die from prostate cancer at twice the rate of White men, according to the NIH. 

Charleston is attempting to counter that narrative with his namesake foundation. Aimed at Black men, the Charleston Foundation’s mission, according to its website, is “to help you re-imagine your life and to win the battle against prostate cancer. To share with you personal experiences, clinical trials. beneficial diets and exercise routines, effective treatments, implants, and the advocacy organizations that will help you to live a full and happy life.” 

But he also wants to change the bigger picture, in which Black men are more likely to get diagnosed with the disease, and have worse outcomes, than Whites. 

“Decreasing the racial disparity gap will not only benefit men of color, but will make the cost of medicine and treatments more efficient,” according to the foundation’s website. “In other words, use the treatments best targeted by genes and risk levels and not by color.”

In addition to his foundation, Charleston is also affiliated with the nonprofit Prostate Health Education Network’s Survivor Network (PHEN), which  provides resources and support for  individuals who have been diagnosed.

Spreading the Gospel of good health

The Charleston Foundation also partners with churches like Wheeler Avenue Baptist as well as other organizations to spread the gospel about prostate cancer testing and early detection. Their website offers a range of resources for churches to share with their membership and the surrounding community. 

“We have collaborated with PHEN over a number of years to raise prostate cancer awareness, and we are excited to partner with PHEN to provide educational resources to our churches to support our members and communities in the fight against prostate cancer,” Rev. Dr. Natalie Mitchem, executive director of the AMEC Health Commision said in a statement. “Our goal is to save lives by increasing vital knowledge about this deadly disease.”

Despite the diagnosis and lack of a cure, Charleston has persevered in part by changing his lifestyle — including a healthy diet and plenty of exercise — and by participating in clinical trials, which are structured programs in which the medical industry tests new, cutting-edge medications on volunteers.

Charleston took an aggressive approach to his treatments and experienced a great level of success. As such, he was able to continue his active lifestyle, including a recent trip to Ghana to volunteer at the local schools. He’s still living with the disease, but it hasn’t slowed him down.

Ultimately, Charleston wants to serve as an example for men, inspiring them to take better care of themselves before it’s too late. 

“Don’t be like me,” he said in the TV interview. “Don’t go 10 years — with insurance — and don’t get tested. Don’t eat fried chicken at gas stations. Take care of your health. Take care of your marriage. Take care of your family. All that begins with good health.”

This article was originally published by WordinBlack.com.

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By Kim Chandler
The Associated Press

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A mass shooting killed four people and wounded 18 others in a popular nightlife area in Birmingham, Alabama, with many of the victims caught in the crossfire, police said early Sept. 22. Authorities asked the public for tips as they searched for the shooters.

The shooting happened shortly after 11 p.m. Sept. 21 in Five Points South, a district filled with entertainment venues, restaurants and bars that is often crowded on weekend nights.

Multiple suspects pulled up in a vehicle, got out, fired shots, got back in the vehicle and fled, Police Chief Scott Thurmond said at a news conference early Sept. 22. He described the shooting as possibly “a hit” conducted in exchange for payment.

Officers found two men and a woman on a sidewalk with gunshot wounds, and they were pronounced dead there. An additional male gunshot victim was pronounced dead at a hospital, police said.

Authorities believe the intended target was among the dead, Thurmond said at the news conference, where he was joined by Mayor Randall Woodfin and officials from the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Investigators believe other victims were caught in the crossfire.

By early Sept. 22, after victims began showing up at hospitals, police had identified 18 people with injuries, some of them life-threatening, Officer Truman Fitzgerald said in an email.

There were no immediate arrests. Anyone with information was asked to contact authorities.

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Associated Press writer Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed to this report.

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

(NNPA Newswire) – The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into Rankin County, Mississippi, and the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD). The probe will determine whether the RCSD engages in unconstitutional practices, including excessive force, unlawful stops and racially discriminatory policing. Rankin County, which has a population of about 160,000, is located 30 minutes east of Jackson, the state capital.

The investigation follows the highly publicized case involving the so-called “Goon Squad,” a group of five former Rankin County deputies convicted for the brutal assault of two Black men, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, in January 2023. Those deputies were sentenced to federal prison, but the Justice Department is now examining whether the issues within the department are more widespread.

“We are launching this investigation to examine serious allegations that the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department systematically violates people’s constitutional rights through excessive use of force, unlawful stops and arrests, and discriminatory policing,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

The investigation will scrutinize the RCSD’s use of force, including deadly force, and evaluate whether officers have engaged in unlawful searches, stops, and arrests in violation of the Fourth Amendment. The Justice Department will also assess claims of discriminatory policing practices that could violate the 14th Amendment, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Safe Streets Act.

Rankin County officials have pledged their cooperation with the investigation. The DOJ said it would review the sheriff department’s policies, training, and oversight systems. Investigators will gather information by meeting with community members, law enforcement officers and department leadership.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division referenced the Goon Squad case in remarks about the investigation, stating, “Although the Goon Squad deputies are now serving time, we have received numerous reports that their actions were part of a broader pattern of misconduct that persists within the sheriff’s department.”

Officials said the investigation is being conducted under the authority of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which allows the Justice Department to address law enforcement misconduct through civil litigation. This marks the 12th such investigation into law enforcement practices opened by the Justice Department during the Biden administration. Recent investigations into departments in Phoenix and Louisville have led to significant reforms.

“The pursuit of justice is not just about punishing individual officers; it’s about ensuring that the culture of policing reflects the values of our Constitution,” Garland said. “No community should live in fear of those sworn to protect them.”

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By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware
Word in Black

It’s no secret Black people in the United States disproportionately occupy Death Row — making up about 14 percent of the populace but 40.05 percent of people awaiting execution. And given that men are nearly 98 percent of the people facing capital punishment, incarcerated Black men are more likely to face death by the state than any other group.

Marcellus Williams, 55, is one of those men, and he’s scheduled to be executed Sept. 24 in Missouri. The prosecutor in his case filed a motion to vacate his conviction due to “overwhelming evidence that Marcellus Williams’ trial was constitutionally unfair, including revelations that the State contaminated the most critical evidence in the case—the murder weapon,” said Williams’ attorney, Tricia Rojo Bushnell. The courts, however, denied the motion.

As such, the case has reignited heated debates about racial injustice and the death penalty — and now faith leaders in the state are joining the fight to get clemency for Williams.

Life instead of death

On Sept. 19, in a letter to Missouri Gov. Michael Parson, 69 faith leaders from Christian, Jewish and Muslim backgrounds asked for mercy for Williams.

“We are advocating for life without parole and that Marcellus will remain in prison, with the message that his life can remain open to redemption, mercy, and the healing power of God and that he will continue to serve the Muslim community,” the faith leaders wrote.

The group pointed out that Williams himself is a faith leader at Potosi Correctional Center, where he is incarcerated. Now known as Khalirfah ibn Rayford Daniels, Williams became an imam and serves his fellow Muslim prisoners at the facility.

“With lifetime imprisonment, Marcellus will have a chance to continue his service to the religious community that he leads as an Imam,” wrote the faith leaders. 

They pointed out that Williams works with “a group of men, many of whom have been abandoned by society and in desperate need of guidance and strength,” and provides “a vital network of support for the prisoners.” 

Members of the Mid Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation (Mid-MO FOR) a nonprofit organization for “people from many faiths, and no particular faith — all coming together to support nonviolence and justice,” have also advocated for clemency for Williams.

On Sept. 18, they hosted a gathering at the University of Missouri School of Law to discuss the Williams case. One of the speakers was Michelle Smith, co-director of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, who said, “Killing someone is final. We should make sure, as a state, as a community, as a government, that there are no questions.” 

The NAACP is also calling on Parson to halt Williams’ execution, noting that the death penalty has been “historically applied in a racially disparate manner,” particularly in Missouri. 

“Killing Mr. Williams, a Black man who was wrongfully convicted of killing a White woman, would amount to a horrible miscarriage of justice and a perpetuation of the worst of Missouri’s past,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and Missouri State Conference President Nimrod Chapel Jr. wrote in an open letter to Parson.

“Put simply, Mr. Williams did not commit the murder for which he was convicted. The prosecutor knows it, and the citizens of Missouri know it,” they wrote.

Accusations of corruption

In 2001, Williams was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, a former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter. 

The prosecution’s case hinged on witness testimonies and circumstantial evidence. However, DNA found on the murder weapon did not match Williams — a fact that has cast significant doubt on his conviction.

Despite these findings, Missouri courts have repeatedly upheld his conviction and death sentence.

According to the Innocence Project, “The State destroyed or corrupted the evidence that could conclusively prove his innocence and the available DNA and other forensic crime-scene evidence does not match him.” The organization notes, “There is far too much uncertainty in this case to allow Mr. Williams to be executed, particularly when the victim’s family believes life without parole is the appropriate sentence.” 

In January 2024, after an independent review of Williams’ case, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell moved to vacate his conviction. However, the circuit court denied the motion, stating there was insufficient evidence of innocence and that claims of racial bias in jury selection and ineffective assistance of counsel had been previously adjudicated. Bell is now appealing the decision to the Missouri Supreme Court, according to Williams’ filing for a stay of execution in the U.S. Supreme Court.

“We will continue pursuing every possible option to prevent Mr. Williams’ wrongful execution,” Bushnell, his lawyer, said. “There is still time for the courts or Governor Parson to ensure that Missouri does not commit the irreparable injustice of executing an innocent person.” 

This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.

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By Reginald Williams
Special to the AFRO

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

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

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

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

Her activism was bold.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Book Banned Week, recognized each September, was founded by library activist Judith Krug in 1982 as a protest to the increase in censorship of literature. Krug believed that bans on books massively violated the First Amendment, freedom of speech. 

Books are typically banned from schools and libraries for including content that contains “graphic violence, expresses disrespect for parents and family, is sexually explicit, exalts evil, lacks literary merit, is unsuitable for a particular age group, or includes offensive language,” according to the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University. Books are also often removed due to sexual orientation and race related topics.

The American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) reported that “the number of titles targeted for censorship surged 65 percent in 2023, compared to 2022, reaching the highest levels ever documented by OIF in more than 20 years of tracking: 4,240 unique book titles were targeted for removal from schools and libraries.”

This month, in honor of Banned Book Week, to be celebrated Sept. 22-28, the AFRO spoke with an African-American book publisher on the issue.

Robert Curry, CEO of Curry Brothers Publishing, expressed that it is essential for Black stories to be told.

“The legacy of our history is important,” Curry told the AFRO. “Our motto is educating the world one book at a time – so we cannot allow that, we cannot stand for that, we cannot let that happen.”

Freedom to Read, an incentive with PEN America, fights against book bans across public schools in the United States. In 2021 they started tracking and collecting data on book bans in public schools by each school year to help fight against literature censorship. 

“For me, and for many people, having access to books and literature is such an essential learning tool,” Kasey Meehan, program director for Freedom to Read at PEN America, told the AFRO. “The idea that we would prohibit students from accessing books – these are books that have been historically underrepresented in public schools to begin with.”

“We can celebrate all of the marvelous pieces of literature that are being caught up in these efforts of censorship – and one easy way to do that is to read a banned book,” said Meehan. 

The list of thousands of books that have faced censorship challenges or outright bans include “The Hate U Give,” by Angie Thomas, censored for sharing an anti-police message; “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You,” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds, banned for claims that it has  “selective storytelling incidents;” “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison, for explicit content and a story line that addresses childhood sexual abuse; “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” by Sherman Alexie, for having profanity, derogatory terms and sexually explicit content. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Dr. Stephen Jackson

Washington, D.C. – On Sept. 19, 2024, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in the landmark case of Jenkins v. The Howard University et al. This case addresses serious allegations against The Howard University and its governance practices, with potential implications for institutional governance and stakeholder rights.

In June 2020, The Howard University’s Board of Trustees governance committee, without a board vote, froze stakeholder elections, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason. This decision halted the election of alumni, faculty, and students to the board, despite the university’s by-laws requiring representation from three alumni, two students, and two faculty members. With the board’s actions leading to the removal of elected alumni, faculty, and students by attrition, plaintiffs argue that these actions were illegal, breached the university’s by-laws and nullified historical alumni and student advocacy to achieve a stakeholder role in university governance.

Following a student protest in 2018, sixty years after the seminal 1968 student protest, hundreds of alumni and dozens of student leaders expressed written objections to the board’s decisions. A group of ten alumni, led by octogenarian  Attorney Timothy Jenkins, a 1960 graduate, former student leader and board trustee, and Damani Keene, a former University administrator, filed a lawsuit initially in the DC Superior Court.  After removal to the federal court, the case was dismissed.  Plaintiffs appealed the dismissal to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals.

The plaintiffs, represented by their attorney Donald Temple, an HU alum, argue that the board’s actions were a clear breach of its by-laws and patently illegal. They further contend that despite Howard University’s federal charter, the federal court lacked jurisdiction over the matter.

This case is poised to set significant precedents regarding university governance and stakeholder representation, making Thursday’s proceedings of considerable importance.

A press conference with HU Alumni plaintiffs and their attorney will directly follow the hearing, scheduled for  9:30 a.m.

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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.

To understand what Kamala Harris said to the National Association of Black Journalists on Tuesday, you gotta understand the Republicans’ cynical race strategy.

Anytime Kamala Harris says something pro-Black, Trump and the Republicans will use it against her to convince white people that she can’t be trusted. And anytime she says something that isn’t pro-Black, they will still use it against her by getting Black people to criticize her for not doing enough.

A month ago, Donald Trump lied to NABJ that Kamala Harris only recently turned Black, so when she sat down with the group in Philadelphia to take questions from Black journalists, she didn’t say everything that some Black people wanted her to say — but she said almost everything she could.

RELATED: Kamala Harris, for the Black People

She forcefully condemned recent lies about Haitian immigrants promoted by Trump and JD Vance: “I know that people are deeply troubled by what is happening to that community in Springfield, Ohio. And it’s gotta stop. And we gotta say that you cannot be entrusted with standing behind the seal of the President of the United States of America, engaging in that hateful rhetoric.” She described Trump’s rhetoric as “a crying shame,” a response based more on empathy than anger.

But, she did not specifically endorse a policy of reparations for slavery. Although she supported legislation to study reparations when she was a senator in California, she spoke in broader terms today as the Democratic presidential nominee.

“We need to speak truth about the generational impact of our history,” she said, mentioning slavery, redlining, and Jim Crow laws. She spoke about student loan debt, medical debt, bias in home appraisals, and Black maternal mortality, but she put the onus to fix these issues more on Congress than executive action.

I support reparations, and I’ve written about it in my two most recent books. But believe it or not, Kamala Harris gave the right answer.

Here’s why.

Her job is to get elected in a country where most Americans oppose reparations. Although 77% of Black Americans support reparations, only 18% of white Americans do. Even in liberal California, nearly two-thirds of white voters oppose reparations. In a country that is 75% white, that’s a non-starter.

We can’t expect a Black woman running for office to explain and sell to white America the complex and unpopular idea of paying reparations to Black people in a three-month campaign while she’s still introducing herself and her policies. To do so is to make her a sacrificial lamb for a movement that we haven’t even built the momentum for on the ground.

To win the presidency, Harris needs at least 42 to 43% of the white vote, which means she has to convince a sufficient number of white Americans that she can represent them —while still holding onto Black and Brown voters. It’s a juggling act. How do you maintain your street cred with Black and Brown voters without alienating sensitive white voters?

RELATED: 10 Ways to Be a Better Black Voter

Some critics point to an out-of-context quote from an interview Harris did in 2019 when she said, “So, I’m not going to sit here and say that I’m going to do something that’s only going to benefit Black people.” What they don’t quote to you is the rest of the answer, where she explains that “any policy that will benefit Black people will benefit all of society.”

Clearly, she supports race-specific policies that benefit Black people, including HBCU funding, affirmative action, and debt relief for Black farmers. But as a Black politician in a predominantly white country, she still has to remind white Americans that those policies benefit them, too, by creating a more equitable society.

A Black Democratic candidate for president faces a frustrating double standard that does not apply to a white Republican like Trump. Trump is not expected to do anything to help Black people, so all he does is show up with a wayward rapper or pastor every four years, and people grade him on a curve because the bar is so low.

But here’s the other part of the equation. Kamala Harris also needs a Democratic Congress to enact her agenda. Republicans now control the House, and Democrats hold a narrow 51-49 seat majority in the U.S. Senate. Republicans are expected to pick up the Senate seat in West Virginia with the retirement of Joe Manchin, and they’re hoping to defeat Democrat Jon Tester in conservative North Dakota. If they win those two seats, Republicans will take control of the Senate and block any progressive legislation, and possibly Supreme Court Justices, for at least the next two years.

If you think Democratic senators are going to win North Dakota and West Virginia with a Democrat at the top of the ticket calling for reparations, you haven’t been paying attention to race issues in America.

There’s a method to the madness from Republicans. They continue to launch racist attacks against Harris because they’re desperately trying to get her to fight on controversial race and culture issues. Trump wants Kamala Harris to attack him for being racist instead of focusing on her broader agenda for America. He knows that if he can get her to engage, they can mislabel her with the “angry Black woman” trope.

That’s why he continues to lie about The Congo releasing inmates from insane asylums into the United States. That’s why Trump and Vance are promoting racist rhetoric about the White House smelling like curry and fried chicken if Kamala Harris gets elected. They’re not just motivating their base. They want Harris to say something to turn off white voters.

She was wise not to take the bait. It may not be the truth we want to hear, but she understood the assignment.

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 How Kamala Harris Talks About Race Issues appeared first on Word In Black.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) will soon start Symphony in the City, a free, three-concert community series. The first concert is set to happen at Morgan State University (MSU) on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 pm in the Gilliam Concert Hall in the Murphy Fine Arts Center.

The first performance of the season is led by BSO music director, Jonathon Heyward, and will feature selections from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral.” To compliment Beethoven’s timeless work, the concert will also feature compositions by James Lee III, whose work is infused with bright stories and deep cultural resonance.

“Beginning our season with a community concert at Morgan State University is deeply meaningful,” said Heyward. “This performance not only begins our musical journey for the year, but also continues the BSO’s tradition of bringing music directly to the heart of Baltimore, honoring the Symphony’s roots as an orchestra founded by the city for its people.”

Symphony in the City was intentionally created to align concerts and venues with community celebrations. The concert at MSU will both mark the start of a new academic year, but also pay homage to the university’s connection to the BSO’s new composer in residence, James Lee III. 

Lee serves as a faculty member at the historically Black institution in Maryland. His BSO residency will include two world premieres during the 2024-25 concert season and will feature an educational component with students in BSO’s OrchKids program and the Baltimore School of the Arts.Throughout his time in this role Lee will provide students with opportunities for compositions, mentorship, and workshop performances.

“The fact that the Morgan community, and the surrounding community at large, will have an opportunity to experience the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, led by their new music director, Jonathon Heyward, live on our campus, is simply amazing,” said Eric Conway, DMA, chair of the fine and performing arts department and director of the choir at MSU. “This moment is further elevated by having the work of a respected Morgan faculty member, Dr. James Lee III, on display for all to enjoy. We are fortunate and thankful to the BSO for selecting Morgan as the location for the season’s first Symphony in the City concert.”

Listed below are all the details for the first Symphony in the City concert

Symphony in the City

Date: Wednesday, Sept.18

Time: 7:30 p.m. 

Location: Gilliam Concert Hall, Murphy Fine Arts Center

     Morgan State University

     2201 Argonne Drive

     Baltimore, MD 21218

Artist

Jonathon Heyward, conductor

Repertoire

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral,” I. Awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the countryside

LEE III Amer’ican

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral,” II. Scene by the brook

LEE III Captivating Personas, III. Bored Comfort

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral,” IV. Thunderstorm

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral,” V. Shepherd’s song: Cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm

The Symphony in the City series will continue throughout the 2024-25 concert season with performances across Charm City, including a tribute to Veterans on November 20 at War Memorial and a celebration of Black History Month on Feb. 7, 2025, at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.

Launched in 2019, this concert series represents the BSO’s commitment to bringing world-class music to diverse audiences throughout the Baltimore area. Each concert is a special celebration of community, culture, and the astounding power of music.

Symphony in the City remains free to all. Reservations are suggested but not required. Learn more by visiting https://www.bsomusic.org/symphony-in-the-city/.

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By Chrissy M. Thornton

By now, the buzz around Associated Black Charities’ (ABC) event, The Cookout, has reached every corner of Baltimore and beyond. Described as a celebration of Black joy, unity and community empowerment, The Cookout was a beautiful and necessary reminder of the importance of gathering, celebrating and claiming space. It also turned out to be much more than just a social event—it became a symbol of resilience and the audacity of Black people to thrive, even in the face of hate.

Before the event, the press releases told us what to expect: a day filled with music, food and the kind of energy that only Baltimore knows how to bring. From performances by local icons like DJ Tanz and Scola Dinero of Dru Hill fame, to awe-inspiring acts like Nia Simone, the Fatal Attraction Step Squad and the Baltimore Twilighters Marching Band, it was poised to be a perfect day. And for the kids, there were inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting, popcorn, cotton candy and even a visit from Black Panther himself!

The Harbor Bank of Maryland played a vital role as the presenting sponsor of The Cookout, showcasing their ongoing commitment to economic empowerment and community development. Onsite at the event, Harbor Bank provided attendees with access to valuable financial resources, including opening new bank accounts with a $100 deposit incentive, directly supporting the financial well-being of individuals and families in attendance. Their presence not only underscored the importance of financial inclusion within the Black community, but also highlighted the powerful impact that Black-owned institutions can have in fostering economic growth and stability. Harbor Bank’s participation in The Cookout was a testament to their dedication to uplifting the community and ensuring that all Marylanders have the tools to build wealth and secure their financial futures.

Still, in the weeks leading up to The Cookout, the atmosphere was thick with something else—racist and violent rhetoric that sought to undermine the very essence of this event. It seems that the notion of Black people gathering to celebrate themselves, their culture and their collective power was too much for some. Social media lit up with comments such as “I guess honkies aren’t invited,” “What the f*** about White culture?,” and even more sinister threats that prompted Associated Black Charities to file a formal report with Baltimore City police and involve Homeland Security. These weren’t idle threats– ABC was forced to invest nearly $7,000 in additional security to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees.

The political climate fostered by radical White supremacists and MAGA Republicans has emboldened hateful rhetoric and behavior. Their dehumanizing tactics, their refusal to acknowledge the significance of Black joy, and their audacity to suggest that Black lives and Black celebrations are somehow threatening, have created an environment where public safety concerns are no longer a precaution, but a necessity. From racist caricatures of Governor Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott on event posts to violent insinuations about shootings at the event, it’s clear that the ignorance and hatred are not just pervasive but increasingly bold.

Yet despite all of this—despite the hate, the vitriol and the outright threats—The Cookout turned out to be a massive success, exceeding every expectation. The weather was gorgeous, and even more beautiful was the sense of community. Black families from all walks of life and allies from other communities came together, their laughter filling the air as music played and food vendors offered mouthwatering dishes from some of Baltimore’s finest Black-owned businesses. Free hot dogs, Rita’s Italian Ice, and a host of Black-owned food trucks served up the kind of cuisine that can only be described as soul-nourishing.

The day began with a prayer from Bishop Douglas Logan of Zion Hill Baptist Church, and the rendering of the Negro National Anthem by songstress Jessika Williams, setting the tone for what would be a powerful gathering. Elected officials like Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman and City Council President Nick Mosby and a host of Baltimore City Delegates also joined, offering their words of solidarity. But perhaps the most moving moment came during the Movement March for Equity, led by myself, along with Nick Mosby. Reminiscent of civil rights marches of the past, participants carried signs, sang and chanted as they walked in unity for diversity, equity and inclusion. This was not just a walk—it was a statement, a declaration that the fight for the economic, social and political well-being of Black people will continue, no matter the opposition. At the rally point, the group stopped for reflection and enjoyed a stirring performance of “Rise Up” by professional musician, Crystal Freeman. It actually moved me to tears.

The irony is not lost that the very people who sought to sabotage this event missed its true purpose. They failed to see that their hatred and ignorance have no place at The Cookout—neither literally, nor figuratively. The space we create for ourselves is sacred, built on trust, love and shared experiences. And while White allies who genuinely support our causes attended en masse and are always welcome, those who carry hate in their hearts are decidedly not invited.

 As I stated in my opening remarks, The Cookout was a celebration of Black unity, a reminder of our power and a demonstration that no amount of hate will stop the movement. Those who continue to spew ignorance might have thought they were tearing something down, but in reality, they only strengthened our resolve. The ignorance they displayed won’t slow the progress toward equity, and it certainly won’t stop the work of Associated Black Charities.

The Cookout’s gathering transcended lived experiences, demographics and socioeconomic status. It was a true reflection of the richness and diversity within the Black community—families, youth, elders, professionals and creatives, all convening in solidarity and purpose. 

This coming together was significant because it demonstrated that, despite different backgrounds or challenges, the shared mission of advancing Black equity and empowerment is one that unites us all. It was also a reminder that collective action is a force that cannot be diminished by external attempts to divide. However, despite the broad participation, the media presence was noticeably lacking, with only the AFRO and WMAR providing coverage. The absence of other local news outlets, many of which regularly amplify the struggles and negative portrayals of Black life in Baltimore, was glaring. Their failure to see the importance and urgency of covering such a positive and unifying event speaks volumes about the narratives they choose to uplift. In their absence, the community’s power and resilience were on full display for those who chose to witness and embrace it.

Unfortunately, the political climate that nurtures hateful behavior is not just a problem for Black people—it’s a threat to us all. And now, more than ever, we must act. It is no longer enough to be “good people.” Being passive in the face of racism, violence and bigotry is complicity. The fight for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) requires active participation, not just from Black people, but from our White and other allies, public officials and every person of good conscience. Baltimore and the state of Maryland must stake their claim in DEI efforts now, or risk becoming a breeding ground for further division and hatred.

The Cookout was a day of celebration, but it was also a call to action. As we danced, sang and shared space, we reminded the world that Black joy is revolutionary. The day ended in powerful unity, a reaffirmation of why we gather and why we will continue to do so—because our joy, our culture and our community are worth fighting for.

For all who weren’t there, you missed a moment of true beauty. For those who allowed their ignorance to cloud their understanding, you missed an opportunity to learn, grow and be part of something bigger than yourself. The work of dismantling racism and building equity will continue, with or without you. We must keep marching. And for those still stuck in the past, your ignorance will never stop the future we are building.

In fact, this was just the beginning.

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware
Word in Black

Overview:

In “Our Confession of Evangelical Conviction,” faith leaders are attempting to roll back the growing link between fundamentalist Christianity and conservative dogma.

In a step unlike any in recent memory, a group of evangelical Christian leaders has issued a confessional document urging the faithful to separate religion and politics, warning against “political idolatry and its messengers” and rejecting “the false idols of power, wealth, and strength rather than the true God.”

Signed by an array of influential pastors and faith leaders, the statement titled “Our Confession of Evangelical Conviction” seems designed to extract their brand of Christianity from conservative politics and left-vs.-right culture wars. It also is framed as a reminder to avoid blurring the lines between the church’s core values and political dogma — or any candidates. 

“We reject the false teaching that anyone other than Jesus Christ has been anointed by God as our Savior, or that a Christian’s loyalty should belong to any political party,” according to the statement. 

In announcing the document with other leaders on Sept. 9, Pastor Raymond Chang, president of the Asian American Christian Collaborative, said the confessional is intended to address the “deep political syncretism that has long taken hold of the evangelical church in the U.S.” 

That school of thought “has conflated partisan politics with evangelical Christianity,” he said. “It’s time to recalibrate and unite in our shared commitment to Jesus beyond the divisions of politics.”

Though it speaks in generalities, the document seems aimed at politicians in general, conservative politicians specifically — and Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nominee, in particular. 

The former president is wildly popular among evangelical Christians, despite a public record that includes three marriages, two impeachments, the Jan. 6 attempt to overthrow the 2020 election, a multimillion-dollar civil judgment against him for rape and a criminal conviction linked to paying hush money to an adult film star.

Though Trump is not a regular churchgoer, a majority of conservative voters chose him at the ballot box, and an astonishing 80 percent of them voted for him in 2020. Some pastors and conservative politicians have even referred to the former president as ”God’s imperfect messenger” or “the chosen one”— a viewpoint that accelerated after Trump survived an alleged assassination attempt while campaigning in July. 

For his part, Trump has clearly returned the love. Speaking to a convention of evangelicals in July, the former president promised that if he was re-elected, “you won’t have to vote again, my beautiful Christians.” 

“Christians get out and vote. Just this time,” he said. “You won’t have to do it anymore.” 

The leaders who announced the confessional represent thousands of churches and more than 4 million evangelical Christians. They also announced a commitment to worship and pray together for the week Sept. 8-15.

The tenets of the “Confession of Evangelical Conviction” are to give allegiance to Jesus Christ alone; to lead with love, not fear; to submit to the truth of the Scripture; to believe the Gospel heals every worldly division; to commit to the prophetic mission of the church; to value every person as created in God’s image; and to recognize Godly leaders by their character..  

Dr. Christina Edmondson, co-founder of Truth’s Table, one of the many partner groups, said the statement of faith helps address her concern about Generation Z “because they are concerned about us. They don’t recognize the church that raised them.”

Evangelical Christians are defined as believers who “take the Bible seriously and believe in Jesus Christ as savior and Lord.” The term “evangelical” comes from the Greek word “euangelion,” which means the good news or the gospel. Thus, the evangelical faith focuses on the good news of salvation brought to sinners by Jesus Christ, according to the National Association of Evangelicals.

“In a political realm filled with fear, we have an opportunity as Evangelicals to lead through love rather than fear,” said Karen Swallow Prior, an evangelical Christian author, professor and speaker. “I’m excited about this statement and the vision it casts, cutting across partisan lines to show the world what the church truly is.”

Skye Jethani, author, speaker, and co-host of “The Holy Post” podcast, agrees: “The Confession is designed to hold up a mirror to those who read it. We believe in a God who raises people from the dead, and we certainly believe that God can free Evangelicals from their captivity to political idolatry.”

”Through this revival, we are calling on the church to turn away from fear and divisions and place our faith solely in Jesus Christ,” said Dr. Dan Boom, president of Trevecca Nazarene University and board chair for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.

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By DaQuan Lawrence
AFRO International Writer
DLawrence@afro.com 

As the 2024-2025 school year picks up steam, students across the state of Maryland are preparing for after school clubs and activities, while teachers, parents and administrators anticipate back-to-school night events to engage all stakeholders. 

Though all involved are focusing on methods and mechanisms to support students’ personal and academic success, an issue of particular concern has been how to support Black male youth.

The AFRO spoke with Black male educators throughout Maryland about the need for programs and supportive mechanisms that promote the emotional and social healing of Black boys involved in grades K-12. 

The teachers shared insights about the importance of reconciliation programming across America and the recovery of the Black family from generations of traumatic experiences. 

Due to the various social, economic, emotional and psychological issues that Black male youth may experience, educators generally recommended that sports programs, extracurricular activities and mentorship programs could be beneficial to adolescents in need of positive and constructive outlets. 

Having access to an adult to speak with about personal, academic goals and family circumstances, and having household expectations that permit and allow Black male youth to communicate and express themselves were also suggestions that received multiple recommendations from Black male educators. 

“Just being a Black man, we are always told to toughen up and to ‘be tough.’ I think Black boys have a lot of [emotions] about their experiences built up inside, based on things that they have not been able to, or allowed to express,” Jesse Bragg, who is a middle school educator in Anne Arundel County, shared with The AFRO.  

“I think we need more mentorship for Black male youth. Black boys need an adult who they feel comfortable expressing themselves to,” Bragg, a native of Detroit, Michigan, who has been an educator in Maryland for the past 10 years, added. 

Educators generally suggested that schools can provide Black male youth with a sense of belonging through programs like sports and mentorship, which can help reduce feelings of isolation and rejection in students.

According to the 2008 National Assessment of Educational Progress – a federally mandated report on student performance which measured grades 4, 8, and 12 – the reading scores of Black boys in eighth grade were slightly higher than the scores of White girls in fourth grade. The National Center for Education Statistics also reported that in math, 46 percent of African American boys possessed “basic” or higher grade-level skills, compared with 82 percent of White boys. 

In Maryland the educational issues that Black male youth face reflect that of the nation at-large. In 2021, the Maryland State Board of Education commissioned efforts to address the widening achievement gap that disproportionately impacts Black male youth in state schools. 

According to the report “Transforming the Culture of Maryland’s Schools for Black Boys,” Maryland public school data revealed consistently lower proficiency and graduation rates for Black boys, based on test scores from the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). 

Victor Smith, who is originally from Baltimore, Maryland, is currently an educator in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, although he served in the U.S. military and spent time working as a police officer in Maryland. 

“I believe that young Black males between kindergarten to 12^th grade and beyond need healing from many things that happened systemically to Black males throughout history. Black communities are embedded with trauma, and based upon history, it’s a part of the culture,” Smith told The AFRO. 

Researchers have shown that the abundance of educational barriers that Black male youth experience can be overcome by consistent institutional supports that address the issues youth endure. According to “Countering Educational Disparities Among Black Boys and Black Adolescent Boys from Pre-K to High School,” identifying the “cumulative impact of threats and protective factors” for Black males’ “academic success provides insight for supporting Black boys at various developmental stages.”

Or in other words, by creating and providing spaces and opportunities for Black boys to address their emotional health throughout their educational matriculation in grades K-12, families and schools can positively transform the lives of millions of Black male youth. 

“Parents might normalize behavior by saying ‘Boys don’t cry’, and there is a lot [of pressure] from households that Black kids endure without knowing how to deal with,” Bragg said.  

Providing spaces for Black male youth to discuss their daily experiences has become critical as the suicide rate among Black adolescents is increasing faster than thay of other racial and ethnic groups, according to research provided by the Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health. 

Between 2007 and 2020, the suicide rate among Black 10- to 17-year-olds increased by 144 percent, according to Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Gun Violence Solutions. 

Recent federal data from The Pew Charitable Trusts shows that in 2022 the suicide rate among Black youth ages 10 to 19 exceeded that of White youth for the first time, increasing 54 percent since 2018, compared to a 17 percent decrease for White youth. 

“I believe that the school system is going to be the foundation,” Smith said, sharing his thoughts on how schools play an invaluable role in preventing and diminishing suicide rates among Black male youth. 

“I think there is still some level of taboo about discussing suicide within households and schools are equipped with systems and adults who can readily provide Black male youth with needed support. The culture inside schools are different than households,” Smith said.

“If kids felt protected or felt that somebody had their best interest at heart, I think they’d be a little bit more willing to communicate with that person,” Bragg added, discussing his thoughts of ways to prevent suicide among Black adolescent males. 

“Most of the time they don’t have anyone or a safe space, so they keep everything to themselves and try to deal with it the best way they can,” Bragg explained.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer

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

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

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

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

Examining infertility and maternal mortality in the Black community

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

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

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

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

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

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

The role of doulas and midwives 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Black men as allies in the fight for reproductive rights

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) kicked off their 53rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. on Sept. 11. Attendees from across the country and beyond have traveled to the nation’s capital to partake in the panel sessions, networking opportunities and social events planned Sept.11 to Sept. 15. 

The opening ceremony featured several leaders and elected officials, including CBCF CEO and President, Nicole Austin-Hillery. The CBCF leader spoke on empowering the global Black community and taking action aligned with this year’s theme of “Vision to Victory: Amplifying Black Voices.”

“We are carrying on with our mission of empowering the global Black community and we know that empowering the global Black community means creating opportunities, creating spaces and ensuring equity for all,” she said. “We refuse, as a community, to go backwards…we will achieve all of the visions for success that we have for our community in front of us.”

Attendees spoke with the AFRO about why they decided to attend the legislative conference. 

“I’m a sponsor. I’m also Black and in government to a very large degree,” said Kwame Canty, managing director of external affairs for Edison Electric Institute.

“People from all over the world– from parliaments and governments from other countries– come here to learn and to hear some of the policy discussions. The diaspora isn’t just in the Americas–it’s all over the world and Black culture is all over the world,” Canty said. “It’s good to hear policy descriptions that germinate from different places.” 

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL-7) spoke on the organization’s commitment to empowering and advancing the Black community.

“We on the CBCF Board take seriously our mission to uplift, empower and advance the Black community. That’s exactly what #ALC53 is all about– it’s more than just a conference it’s a catalyst for change,” said Sewell. “In less than two months, we will have the opportunity to enter into a new chapter in America’s history in electing the first Black woman president of these United States.”

The ALC has always been a breeding ground for innovation and change. Many use the conference to encourage young women and men alike to get involved in politics. 

“Within legislation we need a lot more young people that can be the voice for the future,” said Taylor Robinson, 29-year-old former CBCF fellow from Houston, Texas. “It’s important for people our age to be active within this space, to really talk about what’s happening in our communities, nationally and worldwide.” 

Vendors at the event range from Black authors and designers to members of service organizations and researchers, such as David Asiamah, Ph.D. The research and content developer manager for the Black Wealth Data Center said Black data is imperative in creating policy for wealth equity.

“Until now, the data needed to fully understand racial wealth equity has been out-of-date, inaccessible, and difficult to find in a single location. This has made it difficult for policymakers and practitioners to leverage data to make decisions that affect Black communities,” said Asiamah. “That’s why Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative launched the Black Wealth Data Center to better inform research, investment decisions, and policies that support Black communities.”

Sessions that took place on day one of the event included a panel addressing an equitable approach to Black infertility and family building;  a session titled, “AI and How It Can Be Leveraged by Small Businesses”; a discussion on DEI and children and a forum on how Project 2025 could impact Black women if implemented after the next presidential election.

In addition to the workshops, forums and panel discussions, a variety of both professional and social events will be held throughout the length of the conference, providing attendees with plenty of opportunity to brainstorm, empower one another and network. 

“Through the CBCF I’ve met a plethora of people and I’m glad that I was able to expand myself and connect with a couple of people,” said Janelle Edge, a former CBCF fellow from Orlando, Fla. “The fellowship was great, I was able to learn how policy is actually implemented and know the logistics of different stakeholders. I learned how essential partnership is.”

This year the CBCF is partnering with Amazon to help make the conference possible. Several people from the retail conglomerate spoke about the importance of their company supporting the CBCF and all of their initiatives.

“Growing up in D.C. I had the privilege of attending CBC programs and it was in those spaces that I saw first hand how policy makers, community activists and corporations come together to address critical community challenges,” said Terreta Rodgers. “Much like the CBCF, Amazon believes that solving our complex issues requires collaboration, innovation and deep commitment to community. Whether it’s advancing social equity, supporting education, helping small businesses thrive or fostering social justice, we are proud to partner with organizations like the CBC to drive impactful solutions.”

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By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO

Lawmakers and African leaders gathered at the U.S. Capitol to host “Africa Diaspora Day on the Hill” as part of September Diaspora Heritage Month on Sept. 9.

U.S. Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.-20), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.-1), Troy Carter (D-La.-2), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), bankers, business leaders and academics hosted a forum titled, “The Rise of Global Africa: Forging a New U.S. Economic Partnership with Africa and the Caribbean,” at the U.S. Capitol’s Visitor Center. The event was just one measure being used to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Africa.

Cheriflus-McCormick told the AFRO that this event was important to her and other lawmakers looking to “have control over our narrative,” and strengthen and stabilize African and Caribbean nations.

“When I travel throughout the United States we have one commonality, African Americans and Black people in the United States have a connection to their diaspora…and they want more mechanisms and means to connect,” stated the Florida congresswoman. “In Congress we’ve been looking at active ways to strengthen our relationships with Africa and the Caribbean, so this seemed like the merging of the perfect points where we can actually come together and talk about how the federal government can help.”

Jackson told the AFRO it was important for him to co-host the forum with fellow Democratic lawmakers because “Africa is the centerpiece of so much of the world’s future.” He added that the forum “reaffirms that.”

“Twenty-five percent of the world’s population will be in Africa in the next 25 years, so the question becomes how are we aligning ourselves to strategically work with Africa,” said Jackson. “We’ve had a long dark history with Africa and now we are well poised to have a beautiful future politically, economically and culturally.”

The Illinois lawmaker stated that African nations need fair trade agreements to help stabilize the continent. 

“We’re going to champion to have fair transparent trade agreements, on the same terms with African people that we have with Europeans, Asians and others,” said Jackson.

The Democratic lawmaker also emphasized that “the wealth of Europe and the wealth of America came from Haiti and came from Africa,” which stripped Caribbean and African nations of their assets, leading to a lower quality of life.

Jackson stated, that is why it is imperative that U.S. lawmakers work to help these nations regain their economic strength.

The four-hour forum provided four sessions for attendees titled, “The Global Diaspora: Contributing to Our Common Destiny,” “Building Partnership and Sharing Economic Prosperity,” “Women Leadership: Is Gender Parity a Reality,” and “The New Africa: Defying the Odds in Innovation and Building Unity.”

Cheriflus-McCormick told the AFRO that these panels were designed to help Black Americans and lawmakers strategize how to move forward with policy and diplomacy that can strengthen the relationship between the U.S., Africa and the Caribbean.

“It’s important for Black Americans to be connected to Africa to ensure that our stories aren’t being erased. Our story began millions of years before slavery and now we’re connecting that,” said Cheriflus-McCormick. “This is an important time for us to show that we’re not just talking about strengthening our relationship with Africa, but we’re actually taking affirmative steps forward and we want to make sure that the diaspora is at the forefront.”

Lawmakers hope they will be able to pass legislation by the year 2050 to help strengthen nations in the Caribbean and Africa.  

“We have to show up to the Congressional hearings and tell them what we want,” Jackson told the AFRO. “We don’t want other people making decisions for us…so we can build and grow our own continent.”

“Let’s look forward to the future,” Jackson added.

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By Jennifer Porter Gore
Word in Black

Before he was old enough to start kindergarten, Heman Bekele began using dishwashing liquid and other household chemicals to see what concoctions he could whip up. 

At age seven, Heman’s parents gave him a chemistry set for his birthday — and things got a bit more serious. He’d already started learning about chemical reactions online, so he got inventive and mixed the kit’s sodium hydroxide with aluminum to produce heat.

“I thought that this could be a solution to energy, to making an unlimited supply,” he told TIME magazine. 

His curiosity and desire to make the world a better place through chemistry resulted in a first-place finish in the 3M Company’s 2023 Young Scientist Challenge — and made him the winner of TIME magazine’s 2024 Kid of the Year. The rising 10th grader created a compound-based soap to treat skin cancer. 

The magazine said Heman’s “ambition” and “selflessness”earned him the recognition.

“I’m really passionate about skin-cancer research,” Heman told TIME. “It’s absolutely incredible to think that one day my bar of soap will be able to make a direct impact on somebody else’s life.”

Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Heman and his family emigrated to the U.S. when he was four years old. Even at that young age, the budding scientist remembers seeing laborers working in the hot African sun without skin protection. 

In the U.S., Heman began hearing about the dangers of the sun’s ultraviolet rays and the damage it can cause — including skin cancer. It is the most common cancer in the United States, but the disease is treatable, especially if it’s caught early.  

A few years ago, Heman read about imiquimod — a multi-use drug approved to treat one type of skin cancer — and wondered if it could be an effective, simple treatment for early-stage patients. His logic was simple: “Almost everyone uses soap and water.”  

So, he got to work, developing an imiquimod soap, winning the 3M Young Scientist Challenge (and a $25,000 prize) in the process.

This summer Heman worked part-time in a lab at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore to refine the product.  Over the next five years, he hopes to create a nonprofit organization that can distribute the soap to communities in need.

Deboarh Isabelle, a 3M engineer and Heman’s mentor during the Young Scientist Challenge competition, said the TIME Kid of the Year honor was well deserved.

“Heman is an incredibly charismatic, curious, intelligent, articulate young man,” Isabelle said. “But more than that, he’s compassionate and has a heart for people. He’s created an invention that has the potential to make the world better for so many people.”

This article was originally published by Word in Black.

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By Renata Sago
Word in Black

As students at four colleges in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania head back to campus this fall, they will have access to a new resource where they can learn how to dismantle false beliefs about racial hierarchies. 

Seven years after launching its Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation program in colleges, the American Association of Colleges and Universities has expanded the program, opening centers at Antioch University and Bard College, Cuyahoga Community College and Elizabethtown College.

The new centers give professors, administrators, faculty members and students a dedicated space to learn and guide discussions around race, gender, age, class and spiritual beliefs. It’s part of a concerted effort to bring healing dialogues throughout the United States within higher education institutions. 

“We don’t dictate to any institution how they are implementing, how they will implement and realize the goals of TRHT or how they would implement the TRHT areas within their institutional context,” says Tia McNair, senior consultant with the American Association of Colleges and Universities. “They look at their strategic priorities, their student population, their community relationships, and partnerships to develop what we call an action plan. So each institution does it differently.”

The campus centers began in 2017 as a concept that was part strategic, part organic. The ten initial host institutions — a mix of public and private schools — introduced various approaches for dismantling racial bias on campus, including racial healing circles and special dinners intended to create safe spaces for sensitive dialogue. 

Since then, schools have continued to embrace virtual and in-person conversations that provide gentle reassurance — and sometimes uncomfortable exposure — to past and present-day events that have shaped views on race in society. 

The host institutions range from liberal arts colleges and historically black colleges and universities to faith-based institutions and community colleges. The selection process for colleges includes training on how to speak the language of racial healing within the Institute on Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation’s framework. 

The former executive director for the TRHT Campus Centers, McNair says the TRHT program is essential now more than ever. 

“There are attacks happening on the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and our institutions within our communities, within our states, across the board,” says McNair. “I think that knowing that the growing majority of undergraduate students in this country are from racially minoritized groups…is critical for us to maintain and expand resources to help the success of all students.”

In its tracking of 196 campuses in 29 states, The Chronicle of Higher Education found that colleges throughout the United States have eliminated their DEI programs due to political pressure, establishing an “inconsistent and confusing landscape.” 

The effects of these changes are unclear, which is why McNair, who is also a partner at SOVA, a higher education consulting firm in Washington, D.C., would like for campus centers to create some opportunities for personal and professional development for marginalized students. 

“Whether you are the student who is coming into the environment that may not be fully prepared — not at a fault of your own, but just because of circumstances – not fully prepared to succeed in the same way as others, then how do we help you? How do we make sure that we actually live our commitment? That we fulfill our commitment to you as being part of this educational journey so that everyone has the opportunity to thrive?” said McNeir. 

When education reform takes place at the federal, state, or local level, it can have predictable consequences, undoing decades of important work. This is why McNair is hoping that the campus centers will serve as a springboard for repairing old wounds and sustaining supportive principles for community building beyond campus. 

The vision is to encourage ways of thinking that transcend the present political uncertainty, inviting ongoing dialogue and action.

“I think we as educators within higher education play a critical role in preparing the next generation of leaders to build more just and equitable communities,” says McNair. “This work is not about trying to get anyone to think in the same way we think, but to actually value each and every person’s human dignity, their contributions, their lived experiences in a way where we can transcend what has been causing division and conflict within our communities.”

This article was originally published by Word in Black. 

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By Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor
dbailey@afro.com

Eli Lilly pharmaceuticals has announced a significant price reduction for the lowest dose of Zepbound, one of its high demand medications approved for weight loss. The announcement came Aug. 29, as the rate of obesity is skyrocketing in America. Most insurance companies still refuse to cover obesity medications 

Under Lilly’s discounted price plan, patients who pay for Zepbound out of pocket can now obtain a four-week supply of the 2.5 mg single-dose vial for $399 ($99.75 per vial). A four-week supply of the 5 mg dose has been reduced to $549 ($137.25 per vial). The monthly list price for Zepbound was previously $1059, regardless of the dose. 

“This is a welcome first step for American families struggling to access these drugs,” said President Joseph Biden in a statement responding to the price reduction. “But it is critical that drug companies lower their prices across the board,” Biden added. 

Health advocates and physicians’ groups warn patients that the price reduction for Zepbound only applies to the two “starter” doses of the drug. Patients must pay for the drug out of pocket and persons opting for the lower cost drugs, will need to opt out of Eli Lilly’s coupon program available to lower the cost for other weight loss medications. 

To receive the discounted price, patients must have a prescription and use LillyDirect, the pharmaceutical firm’s telehealth platform. The medications will come packaged in single dose vials that must be used with a syringe. Vials with the auto-injector pen are also available for a higher price. 

Patrik Jonsson, executive vice president of Eli Lilly and Co., said the price reduction gives patients living with obesity options. In a statement announcing the Zepbound price reduction, Jonsson said the new program gives patients options. 

“Despite obesity being recognized as a serious chronic illness with long-term consequences, it’s often misclassified as a lifestyle choice, resulting in many employers and the federal government excluding medications like Zepbound from insurance coverage,” said Jonsson.

U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FLA) is a sponsor of congressional legislation to expand Medicare coverage for obesity treatments. Cherfilus-McCormick and Karry Buchson, M.D. (R-IN) are bi-partisan co-sponsors of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (T.R.O.A.) H.R. 4818 & D. 2407. If passed, T.R.O.A. would potentially extend obesity treatment access to more than 67.2 million recipients nationwide, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 

“Every person living with obesity deserves access to comprehensive care to improve their health and wellbeing, just as they would receive for any other chronic disease,” Cherfilus-McCormick stated at a Congressional Briefing on Obesity held last month. 

Forty percent of Americans are now classified as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control with half of all Black Americans meeting obesity guidelines. Obesity is related to many chronic diseases and conditions including type II diabetes, heart diseases and certain cancers, including breast cancer according to the World Health Organization. 

Obesity has been classified as a chronic disease for more than a decade. The American Medical Association voted to classify obesity as a disease in 2013 to focus on prevention and treatment and to end a history of bias and discrimination both from the public as well as the medical profession itself. 
Reporting on this story is through the support of a journalism fellowship from the Gerontology Society of America, The Journalists’ Network on Generations and the Commonwealth Fund.

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By Quintessa Williams
Word In Black

When Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket, she became the first woman of color with a realistic shot at the presidency and an instant inspiration to Black women — some of whom raised $1.3 million on her behalf in just a few hours. 

Harris’s groundbreaking campaign has now spearheaded another phenomenon: young Black women are currently leading the recent surge in voter registrations.

According to data from TargetSmart, the voter registration rate for young Black women in 13 key battleground states has skyrocketed to 175 percent — nearly triple the rate from the last presidential election four years ago. The registration rate for Black women in general, experienced similar growth — increasing by 98 percent, while the overall Black voter rate also rose by 85 percent, according to TargetSmart data.

Since Harris’ nomination, Democrats have significantly out-registered Republicans, highlighting the effectiveness of the Democratic National Committee’s targeted efforts to engage young Black voters.

The civic origins of young Black women

Public education has long been critical to nurturing the civic identities of Black students. After the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, centered on Linda Brown, a Black girl — the ruling enabled Black students to attend better-funded, previously all-White schools. 

Black girls and young women were integral in organizing and participating in civil rights protests during the Civil Rights movement, such as the Birmingham Children’s Crusade in 1963. Black girls like Ruby Bridges, who became the first African American child to attend a formerly Whites-only school, risked physical and psychological harm to move the United States closer to its democratic principles. 

However, the quality of civic education in these integrated schools often varied, with Black students receiving less emphasis in the classroom on African American history and political engagement. 

Civic education as a pathway to national political participation

A 2022 report from Child Trends found that Black students were more likely than their peers to report an interest in civic engagement and activities. Drawing on this history and experiences with racism, Black students continue to spearhead civic efforts to promote racial and social justice in the United States. Today, Black children are more likely to use pathways such as social media to engage in activism and promote political awareness and participation among their peers. 

Programs like Black Girls Lead and Girls Who Vote have been instrumental in increasing political engagement among Black girls and fostering civic responsibility. These programs provide mentorship and civic education, which are essential in preparing Black girls to become active voters and community leaders.

In addition, Black youth activism is expressed not only at the local level, such as when a group of girls at Pretoria High School for Girls held a protest earlier in July to highlight alleged racism they experienced, — but also in national movements such as those sparked by the murder of George Floyd when 17-year-old Daniella Fraizer took out her cell phone and recorded his murder in 2020. Such incidents speak to young Black children —particularly Black girls—civically advocating for social justice in their schools and communities.

Surging ahead

Black girls, who account for 7.8 percent of the overall K-12 student population in the United States, have led a trend of civic engagement, contributing to increased voter registration among young Black women. Additionally, experts say Harris’ groundbreaking run for the White House has captured the imagination of Black women and girls who see themselves in her. 

However, the surge is not an isolated incident but rather a culmination of years of civic education and empowerment initiatives that have prepared these young women to take their place as influential voters.

Hilary Wilson, a doctoral student studying education in Louisiana, believes that the historical cultivation of civic engagement will likely have a lasting impact on Black K-12 education and voter registration turnout moving forward.

“As these young girls and women continue to assert their political power, their influence could extend into shaping educational policies, like more civic education in the classroom, that will benefit predominantly Black schools and communities.”

This article was originally published by Word In Black.

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Zero Waste Week, Sept. 4-8, serves as a time to bring awareness to pollution and waste that goes into the environment as well as provide resources for people to do their part in being more sustainable. 

According to the Zero Waste International Alliance, zero waste is defined as “the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”

However, over time, the definition has changed to include new solutions and ideas. The definition also may differ from state to state as it depends on the policies that the individual state upholds when it comes to the environment and sustainability. 

Below are five tips to utilize this week and beyond to practice zero waste. 

Buy in bulk 

Purchase food in bulk with the least amount of single use plastic when possible as this reduces the amount of waste from packaging. Also, keep an eye out for recyclable packaging. An example is purchasing a large bag of trail mix and transferring it to reusable containers to take to work instead of buying smaller individual bags of trail mix.  

Turn off water while brushing your teeth

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, by “turning off the tap while you brush your teeth in the morning and before bedtime, you can save up to eight (8) gallons of water.” This totals to more than 200 gallons of wasted water a month. 

Use What You Have 

Before going out and purchasing something new, try to use something you already have. There are also options to trade, thrift or repair, which is a sustainable way to obtain something new. 

Use Reusable Items

Reusable bags and water bottles have the potential to keep tons of single use plastic out of landfills and oceans each year. According to Plasticoceans.org, “annually approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide. More than one million bags are used every minute.” They also share that “a plastic bag has an average ‘working life’ of 15 minutes.”

Look into Eco Friendly Swaps

Some simple swaps that can be made without disrupting day-to-day activities is swapping plastic out with bamboo. An example would be a bamboo toothbrush, making the toothbrush compostable once it is time to swap it out. There are also other options such as bamboo cutlery, dish scrubbers, hair brushes and more. 

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By Ed White
The Associated Press

Murder charges filed against the father of a 14-year-old boy accused of a Georgia school shooting follow the successful prosecution of two parents in Michigan who were held responsible for a similar tragedy at a school north of Detroit.

Is it a sign of a crackdown on parents accused of gross negligence when it comes to kids and guns? Could public outrage lead to more prosecutions or changes in law in other states, too?

“It’s a matter of looking at the relationship between what the child says and does and what the parent knows about what the child says and does,” said David Shapiro, a former prosecutor who teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.

Colin Gray, 54, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder related to the deaths of two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder, outside Atlanta. Nine more people were wounded.

Gray’s son, Colt Gray, is charged with murder. Investigators said he used a “semi-automatic AR-15 style rifle” in the attack.

The charges against Colin Gray “are directly connected with the actions of his son and allowing him to possess a weapon,” said Chris Hosey, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Milestone in Michigan

James and Jennifer Crumbley were convicted of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year for the deaths of four students at Oxford High School in 2021. It was the first time that parents were held criminally responsible for a U.S. mass school shooting. They’re serving 10-year prison terms while appeals are pending.

The Crumbleys didn’t know what son Ethan Crumbley was planning. But prosecutor Karen McDonald said their son’s actions were foreseeable. They were summoned to discuss the 15-year-old’s macabre drawings of a gun and blood on a math assignment and a message, “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me. My life is useless.”

The Crumbleys declined to take him home but said they would seek counseling. On that same day, Ethan Crumbley removed a gun from his backpack and began shooting, using a weapon that James Crumbley had purchased as a gift just a few days earlier. No one — parents or school staff — had checked the backpack.

The parents’ “actions and inactions were inexorably intertwined” with what their son ultimately did at Oxford, the Michigan Court of Appeals said in 2023 when the groundbreaking case was allowed to move forward.

The Georgia case

Prosecutor Brad Smith declined to publicly disclose details that led him to charge Colin Gray in the Apalachee shooting. But in arrest warrants, authorities said he had provided a gun to his son “with knowledge that he was a threat to himself and others.”

Smith acknowledged the Michigan case during a news conference Sept. 6 and said his case was a first for Georgia.

“I’m not trying to send a message,” he said. “I’m just trying to use the tools in my arsenal to prosecute people for the crimes they commit.”

Colin Gray was interviewed last year when authorities were investigating his son about a menacing post on social media. The father said the teen “knows the seriousness of weapons and what they can do, and how to use them and not use them,” according to a transcript. 

Nothing more was pursued.

McDonald, the prosecutor in Michigan, said the Georgia shooting and the father’s arrest was a “real punch in the stomach.”

“I can’t believe the facts that stood out as so egregious in our case seem to be so similar,” she told The Associated Press.

More scrutiny for parents?

McDonald said states have laws that carry consequences for gross negligence in various situations. She said it’s encouraging that police in Georgia immediately investigated how the gun was obtained.

“I have never felt it was a moment that would open the floodgates to charges against parents or sending a message to people,” McDonald said of the Crumbley case. “Most people don’t need that message. It’s heartbreaking to watch it play out.”

She said it takes only seconds to put a lock on a gun, which she demonstrated for a jury.

Shapiro, the former New Jersey prosecutor, said all states likely have laws that can be used to hold parents responsible, though much depends on the facts and a prosecutor’s views.

“You don’t want to be able to allow parents to overlook those kinds of signs [that] there is something seriously wrong or a serious risk,” he said.

Michigan has a new law this year that requires adults to keep guns locked up when minors are present. In Newaygo County, a grandfather pleaded no contest in August in the death of a 5-year-old grandson. Another boy had picked up and fired a loaded shotgun.

“If people simply locked up their firearms, we would not be putting parents behind bars for this reason,” said Kris Brown, the president of Brady, a gun violence prevention group. “And we would not be digging as many graves.”

___

AP reporters Kate Brumback in Atlanta and Lindsay Whitehurst in Washington contributed to this story.

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By BlackPR Wire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, the second annual HBCU First LOOK Film Festival (HBCUFLF), announced its 2024 festival dates, November 8 – 10th  and  the premiere of the 2024 HBCU First LOOK “I Aspire” 100. (2024 HBCU First LOOK 100)

The HBCU First LOOK “I Aspire” 100 is a curated collective of notable HBCU alumni who are inspiring the next generation of content creators across film, television, and digital platforms. This year’s list includes MSNBC President Rashida Jones (Hampton University); former NFL player and sports commentator Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State University); actress and singer Fantasia Barrino Taylor (Central State); actors Lynn Whitfield (Howard University),  Anthony Anderson (Howard University) and Keisha Knight Pulliam (Spelman College); film, network and studio executives, directors, and producers Will Packer (Florida A&M University), Spike Lee(Morehouse College), Aisha Summers Burke (Howard University), Robert Boyd (Morehouse), and Risha Archibald (Lincoln University); award-winning hairstylist and makeup artist Mia Neal (Jackson State University); stage and media influencer K. J. Rose (Florida A&M University); and many more. The 100 list honorees are invited to “pay it forward” by posting their “I Aspire” message highlighting a movie and/or person who inspired their career and use the hashtag #IAspire2024.

The HBCU First LOOK “I Aspire” 100 list was inspired by the inaugural 2023 HBCU First LOOK Film Festival and Initiative which highlighted the rich culture and diverse talent within the HBCU community.

Following in the footsteps of its inaugural year, which featured a star-studded presentation of the Obamas’ Netflix film, Rustin, the 2nd Annual HBCU First LOOK Film Festival (HBCUFLF) will take place on November 8-10, 2024, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. This year’s HBCU First LOOK Film Festival’s theme: “A Celebration of Black Cinema X Activism will highlight some of Hollywood’s most influential classic films and HBCU alums in arts and entertainment who have built bridges for the next generation.

HBCU First LOOK App will be the one stop source for festival activations that include the announcement of three grand prize winners of the HBCU First LOOK Film Challenge; panel discussions and masterclasses with entertainment industry leaders and filmmakers, film screenings; with interactive Career & Vendor Lounge.

Sponsors and media partners include AARP, Café Mocha Network, HBCUGO.TV, Howard University Department of Television + Film, Howard University Television (WHUT), Howard University Radio Network, and HBCU SiriusXM Channel 142.

For more information, visit HBCUFirstLook.com.

About HBCU First LOOK Film Festival

The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival is inspiring a new generation of minority talent in the film, television, and broadcasting industry by teaching HBCU students practical skills to improve their craft, creating places to showcase their work, and connecting executives and students to a pipeline of talent and career opportunities.

About Miles Ahead Entertainment & Broadcasting

Miles Ahead Entertainment (MAE) is a woman-and minority-owned, MDOT/WOSB certified, global multicultural agency specializing in strategic planning, social media marketing and virtual events, talent acquisition management, concierge sponsorship engagement. Subsidiary Miles Ahead Broadcasting has produced award winning broadcast television and audio productions Café Mocha Radio & TV and Salute Her Awards. MAE’s principal, Sheila Eldridge, is a Howard University, Cathy Hughes School of Communications graduate and has been recognized with NAACP Image Awards, Women In Media Gracie Awards, Telly Award and Living Legends Foundation ‘Entrepreneur’ Award, to name a few.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

In this series the AFRO speaks to America’s incarcerated population, who face great physical hardship and emotional challenges– especially in states with little regard for inmate welfare. This series will examine the variety of reasons Black people face higher rates of incarceration and recidivism when compared to other ethnic populations. In addition, we speak with grassroots activists, returning citizens and advocates about being on the inside of the prison industrial complex and the impact of its revolving door. 

On a warm August night, several dozen citizens from the Greater Washington Area, mostly African-American men, gather at the Busboys and Poets in the Southeast D.C. community of Anacostia. The topic of discussion: the ongoing challenges facing the formerly incarcerated and the need for more programs that support their successful reentry into society.

During the two-hour session, returning citizens share stories of resilience, redemption and success, hoping to empower and motivate others as they seek to break barriers imposed by society and to realize their dreams. 

This is just one outlet for those seeking relief from their experiences in the criminal justice system. For Ahmar “Brother Khan” Mustikhan, a writer and community activist, it is crucial work.

Mustikhan served as moderator for the Aug. 3 Busboys and Poets event, titled “If You Have a Dream You Can Make It: Formerly Incarcerated Share Success Stories.” Several D.C. legends including Tyrone Parker and Roach Brown joined the conversation, speaking as both returning citizens and advocates for others who survived years and even decades behind bars. 

Khan described the event as an opportunity to connect with a community that believes in second chances and to show support for those who have managed to overcome adversity. 

No testimony without a test 

Parker, 76, a native Washingtonian who now lives in Laurel, Md., spent 38 years in prison. The conviction on two counts of robbery cost him nearly four decades in prison–most of it spent at Lorton Reformatory, a former prison complex in Lorton, Va., located about 20 miles outside of the nation’s capital.

Also known as the Lorton Correctional Complex, the facility, which closed in November 2001, once served as a prison for nonviolent offenders from D.C. before coming under the control of the District of Columbia Department of Corrections in 1946. 

Parker said he considers himself fortunate to have been sent to Lorton because it–unlike most penal institutions–promoted work programs that allowed inmates to regularly engage with the local community as volunteers. 

“The first thing that helped me turn my life around was God – no question. But the second thing was my gaining an understanding of my own value and my importance to my community,” Parker said. “Lorton was a progressive facility that promoted sending its inmates–all 300 of us–to parts of D.C. and Virginia where we learned about responsibility. 

“We were a volunteer movement that worked with the handicapped, supported youth in public schools and went wherever else we were needed. As a result of our day-to-day encounters, we not only helped to transform the greater community, but we underwent our own personal transformations,” he said.  

Parker would use many of the skills he acquired and lessons learned while incarcerated to establish The Alliance of Concerned Men (ACM), a nonprofit he began in 1991 with former high school friends. Parker previously served as the executive director. 

Now, more than 30 years later, ACM employs a “village approach” as they work to eradicate violence in local communities. The group has brokered more than 80 peace agreements and truces between rival gangs in areas identified as “hot spots” in D.C.

Brown, 80, was born and raised in D.C. but now lives in Suitland, Md. Today, he’s a successful host of “Crossroads,” a radio broadcast heard around the world. Today, he addresses problems faced by those returning citizens and those currently incarcerated.

Like Parker, Brown was sent to Lorton, after being sentenced to life in prison at the age of 20 in 1964 for being part of a trio of robbers whose actions led to the death of another man. 

“I was physically attacked multiple times in prison,” he said. “I was paralyzed for a while, I was placed in solitary confinement and even sent to St. Elizabeths for three years after both my mother and father died and I was diagnosed as temporarily insane,” he said, speaking of the public psychiatric hospital located in Washington, D.C. 

“After being returned to Lorton after my release from the [St. Elizabeths], I started writing to clear my head and wrote a Christmas story that evolved into a play,” Brown said. Soon, he found like-minded individuals, who wanted to express themselves using performance theatre.

“We called ourselves ‘Inner Voices’ and the play and our performances became so popular that we were allowed to go on tours – some locally and even a few in other parts of the country, including the Apollo Theater in New York City. We even did a show that was headlined by Richard Pryor. 

“We were allowed to go out and perform more than 500 shows and we returned to Lorton every time without any incidents. Then, in 1975, after first being turned down by former President Richard Nixon, former President Gerald Ford granted my request for a pardon and I was released from prison. I was determined to make the most of receiving a second chance,” he said. 

Recidivism rates disproportionately high for Black men

By age 25, 15.9 percent of Black males, 6.3 percent of Hispanic males and 1.7 percent of White males are expected to have served some time in state or federal prison. By age 40, 26.6 percent of Black males, 12.7 percent of Hispanic males and 3.5 percent of White males will have served time. 

The Department of Justice routinely conducts long-term studies on all things related to incarceration. In 2018 they released an updated report on recidivism rates for state prisoners in 30 different states. The report initially surveyed returning citizens from 2005 to 2009, to see how many were arrested after their release. Roughly 44 percent were re-arrested in the first year. 

The report looked at how many people were rearrested year after year for nine years. 

“Five years after release from prison, Black offenders had the highest recidivism rate (81 percent), compared to Hispanic (75 percent) and White (73 percent) offenders,” according to information released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2014, year nine of the study. 

The report found that a total of 83 percent of prisoners in the study were re-arrested within nine years of their 2005 release. By 2014, 86.9 of all Black prisoners in the study had been rearrested after their 2005 release. That number was 85 percent for the American Indian or Alaska Native Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander prison population, and 81.3 for Hispanics / Latinos.

Still today, incarceration and recidivism rates remain high across all race and ethnicity groups. The U.S. Census reports that Black people made up 12.4 percent of the population in 2020, and 12.6 percent of the population in 2010. Still, they show up disproportionately in the prison systems of America. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, for example, reports that 38.8 percent of prisoners were Black as of Aug. 24. 

Both Parker and Brown represent the minority when it comes to Black men who once spent time behind bars. 

When asked why they believe that Black men have a high recidivism rate among those formerly incarcerated, the two men differed in their responses. 

“In D.C.’s Ward 8, where most of the inmates from this area lived before being arrested and convicted– and to where [they] are returned upon their release– it’s a community of mostly disenfranchised people,” Parker said. “The prison system feeds off of them. At the same time, Blacks continue to suffer from a lack of everything: lack of jobs, poor healthcare, inadequate education and lack of affordable housing. 

“Returning citizens need a solid base – a family – to support them when they’re released. They need constructive programs to teach them how to be part of a family or in some cases, to lead their family,” said Parker. “For some young Black men, the only thing they know is based on a culture of self-destruction – they learn it as children and it’s passed on from one generation to another. Being incarcerated, and repeatedly returning to prison, is nothing more than a new form of slavery.” 

Brown agreed and lamented that until America changes its priorities, far too many Black families will continue to be ravaged by disproportionate rates of incarceration. 

“While I believe that Americans care about the injustices routinely faced by those in our nation’s prisons and jails, Black [people] in particular just have too many other things to worry about – things that take priority, like ensuring they have enough to eat, have a place to live and have a job, not to mention racism in general,” Brown said. 

“It’s rare to find a Black family that doesn’t have someone who is or has been incarcerated. At the least, they’ve gotten a call from someone they care about who has been arrested and needs help,” said Brown. “It’s wrong to consider all Black men as criminals. I think most brothers commit crimes of need, not crimes of greed.”

Brown continued, adding that “People who don’t have a job or a home – people who are broke, broken and homeless – will do whatever is necessary to survive. When I was a little boy and D.C. was very segregated, even if you had a job, you had to hustle. You needed to supplement the family’s income just to survive. So, most of us, if we had a job, stole from that job. My take home pay wouldn’t take me home.”

Over time, however, he knew he had to change.

“How did I get my life in order? I eventually got tired of getting in the ring and getting knocked down again and again. It was like fighting Mike Tyson seven days a week,” he said. “I reached the point where I was done with experiencing the overdose of pain and I wanted something else – something different, something better.”

The post On the inside: Rehabilitation programs key in successful reentry and anti-recidivism efforts appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

Josefina Catherine Cunningham was only 3 years old when her life was wrongfully taken. Remembered for her vibrant spirit and sweet demeanor, the story of how her precious life was cut short is being told by her older brother, Jy’Quan Stewart. 

Josefina was found dead on July 7, 2023 in her mother’s apartment in Rensselaer, N.Y., after being strangled, beaten and raped by her mother’s boyfriend, 34-year-old Robert Fisher. 

Stewart recalled seeing Josefina earlier in the evening on the night of the tragic event. 

“I went to my mom’s house to get my keys. I left and then my mom did as well,” the 22-year-old said. “Josefina was left in the care of Robert. When my mom came home, Josefina was sound asleep and breathing.” 

Stewart noted that his mother went to bed following her check on Josefina and it wasn’t until the next morning that she and the rest of their family would find the toddler bruised and unresponsive. While commuting to work, he received a call from his aunt about his little sister’s death. 

“I was on my way to work and I got a call from my aunt. She told me ‘Do you know that Josie died?’ And then I took a Lyft over to my mother’s house and I saw yellow tape outside and police standing in front of the house,” he said.

That morning as Josefina’s family mourned her death, her killer tried to clean up his mess. Stewart recalled Fisher sweeping, mopping and using excessive amounts of bleach in an attempt to clear any evidence of the horrific acts he committed. 

Fisher was arrested that day and has been in police custody under protective care for the last year. On July 27 of this year he pleaded guilty to his crimes and is now due to be sentenced on Sept. 10. 

Stewart noted that there’s been talk of sentencing Fisher to a bid of 20 years to life, however, he feels that isn’t severe enough of a punishment for the crime he committed. 

“He needs to be sentenced to the death penalty. In 2007 they did away with the death penalty in the state of New York but I want it to be reinstated,” he said. “If it happens I’m going to call it the ‘Josie Act.’”

Stewart explained that he’s hoping to have the death penalty reinstated in New York and if that were to happen, he would seek to reopen his sister’s case to have Fisher sentenced to death.  

The young man refuses to let his little sister’s story go untold, equating his actions to that of Mamie Till when she decided to have an open casket funeral for her son Emmett Till, who was lynched at the the of 14 by several White men.

“I believe my sister’s story can cause a great awakening and bring the country to its knees in prayer,” Stewart wrote in an editorial earlier this year.

With a plethora of news outlets having already reported on the tragic event, he’s determined to spread this story across the nation and hopefully onto the desks of local politicians. 

“I will not rest until I have achieved justice for Josie,” he concluded in the editorial. “This is just the beginning.”

As of Sept.10, Robert Fisher was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 20 years.

The post New York man seeks justice for sister, 3, who was raped, murdered appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Kevin D. McNeir
Special to the AFRO

Narcan serves as a name brand version of a nasal medication used to quickly reverse an opioid overdose. And with the number of overdoses continuing to rise throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, Loudoun County Public Schools is considering allowing students aged 16 and older to carry Narcan, or Naloxone, at school. The move would count as a revision to the current policy that deals with student medication.

The revisions, prompted at the request of Superintendent Aaron Spence, were discussed Aug. 22 by the Student Services Committee and includes a section about the proper training, storage and handling of Naloxone and requires students to alert a staff member if they use it on someone. 

According to Student Health Services Supervisor Jeannie Kloman, in order to be trained to carry Naloxone, students have to be at least 16. Kloman said the training and the dose of Naloxone given at the end of training is free and doesn’t cost the division anything. Student Services Director Kirk Dolson said the training would be provided only to students who volunteered to take it.

For now, only a handful of staff members in division schools are trained to administer Naloxone, including principals and nurses but those from the Sheriff’s Office, the Leesburg Police and other divisions including Fairfax and Arlington in Virginia and Montgomery County in Maryland, have varied policies that allow it in one way or another. 

The committee will address the policy changes at its next meeting in September. The current policy came under fire last October after nine suspected student opioid-related overdoses involving fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than morphine, occurred at Park View High School. Seven of those happened within the span of three weeks, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. 

The post Loudoun School leaders consider allowing Narcan possession for students 16 and over appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Art, Culinary, Fashion, Philanthropy – Enter the HALL at LIVE! Maryland Casino &Hotel – Taking a Bite and Elevating the Culture of Charm City.

BALTIMORE (September 6, 2024) – “Adam & Eve: Enter the Garden,” the
2024 theme of the 3rd Annual Baltimore MET Gala (BMG), a multi-sensory,
sophisticated production designed to celebrate all the best parts of Charm City.

Introduced in 2022 and recognized by the Baltimore Times as the Best Live
Performance event in 2023, the BMG features a collection of experiences (Art, Culinary, Fashion, and Philanthropy), wrapped in artistic expression and impact, working inconcert to deliver a best-in-class evening of entertainment at The HALL – LIVE! Casino & Hotel Maryland (Saturday, September 14).

Executive producers and culture creators, LaRian Finney and Derrick Chase, have
been the driving force behind the BMG since the inaugural brand activation at theBaltimore Museum of Art (BMA), building and elevating local businesses and
entrepreneurs through this dynamic production that embraces the city’s commitment toart and culture.

“The Finn Group has led major activations around the country, with Baltimore being our home base since 2000,” says Finney. “Our focus is to provide strategy and solutions to further develop businesses that have a mission for inclusion and economic impact, by being culturally sensitive, relevant, and tying directly to the vitality of the community.”

The impact of the BMG spans beyond Charm City, with featured experiences drawing the attention of creatives from across industries to the region. In July, the model auditions welcomed over 500 hopefuls, including some from San Diego, St. Louis, New York, DC, and even Ohio, to walk for the eleven BMG designers, including Fashion Commission leads Jody Davis and Earle Bannister, who selected the final cut, 150 models, for the Fashion Experience, produced by Lana Rae.

“We know the rich pool of talent is here in the city, and that’s through all genres, particularly the arts, fashion and culinary scenes,” said Chase. “Drawing talent to the city to be part of the Baltimore Story, through this unique production, is a testament to the value we’ve created in the three short years of executing at a high-level of excellence.”

Not to be outdone by Fashion – the Art Experience, “Statement 2024”, curated by Ernest Shaw, Ainsley Burrows, and Laurielle Noel, confirmed 20 diverse artists from a record 90 applicants vying for a coveted spot in the exclusive BMG avant-garde\Art Exhibition. “This exhibition showcases compelling artworks that challenge, provoke, and captivate – featuring a curated selection of pieces based on the event’s theme – Adam & Eve: Enter the Garden.” – BMG Art Experience Curators.

The theme, through the eyes of designer, Shajuan Finney, is the key component of theguest experience at the BMG. “From the moment you step onto the Green Carpet, guests will be met with scents of florals, beauty of visual stories, and feelings of nature – transforming the space into an epic garden of entertainment for creatives and fashionistas,” described Shajuan.

The Culinary Experience, curated by Black Owned Restaurant Tour (BORT) creator, Azikiwe “Zik” DeVeaux, spotlights the Art in the cuisine of the nine restaurants and concepts selected to develop luxurious sweet and savory bites for guests to indulge, and enjoy ‘A Taste of the MET.’

Embedded in the Experiences of the BMG, is the power of community and impact, exemplified by the Community Impact and ICON Award recipients, will be recognized throughout the evening, for their intentional efforts to empower and strengthen Baltimore’s image and mission to be the best city in America. 2024 awardees include:

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS

● P. David Bramble, Managing Partner/Co-Founder | MCB Real Estate

● Edward “Ed” Evans, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion | Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland

● Linzy Jackson, III, Director of External Partnerships | Office of the Mayor

● Susan J. Lee, Vice President of Diversity Partnerships | MOI

● Detra Neal, Sales Manager, Market, Mid-Atlantic | Kimball International

● Nykidra “Nyki” Robinson, Founder and CEO | Black Girls Vote

● Shelonda Stokes, President | Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

ICON AWARDS

● Jerry Prettyman, Prettyman Gallery Global | Artist ICON Award

● Dr. Lance London, Chairman and CEO, Carolina Kitchen Bar & Grill, and
     NéVetica | Culinary ICON Award

● Toni James, Katwalk Boutique Corporation | Fashion ICON Award

● Travis Winkey, Travis Winkey Studios | Fashion ICON Award

A portion of the proceeds from the 2024 Baltimore MET Gala will benefit Black Girls Vote (BGV), a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring Black Girls to use the political process to improve the quality of life for their families and the collective community.

For more information, including partners and sponsors, visit baltimoremetgala.com. Follow on social media, @baltimoremedgala, to join the conversation about the BMG Experience.

Use #BaltimoreMETGala and #BaltimoreMETGala2024.

The post Baltimore MET Gala returns to celebrate Charm City’s best appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Each year, Maryland Public Television (MPT)  dedicates a week to uplifting the history, innovation and under-told stories of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with its HBCU Week segments. This year, the network will feature programming Sept. 2-8.

Since 2020, MPT has broadcast a week-long series of HBCU news and history of the present, past, and future as part of its  “Standing Against Racism: Fostering Unity Through Dialogue” initiative. The initiative’s goal is to “stimulate thoughtful discussion and increase understanding of race-related issues in communities across Maryland,” MPT said in a statement.

This year will mark their fifth annual season of special programming with content produced locally and by individual producers.

This year’s programming will include 30 hours of HBCU based content and 12 premiere films that will debut across MPT TV, social media, and online platforms.

Some stories broadcasted throughout the week include “Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience,” “The Golden Year: Howard Women’s Basketball,” “The Morgan Lacrosse Story,” and many more inspiring stories regarding HBCUs across the nation on arts, music, history and sports. 

Take a look below at some of the events taking place this week:

History of a National Treasure: Morgan State University – Tuesday, September 3, 8-8:30 p.m.
Learn the story of Morgan State University in Baltimore, whose creation is rooted in the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act and born of the vision of five churchmen and former slaves, determined to lift their race through education.

George H. White: Searching for Freedom – Tuesday, September 3, 9:30-10 p.m.
View this documentary to learn about the life and legacy of one of the most significant African-American leaders of the Reconstruction Era. From humble beginnings in eastern North Carolina, George H. White, a graduate of Howard University, ascended to serve in the United States Congress as its sole Black voice little more than two decades after Emancipation.

Dr. Eddie Henderson: Uncommon Genius – Wednesday, September 4, 8-8:30 p.m.
Born on October 26, 1940, in New York City, Dr. Eddie Henderson is a renowned American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player. He is known for his lyrical phrasing and inventive improvisations, blending traditional jazz with contemporary elements such as funk and soul. Learn about this musician and his legacy during MPT’s HBCU Week on Sept. 4. 

Artworks: Imani-Grace Special – Wednesday, September 4, 8:30-9:30 p.m.
With a voice compared to Billie Holiday, Howard University graduate Imani-Grace Cooper has performed alongside jazz greats such as Esperanza Spalding and George Duke. In this Artworks special, Cooper performs Black American music classics that harken back to the jazz legends of the past, soul singers of the present, and a sound for the future.

Artworks: The Art of Strings – Wednesday, September 4, 9:30-10 p.m.
The Randolph String Quartet, a preeminent group of siblings – and Howard University alumni – who perform around the world, teaches viewers about the classic string ensemble format through classic and contemporary repertoire. This Artworks episode features performances by the quartet and offers a look at issues of diversity in classical music.

The Golden Year: Howard Women’s Basketball – Thursday, September 5, 8-8:30 p.m.
Since 1974, the Howard University women’s basketball program has been committed to excellence that extends beyond the court. Facing triumph and challenges, the team continues to raise the bar while embodying the spirit of resilience, determination, and pride. Learn about this golden year on Sept. 5 at 8 p.m.

Inside the CIAA: Impact – Thursday, September 5, 8:30-9 p.m.
Discover the impact that the CIAA Tournament – the nation’s largest and oldest HBCU postseason basketball tournament – has on the city of Baltimore, including its thriving Black business community.

Local, USA | HBCU Week: Tradition and Competition – Thursday, September 5, 9-9:30 p.m.
Experience the football culture of HBCUs, featuring the historic rivalry of Hampton and Howard since 1908 and the intense matchups of N.C. A&T vs. N.C. Central. This episode highlights the camaraderie and competition in HBCU sports and their impact on African American communities.

The Dream Whisperer – Thursday, September 5, 9:30-10:30 p.m.
In the midst of segregation, the all-Black Tennessee A&I Tigers became the first collegiate basketball team to win three consecutive national championships. Captain Dick Barnett fought to secure recognition for his team. Discover their triumph over adversity and Barnett’s relentless effort to preserve their legacy.

State Circle Special: Where Do We Go From Here? – Friday, September 6, 7-8 p.m.
Learn about groundbreaking new programs and initiatives at the six HBCUs located in the Maryland area from their visionary presidents and award-winning faculty and students.

Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience – Friday, September 6, 9-10 p.m.
Severely underrepresented in mathematics, African Americans have played important roles as researchers and educators in the field. This film traces the history of the individuals who worked as pioneers in expanding the presence of African Americans in mathematics.

The post Maryland Public Television highlights Black colleges and universities with fifth annual HBCU Week appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Quintessa Williams

During the Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama’s stunning braids and Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson’s mighty afro were celebrated nationwide as symbols of Black pride, cultural identity and resistance. 

Given that the former First Lady once said America wasn’t ready to see a Black woman with anything but straight hair in the White House, their hairstyles symbolize a growing acceptance and recognition of natural hair in political spaces. 

However, while Black hairstyles are becoming more accepted in politics, a stark contrast exists in America’s public schools. Black hair may be embraced in some spaces, but it remains heavily policed and criminalized in classrooms. 

Hair dress code policies in schools disproportionately affect Black students, leading to higher rates of negative perceptions about their identity, severe psychological effects and students being shoved into the school-to-prison pipeline.

Just weeks before the DNC, a judge dismissed a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Darryl George, a Black student in Texas, after it was ruled that he was lawfully punished for wearing locs, a hairstyle rooted in African culture and spirituality. The school cited ‘”its dress code”’ as the reason for the suspension.

A national issue for Black students

Savannah Walker, an Andrew Jackson High School senior in Jacksonville, Fla., tells Word In Black that when schools enforce such policies, they are “not only policing hair but identity as well.”

“They’re basically telling us that we as our natural selves are unacceptable and that we must conform to White norms to be seen as respectable and worthy. This is hurtful, especially for young people like me who are still figuring out their sense of self and identity.”

 In 2017, 17-year-old Jenesis Johnson was sent to in-school suspension for wearing her natural afro to school. The school’s dress code mandated that hair be “kept neat and out of the face,” and administrators claimed her afro was a distraction. 

A year later in 2018, Faith Fennidy, an 11-year-old from Louisiana, was sent home because her braided hairstyle allegedly violated the school’s dress code. Fennidy’s case garnered national attention and sparked outrage over discriminatory hair policies in schools.

In 2019, Tyler House, a high school wrestler in Kentucky, was forced to cut his locs on the spot or forfeit his match. The referee insisted that his locs were not compliant with the sport’s regulations despite other athletes with similar hairstyles not being asked to make changes. 

These incidents, and many others like them, highlight the ongoing struggle Black students face in schools across the country.

According to a 2020 report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Black students, who make up only 15 percent of the U.S. public school student population, account for 45 percent of all school suspensions related to hair being cited as a dress code violation. In addition, 25 percent of Black students reported being penalized for wearing their natural hair, compared to just 5 percent of White students. 

Does the CROWN Act protect Black students?

As of 2024, 25 states have passed the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair), which protects against hair-based discrimination in workplaces and schools. 

The act first became law in California in 2019 and is designed to ban discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles, including locs, braids, twists, and afros. In March 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the federal version of the CROWN Act. The Biden Administration voiced its support for the legislation. However, the bill stalled in the Senate, leaving millions nationwide without protection against hair-based discrimination.

In states without the CROWN Act, 67 percent of Black students report experiencing discrimination or bias related to their natural hair in school. However, states with the CROWN Act have seen a 25 percent decrease in reported incidents of hair discrimination. 

Where do we go from here? 

In May 2024, Democrats reintroduced the CROWN Act at the federal level. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a leading voice in the fight for the CROWN Act, said, “This is not a partisan issue. The federal government would simply be following the lead of our states. This is an issue of justice. This is an issue of fairness. This isn’t just an issue of ending discrimination that has existed for too long. Enough is enough.”

Meanwhile, in Jacksonville, Savannah Walker’s father, Kadeem Walker, says he believes a potential federal ban on discrimination against Black hair will ensure all students are free to express their cultural hair identity without fear of punishment. 

“We must implement federal protections like the CROWN Act and hold schools accountable for discriminatory dress code policies,” he says. “It will be a giant step in ending these discriminatory practices on natural hair across the nation.”

This article was originally published by Word in Black.

The post Black hair as a battleground: From the DNC stage to school suspensions appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Kirsten Grieshaber
The Associated Press

It was a balmy summer night in 2020, shortly after the lifting of Germany’s first COVID-19 lockdown, and Omar Diallo and two friends from his home country of Guinea wanted to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice.

“We were enjoying life, playing music, walking through the city at night — we just wanted to be together again and have a good time,” Diallo, 22, told The Associated Press in Erfurt, an area in the eastern state of Thuringia.

He was not prepared for how the day would end. Suddenly Diallo and his friends were confronted by three black-clad White men.

“They were shouting: ‘What do you want here, f-——- foreigners, get out’!” Diallo remembered.

“First there were three, then five, seven — they were surrounding us from all sides. We couldn’t run away, and then they started chasing us,” he said. 

At some point Diallo managed to call the police, and when the officers finally arrived, the attackers ran away. One of his friends was beaten up so badly that he had to be hospitalized.

“I simply tried to survive,” Diallo said. “I hadn’t done anything wrong. It all happened only because of my skin color.”

Being Black in Germany has always meant exposure to racism, from everyday humiliations to deadly attacks. In eastern Germany, the risk can be even greater. 

After World War II, West Germany became a democratic, diverse society but in East Germany, which was run by a communist dictatorship until the end of 1989, residents barely had any contact with people of different ethnicities and were not allowed to travel freely abroad.

Experts say that specifically in Thuringia, radical far-right forces have created an environment that’s hostile toward minorities, including Black people.

Now, with the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, Black Germans and African migrants like Diallo are growing increasingly concerned. 

Thuringia, which has a population of 2.1 million,holds state elections on Sept. 1, and the fiercely anti-immigration AfD is leading the polls, on 30 percent.

In 2023, the NGO Ezra, which helps victims of far-right, racist and antisemitic violence, documented 85 racist attacks in Thuringia, down only slightly from 88 attacks in 2022, which Ezra described as “an all-time high of right-wing and racist violence” in the state. 

“In recent years, an extreme right-wing movement has formed in Thuringia, which has contributed to a noticeable ideological radicalization of its followers. Politically, the Alternative for Germany party is the main beneficiary,” Ezra and a consortium of organizations tracking racism wrote in their annual report. 

AfD’s Thuringia branch is particularly radical and was put under official surveillance by the domestic intelligence service four years ago as a “proven right-wing extremist” group.

“Authoritarian and populist forces, which are becoming very strong here now, harbor a great danger in Thuringia,” says Doreen Denstaedt, Thuringia’s minister for migration, justice and consumer protection. 

Denstaedt, the daughter of a Black father from Tanzania and a White German mother, was born and grew up in Thuringia.

The 46-year-old member of the Green party said that growing up in Communist East Germany, she was “always the only Black child.” As a teenager, she was never allowed to go home on her own because of the risk of racist attacks, and she sometimes suffered racist slurs in her school.

“I actually experienced myself that people called me a foreigner, which really confused me at first, because I was born in Saalfeld” in Thuringia, Denstaedt said.

She fears that in the current political climate, racist narratives will become acceptable in the middle of society.

“My biggest concern is that people do not question [these prejudices], especially if they are not affected themselves,” she said.

It’s not exactly clear how many Black people live in Germany nowadays, as different ethnicities are not documented in official statistics, but estimates put the number of people of African descent at 1.27 million. More than 70 percent were born in Germany, according to Mediendienst Integration, which tracks migration issues in the country.

Germany’s history of racial discrimination begins long before the Nazis began excluding, deporting and ultimately murdering Black people in the 1930s and 1940s. 

The German Empire held numerous colonies in Africa from 1884 until the end of World War I. These included territories in present-day Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Namibia, Cameroon, Togo and Ghana.

The German government has only recently started dealing with the injustices committed during that period. In 2021, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on Germans to face the country’s cruel colonial past, and in 2023, he apologized for colonial-era killings in Tanzania over a century ago. 

Daniel Egbe, a 58-year-old chemist from Cameroon who moved to Thuringia in 1994 to study, says he’s shocked how little Germans know about their colonial history. He says this ignorance may also factor into the unequal treatment of Black people. 

“I’ve been teaching classes in school,” Egbe told the AP. “I tell them a bit about myself and especially the fact that Cameroon was a German colony. Many students don’t know anything about Africa or about the German past and it must be put on the map.”

Egbe, who took German citizenship in 2003, founded AMAH, an organization that helps university students and migrants from Africa when they experience discrimination in the city of Jena, in eastern Thuringia.

He’s worried about the rise of the AfD but has no intention of leaving. 

“We won’t leave, we will do our part to change this society,” he said. “People are mostly afraid of what and who they don’t know. We have to change things through education.”

As for Diallo, the Guinean who was attacked in Erfurt four years ago, he also vowed to help improve the situation for Black people in Germany.

Even though the attack traumatized him, it also empowered him to fight for justice, he said. A year ago, he enrolled in university in Munich to study law, but he still visits Erfurt frequently, where he supports Youth without Borders, a network of young migrants.

“I don’t exactly know yet how I’m going to change Germany, but I know I will,” he said.

This article was originally published by The Associated Press.

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By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

Montgomery County Public Schools may be surprised with a new item coming to their bathrooms soon – vape detectors. 

That’s right – the Montgomery County Board of Education in Maryland recently approved a plan to use $2 million to install vape detectors in all county high schools.

Over the past few years, school officials throughout the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area have continued to address and confront the challenge of students vaping. Some school districts have already installed detectors, stationed bathroom monitors and provided information for teachers so they can better anticipate when and where students may attempt to sneak away for a puff. 

But the problem has only gotten worse. 

According to CDC research from 2023, 2.1 million students currently use e-cigarettes. Of the children who vape, 25 percent reported using e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes) daily; more than 22,000 were surveyed by the FDA.

Further, recent data shows that e-cigarettes are currently the most widely used tobacco product among young people in the U.S. But hold onto your hats. While the number of high school students using tobacco decreased between 2022 and 2023, the number of middle school students went up, according to the FDA.

Any form of nicotine use, including vaping, has been found to have negative health impacts, experts say. E-cigarettes can damage lungs, leading to problems that include COPD, asthma and lung cancer. The chemicals found in e-cigarettes can also cause lung disease or heart disease. Medical officials warn that young people may become more easily addicted to nicotine because their brains are still developing.

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By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware
Word in Black

In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced houses of worship nationwide to shut down, both the ministry and congregants adapted to a new, supposedly temporary reality. Like schools and offices, church services would be conducted remotely, streamed over the internet into homes on pandemic lockdown. 

When asked, around 9 in 10 parishioners insisted they would return to in-person worship, as soon as the pandemic ended. They missed the handshakes and hugs of in-person fellowship, the resonant sound of the choir, the feel and smell of hymnals. 

More than three years after the official end of the pandemic, however, about a third of regular churchgoers haven’t returned to the pews — and only about 2 in 5 Americans regularly participate in church services at all.

A survey shows the situation is a bit more acute when it comes to the Black church, according to Pew Research Center. 

“While 13% of Protestants who belong to historically Black churches say they attend church in person and don’t regularly watch services virtually, most say they join services both in person and virtually (37%) or only watch remotely on screens (20%),” according to the Pew report, issued last June.  

The data illustrates a conundrum for faith leaders struggling to meet the new reality of a hybrid method of worship. 

“Pastoring the virtual church creates an accountability and connection challenge,” says the Rev. Jamal Brown, pastor of Family Restoration Worship Center in Philadelphia. “It’s not dissimilar from the traditional congregation challenges,” but the church as well as the individual bears responsibility for the decline of in-person worship.

Virtual worship “offered people an opportunity to hide from the responsibility of giving time, talent and tenth,” he says, referring to donations and tithing. “However, embracing the virtual church also exposed deficits in the church systems. What existed pre was enhanced in the post virtual church.”

Jason E. Shelton, a sociologist and professor and director of the Center for African American Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington, put a finer point on it in a February interview with Christianity Today.

“The future does not look good for organized religion in Black America, especially the historic traditions,” he said. 

“The Baptists are still the largest, but they’re losing people,” he said. “The Methodists are really down small. The Pentecostals are losing, but they’re not losing nearly as many since they’ve always been small.” 

The numbers are part of an overall trend of declining church worship in the U.S. According to Gallup, 42 percent of U.S. adults regularly attended church services two decades ago; now, that number has slipped to around 30 percent. 

Reasons for the dropoff in attendance vary, according to a Pew Research Center poll. Some former churchgoers are still worried about contracting COVID-19; others say they’re facing new physical challenges that keep them from going to church in person; still others say they prefer worshiping from the comfort of home. 

One can hardly argue with the modern comfort and convenience of watching Sunday home worship services, streaming live over a platform like Zoom or Facebook. Yet data from Lifeway Research found that 91 percent of those polled not long after churches shut down said they would return to the pews when the pandemic was no longer a problem.

But “as of the fall of 2022, the average church had 85% of its pre-COVID attendance numbers,” according to the study. A year later, Pew reported 27 percent of U.S. adults faithfully watch services online, compared with roughly a third who regularly attend church in person. 

Among Black parishioners, 2 in 10 prefer to watch worship services online at home, according to Pew.

Part of the reason for the dropoff is “continuing concern about COVID-19, which struck Black communities with particular force,” according to Pew. At the same time, however, “viewers who are members of historically Black Protestant churches are more likely to say they feel like active participants in these virtual services than are viewers who belong to some other faiths.”

Realizing what’s at stake, faith leaders are taking steps to draw their flock back into the pews. Some are reaching out to absent congregants in person; others are holding social events. One minister found that offering water baptism was a draw to some. 

For Shelton, the University of Texas sociologist, the decline in in-person worship is a worrisome trend for the Black church, an institution with a long, storied history in the community. 

“The church has always been the vessel that we as Black people have used to have community and solidarity,” he said. “It’s the church that connects , so as the nones” — Black people with no religious affiliation — “fall away from that, what does that mean for the community? What does that mean for Black music? What does that mean for Black politics? And what does that mean for the long-standing legacy of racial discrimination in this country?”

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By Alexandra Olson
AP Business Writer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

______

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

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

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By Jamie Stengle
The Associated Press

From barbecues to getaways to shopping the sales, many people across the U.S. mark Labor Day — the federal holiday celebrating the American worker — by finding ways to relax.

This year is the 130th anniversary of the holiday, which is celebrated on the first Monday of September. While actions by unions in recent years to advocate for workers are a reminder of the holiday’s activist roots, the three-day weekend it creates has become a touchstone in the lives of Americans marking the unofficial end of summer.

Here’s what to know about Labor Day:

How did Labor Day become a federal holiday?

Its origins date back to the late 19th century, when activists first sought to establish a day to pay tribute to workers.

The first Labor Day celebration in the U.S. took place in New York City on Sept. 5, 1882, when some 10,000 workers marched in a parade organized by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor.

Workers were seeing their quality of life decline as they transitioned from artisan to factory jobs, even as the quality of life of factory owners was “just skyrocketing,” said Todd Vachon, an assistant professor in the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations.

In the years that followed, a handful of cities and states began to adopt laws recognizing Labor Day. President Grover Cleveland signed a congressional act in 1894 making it a federal holiday.

That was the same year that workers for the Pullman Palace Car Company went on strike after the railcar-maker cut wages without reducing rent in the company-owned town where workers lived near Chicago, Vachon said. Over 12 workers were killed after Cleveland sent federal troops to crush the strike, he said. 

Cleveland’s move to establish Labor Day as a federal holiday is seen by some historians as a way for him “to make peace” with the working class after that, Vachon said.

What do Americans do over Labor Day weekend?

For the three-day weekend created by Labor Day, travelers pack airports and highways for end-of-summer escapes, and backyard chefs prepare cookouts for family and friends.

Barbecuing has been a part of Labor Day celebrations from the start, said Robert F. Moss, food writer, culinary historian and author of “Barbecue: The History of an American Institution.” 

He said it was already such an entrenched tradition in the U.S. that when the labor movements developed in the late 19th century, it was natural to celebrate as large groups gathered. In the 20th century, the holiday’s barbecues moved more toward gatherings of friends and family in backyards, he said.

“It still has a lot of that same communal sense, gathering around the grill, eating together,” he said.

Vachon said that whether the origins of the labor movement are on one’s mind while celebrating depends on whether they live somewhere with a large union presence.

In Chicago, a parade and festival are held over Labor Day weekend in what is now the Pullman neighborhood, home of the holiday’s roots. Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, said the parade and festival they host brings in union members and their families from all over the area.

How has the labor movement evolved over the decades?

When Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, unions in the U.S. were largely contested and courts would often rule strikes illegal, leading to violent disputes, Vachon said. It wasn’t until the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 that private sector employees were granted the right to join unions. 

Later into the 20th century, states also began passing legislation to allow unionization in the public sector. But even today, not all states allow collective bargaining for public workers.

In recent years, Vachon said, there’s been a resurgence in labor organizing, activism, interest and support. 

“A lot of the millennial and Gen Z folks are coming into the labor market in a period that’s not a lot different from that period in the 1880s where there was a lot of labor unrest,” Vachon said. “Jobs just don’t pay enough for people to achieve the American dream.”

What’s the connection between fashion and Labor Day?

The adage that one shouldn’t wear white after Labor Day is a “rule” that’s broken with very fashionable results, but where did it originate?

Fashion experts say it likely goes back to the Gilded Age — the same period in the late 1800s that spawned Labor Day. The cool, white frocks worn by wealthy New Yorkers during their summers in places such as Newport, Rhode Island, would be packed away on their end-of-summer return to the city with its dirt-packed streets. 

Christy Crutsinger, a professor in merchandising and digital retailing at University of North Texas, heard the adage from generations of women in her family. But “the fashion world’s not working that way anymore,” she added.

“People think it, say it, but don’t abide by it,” she said.

With back-to-school shopping and a switch by many business people from a more relaxed summer dress code, fashion is on the mind of many around Labor Day, said Daniel James Cole, adjunct assistant professor in fashion history at the Fashion Institute of Technology and co-author of “The History of Modern Fashion.”

The holiday, he said, “is kind of this hinge” between summertime dress and fun to going “back to more serious pursuits.”

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Associated Press journalist Wyatte Grantham-Philips contributed to this report.

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

(NNPA Newswire) – Newly unearthed research notes and letters from William Bradford Huie, the journalist whose reporting on the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till helped shape the public’s understanding of the crime, reveal that Huie deliberately concealed vital details that could have implicated additional participants in the murder. These documents, recently released by the descendants of one of the lawyers involved in the case, suggest that Huie prioritized his financial interests and the protection of his sources over the pursuit of truth and justice.

The cache of documents, now housed in the Florida State University Digital Repository, includes a 33-page set of Huie’s research notes and a series of letters exchanged between Huie and John Whitten, one of the defense attorneys for J.W. Milam and Roy Bryant, the two men acquitted of Till’s murder. The content of these letters and notes reveals a complex and troubling relationship between the journalist and the defense team, raising serious questions about the integrity of Huie’s reporting.

Huie’s notes indicate that he was aware of other individuals involved in the kidnapping and murder of Emmett Till but chose not to report this information. In a letter dated December 10, 1955, Huie confessed his doubts about the story Milam and Bryant were telling him: “I began doubting myself… and one night I was on the point of coming back to Mississippi and ‘pistol-whipping’ Milam for telling me a fabric of lies.” 

Despite these doubts, Huie went ahead with his article in Look magazine, presenting Milam and Bryant’s version of events as the complete truth.

The letters between Huie and Whitten also reveal the extent to which Huie was willing to collaborate with the defense attorneys to craft a narrative that would serve their mutual interests. In a letter dated November 16, 1955, Huie assured Whitten that he was carefully considering the “most effective presentation” of the story, stating, “We have been sort of marking time… and in due time and with great care, I’ll be in touch with you.” This close coordination suggests that Huie’s reporting was influenced not only by his desire to protect his sources but also by a shared goal of controlling how the public would receive the story.

Huie’s financial motivations are laid bare in another letter from Whitten, dated November 22, 1955, in which the attorney thanked Huie for a gift—a fine Cavanaugh hat—and expressed confidence that the criminal case would not proceed further despite any additional publicity. “My wife was so complimentary of the hat… that I finally had to tell her something about where it came from,” Whitten wrote, before adding, “Nevertheless, I think that we should not throw caution to the winds.”

Beyond these troubling collaborations, Huie’s notes reveal that he was aware of a “third man” involved in the kidnapping of Emmett Till, identified by Elizabeth Wright, Till’s great-aunt, as Milam’s brother-in-law from Minter City, Melvin Campbell. However, this information was not included in Huie’s published article, which instead presented a version of events that Huie himself doubted.

The letters also highlight Huie’s strategic manipulation of the narrative to ensure the story’s maximum impact. In a December 20, 1955, letter, Huie boasted to Whitten about his ability to control the story, writing, “I dealt with a magazine with which I could exercise this control. You see, John, I’m very old in this propaganda business. I know how to fight smart… so smart that my ‘enemies’ don’t realize just what is being done to them at times.”

Huie’s cynical approach extended to his portrayal of Till, as revealed in the same letter, where he explained that including a detail about Till having a picture of a White girl in his wallet would “pinpoint the hypocrisy” of White liberals and make them “very uncomfortable.” These remarks starkly contrast Huie’s public reputation as a journalist sympathetic to the Civil Rights Movement.

Huie’s reporting had an immediate and profound impact when it was published. His article in Look magazine led to a backlash against Milam and Bryant, even among White Mississippians who had previously supported them. U.S. Rep. Charles Diggs (D-Mich.) read the story into the congressional record, and it was hailed as “spectacular” by Black newspapers. However, Huie’s decision to omit critical details effectively ended efforts by Black journalists and the FBI to pursue additional suspects in the case.

The release of these documents exposes the uncomfortable truth that Huie’s reporting, while instrumental in bringing the horror of Emmett Till’s murder to national attention, was deeply compromised. The documents suggest that his decisions to prioritize financial gain and protect his sources over full transparency contributed to a narrative that left justice incomplete and the full story untold.

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

(NNPA Newswire) – A new report from the Pew Research Center, as part of the Pew-Knight Initiative, has revealed how Americans perceive and consume local crime news, highlighting significant racial, ethnic, and political disparities. 

Based on a survey of 5,146 U.S. adults conducted in January and funded jointly by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the study is the third in a series examining how Americans engage with local news.

One of the report’s key findings is that more Americans get news and information about local crime than any other local topic except the weather. The study found that 71 percent of U.S. adults often or sometimes receive news about local crime from friends, family, and neighbors, while a nearly identical share (70 percent) gets this news from local news outlets. This widespread consumption of crime news underscores its importance in the daily lives of Americans, shaping their perceptions of safety and community well-being.

However, the study also reveals that Americans still have not found a single go-to source for crime information. While 26 percent of U.S. adults first turn to local news outlets, others rely heavily on social media, search engines, or personal networks for updates on crime. 

These diverse sources influence how crime news is perceived, with notable differences based on where people get information. For example, those who consume crime news from social media or locally focused apps like Next-door and Ring are more likely to believe these sources exaggerate crime levels in their communities. In contrast, those who rely on official sources, such as local law enforcement or politicians, think these sources underplay the amount of crime.

The report also highlights that Black Americans are particularly likely to perceive local crime news as biased, especially in terms of racial and ethnic fairness. This perception aligns with previous Pew Research findings that have shown Black Americans to be more attuned to racial bias in both policing and news coverage. 

Black Americans are also more engaged with local crime news, with 45 percent reporting that they often get news about local crime—a higher rate than that of Hispanic, White, or Asian Americans. Additionally, nearly half of Black respondents (48 percent) reported seeing news about violent crime at least weekly, which is significantly higher than other racial and ethnic groups.

Researchers said the consumption of local crime news also is closely linked to concerns about personal safety. The study found that Americans who regularly consume local crime news are more likely to express concern about crime affecting them or their families. Among frequent crime news consumers, 65 percent report at least some concern, including 33 percent who are extremely or very concerned. 

This heightened concern is particularly evident among Black Americans, who are more likely to view crime as a pressing issue for the president and Congress to address.

Despite the strong interest in crime-related news, many Americans need help accessing high-quality information. While 85 percent  of respondents expressed interest in understanding what local officials are doing to address crime, only 22 percent said it is easy to obtain this information. This disconnect between public interest and information availability highlights a significant challenge in local news consumption.

The report also delves into the emotional impact of local crime news, noting that frequent consumers of such news are more likely to feel concerned, angry, or afraid about what is happening in their communities. However, these emotions only sometimes translate into community action. Only 52 percent of respondents said they feel motivated to change things in their community after consuming crime news, and just 48 percent feel confident that things will improve.

Political affiliation also plays a significant role in shaping how Americans perceive and react to crime news. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to view violent crime as an important national issue, though both groups consume local crime news at similar rates. Interestingly, while both parties rely on many of the same news sources, Democrats are more likely to believe that crime news exaggerates the problem and is biased against certain racial or ethnic groups. 

Moreover, older Americans, particularly those over 65, are more likely to consume local crime news and perceive the information as accurate than younger adults.

The report also addresses the gap between public perception and actual crime statistics. Despite FBI data showing that property crimes are more common than violent crimes, the public perceives these two types of crime as occurring at similar rates. This discrepancy between perception and reality is particularly pronounced among those who frequently consume crime news, possibly contributing to heightened concerns about personal safety.

Trust in crime news remains relatively high, particularly when the information comes from local law enforcement or news outlets. About 79 percent of respondents who get their news from local news outlets and 77 percent from local law enforcement consider the information at least somewhat accurate. 

However, only a quarter believe that any source provides very accurate information.

“Like we find with several local news topics, relatively few Americans are highly satisfied with the local crime news they get,” researchers concluded. “Among those who get local crime news, one-third say they are extremely or very satisfied with the quality of this news. About half (48%) say they are somewhat satisfied, and 18% say they are not too or not at all satisfied.”

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By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

From 1999 to 2020, opioid overdose deaths claimed the lives of over half a million Americans, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with opioid-involved deaths increasing each year. Even more disturbing, 2021 marked the first time the U.S. surpassed 100,000 related deaths in a single year. 

Yet, while a majority of adults – 61 percent – consider the misuse of opioids in the U.S. to be a major public health emergency, based on results of a Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) poll conducted in May 2024, many Americans tend to believe that the opioid crisis is more of a national problem (68 percent), than one impacting their own state (53 percent) or their community (36 percent). 

Even in areas of the U.S. where drug overdose rates have increased, public concern about addiction is down, according to a Pew survey from May 2022. As for those who come from low-income or minority communities, the BPC poll indicates that they are less likely to say the opioid crisis is a major problem in their respective communities than adults who are not. However, as data from sources including the CDC indicate, they would be wrong – dead wrong. 

One major takeaway from the BPC poll illustrates a change in demographics over the past five years among those with the highest drug overdose mortality – from White Americans in the Northeast to other ethnic populations. Contrary to popular belief, mortality has increased by 81 percent among both Black Americans and Native Americans, and by 67 percent in the West since 2019. 

Further, even when Black and Native Americans recognize that they have a problem with opioid use, they often find it more difficult than Whites to secure affordable, effective and convenient treatment – not to mention the added burden of the stigma related to opioid addiction that’s particularly prevalent within minority communities. 

Prince William County, Va., takes the lead identifying, resolving gaps in services 

The Prince William Health District (PWHD), part of the Washington metropolitan area, whose county seat is the city of Manassas and is located in Northern Virginia, recently released the results of a 10-month community-based needs assessment which evaluated factors that contribute to opioid-use disorder. 

With funding from the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Community Engagement grant opportunity, the three-year award supports community engagement efforts among key stakeholders and community members who have a shared vision of preventing opioid-related deaths and injuries in the region. With goals rooted in a CDC-sponsored initiative, facilitators followed the CDC’s Public Health 3.0 model in efforts to ensure that appropriate information remains available to support individuals and their families struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges.

Kirstin Sievers, a community engagement specialist for PWHD who has served as an addiction advocate for 10 years, joined the district just over a year ago and said her commitment to her new role is due, in part, to “lived experience.”

“My sister is a longtime drug user so I am a staunch advocate for families and for securing more resources to support them,” Sievers said. “In many ways, the opioid crisis is a lot like the AIDS epidemic, and it’s not going anywhere fast.

“It’s this generation’s AIDS crisis,” she continued, “and it’s like a Boeing 357 fatally crashing every day. We’re losing about the same number of people, which we estimate at 350, as those aboard that jet to drug overdose deaths each day. However, the greatest contributor to those deaths is opioids because unlicensed chemists, particularly along the East Coast, are putting all kinds of things in pills, especially fentanyl.” 

Acting Prince William Health District Director Dr. Olugbenga Obasanjo noted that as part of the grant, the assessment gathered input from September 2023 to June 2024 from various populations, including Latino communities, adolescents, individuals in active drug use and those in recovery, through interviews and listening sessions. 

“By working across systems of care to understand the burden of addiction in our communities, we can begin to address disparities surrounding opioid use disorder in the Greater Prince William region,” he said in a press release. 

And given recent statistics, the challenges health officials face cannot be overstated. 

In the Greater Prince William Region, there were 454 OUD deaths (opioid use disorder) from 2018 to 2023. Nonfatal opioid-related overdoses have more than doubled since 2017. Meanwhile, overdoses continue to rise among the 20-24 age group, adolescent females and Black and Latino adults.

“We’re doing our best to tackle the increase in deaths but we know that nonfatal opioid overdoses are widely underreported,” Sievers said. “We believe that’s because a lot of people do not seek traditional means of care when they experience an overdose. We estimate that the number is probably two or three times greater because not everyone is captured or wants to be captured in the data often for fear of legal repercussion.”

Reflections from advocates working with communities of color

While November will mark his third year clean and sober, Jonathan Torres, 25, once struggled with opioid addiction and was even incarcerated for 3 ½ years. Today, the Mexican American, born in Fairfax, Virginia, serves as a certified peer recovery specialist who works primarily with Latino youth, 18-25 years old, in Prince William County. 

He said he became addicted to opioids soon after being prescribed pain medicine from a physician.  

“I was prescribed Percocet and when the prescription ran out, I turned to the streets – ‘M30’ blue pills laced with fentanyl because they were significantly stronger than Percocet and cost a lot less, sometimes as cheap as $5 a pill,” he said. “The danger lies in the different amounts of fentanyl that people put in the pills. You never know how strong they are and you never know what they’re laced with. Sometimes, they’re so potent that you can overdose just by touching or inhaling them.”

Torres’ road to recovery began because of his involvement with the county’s Drug Court. 

“The judge assigned me a great case worker who really cared about me and knew that I needed guidance – someone positive in my life,” he said. “I had to stay clean if I didn’t want to be sent back to jail, and eventually the things I was required to do became habits.”

The recovering addict said he heard that some of his peers had gone through training to become recovery specialists and he became interested in doing the same. 

“Mostly, I listen to other young people like me these days, share my story, educate them on the dangers they face and help them access resources. But you can only help those who want to be helped,” Torres said. 

Dr. Miranda M. Hill, 63, who in July took over as the director of drug information at Hampton University’s School of Pharmacy and also serves as an associate professor of pharmacy practice, was first exposed to the devastating effects of opioid addiction during her formative years in her hometown of Detroit. 

“In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, as Black men returned from Vietnam, many of them, because of the hell they experienced on the frontline, suffered from mental, physical and emotional pain and trauma,” said Dr. Hill, author of “Opioid Drug and Alcohol Abuse – Information Parents Must Know.” 

“There was no real help for them to deal with post-traumatic stress or the other problems they faced,” she said. “And there were no programs to help them overcome their addiction to opioids or other drugs.”

One of her neighbors, a veteran, died from an overdose when she was 9, Hill said. But then the epidemic hit even closer to home.

“My older brother, Gregory Jones, who also served in Vietnam, went through a vicious cycle of overdoses, detox, rehabilitation and relapses for 50 years. He died on Aug. 5, 2021, from an overdose of fentanyl. He was 68 years old,” she said.

“He received all kinds of medals, including the Purple Heart and he really tried but he just couldn’t beat it,” she added. “But the worst thing is, he had been dead for 10 days before we located his body in the city morgue. It had been really hot that summer and his body was so swollen and deformed that we had to have a closed casket funeral. I only have photos to remind me of how handsome he once was.” 

Death can be quick for opioid overdoses, Hill said, with signs that include labored breathing, foaming from the mouth and excessive sweating. The doctor advised that everyone keep Narcan, the brand name for Naloxone, which is used to treat narcotic overdoses, in their medicine cabinets, in their cars, even in the office, “just in case.” 

“Fentanyl is a drug that’s 800 to 900 times more potent than morphine,” she said. “Its impact on the body can be abrupt and deadly because when it’s mixed in the streets, one never knows how potent the drug they’re getting may be.”

Hill also addressed some of the specific sociological issues faced by African Americans that make them vulnerable to addiction and death.

“Blacks are often reluctant to seek help because of distrust of medical professionals, not only because there are so few Black physicians but because of tragedies like the Tuskegee Experiment when doctors purposely exposed Black men to syphilis,” she said. 

“Blacks also face disproportionate levels of depression, stress and anxiety while just trying to cope with life and our environment. And many Blacks, because we don’t have adequate health care, live with undiagnosed health conditions – we’re fighting demons every day,” she continued. “In some cases, there are those who only meant to ‘experiment’ with opioids one time but because of their biological makeup, they were more susceptible to addicted and quickly got hooked.”

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By Christopher Rugaber
The Associated Press

With inflation and high grocery prices still frustrating many voters, Vice President Kamala Harris on Aug. 16 proposed a ban on “price gouging” by food suppliers and grocery stores, as part of a broader agenda aimed at lowering the cost of housing, medicine, and food. 

It’s an attempt to tackle a clear vulnerability of Harris’ head-on: Under the Biden-Harris administration, grocery prices have shot up 21 percent, part of an inflation surge that has raised overall costs by about 19 percent and soured many Americans on the economy, even as unemployment fell to historic lows. Wages have also risen sharply since the pandemic, and have outpaced prices for more than a year. Still, surveys find Americans continue to struggle with higher costs. 

“We all know that prices went up during the pandemic when the supply chains shut down and failed,” Harris said Aug. 16 in Raleigh, North Carolina. “But our supply chains have now improved and prices are still too high.”

Will her proposals do much to lower prices? And what even is “price gouging”? The answers to those and other questions are below: 

What is price gouging?

There is no strict definition that economists would agree on, but it generally refers to spikes in prices that typically follow a disruption in supply, such as after a hurricane or other natural disaster. Consumer advocates charge that gouging occurs when retailers sharply increase prices, particularly for necessities, under such circumstances.

Is it already illegal? 

Several states already restrict price gouging, but there is no federal-level ban. 

There are federal restrictions on related but different practices, such as price-fixing laws that bar companies from agreeing to not compete against each other and set higher prices. 

Will Harris’ proposal lower grocery prices? 

Most economists would say no, though her plan could have an impact on future crises. For one thing, it’s unclear how much price gouging is going on right now. 

Grocery prices are still painfully high compared to four years ago, but they increased just 1.1 percent in July compared with a year earlier, according to the most recent inflation report. That is in line with pre-pandemic increases.

President Joe Biden said Aug. 14 that inflation has been defeated after Wednesday’s inflation report showed that it fell to 2.9 percent in July, the smallest increase in three years. 

“There’s some dissonance between claiming victory on the inflation front in one breath and then arguing that there’s all this price gouging happening that is leading consumers to face really high prices in another breath,” said Michael Strain, an economist at the American Enterprise Institute. 

In general, after an inflationary spike, it’s very hard to return prices to where they were. Sustained price declines typically only happen in steep, protracted recessions. Instead, economists generally argue that the better approach is for wages to keep rising enough so that Americans can handle the higher costs. 

So why is Harris talking about this now? 

Probably because inflation remains a highly salient issue politically. And plenty of voters do blame grocery stores, fast food chains, and food and packaged goods makers for the surge of inflation in the past three years. Corporate profits soared in 2021 and 2022.

“It could be that they’re looking at opinion polls that show that the number one concern facing voters is inflation and that a large number of voters blame corporations for inflation,” Strain said.

At the same time, even if prices aren’t going up as much, as Harris noted, they remain high, even as supply chain kinks have been resolved. 

Elizabeth Pancotti, a policy analyst at Roosevelt Forward, a progressive advocacy group, points to the wood pulp used in diapers. The price of wood pulp has fallen by half from its post-pandemic peak, yet diaper prices haven’t. 

“So that just increases the [profit] margins for both the manufacturers and the retailers,” she said. 

Did price gouging cause inflation? 

Most economists would say no, that it was a more straightforward case of supply and demand. When the pandemic hit, meat processing plants were occasionally closed after COVID-19 outbreaks, among other disruptions to supply. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine lifted the cost of wheat and other grains on global markets. Auto prices rose as carmakers were unable to get all the semiconductors they needed from Taiwan to manufacture cars, and many car plants shut down temporarily.

At the same time, several rounds of stimulus checks fattened Americans’ bank accounts, and after hunkering down during the early phase of the pandemic, so-called “revenge spending” took over. The combination of stronger demand and reduced supply was a recipe for rising prices.

Still, some economists have argued that large food and consumer goods companies took advantage of pandemic-era disruptions. Consumers saw empty store shelves and heard numerous stories about disrupted supply chains, and at least temporarily felt they had little choice but to accept the higher prices. 

Economist Isabella Weber at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, called it “seller’s inflation.” Others referred to it as “greedflation.”

“What a lot of corporations did was exploit consumers’ willingness” to accept the disruptions from the pandemic, Pancotti said. 

Is banning price gouging like instituting price controls? 

During the last spike of inflation in the 1970s, both Democratic and Republican presidential administrations at times imposed price controls, which specifically limited what companies could charge for goods and services. They were widely blamed for creating shortages and long lines for gas. 

Some economists say Harris’ proposal would have a similar impact.

“It’s a heavy-handed socialist policy that I don’t think any economist would support,” said Kevin Hassett, a former top economic adviser in the Trump White House. 

But Pancotti disagreed. She argued that it was closer to a consumer protection measure. Under Harris’ proposal, the government wouldn’t specify prices, but the Federal Trade Commission could investigate price spikes. 

“The proposal is really about protecting consumers from unscrupulous corporate actors that are trying to just rip the consumer off because they know they can,” she said. 

This article was originally published by The Associated Press.

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By AFRO Staff

The AFRO will host its annual D.C. High Tea on Sept. 7 from 2 – 5 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church.  

Each year the publication hosts the tea in honor of men and women who have significantly impacted the Black community. 

See pictures from the September 7, 2024 event here. Photo credit: Patricia Mcdougall. And the 360 Video here and below.

The AFRO will recognize Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks at the 2024 event, along with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, civic leader and professor Cora Masters Barry and Former D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt. 

“This year’s honorees were chosen due to their remarkable and unwavering service to the D.C. community,” said Diane Hocker, AFRO director of community and public relations. “It’s going to be a delightful tea with lots of high energy. Our attendees will have the chance to network, be entertained and enjoy some delicious food.”

Hocker started planning this year’s tea in December 2023. The event last came to D.C. in 2022, honoring Cathy Hughes, Dorothy Butler Gilliam, Denise Rolark Barnes, Michelle Richardson and Karyn A.Temple. The job of organizing the D.C. tea passed to her after the death of D.C.’s own Edgar Brookins, a beloved member of the community and long-time AFRO circulation and general manager, who orchestrated the inaugural D.C. High Tea years ago. 

“Edgar Brookins was everything. He was ‘Mr. D.C.,’” said Hocker. “He was very instrumental in the AFRO bringing the tea to the D.C. in 2018.”

This year’s tea will be a highlight of the 2024 social calendar, complete with catering from B&B II, great entertainment and of course, the AFRO High Tea fashion show, where participants show off their finest threads and hats. 

Tickets for the 2024 D.C. AFRO High Tea are available for $100 at afrotix.live and the admission price includes a free six month subscription to the publication.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

When it comes to defying odds and blazing trails, Windsor Group knows a thing or two about it. Since starting in 2017, the Black, women and veteran- owned business has worked hard to continuously raise the bar in the world of business professional development. 

With a series of services offered including IT, project and program management, management consulting, staff augmentation and many more, the company is on the rise. 

Diedre Windsor, president and CEO of Windsor Group, spoke with the AFRO to discuss her ever-growing business, how it started, the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and the role they played in providing funding opportunities from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to over 58,000 agriculturists. This week, Windsor’s company was listed on the Inc. 5000 list. According to information released by Inc.com, “companies on the 2024 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth over the last three years. They generated 874,940 jobs, $317 billion in revenue, and show where the economy is going.”

Read below to learn more about this Black woman on the move and what she told the AFRO about discrimination when it comes to African-American entrepreneurship.

AFRO: Tell me about Windsor Group. When were you founded and what’s your purpose? 

DW: We registered in January of 2014, but I did not start the business until 2017. In 2016, I quit my job in the federal government. I was working at the U.S. Department of Justice. I left that job and decided to start the business full time. 

We are a professional services firm. Under the umbrella of professional services, we offer IT services, project and program management, management consulting, training, development and staff augmentation. We are 100 percent federal government contractors. 

AFRO: How did you get involved with the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program and what was that like? 

DW: Interestingly enough, in the federal government, they have what’s called a “multiple award schedule.” We’re on the schedule and last year I got a call from a large company that wanted to pursue this opportunity at the USDA. It’s the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program. The program came from legislation 22007, of the Inflation Reduction Act, which required the USDA to provide 2.2 billion in financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who had been discriminated against. You had the national administrator, who was the final decision maker, but also the vendor that would make sure the checks were distributed. You also had the regional hubs and these vendors were responsible for making sure that we communicated this information. 

Our job was outreach and technical assistance. We needed to find the farmers and make sure they understood this information–that this financial assistance was available– and then help them with the application process. The application was 40 pages and that was daunting by itself. But that was our responsibility. They asked us if we were interested. We said “yes” and went forward. 

We ended up being awarded the contract to execute East of the Mississippi River and that was 26 or 27 states, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.There were 43,000 financial assistance awards made and 33,000 of those came from the East Coast. Our technical approach was successful because we were able to get over 58,000 applications. I’m sure some of them fell out for one reason or the other, but we were responsible for about 78 percent of the applications and we were responsible for about 72 percent of the awards that were distributed. The program was a huge success.

AFRO: What does discrimination within the agriculture industry look like? 

DW: It’s the same as what it looks like for me as a small business owner. 

For example, “Mr. Smith goes to the USDA and says ‘Hey, I have 15 acres and I want to do X,Y and Z,’” but then he is discriminated against: He can’t get the loan to do what he needs to do to progress on his land. That can result in him maybe having to sell the land because he has no money to keep it. 

The old saying goes, “You have to have some money, to make some money,”  and sometimes having money just means getting a small loan. You can only do so much borrowing from friends and family. Most of us don’t have friends and family that can lend us the type of money we need to actually get something like that off the ground. 

How are you going to make progress without getting the money that you need? 

There are people who told us they tried to get a loan, but couldn’t. When they didn’t get the loan they needed, they had their White neighbor go in and try to get the same loan. 

The neighbor got the loan. 

The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program addressed all forms of discrimination. 

AFRO: What’s next for Windsor Group?

DW: We’re looking to give back even more. 

For the last two years, we’ve been on the Washington Business Journal list of corporate philanthropists. I feel like the more we grow, the more we can give back. It’s made me think a lot about how I want to give back in the future because right now we help quite a few organizations. 

Right now, we are focused on a lot of veteran organizations. I try to stick to organizations where I know what kind of impact it will have on the person. 

As a Black woman veteran, I know the trials people like me deal with, and I know organizations that support that population. I want to support them, but I also want to support scholarships at HBCUs. I also want to support food insecurity. On the business side, we’re diversified within the government, and right now I’m looking at how we move beyond the government to the commercial space. In order to truly grow and scale, that’s going to take something different and I’m not 100 percent sure what that is yet. 

We’ve been very fortunate because we’ve grown every year. This week, we were notified we’re on the Inc. 5000 list– number 318. This is our fourth year in a row we’ve been on Inc. 5000 and that means that we’ve been consistently growing.

AFRO: Why is it important to support Black-owned businesses? 

DW: I think it’s critical. Sometimes it’s only us helping each other. I’m not saying other people don’t help us, but if we don’t help us—who’s going to help us? Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of great philanthropic organizations and people out there that are helping us because “they don’t see color.” However, for me, it’s important that I help Black-owned companies, women-owned companies and veteran-owned companies.”

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By Alexis Taylor
AFRO Managing Editor

When I think of the power of Black business ownership, I think of the first entrepreneur I met in life: one of my grandfathers, John Arthur “AB” Butts. 

Born to the late William and Courtney Butts on Nov. 28, 1943, my grandfather was a hard working man from Norfolk, Va. – a man’s man, with a big heart. Our paths first began to intertwine when he and his wife, a teacher, snatched one of her 14-year-old science students out of the Virginia foster care system. Together, they stood in the gap and created a family for not only the young lady who would later become my mother, but all of her children as well. 

As a father to three and grandfather to many, my “grandaddy” was the definition of grit and determination. And he never missed a beat. He made no excuses– even when the going got tough.

After studying at Norfolk State University and serving time in the U.S. Army, John Arthur Butts decided on a career. For 25 years of his life he clocked in at Lone Star Cement Corporation, working as an industrial mechanic. And after two decades of loyal service, they let him go.

“The company did like companies do,” my grandmother, Dr. Marionette Butts, said over the phone, in an impromptu interview. Whether the jobs went overseas or just disappeared, John Arthur Butts found himself in a bind.

“Here he was 50 years old, having to start again– start anew,” she said. Then came an idea. 

“He always loved the yard and people would always ask ‘Who did your yard?’” my grandmother recalled. The question then became why not make money doing what he loved- creative landscaping.

“He thought he would try,” she said. “He thought he would start it part time and have a regular job, but he hated it. He was so unhappy- really.”

“He so hated it, he came to me and said ‘I don’t want to do this,’ and I said ‘Either you’re going to walk by faith or walk by sight.” 

So, John Arthur Butts, like many smart men before him, listened to his wife and decided to do the former. By the time I came along, he was known throughout the Tidewater area in Virginia as a craftsman that could make magic with a bit of dirt, a selection of flower seeds and a lawn mower. He routinely received recognition and awards for the designs he created in his yard and the outdoor spaces he curated through his business, Nature’s Green. 

But the journey to successful entrepreneurship wasn’t all roses. Along the way there was a trash collection service, Stubb’s (Butts spelled backwards), and other business ventures with less than favorable results. 

“Before Stubb’s, he and three of his brothers had a canteen truck and an ice cream truck. That was the first entrepreneurial endeavor I knew from my father,” said my uncle, Sohn Butts. “It ran for about two or three years. I remember it was parked at the house because I used to beg them to let me onto the truck.”

Eventually, with consistency and quality customer service, my grandfather rose to become a successful business owner and passed down his landscaping skills down to my uncles. I’ve watched as they have used the landscaping and construction lessons my grandfather taught to survive and even thrive in adulthood. Both are entrepreneurs to this day, while also holding down careers related to education.

“There is always a way to put yourself to work–meaning, everyone has skills that can become a business,” said Sohn Butts, when asked what his father taught him about being an entrepreneur. “What can you do? And how do other people need it or benefit from it?” 

My grandfather died on Nov. 12, 2008. He lived a good life. Still, when I drive through Norfolk’s industrial area, I can’t help but think of him slaving in a cement plant for 25 years, stifling the God-given talent and creativity that lie within because it seemed more secure– until it wasn’t. Then I remember his words to my grandmother, spoken on the other side of his giant leap of faith: 

“If I knew I could make a living like this- a better living- I would have left that job 20 years ago.”

This National Black Business Month, I encourage aspiring Black business owners everywhere to create a plan, evaluate the risks and take the first step toward entrepreneurship. Maybe that means attending a networking event, a workshop for Black entrepreneurs or a seminar to learn the basics of business. If you are on the fence about striking out on your own, don’t let fear of the unknown hinder you! Study, prepare and see what opportunities are available today. The generations behind you are depending on it!

The post The power of Black entrepreneurship appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

It is with a heavy heart and great pride that the AFRO honors the life and legacies of Mrs. Gladys Blount and Mrs. Romay Johnson-Davis, two members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Following their courageous service during World War II (WWII) both ladies went on to live long and meaningful lives all the while never forgetting their time in the military. 

Romay Catherine Johnson-Davis was born on October 29,1919 in King George County, Va. She was the middle child of six and the only girl. With no Black high school in King George County, she was forced to attend numerous high schools in New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C., staying with different family members. 

Johnson-Davis graduated from Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C. Following graduation she worked as an elevator operator in a hospital elevator and then served the Bureau of Engraving in Washington, D.C. 

During WWII, the United States decided to expand their military capacity and Johnson-Davis volunteered to join the Army. After enrolling in the Army she completed her basic training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa she was assigned to the motor pool at Camp Breckinridge in Morganfield, Ky. During her time there, Johnson-Davis worked as a mechanic and a driver. It was during her time at Camp Breckinridge that she volunteered to go overseas and was chosen to serve in the 6888th. 

In February of 1945, Johnson-Davis  joined the first group of women sent over to England to sort through months worth of undelivered mail. The women created a system that operated in three different shifts, seven days a week and allowed them to process approximately 195,000 pieces of mail a day. 

“In March of 2022– almost 80 years after the 6888th service in World War II–Ms. Romay came to me and told me that they are now going to award them the Congressional Gold Medal. When that announcement came, only six of the 855 women were alive,” said Col. Eries Mentzer, a member of the U.S. Air Force and a dear friend of Johnson-Davis .

“At that time Ms.Romay was the oldest living member of the 6888th at 102. It was the extended family of many members of the 6888th that accepted their honors because they were deceased. But for Ms.Romay we decided to make this as grand of a ceremony as possible because she waited far too long for this honor to happen.”

Mentzer recalled how Johnson-Davis reacted to the special celebration they held for her in downtown Montgomery. 

“When she came home from overseas she went to New York and attended the Traphagen Fashion School. When she parked her car for the first time in New York her footlocker was stolen and for almost 80 years she’s never had her military uniform,” said Mentzer. “We made it our mission to return her military uniform. We found a World War II footlocker just by kind of scouring the internet and then from the footlocker we were able to find every part of the uniform just by looking at pictures of her. We took all of this and made the footlocker into a shadow box.” 

“We presented that to her and you could just see her eyes well up. After that she never took her eyes off that footlocker. I went over to her house later that night and she was just staring at the footlocker and she said ‘I never thought I would see my uniform again. I never thought anybody would care this much about me,’”Mentzer recalls.

Johnson-Davis’ charismatic spirit and big personality stuck with her even as she grew older. Known for defying odds and marching to the beat of her own drum, the army vet went on to live a very full life following her service in the 6888th. When Mentzer met her, she was 101-years-old and working at the local Winn Dixie grocery store as a way of “keeping herself active and busy.” Prior to that she worked in the fashion industry, having earned degrees from the New York Fashion Institute and the Traphagen School of Fashion. 

Amidst her exciting career in fashion she met her husband, Jerry Davis at a party in 1957. They were married for 42 years until his passing in 1999. Throughout the years, Romay would go on to earn her master’s degree in education from New York University, in addition to picking up a series of hobbies and professional interests like taxidermy, real estate, painting and making furniture. 

Johnson-Davis was the oldest living veteran of the battalion until her passing on June 21. It was only a day later, on June 22,  that her fellow soldier, Gladys Blount would also pass.

Born on June 6, 1922 to John and Eva Debman in Newark, New Jersey, from 1944 to 1946, Blount proudly served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Before joining the military, she worked as a beautician. In 1948 Blount married Anthony Blount Sr. and they had two children, Eva Davis and the late Kwame Blount.

“When she first went overseas she wasn’t frightened with the war going on. She was happy to be there and very excited about what laid ahead of her,” said Eva Davis, Blount’s daughter. “She went overseas and really enjoyed the assignment she was given.”

Following her service in WWII, she followed multiple career paths including one in the medical field as a nursing assistant and within the dietary department for Newark Public Schools.

Blout was the matriarch of her family with eight grandchildren: Kevin Blount Sr., Willie Davis IV, Joaquin Blount, Chaz Davis, Stephen Davis, Rakeem Blount, Amber Blount and Chole Blount. She also had 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Blount was known for her kind and joyful spirit. Her artistic spirit was often expressed through her hobbies which included scrapbooking, baking, reading and listening to classical music. 

She is survived by her daughter, Eva Davis, her 8 grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren. Blount is preceded in death by her parents, her son Kwame Blount, her siblings and son-in-law, Willie Davis III.

The legacy of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion is one the AFRO has treasured and upheld for years. Although many of the women who served in the unit are deceased, the few remaining members have continued to show up to receive the many honors bestowed upon the women of the battalion in the last six years.

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Baltimore City officials announced on Aug. 16 that they would hire Conn Maciel Carey, a D.C.-based law firm, to conduct an independent investigation on the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) safety policies and practices following the death of DPW worker Ronald Silver II, 36.

Silver died on Aug. 2 due to heat exhaustion. He leaves behind his fiancée, Renee Garrison, and five children.

“The insights from this additional outside review of DPW’s workplace safety practices will play a critical role in strengthening safety standards and best practices across all city agencies,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott (D) in the release. “Together, we will ensure that all city workers and their families can have peace of mind knowing that nothing is more important than the safety of the frontline public servants who make our city run.”

There are also ongoing investigations on DPW through the Baltimore Police Department and the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health.

The family was not particularly pleased about the news nor the timing of it according to the family’s attorney Thiruvendran “Thiru” Vignarajah.

“The family finds it a touch offensive that they would have scheduled that announcement today,” he said, pointing out that the family planned to share memories of Silver in a press conference by the end of the week.

Garrison, Silver’s partner of 12 years, shared her appreciation of Silver and her fond memories.

“I would like to thank my Ronald. As we planned our future together, I never imagined that your tenacious, hardworking (and) bold personality would lead us to a life without you,” said Garrison standing with the numerous aunts, uncles and children that came out in support of Silver. “The structure and love he embedded in our children can never be dissolved.”

Garrison shared that Silver enjoyed shopping and watching Marvel movies.

“All I can think about is how funny he was,” said Faith Johnson, Silver’s mother.

Johnson recalled a fond moment when Silver came up to his mom saying, “King Kong doesn’t have anything on me. I’m the king of this house.”

The family is expected to speak more on the additional investigation by early next week after looking into the D.C.-based law firm.

The Silver family first spoke out on Aug. 12, where they demanded several things from the city and called for DPW workers to share their experiences.

One of the demands was for a liaison to better inform them of investigations surrounding the matter. Vignarajah said the mother and fiancée were not informed about the additional investigation before the news release on the morning of Aug. 16. He said they received a copy of it around 8:30 a.m., the time it was released to the public.

Baltimore City Council also recently took action on the matter. They will hold a legislative oversight hearing on the facilities and work conditions of DPW on Aug. 22 in the Rules and Legislative Oversight Committee.

The hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m.

“We feel an obligation to act with urgency to immediately address the health and safety issues plaguing sanitation workers at DPW,” said Councilman Zeke Cohen (D-District 1). “During the upcoming series of hearings, we’ll fight to improve the safety conditions in the agency in order to ensure our workers get home safely to their families at the end of each shift.”

Cohen said it is a top priority that city residents and employees are safe and prosperous.

A few days before the hearing was set, the family of Silver called for the council to hold a hearing as early as this week.

“We are glad our plea this week for an immediate and open investigation is being heard because the public has more questions than answers,” Vignarajah told the AFRO. “We hope next week’s hearing will be a real effort to get to the bottom of what happened.”

An inspector general report from last month revealed numerous poor conditions in DPW facilities such as no working air conditioning units, inconsistent access to water and Gatorade and humid workspaces.

A July inspection was conducted due to several complaints the Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General recently received, reporting poor work conditions at DPW and heat-related illnesses.

These issues will presumably be brought up at the DPW hearing.

The public can join the hearing by visiting the fourth floor of the Baltimore City Hall or attending virtually on Webex.

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LOS ANGELES, CA – The top two leaders of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the nation’s leading public service union, were reelected Tuesday, Aug. 13, to four-year terms.

Delegates reelected President Lee Saunders and Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride by acclamation on the second day of the 46th AFSCME International Convention being held here.

“I am filled with gratitude that AFSCME members have placed their confidence in me to lead our great union for another term,” said Saunders, who was first elected president in June 2012.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the work we have done together — the dynamic organizing, the surge in member activism, the record-setting contracts, the grassroots lobbying, the bold political action and more,” added Saunders, who began working for AFSCME in 1978 as a labor economist.

Saunders said he is ready to lead AFSCME members, who are fired up to win the battles that lie ahead and write the next chapter in the union’s history.

“We are ready in the coming years to keep fighting and winning — starting this fall when we will make the difference in this high-stakes presidential election. I am excited to work with all 1.4 million AFSCME members — the strongest, most fearless people I know — to seize the promising opportunities before us and launch the next great era in AFSCME’s history,” he said.

McBride, who joined AFSCME as the director of education and leadership training in 2001 and began her service as secretary-treasurer in 2017, expressed her gratitude to members for believing in her.

“Thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve as your secretary-treasurer, for the confidence you’ve shown in me in this role, and for the solidarity we show with each other every day,” McBride said. “In partnership with President Saunders, I’m committed to leading our union with integrity, with passion, and with accountability to all of you. And I’ll do everything I can to continue to build strong local unions with all of you.”

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By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware
Word in Black

Modern grandparents seem to customize their titles, not preferring the “grandma” and “grandpa” of the past. Some want to be called “Glamma,” “Nanee,” or “Pop” or even by their first names — which makes sense since most look nothing like the grandparents of previous decades. 

But no matter what they’re called, their influence remains strong. And this year, churches and community groups are stepping up to celebrate their contributions. So as Grandparents Day approaches on Sept. 8, faith communities nationwide are finding creative ways to honor the elders who play a pivotal role in family life.

The day “is an appreciation acknowledgement for grandparents who are caregivers. Not to mention, share wisdom, love, and family history with members of the family and friends,” according to the website of the 107-year-old Pilgrim Baptist Church in Omaha, Nebraska.

Just as the age and appearance of grandparents has gotten increasingly younger, the role of grandparents has changed so much in the last few decades too.

“I look at the adults who were children when I came having their own children, the cycle of life coming full circle,” says Rev. Stephen Russell, pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in northwest Baltimore. 

His congregation has a substantial number of seniors, like most congregations these days. 

And over the 18 years he’s spent as pastor there, Russell has seen “the integral role grandparents continue to play in the family.”

He referenced Paul’s advice to his young mentee in the familiar text in II Timothy 1:5.

“Paul told Timothy to hold onto the faith given to him, first, by his grandmother and then his mother, Lois. They have a unique position, parenting in both generations,” Russell says. “Paul was letting Timothy know the importance of that guidance. It’s just great to give special space and salutation to our grandparents.”

The History of Grandparents Day

National Grandparents Day was officially enacted by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, although its roots began in 1969, when 9-year-old Russell Capper decided to write a letter to President Richard Nixon. Capper suggested a special day be set aside to honor his and all other grandparents in this country. He received a response from Nixon’s secretary that the president couldn’t declare such a day, but could only act on a congressional resolution authorizing him to do so.

Almost a decade later, Congress finally acted, and President Carter signed a proclamation declaring National Grandparents Day on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year. 

The Catholic Church actually celebrated World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 28, the Sunday nearest the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents. Pope Francis, who declared the first of these days in 2021, chose a line from Psalm 71 as the theme for this year: Do not cast me off in my old age.

“By cherishing the charisms of grandparents and the elderly, and the contribution they make to the life of the Church, the World Day seeks to support the efforts of every ecclesial community to forge bonds between the generations and to combat loneliness,” the Pope said in a statement.

A Blessing From God

“Grandparents are a blessing from God,” says the Rev. Lorraine Heigh, who will be the guest preacher on Sept. 8, when residents of Resorts of Augsburg —  a nursing and assisted living facility in Lochearn, Maryland — will be honored with citations signed by Adrienne Jones, the first Black and first woman speaker of the Maryland General Assembly. 

“They play a pivotal role as the foundation of family passing down cultural values and instilling valuable lessons in life with love and compassion to enrich the lives of their grandchildren,” Heigh says.

The event was planned and is being carried out by Augsburg’s chaplain, Eric T. Campbell, who is determined that the “resident grandparents not just know they are not forgotten, but realize how much they are appreciated by their families and by the Augsburg family.”

And in “recognition of their incredible contributions…and profound impact,” Calvary’s grandparents will receive citations from the members of Baltimore’s City Council, signed by Sharon Middleton, the church’s designated representative.

A Global Day of Prayer

The significance of Grandparents Day goes beyond individual congregations, though. The Christian Grandparenting Network designates the September observance as a global Grandparents’ Day of Prayer. The network emphasizes the need for spiritual guidance in an increasingly complex world.

“We recognize the desperate moral and spiritual climate our grandchildren must navigate in a world hostile to truth,” according to their website. Perhaps at no other time in human history is a call to prayer more urgently required than it is today.”

So whether through prayer, celebration, or simple recognition, faith communities are united in their appreciation of grandparents. Their lived experience, wisdom, and unwavering support are not just vital to their families but also foundational to the strength and growth of the community.  

This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.

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By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware
Word in Black

As the national conversation around reparations gains momentum, communities across the United States are taking action to address the enduring legacy of slavery and systemic racism. And one Midwestern faith-based organization, the Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan, is turning talk into action by addressing the racial wealth gap.

Founded in 2021, the organization is all about repairing the deep wounds left by slavery and systemic racism. White members of area churches committed to healing their relationships with the Black community and making amends for racial harms. Because of that, the “reparations will be committed mainly from predominantly white Houses of Worship as part of their efforts to repair the breach caused by centuries of slavery, inequality of wealth accumulation, and the failure to live into God’s Plan,” according to the Justice League’s website.  

Indeed, the Justice League’s commitment to making things right resulted in them raising a reparations fund of more $400,000, built by payments from area churches and individuals who’ve taken a proactive approach to social justice. And so in early August, the Justice League handed out $5,000 scholarships to 10 college-bound high school grads. 

Recipients were selected based on their 500-word essays that examined the racial wealth gap or generational wealth in America and how that gap has affected their families. Academic grades counted for 25 percent of the total score and finalists were also interviewed.

“A common thread in their essays is that discrimination today has resulted from years of social injustices, and it continues to limit African-American families’ access to basic wealth builders–education, higher paying jobs and home ownership,” says Willye Bryan, founder and vice president of the Justice League. “This doesn’t allow for generational wealth building, nor does it allow for closing the racial wealth gap.”

When he thinks of generational wealth, scholarship winner Zachary Barker, who’s headed to Michigan State University, wrote that, “I think of families like the Rockefellers, Gateses, and Buffets. Recently, some famous Black people have achieved billionaire status like Michael Jordan, Jay Z, Lebron James and Oprah. But the rest of us are still struggling to get by.”

Olivia Burns, who will attend Michigan State University’s Honors College, is a Black transracial adoptee who was exposed first-hand to the racial wealth gap. She wrote about the relative wealth in her White parents’ household compared to her Black biological family’s household.

“Both my adoptive parents went to college paid for by their parents and received bachelor’s degrees,” Burns wrote.  “Neither of my biological parents nor siblings have had the opportunity to attend college, and most were barely able to finish high school because they had other responsibilities like working or providing childcare for my younger siblings. Today my adoptive family owns their homes and no one in my biological family owns their homes.”

Marvin Deh, another scholarship winner who’s also off to Michigan State, reminded us that legal racial segregation was only two generations ago ‚ and so the racial wealth is still very much ongoing.

“Most of our grandparents can describe what it was like to be African-American back then and the struggles they had to face,” Deh wrote. “They couldn’t build generational wealth when the world was actively pulling the rug from underneath them. There’s only been two generations to be given a ‘fair’ chance and enough time to build upon …. On paper the odds are ‘fair’ but in reality we still have to face racism, police brutality, injustice, systematic oppression, lack of influence, stereotypes, and societal pressure.”

“This is not charity and it’s not designed to make you feel better about giving a check,” Bryan said in an interview last year. Along with raising funds for the scholarships, the Justice League hopes to address other systemic barriers to wealth creation by supporting Black home ownership and entrepreneurship.

As J’Kyla Hobbs, who will be attending the University of Michigan, put it: “Investing in affordable housing, improving access to quality education and healthcare, and reforming the criminal justice system are critical steps toward building a more equitable society.”

This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) Washington, D.C. — Climate Power is announcing the launch of its Black Engagement Program, dedicated to advancing conversations about the disproportionate impacts of climate change on Black communities nationwide. A key part of the campaign will be educating Black voters about the stark contrast between Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic climate record that holds Big Oil accountable and Trump’s dangerous pro-polluter Big Oil agenda.

For the past four years, Climate Power has worked to lead the climate narrative, protect climate progress, and build the political will for more climate action. This work has meant reaching key groups most impacted by the climate crisis, like Black and Latino voters. Through timely research, polling, earned and paid media campaigns, Climate Power has paved the way to make the connection between climate change and its impact on communities of color. 

With an investment of over $10 million, Climate Power’s Black Engagement Program is running a culturally competent and impactful earned and paid media political communications campaign that seeks to ensure climate change and clean energy issues become a key driver for Black voter mobilization in the upcoming 2024 election. 

“Climate change extends beyond the environment and touches nearly every part of Black life in America,” said Markeya Thomas, Climate Power’s Senior Advisor for Black Engagement. “Black communities have long been the bearers of environmental degradation and climate impacts, and we know that Vice President Kamala Harris has a history of delivering on climate progress, from creating environmental justice taskforces to taking on Big Oil for polluting our communities, and casting the deciding vote for the Biden-Harris administration’s clean energy plan. 

“We want to set the record straight. The only way we can protect the climate progress that’s cleaning our air and water and fighting the climate crisis is by stepping up. Another four years of Trump would be a disaster for our climate, especially for communities like ours.”

According to recent data, 62% of Black voters across battleground states consider climate change and clean energy to be important factors when voting for the next president. Recognizing the urgency of addressing these concerns, Climate Power is committed to amplifying the voices of Black communities and ensuring their priorities are at the forefront of the national conversation.

In addition to the Black Engagement Program, Climate Power launched Climate Power En Acción in 2023, an expansion of its political communications operation tailored specifically to Latinos. These initiatives reflect Climate Power’s unwavering dedication to building public support for strong climate policies and holding climate deniers and their oil and gas lobby allies accountable.

Please visit this link to learn more about Vice President Harris’ climate record.

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By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Check your freezer. Perdue Foods is recalling more than 167,000 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets and tenders after some customers reported finding metal wire embedded in the products.

According to Perdue and the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, the recall covers select lots of three products: Perdue Breaded Chicken Tenders, Butcher Box Organic Chicken Breast Nuggets and Perdue Simply Smart Organics Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets.

FSIS and Perdue determined that some 167,171 pounds (75,827 kilograms) of these products may be contaminated with a foreign material after receiving an unspecified number of customer complaints. In an announcement Aug. 16, Maryland-based Perdue said that the material was “identified in a limited number of consumer packages.”

The company later “determined the material to be a very thin strand of metal wire that was inadvertently introduced into the manufacturing process,” Jeff Shaw, Perdue’s senior vice president of food safety and quality, said in a prepared statement. Shaw added that Perdue decided to recall all impacted packages “out of an abundance of caution.”

As of Aug. 16, there were no confirmed injuries or adverse reactions tied to eating these products, according to FSIS and Perdue. Still, FSIS is concerned that the products may be in consumers’ freezers.

The now-recalled tenders and nuggets can be identified by product codes listed on both Perdue and FSIS’s online notices. All three impacted products have a best buy date of March 23, 2025, and establishment number “P-33944” on the back of the package. They were sold at retailers nationwide.

Consumers who have the recalled chicken are urged to throw it away or return the product to its place of purchase. Perdue is offering full refunds to impacted consumers who can call the company at 866-866-3703.

Foreign object contamination is one of the the top reasons for food recalls in the U.S. today. Just last November, Tyson Foods recalled nearly 30,000 pounds (13,600 kilograms) of chicken nuggets after consumers also found metal pieces in the dinosaur-shaped products. Beyond metal, plastic fragments, rocks, bits of insects and more “extraneous” materials have prompted recalls by making their way into packaged goods.

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO American Newspapers CEO and publisher, was recognized on Aug. 9 for being a powerful leader and making a positive difference in the community.

The William and Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to improve equity in underserved communities, recognized Draper with the Featherstone Changemaker Award during their annual award ceremony.

“I’m a product of so many change-makers that have done amazing things. I’m representing all of them tonight,” said Draper at the Featherstone Awards, held at the University of Baltimore. “I’m humbled and honored to receive the award and I am proud of the Featherstone Foundation for all the work they’re doing.”

Draper has been a leader throughout Baltimore for decades. She served on Morgan State University’s Board of Regents for 24 years and is the chair of the board of the AFRO American Newspapers, which her great-grandfather founded in 1892. She previously served as president of the company from 1987 to 1999.

During the ceremony, the Featherside Foundation awarded 27 college scholarships to help students begin or complete their higher education endeavors. The scholarships were awarded through the foundation’s $80,000 scholarship fund.

Previous winners of this award include Alicia Wilson, co-founder of the Black Philanthropy Circle; Catalina Rodriguez, director of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs; Monica Mitchell, co-founder of the Lillie May Carroll Jackson Middle School; and Pamela King, senior program manager of the Open Society Institute of Baltimore.

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By Deyane Moses,
Special to the AFRO

The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) has officially returned to Baltimore for its annual conference, taking place Aug. 13-16 at the Hilton Camden Yard.  The event gathers museum professionals, historians and community leaders to explore the profound impact of African-American history and culture on the nation.

Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson is a visionary leader dedicated to preserving and elevating African American history and culture. As president and CEO of AAAM, she continues the organization’s legacy as a powerful force for change. Her expertise in museum management, coupled with her unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion, has resulted in significant growth and impact for AAAM.

“Maybe in the last six months or so, our registration has skyrocketed to over 700 attendees for the conference! This is a huge milestone for us. Our membership since I’ve been hired has gone up by over 270 percent. So we’re on a trajectory that we’ve never seen before,” said Dr. Coleman-Robinson.

This year’s conference theme, “Acknowledging Legacy, Fostering Progress,” marks a dual celebration. It commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act while placing a spotlight on Maryland’s rich African American heritage.

“We couldn’t imagine hosting this conference anywhere else but Maryland,” says Dr. Coleman-Robinson. “The state is steeped in history, from the legacy of Thurgood Marshall and Brown v. Board of Education, to the pivotal role of Morgan State University in civil rights activism.”

Attendees can experience dynamic programming, including engaging sessions, workshops, and keynote addresses. One highlight will be a panel hosted by Afro Charities titled “Reimagining Historically Black Institutions in the 21st Century.” The panel, set for Aug.16 inside of Key Ballroom 10 at the Hilton at Camden Yards, will look at how these institutions have adapted to continue their missions of equality, justice and equity.

The discussion will include directors from the Afro Charities, The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, The Banneker-Douglass Museum and the Eubie Blake National Jazz and Cultural Center.

Dr. Coleman-Robinson is excited about the distinguished speakers that have arrived in Baltimore for the conference.

“We’re honored to welcome Dr. Carla Hayden, as she concludes her tenure as the Librarian of Congress, as our opening plenary speaker. She will receive the Dr. John E. Fleming Award. Additionally, we will present the John and Marjorie Kinard award to Robert G. Stanton, the first and only African-American director of the National Park Service. And to top it off, we’ll have the incredible musical talents of Sweet Honey in the Rock and Raheem DeVaughn.”

Beyond the inspiring speakers and thought-provoking sessions, the conference will also feature an exhibit hall showcasing the latest museum technology and resources.

Reflecting on the significance of the gathering, Dr. Coleman-Robinson shared, “This conference feels like a much-needed homecoming and family reunion for our members. We share common challenges and triumphs, and coming together creates a safe space to connect, recharge, and return to our work with renewed purpose.”

For more information on registration and the conference agenda, please visit the AAAM website at www.blackmuseums.org.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com

As the newspaper looks to its next chapter, the crucial succession question looms: Who can build on its powerful legacy?

It all started in 1892 when John H. Murphy Sr., a formerly enslaved man, borrowed $200 from his wife, Martha Elizabeth Howard Murphy to purchase a printing press for what would become the legendary AFRO-American Newspapers. What began as a church circular quickly became a vehicle for advancing Black rights and economic empowerment.

After Murphy’s death in 1922, his five sons took over, tasked with providing wages for their five sisters. Carl Murphy became editor and publisher. The family business has endured ever since and is set to celebrate its 132nd  on Aug.13.

Today, the newspaper is a media company, also known as AFRO News, with offices in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, the great-granddaughter of Murphy Sr., sits at the helm as publisher and chairman of the board. Still, she said the crucial question of who will serve next is never too far in the distance.

“It’s an ongoing discussion,” Draper says. “There are a whole lot of people who have legal and stockholder interest in the company. But succession is always at the forefront, because we don’t want it to be left to happenstance or chance.” 

Honoring the vision 

One thing is clear to Draper: The next successor must uphold the newspaper’s original purpose, which John H. Murphy Sr. outlined in a letter to his five sons two years before his death. 

He wrote: “A newspaper succeeds because its management believes in itself, in God, and in the present generation. It must always ask itself: whether it has kept faith with the common people, whether it has no other goal except to see that their liberties are preserved and their future assured; whether it is fighting to get rid of slums to provide jobs for everybody; and whether it stays out of politics except to expose corruption and condemn injustice, race prejudice and the cowardice of compromise.” 

This charge has changed slightly over time, as readers have turned to the AFRO for endorsements of political candidates in addition to church and community happenings.

At present, the AFRO is a privately-traded C corporation. The vast majority of its nearly 100 shareholders and 17-member board are family members. Ownership has resided with the family since its inception in 1892.

Blending institutional knowledge with outside perspectives

Draper took over the AFRO in 2018 from John J. Oliver, who served as publisher and chairman of the board for 34 years. Oliver, great-grandson of John H. Murphy Sr., never intended to lead the AFRO, although he, like most family members, grew up working in the family business. 

The emergence of the personal computer led him back to the company. Oliver recognized that the AFRO would need to embrace the digital revolution in order to compete. Gone were the days of linotype and teletype machines.

When it came time for Oliver to step down, he says there wasn’t a formal blueprint for Draper to take over. 

“There wasn’t any real plan,” Oliver says. 

Adding that “the younger generations caught on to the importance of taking advantage of digital opportunities quickly,” while also “exploring new ways in which they could radically change what we, historically, expected to be the way a newspaper is run.” 

Kevin “MPECKABLE” Peck, vice president of marketing and technology for the AFRO, and Savannah Wood, executive director of the company’s philanthropic sister company, Afro Charities, are the great-great-grandchildren of John H. Murphy Sr. Several other fifth-generation members are involved via the AFRO board.  

Both Peck and Wood oversee operational areas that will be key to the future of the media company, according to Draper. 

Peck leads the company’s technology strategy, while Wood maintains the paper’s extensive archival collection, featuring nearly three million photographs, thousands of letters, rare audio recordings and other ephemera such as the program dispersed at the funeral of Shirley Parker, found dead in the fountain of the lake at Druid Hill Park Reservoir in 1968. 

“A strength that Savannah and Kevin have is they didn’t do their entire careers at the paper,” Draper says. “They bring other experiences and they have ideas around what may appeal to their generation and the next.” 

Draper, too, did not spend her entire career at the AFRO. She worked as an educator, stockbroker and preacher. She grew up working in the newspaper’s editorial department.  

Peck has years of experience in the music business, serving as the long-time manager of notable acts like Dru Hill. Peck came to the AFRO to support his mother, Draper, as she took over as publisher. He continues to work with musical artists today, but much of his focus for the publication centers on leveraging emerging technologies to streamline the AFRO’s operations and content delivery.  

Wood worked with various arts and humanities organizations in Chicago and Los Angeles before her arrival in 2019. She was initially the AFRO’s archives director. Shortly after becoming executive director of Afro Charities, management of the archives was transferred to the nonprofit partner. 

Wood and Draper underscored the importance of the next successor being committed to supporting the preservation of the archives. 

“The archives tell the story of the newspaper company, but also the broader story about world history through Black perspectives,” Wood says.

Peck said his mission at the AFRO has been taking it from the closet to the cloud, migrating elements of the company’s operations and data management to cloud-based platforms. He was instrumental in the company’s recent launch of the Digital Billboard Network (DBN). The AFRO’s DBN delivers original content to onsite screens at heavily trafficked community gathering spots like restaurants, barbershops, gyms and auto repair shops. 

“The mission and the history and the shoulders that I stand on cannot be ignored. I have to impact the business in a way that’s never been done before,” said Peck. “I have to use all of my entertainment and marketing knowledge to make sure there’s not a Black person that doesn’t know the name of the AFRO.” 

Peck acknowledged that he has considered how he would run the AFRO if he were chosen as the next successor. If he did get the call, he would take the position. 

“I would have to. It would be destiny,” Peck says. “It would feel like everything up to that point prepared me for that next level.”

The ideal next leader

The successor needs to be able to sustain the newspaper’s historical identity and integrity while generating a roadmap for the company’s future, according to Max Hughes, senior manager, Deloitte Transactions and Business Analytics LLP, who specializes in privately-held and family-owned businesses. Picking the right person, he says, is important to keeping public trust and confidence in the legacy business.  

“The right successor has to be a really special person, especially in a business like a newspaper where it’s a more public leadership role,” Hughes says. “You have this foundation and reputation and all of these things you’ve sustained on, and you have a great obligation to match that expectation.”

Micaela Saviano, a partner at Deloitte Tax LLP who specializes in succession planning, said though expectations within a family business can be high, a successor can draw in help from other sources. 

“The next generation doesn’t need to fill the shoes of their predecessor fully. You can supplement with external advisors, other family members, non-family executives, and the board,” Saviano explains. “There are a lot of folks to rely on beyond that one individual.” 

Draper said when it comes to her successor, she has several parameters in mind:

“They either need to have knowledge of trends in the industry or the ability to access that knowledge. They must be able to successfully navigate relationships with readers, policymakers, leaders, advertisers and employees,” she says. “You need someone who understands business, and it doesn’t hurt to have someone who is either technologically savvy or has an appreciation for changing technologies.” 

This article was originally published by The Exchange.

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By B. M. Phillips IV
AFRO President

August 13 marks 132 consecutive years of publishing for the AFRO-American Newspapers, founded by John H. Murphy Sr. in 1892.

Determined to succeed, at the age of 51, Murphy, a father of 11, borrowed $200 from his wife, Martha Howard Murphy. With their children’s support, a historical journey began that continues today with fourth, fifth and sixth-generation family members.

Just one month before striking into the publishing business, Murphy’s youngest son, David Arnett Murphy, also known as “D. Arnett,” was born. On July 9, 1892, his birth completed what would become the second-generation owners of the AFRO.  Collectively, they set the standard of commitment, ensuring the company’s success and the pursuit of fairness and equality for Black Americans. They also supported other like-minded publishers.

When the founder died in 1922, his children embarked on an expansion that saw the company spread their offices north and south, growing to 13 editions. The AFRO became one of the largest Black publications in circulation, with over 200 employees —many of whom were unionized. Its printing press ran every day of the week except Sundays. 

The company dispatched seven correspondents (including the first Black woman) to the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II to report the news. Their accounts are documented in the book “This is Our War,” which was released in a special reprint last year to mark the 75th anniversary of the desegregation of the United States Armed Forces.

Dr. Frances Murphy Draper, CEO and publisher, states in the foreword of the book that “Today, as lawmakers across the United States attempt to minimize and rewrite Black history, it becomes even more important for us to document and share our own stories.

‘This is Our War’ does just that by highlighting the triumphs and challenges Black soldiers faced. In their own words, AFRO journalists provided intimate details, including names and addresses of servicemen they encountered. In some cases, messages to loved ones at home were included.”

The paper has always been on the front line, battling racial inequality and afflictions threatening our readers.  Shining a light and advocating for better conditions required that the company be financially independent to ensure its message could not be tainted or silenced.  It became apparent that advertising revenue was critical to funding these efforts, and the addition of a sales team allowed the AFRO to augment circulation dollars and achieve its goals.

D. Arnett Murphy’s accomplishments are particularly noteworthy in these efforts. He began his career with the newspaper at the age of 13. He worked for the company for 66 years. 

His early roles included bookkeeper, pressman, linotype operator, makeup man and reporter.  At one point, he ran a sports event called AFRO Marathon, but ultimately, he discovered that advertising was his specialty.  

As director and vice president of advertising, his team fueled revenue growth during his tenure.  In support of AFRO offices throughout the eastern seaboard, he invested in his teams by holding sales meetings and conferences to share initiatives and train current and new employees to be successful. 

By partnering with similar publications across the country, a stronger pitch could be made to increase revenue.  In 1940, D. Arnette Murphy was elected vice president of the Eastern District during the initial formation of what is now the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). Today, NNPA represents more than 200 Black-owned newspapers, both in print and digital formats.

In 1944, he organized and served as president of the Associated Publishers, a national advertising agency representing 35 other weekly newspapers at the time.

A key figure in the company’s management, D. Arnett Murphy was also a stockholder, voting trustee and a member of the board of directors until his death in 1972. He retired from day-to-day operations in 1963.

As reported by his niece Elizabeth “Bettye” Moss, he was Dubbed “Chief,” “Mr. Arnett”or simply “D.A” by associates and friends. He was an avid reader and an interesting conversationalist, known for his love and concern for people.

His impact extended beyond his dedication to the company, and he was proud of his role in integrating Baltimore City’s public golf courses. Along with other members of the Monumental Golf Club and the Citizens’ Civil Rights Committee, the AFRO executive responded swiftly to being denied entry to one of the public courses and helped finance the court suit that opened the public links to all in 1948.

D. Arnett Murphy was a life member of the NAACP and served on the board of Advance Federal Savings and Loan whose mission was to help African Americans secure loans and build their credit.

Like his younger brother Carl J. Murphy, D. Arnett Murphy didn’t have any sons. He and his wife Sadie Clark Murphy had three daughters Mae E Dyson, Virginia Murphy and Arnetta Lottier who followed in the footsteps of his generation working at the paper and lending their talents as members of the Board of Directors.

As noted in the article announcing his death, he had a great love for Grace Presbyterian, where he served many years as trustee and had been a member for 50 years.   

So, as we blow out the candles for another year, let’s not forget those who got us here— people like, D. Arnett Murphy, the youngest member of my great-grandfather’s sons and daughters.  

B.M. Phillips IV is the current president of the AFRO and is great-grandson of the founder, John Henry Murphy Sr. 

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

The family of Ronald Silver II, 36, a Department of Public Works (DPW) employee who died from heat exhaustion on Aug. 2, are calling for immediate action from city government and legislators.

“Our family is seriously heartbroken,” said Renee Meredith, Silver’s aunt, on Aug. 12 at a press conference. “Ronald was the backbone and heartbeat of our family. He was taken from us long before his time in what was a completely preventable death.”

The Silver family, through their attorney Thiruvendran “Thiru” Vignarajah, are asking for the city council to convene immediate investigative hearings and assign a liaison to the family for direct updates on ongoing investigations. The family is also calling on DPW workers to share their stories about the agency’s work environment.

Vignarajah said the family is looking for the council to convene these hearings as early as this week. He also spoke on the investigation called at the state level. 

“They want more than platitudes and press conferences. They want action and they want it now,” said Vignarajah, standing in front of City Hall. “A statewide investigation is a wonderful step in the right direction for workers who are going to be toiling in the hot summer heat next year–but it’s August– it is hot today.”

Vignarajah said the family saw the press conference from last week where city council members called for city officials to cooperate with hearings on the matter. 

City council members did not say how soon they are looking to start their city council hearings on the matter. He emphasized that the family is pushing for hearings now– not at a later date.

“The hearings don’t do workers any good if done during the cool of October,” he said.

Vignarajah shared that the family is exploring their legal options and will speak out more about the loss of their family member in the next week.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

CLLCTIVLY, an ecosystem builder for social impact in Greater Baltimore, hosted CLLCTIVGIVE for the sixth time on Aug. 9. The annual 24-hour crowdfunding campaign, which encourages Baltimoreans to support Black nonprofits and businesses, raised $1,123,723 for 119 Black-led social change organizations. 

African-American business owners and nonprofit leaders face unique challenges in securing capital and other resources to sustain their organizations. This annual day of giving enables them to gain no-strings-attached funding that can help them grow and scale their work across Baltimore. 

“Social change organizations, whether for-profit, nonprofit or community-based organizations without a legal struggle, are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities,” said Jamye Wooten, founder of CLLCTIVLY. “These organizations are on the ground, making a meaningful impact, but Black-led organizations often go underfunded. By mobilizing resources, CLLCTIVLY not only supports but also amplifies their efforts, ensuring they have the tools and funding needed to create lasting change in our communities.” 

CLLCTIVGIVE fittingly coincides with National Black Philanthropy Month and National Black Business Month. In addition to the donation drive, the campaign included several events for Baltimore’s Black entrepreneurs, including the Black Business Quest, Made in Black at Made in Baltimore and Black and Social at R. House. 

One participating entrepreneur was Melva Harris of GentleMoonBell. Harris, who moved from New York to Baltimore a year ago, started her gently-made plush toy brand in 2014. 

“When I was younger, we couldn’t afford stuffed animals and toys. My mom and I lived in a shelter,” said Harris. “She used to sew and fabricate. When she died, I got all of her stuff, and I started sewing.” 

Harris, who also works for Made in Baltimore, plans to settle down in Charm City and continue to expand GentleMoonBell. She emphasized the importance of buying Black and local. 

“If you keep your money within the Black community, the community will give back to you in turn. It’s possible,” said Harris. “I see it every day when people come into Made in Baltimore and search for Black-owned businesses.” 

Another participating business owner, Randy Lewis, did not initially plan on becoming an entrepreneur. The West Baltimore native had dreams of becoming a veterinarian before he discovered how much schooling the profession required. 

“I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I’ve been growing my beard since I was 20,” said Lewis. “I was buying stuff from the store that was breaking me out and eating my hair up. That’s what prompted me to start my own brand.” 

Lewis launched Five O’ Clock Co. out of his home in 2017, using herbs from his garden to craft organic beard and body care products. His wares include handmade beard wash and conditioner, balms and oils, as well as whipped body butters, lotions, bar soaps and face oils. 

In 2024, Lewis purchased his first production facility in Baltimore’s Old Town Mall. Next on the docket is acquiring a brick-and-mortar store to sell not just his products but those from other local Black-owned businesses too. 

“It’s super important to not only buy local and from small businesses but also Black-owned businesses in particular. There are so many thriving throughout the city,” said Lewis. “You could be helping to make sure that someone’s family has food on the table. A lot of us solely rely on our small business. It’s important for the community to pitch in and keep us thriving.”

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By Rodney Muhumuza
The Associated Press

NEAR MOUNT ELGON, Uganda (AP) — The dancers shook their hips to the beat of drummers who led the way, anticipating the start of mass circumcision among the Bamasaaba people of Uganda’s mountainous east.

Yet the frolicking in the streets belied a dispute brewing behind the scenes as some locals questioned their king over the very public presentation of Imbalu, the ritualized circumcision of thousands of boys every other year in this remote community near Uganda’s border with Kenya.

Could it be turned into a carnival, put on for the gaze of foreigners? Or should it remain a sacred ceremony in which families quietly prepare their sons to face the knife with courage?

The king, known as the Umukuuka, had his way ahead of the Aug. 3 ceremonial inauguration at a park in the town of Mbale, arguing for a traditional festival that also looked attractive to visitors. The organizers of Imbalu received over $120,000 in financial support from the Ugandan government and a corporate sponsor.

In an interview with the AP, the Umukuuka asserted that organizing a modern Imbalu was challenging and defended his decision to market the ritual as a tourist event in line with Uganda’s national development plan.

“Everything is changing as the population expands. People may not manage to follow the cultural processes,” he said, citing the economic hardship and commercialization he said were diluting the communal aspect of Imbalu. “But we are fighting through the clan system that (Imbalu) remains intact.”

But the Ugandan government’s intervention has raised eyebrows among many Bamasaaba and underscored angst over the most important ceremony for this ethnic group of 4 million Ugandans. Some who spoke to the AP said they felt the Umukuuka, in his first year in office, was trivializing Imbalu by exposing it to outside interests.

“Our leadership is being hijacked by” national political leaders, said Wasukira Mashate, an elder who is a custodian of Bamasaaba cultural property, charging that the Umukuuka was missing the counsel of clan leaders with real spiritual authority.

“I don’t think they are having any role” in Imbalu, he said, speaking of clan leaders. “It was for our own benefit culturally, but now it is becoming a national event because the government of Uganda has captured it.”

At the ceremonial inauguration, an angry crowd gathered outside the totemic shrine of the clan that historically has launched Imbalu by cutting the first candidates. Clan members pointed to the young mixed-breed bull tethered to the grass as offensive, saying only a local breed would suffice as an appropriate sacrifice to the gods.

“This cow is exotic. We are Bamasaaba, and he brought us a white animal,” said Kareem Masaba, speaking of the Umukuuka. “He has insulted us. His predecessors used to come into the shrine and participate in the rituals, but this man will not come here. He is disrespecting us.”

The dispute over the sacrificial animal delayed the inauguration into the late afternoon as anger grew among men wielding machetes, sharp sticks and other crude weapons. The Umukuuka, seated not far away in a tent among dignitaries from elsewhere in Africa, did not budge. Clan members retaliated by refusing to present the first group of initiates before the Umukuuka, a former forestry officer whose real name is Jude Mudoma.

The mass circumcisions will last until the end of 2024.

The tribal initiation of boys into adulthood has long been controversial in African countries such as South Africa, where incidents of botched, deadly circumcisions among Xhosa-speaking people have inspired campaigns for safe clinical circumcision. 

Among the Bamasaaba, whose cutting method is just as violent, there have been no calls to end the practice. The strongest adherents see Imbalu as more important than ever amid widespread infant circumcision in hospital settings. They say those boys who are not initiated in the tribal way risk suffering lifelong social delinquency.

Tribal circumcision is performed by a traditional surgeon wielding a knife usually fashioned from melted nails. Bamasaaba hundreds of kilometers away in the Ugandan capital of Kampala are known to hunt down Imbalu dodgers they then cut by force. The bodies of uncircumcised men can be violated before burial.

Circumcision “helps us to be strong,” said Peter Gusolo, a traditional surgeon, gesticulating to express his people’s purported sex prowess. Those who resist circumcision will be cut “even if (they) are dying,” he said. “We circumcise you at night. We bury you in the morning.”

He added, “We cannot bury you in the land of the Bamasaaba without (being circumcised). No, no, no. It is in the constitution of the culture of the Bamasaaba. … It is a curse if you bury into the land people who are not circumcised.”

Gusolo, whose family lives in a house on the side of a hill planted with arabica coffee plants, spent days isolating himself in a cave and postponing intimacy with his wife so that he could be possessed by the spirit of Imbalu. Even though men like Gusolo wield certificates issued by local health authorities to prove their skill, the title is hereditary. The surgeons say they cannot afford to be flippant with their work because the wounds they inflict will not heal if they are not spiritually strong.

The first candidate for initiation this year was a teenager whose face had been smeared with mud and the dregs of homemade beer. He spread his legs and unblinkingly stared at the sky while a swarm of frenzied people around him pushed and shoved, demanding courage. 

The surgeon, applying no anesthetic, took hold of the boy and skinned him with a swift movement of his hands. A member of the boy’s family, aiming to protect the boy from the threat of witchcraft, collected the skin and took it home.

Emmanuel Watundu, the father of a 17-year-old boy who was among the first to be cut, said he stood by Imbalu, describing it as the life-changing event his son asked for. But he criticized what he saw as a carnival atmosphere by “peer groups (who) normally behave differently than we used to.”

Outside Watundu’s house, where a crowd had gathered, drunken people of all ages danced wildly, and one woman briefly exposed her breasts. A politician seeking a seat in the national assembly had a procession marching in the dirt road. Boys fondled girls and swung legs at them.

Watundu said the street dancers he saw were “from different areas” and that most people attending Imbalu came “to do business.” He said of the Ugandan government’s involvement that it had “given some bad picture” about the Umukuuka’s role as the chief organizer of Imbalu.

Wilson Watira, who chaired the Imbalu organizing committee, defended the government’s role as a supporter of Bamasaaba tradition. The exuberant street processions left people feeling joyful, he said.

“When it comes to performance of culture, of culture itself … it remains culture. We only want to show the world that even when we are performing this culture, it can also attract other people,” he said.

In the past, people thought the ritual was barbaric and brutal, Watira said.

“It’s the reason why we said, ‘No, we are not barbaric. We can make this thing very attractive, and you will enjoy it.'”

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

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By Dana Peck
Special to the AFRO

In a spiritually charged gathering at The Carter Center, Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, the visionary senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, spearheaded an empowering event on Aug. 5 aimed at mobilizing voter turnout and educating the community about Project 2025. 

Bryant, former senior pastor of Baltimore’s Empowerment Temple, has a history of galvanizing communities towards non-violent action, having previously served as the national youth and college director of the NAACP, where he guided 70,000 young people globally. 

Bryant’s newest 5-5-5 plan is a direct response to Project 2025. The campaign features four major events held on the fifth of each month leading up to Election Day in November. 

Bryant provided a historical context of democracy, emphasizing the challenges faced by Black communities. He critiqued Project 2025, underscoring its potential negative implications for Black communities. He called for a concrete plan and youth engagement, stressing the importance of voter registration, education, and turnout efforts. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is incumbent upon us not to just talk amongst ourselves, but to go to the barbershops, and to the basketball courts,” Bryant told the gathering. “I want to challenge those of you who are part of the D9 (Divine Nine, Black fraternities and sororities), those of you who are part of civic organizations, those of you who are part of grassroots organizations, and those of you who are connected to faith organizations. 

“I want to encourage you on Oct. 5 and Sept. 5 that this is an all-out [voter registration effort]. I want you to leave no door left unlocked. Let no phone number be left untexted.”

The event began with an opening prayer by Bishop William Murphy, bishop of worship at Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, who invoked the scripture from Nehemiah 4. His message resonated deeply with the attendees, reminding them not to be distracted by external conflicts while working towards their goals. This spiritual grounding set the tone for an evening dedicated to unity, purpose and action.

Bryant invited nine leaders to share his vision with attendees.

Rashad Richey, a strategist representing The Carter Center’s Georgia Democracy Resilience Network, delivered a powerful address on the significance of democracy and the critical role of informed voting. He highlighted the spiritual battle behind physical challenges, urging attendees to manifest change. He called for a coalition of responsibility among community members to safeguard democratic principles.  His emphasis on coalition-building underscored the necessity of collective action in the face of political challenges.

Virginia Harris, president of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, stressed the importance of electing leaders who genuinely care about the people. She introduced initiatives such as Mobilize Monday and public policy engagement kits, designed to keep the community informed and engaged. Harris’ call to action was clear: informed voting is essential for true representation and effective governance.

Attorney Mo Ivory, commissioner- elect for Fulton County Commission’s District 4, offered a detailed analysis of the legal implications of Project 2025. She emphasized the importance of local involvement and strategic planning beyond emotional victories. Ivory’s insights into the legal landscape provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the stakes involved in the upcoming elections.

Yatonya Oliver, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Dekalb Alumni Chapter, focused on the critical role of youth engagement in the voting process. She stressed the importance of mobilizing apathetic voters through community engagement and innovative outreach strategies. Oliver’s passion for youth involvement was evident, inspiring many to take active steps toward fostering a culture of informed and enthusiastic voters.

Darrel Taylor, president of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s Decatur Alumni Chapter, emphasized the necessity of voter education, registration, and civic engagement. He highlighted unique opportunities for voter registration, particularly in high schools, aiming to instill the values of civic duty and participation in the next generation of voters.

Dr. Johni Cruse Craig, social action chair for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Stone Mountain – Lithonia Alumni Chapter,  discussed imperative strategies for Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts. She outlined a multifaceted approach: educate, register, mobilize and protect. Her comprehensive strategy underscored the importance of a holistic approach to voter mobilization, ensuring every eligible voter is informed, registered and motivated to cast their ballot.

Bernard Levett, president of the 100 Black Men of Dekalb, highlighted the chapter’s extensive involvement in civic engagement and the critical importance of youth education on voting. His message reinforced the idea that educating young people about their voting rights and responsibilities is fundamental to sustaining a vibrant democracy.

Mayor of Stonecrest Jazzmin Cobble shared her success in mobilizing voters through effective public policy. She stressed the importance of evaluating policies over emotional attachment to candidates, advocating for a more rational and informed approach to voting. Cobble’s practical perspective resonated with attendees, many of whom seemed to leave with a renewed sense of purpose.

Congressman Hank Johnson, U.S. representative for Georgia’s 4th congressional district, praised Pastor Bryant and the collective efforts of the community. He critiqued the previous Trump administration while celebrating the Biden-Harris administration, highlighting the urgency of protecting democracy. Johnson’s passionate speech served as a rallying cry for attendees to remain vigilant and proactive in their civic duties.

Bryant expressed a heartfelt thanks to the various contributors and organizations. He shared that launching at The Carter Center was a full circle moment for him.

“I went with my parents to play with Amy Carter at the White House at 7 years of age,” he recalled. “I was on the cover of newspapers all over the country because they hadn’t seen a Black kid playing with a White kid on the White House lawn. This was 1977 and so for me to be back in this place is overwhelmingly gratifying.”

Maisha Land, creator of the Stroll to the Polls Movement, said, “It was refreshing to finally hear a discussion with tangible outcomes in mind for civic engagement and accountability for before and after elections. Learning about Project 5-5-5 tonight really focused me.  I realize more than ever that fighting the plans put in for the demise of our communities is not enough, that ‘I have a dream’ is not enough…. We must have a plan. I am looking forward to Project 5-5-5 and helping with the lift.”

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By Noreem Nasir
The Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — From the Australian b-girl with the meme-worthy “kangaroo” dance move to the silver-medal winning Lithuanian in a durag, breaking’s Olympic debut had a few moments that raised questions from viewers about whether the essence of the hip-hop art form was captured at the Paris Games.

Rachael Gunn, or “b-girl Raygun,” a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, quickly achieved internet fame, but not necessarily for Olympic-level skill. Competing against some b-girls half her age, she was swept out of the round-robin stage without earning a single point, and her unconventional moves landed flat while failing to match the skill level of her foes.

At one point, Gunn raised one leg while standing and leaned back with her arms bent toward her ears. At another, while laying on her side, she reached for her toes, flipped over and did it again in a move dubbed “the kangaroo.”

Gunn has a Ph.D. in cultural studies, and her LinkedIn page notes she is “interested in the cultural politics of breaking.”

“I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best — their power moves,” said Gunn. “What I bring is creativity.”

Clips of her routine have gone viral on TikTok and elsewhere, and many cringed at her moves platformed on the Olympic stage as a representation of hip-hop and breaking culture.

“It’s almost like they are mocking the genre,” wrote one user on X.

Some of it was ‘weird to see’

Many Black viewers, in particular, called out Lithuania’s silver medalist b-girl Nicka, (legally named Dominika Banevič) for donning a durag during each of her battles. Durags, once worn by enslaved Africans to tie up their hair for work, are still worn by Black people to protect and style their hair. They became a fashionable symbol of Black pride in the 1960s and 1970s and, in the 1990s and early 2000s, also became a popular element of hip-hop style. 

But when worn by those who aren’t Black, durags can be seen as cultural appropriation. Banevič is White.

Actor Kevin Fredericks responded on Instagram to Banevič donning the headwear by saying it looked “weird to see somebody who don’t need it for protective style or waves to be rocking the durag.”

The 17-year-old breaker ultimately won the silver medal after losing in the final to Japan’s b-girl Ami (Ami Yuasa).

For her part, Banevič has credited the breakers from the 1970s in the Bronx — the OGs — or “original gangsters” in hip-hop who created the dance — for her own success and breaking style.

“It’s a huge responsibility to represent and raise the bar every time for breaking because they did an amazing job. Big respect for the OGs and the pioneers that invented all those moves. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible,” she said. “Without them, breaking wouldn’t be where it is today. So I’m grateful for them.”

Concerns over losing breaking’s roots

The slips “may have alienated too many new viewers to garner the anticipated response from our Olympic premiere,” said Zack Slusser, vice president of Breaking for Gold USA and USA Dance, in a text message to the Associated Press.

“We need to change the narrative from yesterday’s first impression of breaking as Olympic sport. There were significant organizational and governance shortcomings that could have been easily reconciled but, unfortunately, negatively impacted Breaking’s first touching point to a new global audience.”

The challenge for Olympic organizers was to bring breaking and hip-hop culture to a mass audience, including many viewers who were skeptical about the dance form’s addition to the Olympic roster. Others feared the subculture being co-opted by officials, commercialized and put through a rigid judging structure, when the spirit of breaking has been rooted in local communities, centered around street battles, cyphers and block parties. Hip-hop was born as a youth culture within Black and Brown communities in the Bronx as a way to escape strife and socio-economic struggles and make a statement of empowerment at a time when they were labeled as lost, lawless kids by New York politicians.

Refugee breaker Manizha Talash, or “b-girl Talash,” channeled that rebellious vibe by donning a “Free Afghan Women” cape during her pre-qualifier battle — a defiant and personal statement for a 21-year-old who fled her native Afghanistan to escape Taliban rule. Talash was quickly disqualified for violating the Olympics’ ban on political statements on the field of play.

Both American b-girls were eliminated in the Aug. 9 round-robin phase, a blow to the country representing the birthplace of hip-hop in what could be the discipline’s only Games appearance. B-girl Logistx (legal name Logan Edra) and b-girl Sunny (Sunny Choi) both ranked in the top 12 internationally but came up short of the quarterfinals.

“Breaking for the Olympics has changed the way that some people are dancing,” said Choi, referring to some of the flashier moves and jam-packed routines. “Breaking changes over time. And maybe I’m just old-school and I don’t want to change. … I think a lot of people in our community were a little bit afraid of that happening.”

___

Associated Press Race & Ethnicity Editor Aaron Morrison contributed to this report from New York.

___

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

After the U.S. Senate passed two major online safety bills for kids in a 91-3 vote, parents with Parents for Online Safe Spaces (ParentsSOS) are now pushing for members of the House to pass the legislation. House members will return on Sept. 9.

The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) were passed in a bipartisan vote on July 30.

“We intend to keep sharing our stories and express to our legislators that no family should have to bear the pain that we live with daily. No one expected this bill to advance out of the Senate but we did it,” said a spokesperson for ParentsSOS, an organization led by parents who lost their children due to the influences of social media. “When lawmakers in the House hear our personal stories and that there’s such a common-sense solution to addressing the wide range of harms young people face, we are confident they will support KOSA too.”

“We are determined to make KOSA a legislative priority in the House and get it signed into law before the end of the year,” said the spokesperson from ParentsSOS.

ParentsSOS members are currently meeting with their House representatives at home during the Congressional recess. Parents are also expected to meet with representatives one-on-one once House members return.

“We lost our 12-year-old son Matthew to an online viral challenge on TikTok and YouTube. This is after he was allowed access to the internet for just one hour,” said Todd Minor Sr., in a July 25 press conference on the bills. “The never-ending pain of his loss and never seeing is smiling face again coupled with the tragic memories of performing CPR on him to try and save his life stays with us every day.”

Minor said he’d heard from several of Matthew’s classmates and friends that they could not opt out of seeing online challenges when they were on social media. 

“They felt that there was no way out,” said Minor.

Other parents, through ParentsSOS, shared the stories of their children who have lost their lives due to cyberbullying and online drug dealing.

KOSA aims to force tech companies to take reasonable steps in changing their design of their products and services used by children to prevent harm. COPPA 2.0 is an enhanced version of the 1998 COPPA, which was created to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13. 

The original COPPA’s requirements include enforcing website operators to acquire parental consent before collecting personal information from youth and providing a reasonable way for parents to review the personal information collected.

COPPA 2.0 could increase protections by banning advertising to kids and teens under the age of 17.

“It is really just about empowering young people and parents to take back control over their lives online,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a bill sponsor, at the July 25 press conference. “To say to big tech, ‘we no longer trust you to make decisions for us.’”

According to the Pew Research Center, 16 percent of teens say they use social media almost continuously. 

In late 2023, a study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that social media platforms generate almost $11 billion in ad revenue from American youth. The authors of the study found that this emphasizes the need for increased transparency and regulations of the practices of tech companies to mitigate the potential impacts on youth mental health.

Though the future for the bill may be uncertain, Biden announced his support for the initiative highlighting his efforts on the issue and encouraging the House to pass the legislation.

“The Senate took a crucial bipartisan step forward to make our kids safer online. There is undeniable evidence that social media and other online platforms contribute to our youth mental health crisis. It is past time to act,” said Biden. “The last time Congress took meaningful action to protect children and teenagers online was in 1998 – before the ubiquity of social media and smartphones. I encourage the House to send this bill to my desk for signature without delay.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, likely Democratic nominee for president, also announced her support of the effort.

“​​I applaud the Senate for passing the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act today. This bipartisan legislation will help protect children’s mental health, safety and privacy online,” said Harris, upon the bill’s passage. “I have spent my entire career fighting for the well-being of children, and I urge Congress to pass this bill as we continue to invest in our children and their health.”

Though there is much evidence as to why the push for child online safety is needed, it still faces some road blocks such as an often divided House and opposition from some national organizations such as the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.

“We would definitely support the bills with changes,” said Ash Johnson, senior policy manager at Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). 

One of those changes includes no ban on targeted advertising. Johnson emphasized the need for no large shifts in regulatory compliance burdens from the 1998 COPPA. 

“Making big changes like that is where you run into the biggest compliance hurdle for businesses,” said Johnson.

The House also has until the Sept. 30 deadline to pass the 2025 fiscal year budget to prevent a government shutdown, a process which dragged on last year.

Despite this, ParentsSOS believe this issue will rise as a top and urgent concern for all legislators.

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By Lizzie Suber
AFRO Intern
lizziesuber@afro.com

A vote held by The Gambia’s National Assembly last month blocked recent efforts to repeal the Women’s (Amendment) Act of 2015, which criminalized female genital mutilation (FGM). This vote prevented The Gambia from becoming the world’s first country to undo a ban on FGM.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as “partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” The practice, which is typically performed on girls below the age of 15, is sometimes also referred to as female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) or female circumcision.

Before it was banned, the practice was particularly popular in The Gambia, where it was typically performed for religious purposes.

“Today, more than 73 percent of girls and women aged 15 to 49 in the country have already undergone this harmful practice, with many subjected to it before their fifth birthday,” read a joint statement from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell; United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Natalia Kanem; WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; United Nations (UN) Women Executive Director Sima Bahous and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

Although FGM has been illegal in The Gambia for nearly a decade, the procedure recently re-entered the arena of public opinion after three women were arrested in August 2023 for performing FGM procedures, marking the nation’s first FGM-related arrest. Conservative Gambian politicians subsequently began advocating for a reversal of the FGM ban in September of that year.

Assembly members voted in March 2024 to allow for a consideration of the proposed FGM ban reversal, known as the Women’s (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This move alarmed FGM critics worldwide.

“The proposed repeal of the ban on FGM, referred to as female circumcision in the 2015 Women’s (Amendment) Act, is a severe violation of human rights, and a setback in the global fight against gender-based violence,” Nafisa Binte Shafique, UNICEF representative in The Gambia, and Ndeye Rose Sarr, UNFPA representative in The Gambia, said in a joint statement, released in March 2024 after The Gambia voted to consider unbanning FGM.

“This move not only disregards the immense suffering experienced by survivors of FGM, but also undermines the progress made in raising awareness, changing attitudes and mobilizing communities to abandon this harmful practice,” continued the activists. “It sends a message that the rights and dignity of girls and women are expendable, perpetuating a cycle of discrimination and violence that has no place in a just and equitable society.”

On July 15, Speaker of the National Assembly Fabakary Jatta ruled that a bill seeking to unban FGM in The Gambia was rejected by members of the National Assembly after a 34-19 vote in favor of maintaining the ban. If the Gambian National Assembly had voted to accept the bill, The Gambia would have become the first nation in the world to undo a ban on FGM. Gambian decisionmakers received resounding international support from FGM critics following this decision.

“We commend the country’s decision to uphold the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), reaffirming its commitments to human rights, gender equality and protecting the health and well-being of girls and women,” Russell, Kanem, Tedros, Bahous and Türk said in their joint statement, issued shortly after The Gambia’s ruling.

FGM is in no way unique to The Gambia. According to the U.S. Office on Women’s Health, FGM is most prevelant in the southern Sarhara and portions of northern and central Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The WHO reports over 230 million women alive today as having undergone FGM procedures.

A survey published in 2021 by co-sponsors the Gambia Bureau of Statistics and the Demographic and Health Surveys Program, an initiative headed by the U.S. Agency of International Development, found that Gambian citizens who believed FGM should not be banned most frequently cited religious obligation and the traditions behind the practice. Those against the procedure commonly justified their position by citing the harm FGM can cause.

The validity of FGM as a religious practice is controversial among those who practice Islam, which is the faith of most Gambian FGM advocates. Some Muslims claim FGM as an essential Muslim practice, while others denounce the custom. This tension has inspired efforts to disentangle Islam from FGM by both Muslim community members and unaffiliated organizations.

“FGM/C is not, therefore, religiously acceptable for a girl, because there is, first, no evidence that it was practiced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and, second, it involves the risk of harm that is discouraged by an authentic Hadith that invokes a basic general rule that spans the generalities of this true religion, Islam,” said Gamal Serour, Ph.D., and Ahmed Ragaa Abd El-Hameed Ragab, Ph.D., in an executive summary of their report, “Female Circumcision (FGM/C): Between the Incorrect Use of Science and the Misunderstood Doctrine. The research was co-published by UNICEF and the International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research at Al Azhar University.

Around the world, many organizations and prominent figures consider the active practicing of FGM to be a human rights crisis and see The Gambia’s recent vote as a testament to the fragility of FGM legislation. Several entities took time while the Women’s (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was still under consideration to acknowledge that efforts to end FGM must extend beyond legislative measures.

“We call for continued allocation of appropriate budgets and human resources and implementation, monitoring and effective enforcement measures on the law prohibiting FGM,” the UN in The Gambia said in a statement issued in February 2024. “Legal measures must be accompanied by awareness-raising campaigns to change societal norms, practices and attitudes towards FGM.”

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

Artscape recently returned to Baltimore, drawing thousands to the event that has become a hallmark of artistic expression and community spirit. Held from Aug. 2 to Aug. 4, 2024, artists and art lovers from around the region and beyond descended on Baltimore in hopes of experiencing good music, great food and innovative art exhibits. 

This year’s Artscape festival lived up to its reputation as the largest free arts festival in the nation. Over the three day event, attendees were treated to an electrifying mix of artistic exhibitions, performances and interactive experiences that showcased the rich diversity of Charm City’s creative scene.

“It’s these kinds of cultural events that make the difference in people loving a place and being a part of a place,” said Mark Thomas, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee. “I like Artscape because it really makes a difference in exposing people to the art scene and the culture. This is a great thing for us to continue to invest in and make sure it becomes even more impactful.” 

Thomas used the weekend to network and enjoy the festival offerings, while also purchasing some art pieces for his home. 

The festival had over 150 vendor booths, each offering a unique glimpse into the world of visual arts. From eye-catching multimedia installations to intricate traditional artworks like paintings and photography, the array of exhibits displayed the depth of local and national talent. Noteworthy installations included a large-scale interactive mural that allowed visitors to contribute their own artistic touches, and a series of thought-provoking sculptures that explored themes of community and identity.

“This festival provides a lot of exposure to culture,” said Jeffrey Kent, a conceptual artist known for his paintings.“It’s bringing culture and art to the street and Black people don’t normally get access to that.”

Aside from visual art, music lovers were not disappointed, as the festival featured an impressive lineup of performances across multiple stages. Musical offerings included jazz, classical music, hip-hop and more. 

Headlining acts included The Original Wailers, Sheila E. and Chaka Khan. However both Sheila E. and Chaka Khan were unable to perform due to inclement weather. 

As a result, local bands had their moment in the sun—and the rain— showcasing the burgeoning talent within the city.

Known for being one of the biggest stages for local artists to establish themselves, Artscape is a safe space for many artists that are just getting their start. Mayor Brandon M. Scott spoke on the importance of Artscape.

“One of the best things about Artscape is how we promote local artists. To see our own folks on the stage is  a great way to honor Baltimore artists both old and new. That’s why we love Artscape and our city so much,” he said.

Rachel Graham, CEO of the Baltimore Office for Promotion and The Arts (BOPA), also spoke on what the festival means to Charm City. 

“There’s no other place in the world it could happen,” she said. “This is a celebration of Baltimore as an arts hub and a cultural mecca. We are celebrating and supporting artists from around the city. You can’t move it because you can’t get that secret sauce that’s available in Baltimore anywhere else, but Baltimore.”

One of the festival’s standout features was its focus on interactive and family-friendly activities. Attendees of all ages had the chance to engage in hands-on art workshops, from pottery making to digital art creation. 

The festival’s Family Zone was a hit, providing a range of activities designed for younger visitors, including craft stations and puppet shows that delighted children and parents alike.

The 40th Artscape festival was more than just a celebration of the arts–it was a reaffirmation of Baltimore’s commitment to fostering creativity and community. The event highlighted the importance of public art and cultural gatherings in bringing people together and enriching their lives.

“It’s important that we do this because this is a very important economic sector to this city,” said Graham. “There’s so much cultural richness. What better way to celebrate than to bring it all together in one place at one time.” 

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

The Department of Public Works (DPW) paused trash and recycling collection on Aug. 6 to conduct mandatory heat safety training after the heat-related death of crew member Ronald Silver II. A make-up day was scheduled for Aug. 10, with regular duties resuming on Aug. 7.

The session focused on the Occupational Safety Health Administration’s guidelines for knowing the signs of a heat stroke and related illnesses. It also aimed to ensure employees notice potential heat stress hazards and know how to address them.

Silver died on Aug. 2 while on the job due to heat exhaustion as confirmed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

“We lost a dedicated crew member of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Solid Waste,” said Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Acting DPW Director Khalil Zaied in a joint statement released on Aug. 3. “Our hearts are first and foremost with him, his family and loved ones and his DPW colleagues as we grapple with this loss.”

This all comes a month after the Office of the Inspector General released a report, which described poor conditions in DPW facilities and company trucks. Issues included an inoperable ice machine in an employee break room and no air conditioning in an employee locker room.

Scott and Zaied said Silver experienced a “medical situation” as the workday was about to conclude on Aug. 2, requiring immediate aid while he and his fellow crew members were in their truck.

“Emergency Medical Services were called, dispatched and Silver was transported to the hospital, where he passed away,” they said. 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 14,000 Americans have died directly from heat-related causes since 1979.

In an Aug. 5 news release, DPW said they are working with the Maryland Office of Safety and Health as they investigate the conditions around Silver’s death. 

“As part of standard procedure, the Baltimore Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit is conducting its own review of the incident,” said DPW. “We are fully cooperating with both efforts.”

Drop-off centers will remain open to residents:

•  Northwest Transfer Station, 5030 Reisterstown Road (7 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
•  Quarantine Road Landfill, 6100 Quarantine Road (9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
•  Northwest Residential Drop-off Center, 2840 Sisson Street (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
•  Southwestern Residential Drop-off Center, 701 Reedbird Avenue (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
•  Eastern Residential Drop-off Center, 6101 Bowleys Lane (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

“DPW remains committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our frontline workers as the city grapples with the impact of extreme heat,” said DPW. “We will continue to assess working conditions at all sites and make necessary adjustments to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.”

Baltimore City Councilmembers, unions demand worker safety now 

On the morning of the scheduled heat safety training, several Baltimore City Council members and unions gathered in front of city hall to demand cooperation from DPW.

Councilman Zeke Cohen (D-District 1) laid out initiatives the council is expecting DPW to comply with.

“The council will immediately launch a series of hearings to identify necessary changes to safety and health conditions across DPW,” he said. “We call for complete cooperation by DPW and a commitment to make immediate improvements.”

Patrick Moran, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Maryland Council 3, emphasized the need for DPW to act now.

“Heat waves are longer and more dangerous. It’s affecting working conditions everywhere. We must work together to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” said Moran. “This can’t be a marathon. This has now got to be a sprint.” 

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By Nancy Grimm
Special to the AFRO

Preparing for a custody proceeding can be overwhelming and scary. Here are several steps to make the process easier. 

Once you have filed or been served with a complaint for custody, it is important to begin preparing for your case as soon as possible. There are basic steps that you can take to prepare. 

One critical component is discovery – the process of getting information from the other party (your spouse) before trial. Discovery is a legal tool each party can use to strengthen their case. Through discovery you may request information and documents from your spouse to use as evidence at trial. Discovery can be acquired by requesting certain documents or by asking questions of the other party, either in writing (interrogatories) or in person (deposition). Below are some excellent links to assist you in preparing your case through the discovery process.

• Discovery in the Circuit Court (mdcourts.gov)

• Preparing Your Case (peoples-law.org)

• Court Proceedings: What to Know Before You Go (mvlslaw.org)

If you are seeking child custody, you should consider the following in preparation for your custody court proceedings:

Prepare a Parenting Plan 

This plan is required by the court and will help both parents determine how the children will spend their time with each parent following a divorce or separation. This plan is usually provided to the parents at the first court hearing. By reviewing the Maryland Parenting Plan Tool ahead of time, you can familiarize yourself with the various child custody schedules and consider what would be in the best interest of the children. See Parenting Plans (mdcourts.gov).

If there are contested issues, you may want to review the Joint Statement of The Parties Concerning Decision Making Authority and Parenting Time, which is also a requirement for filing. See CC-DR-110 (mdcourts.gov), which will assist the court in determining child access.

Establishing Child Support

The parent who has physical custody of the children will receive child support from the other parent. If you and your spouse do not agree on child support, you will need to provide the court with the following information about monthly income and expenses:

• Total income before taxes
• Child support paid for other children
• Alimony paid to former spouses
• Alimony received from former spouses
• Health insurance premium for your children
• Work-related child-care expenses
• Extraordinary health expenses
• School and transportation expenses

It is important that you consider income from all sources, including wages, tips, self-employment and government benefits (e.g., Social Security, unemployment, disability). You will need proof of each source of income, such as recent pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s or Social Security benefit reports. You should not include public assistance benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

“Extraordinary medical expenses” include any uninsured expenses over $250 per year, including things like orthodontia, medical care for chronic health conditions and mental health counseling. “School expenses” include only K-12 education that is required to meet the children’s particular educational needs. “Transportation expenses” include the anticipated cost of transporting the children between the homes of each parent. See CC-DR-030 (mdcourts.gov). 

To speak to an attorney about your situation or for help with completing forms, call the Maryland Family Law Hotline at 1-800-845-8550 or visit the Family Law Self Help Center located in the Maryland Circuit Court where you will open your case or file your response.

For additional information and court forms pertaining to child support, custody and visitation, and for instructions on how to complete the forms, visit Family Law Court Forms (mdcourts.gov), The People’s Law Library of Maryland (peoples-law.org) and the Maryland Custody & Divorce Client Workbook (peoples-law.org).

Nancy Grimm, Esq., is a family law attorney with Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

A recent study conducted by the University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley) found toxic metals in a variety of tampon brands currently being sold throughout the United States. The report, released by the university’s department of public health, noted lead, arsenic and cadmium in 14 of 30 tampon brands studied.

Few research studies related to chemicals in tampons, despite it being a public concern. 

According to the report, “metals have been found to increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes and cancer. They can damage the liver, kidneys and brain, as well as the cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems. In addition, metals can harm maternal health and fetal development.”

Though the report raised concern, researchers noted that “for the moment, it’s unclear if the metals detected by this study are contributing to any negative health effects. Future research will test how much of these metals can leach out of the tampons and be absorbed by the body.”

During the study, 16 different types of metal were found in over 30 tampons from a total of 14 different brands. The amount of metal found in the tampons varied based on factors such as the country of origin. Name brand products were also compared to generic offerings. Researchers also looked at products labeled as “organic.” 

Overall, it was found that a multitude of metals are in several types of tampons and no specific kind had consistently lower amounts of all or most metals. 

Notably, the report does not mention any of the brands found to have the toxic metals, leaving consumers in the dark about which brands to avoid. 

Olivia Atley, a doula, specializing in care before, during and after pregnancy said that Black women should be vigilant about this report given the high rate of maternal morbidity and mortality in the Black community. 

“It’s a reminder that we need to be very vigilant about the things that we are using in and on our bodies,” she said, speaking of Black women. “The vagina is very absorbent and when you’re placing anything into it that’s a great way to help the body absorb things faster.”

“When you’re putting toxins in the body, they’re also going to be absorbed faster. This could lead to infections, ovarian cysts and I know some people have experienced polyps,” she added.

The report has many women rethinking the menstrual products they use. Some women have sworn off tampons, while others don’t seem to be too concerned with the information found in the report.

“If you read some of the labels on your tampon box– it has a warning about some of the dangers. Tampons have been dangerous, this is just another thing to add to the list of risks and side effects,” said Tonesty Burt, a student-athlete at Missouri Western State University. 

As an athlete, Burt said tampons are a necessity. She said other menstrual products either don’t appeal to her or aren’t conducive to her active lifestyle. 

“Pads are uncomfortable to wear in general but especially when running. They also aren’t very reliable when you’re constantly moving,” Burt said. 

With no desire to have children, Burt noted the risks posed to her maternal health don’t concern her. However, other women told the AFRO that the information presented in the UC Berkeley report has caused concern.

“I started using tampons when my cycle was heavier, but since switch[ing] birth controls my cycle is lighter and doesn’t last as long,” said Destaney Smith, a primary care assistant from Columbus, Ohio.  

“I don’t really need them, but I got used to using them,” she said, speaking of the tampons she used to rely on. “Knowing they have metals in them– that’s even more reason to stop using them.”

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified tampons in the Class II category reserved for medical devices with non-significant risk. Although manufacturers are required to submit detailed risk assessments of the product component, design and test results, there currently aren’t any regulations in place that require manufacturers to test their products for toxic metals. 
Kimberly Clark and Proctor and Gamble, well known tampon manufacturers, were contacted for comment, but the AFRO received no response.

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By Ryan Coleman
Special to the AFRO

The vice presidency was described by the first man to hold the office, John Adams, as “the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.” 

Originally, the runner-up in the presidential vote — to be carried out by the decidedly un-democratic Electoral College — was to be named vice president. 

The idea of a distinguished politician being vice president for nearly two hundred years, and a series of hacks and non-entities occupying the vice presidency became the norm, rather than the exception. If I polled average Americans on three legislative accomplishments directed by the last three vice presidents, Mike Pence, Joe Biden and Dick Cheney, I feel confident that 90 percent of them would barely be able to name two. 

This is for a reason. The vice president’s role is to stand in the background, to be the tie-breaking vote for the Senate, and to be the ambassador to foreign nations, but never to overshadow the president. So what is different about Kamala Harris? Her identity – as the first female, Black vice president – led to an unprecedented level of scrutiny. The fact that an intelligent Black woman is one step away from being the president is too much for some to handle. 

Born in Oakland, Calif., Harris graduated from Howard University and the University of California- Hastings College of the Law. She has held positions in the office of the district attorney of Alameda County, the San Francisco DA’s Office and the City Attorney of San Francisco. In 2003, she was elected DA of San Francisco. She was elected attorney general of California in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014. Harris served as the junior U.S. senator from California from 2017 to 2021. 

As a senator, Harris advocated for healthcare reform, the DREAM Act, strict gun control laws and tax reform. She gained a national profile with her intelligent questions during the confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh. 

Harris has shined for fighting the causes of under-represented Americans. Recently, the vice president has emerged as one of the administration’s leading voices pushing Israel to do more to limit Palestinian casualties in its war against Hamas and to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. 

On the campaign trail, Harris is connecting with voters who are less than excited about the Democratic ticket. She has been defending Biden’s mental acuity, calling the special counsel’s depiction “gratuitous, inaccurate and inappropriate.” In a speech on February 2nd at South Carolina State University, a historically Black institution, she spoke of threats to democracy posed by Donald Trump and said that the former President “has stoked the fires of hate and bigotry and racism and xenophobia for his own power and political gain.” 

Harris is also the campaign’s strongest voice on abortion, the issue that, since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, in June 2022 has likely galvanized more voters— including women in Republican-led states—than any other. She began a recent fundraising email by declaring, “I’m furious,” and launched a national tour in Wisconsin on the fifty-first anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. 

“These extremists want to roll back the clock to a time before women were treated as full citizens,” she said, standing near a big banner that read “TRUST WOMEN.” Recalling Trump’s comment that he was proud to appoint three Supreme Court Justices whose votes were critical to overturn Roe, she asked, “Proud that women across our nation are suffering? Proud that women have been robbed of a fundamental freedom? Proud that doctors could be thrown in prison for caring for their patients?” 

In Republican audiences, though, Harris is readily mocked and dismissed. At a Nikki Haley event at the Thunder Bay Grille, in Davenport, Iowa, —Haley said, “We cannot ever have a President Kamala Harris. She’d send a chill up your spine.” 

What, exactly, is so terrifying about Harris wasn’t clear, but Haley hit the note of Biden’s frailty again in a recent CNN interview, seeming to suggest that Trump, if nominated, would lose to Biden and that Biden would not finish a second term. “There will be a female President of the United States,” she said. “It will either be me, or it will be Kamala Harris.” 

Some Republicans and others have wild conspiracy theories and racist overtones as a result of her race and as a result of her gender. They lie to themselves to hide their racist and sexist disposition. The truth is they are scared of change. They are scared of the true story — that Black Americans are equal to White Americans. Kamala Harris is an excellent vice president. 

Human nature leads us to avert our gaze when confronted with situations that disturb us. Part of our nation’s ongoing struggle with race is that too many look away and too few look deeply. For those of us who consider ourselves Christian, this shows up in the continued refusal to see the face of God in others and to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

Racism can never be defeated under such circumstances. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr says it best, “Whites, it must frankly be said, are not putting in a similar mass effort to re-educate themselves out of their racial ignorance. It is an aspect of their sense of superiority that the White people of America believe they have so little to learn…resonant resolutions about brotherhood fall pleasantly on the ear, but for the Negro there is a credibility gap he cannot overlook.” 

 Ryan Coleman can be reached at randallstownnaacp@gmail.com

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

President Joe Biden recently announced new efforts to reduce housing costs for Americans. The proposals include imposing rent caps on corporate landlords and building more affordable housing.

The move comes after the Biden-Harris administration revealed its Housing Supply Action Plan in May. It is designed to drive down housing expenses over time by increasing the supply of homes across the country. 

“Families deserve housing that’s affordable—it’s part of the American Dream,” said Biden in a  July 16 statement. “Rent is too high and buying a home is out of reach for too many working families and young Americans, after decades of failure to build enough homes. I’m determined to turn that around.”

According to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, 49 percent of renters were cost-burdened in 2021, spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing.

If passed by Congress, Biden’s proposal would deny federal tax credits to landlords who increase rent by more than 5 percent each year. The policy would start this year and continue for the next two years. Landlords who control more than 50 units would be subject to the cap, ultimately reaching more than 20 million renters in the U.S. 

“Rent’s too high and a home is out of reach for too many working and young Americans. After decades of failure to build enough homes, the president decided that it was time to take action to turn that around,” said Stephen K. Benjamin, senior adviser to the president and public engagement director at the White House. “We’ve seen this trend of corporate landlords, those on Wall Street primarily, buying hundreds and thousands of homes in one community and significantly increasing rents higher than normal inflation would dictate.” 

High rents often have a disproportionate impact on Black and Brown families. In 2021, the Pew Research Center found that 58 percent of households led by Black adults are renters. This is compared to 27.9 percent for households led by White adults.

Benjamin highlighted that the president is also working to remove barriers to homeownership, a means of creating generational wealth for Black Americans. According to the adviser, nearly 250,000 Black adults have purchased a home with the help of a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan since 2021. 

He also said Biden’s foreclosure prevention measures have kept more than 160,000 African Americans in their homes.

“People just want a fair shot, an opportunity to do the great things that God has in store for them. They want a level playing field that realizes that oftentimes the system does not work for Black and Brown tenants across this country,” said Benjamin. “The civil rights challenge of the 21st century is, how do I build generational wealth? For many of us, it’ll be through housing.”

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By Tierra Stone
AFRO Intern
tierrastone@afro.com

Livingstone College is receiving a $10 million donation, the school’s president, Dr. Anthony Davis, recently announced during a conference of the AME Zion Church. The news came during a July 22 call from a sponsor who chooses to remain anonymous, he said. The same donor has given a total of seven million in donations in the past several months, bringing the current total to $17 million.

Livingstone College is a private, Christian and historically Black institution in Salisbury, N.C. which has obtained a series of donations primarily focused on amplifying student life and campus establishments. 

During the homecoming celebration of the Fall 2023 semester, the college received its very first contribution from the anonymous donor. The money came at an integral moment for the school, and will help fund campus restoration and educational programs. The second donation, showcased in February during the college’s 145th Founders Day event, also helped to strengthen the school’s capacity to train up the next generation of educated professionals.

Many of the contributions are solely used toward revamping the school and obtaining new materials to support the student body. Additionally, Livingstone has strived to use these funds to increase employment opportunities and amplify student enrollment, with the understanding that enhancing present-day facilities can attract future students and cultivate a beneficial learning environment. 

Livingstone College is currently in the process of a $30 million regeneration project that has gone through many stages. The first stage has already begun with the creation of new dormitories and a new cafeteria. Both of these developments are set to be completed by the end of 2024. 

Beyond these upgrades, the college has also worked towards launching a biomanufacturing training program. This enterprise is a part of President Joe Biden’s Build Back Initiative, which focuses on investing in underfunded communities. In North Carolina, this means more skills and training programs. One of the $1 million donations is being used for lab equipment to aid training programs. This will help the school prepare each student for jobs in growing career fields and enhance the economic upsurge within the region.  

Livingstone College was established in 1879 in Concord, N.C., as the Zion Wesley Institute. The school has had a rich history built on providing African-American students with access to a quality education. The institution moved to Salisbury, N.C. in 1887 after changing its name to honor the great missionary and philanthropist, David Livingstone. Still today, the school continues to oblige the needs of the surrounding community by living up to its mission of academic achievement and social conscience.

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By John O’Connor and Rick Callahan
The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Autopsy findings released July 26 on Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman fatally shot in her Illinois home by a now-fired sheriff’s deputy charged in her death, confirm that she died from a gunshot wound to the head.

The report was released shortly before civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Massey’s family, denounced the killing by ex-sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson as senseless, unnecessary and excessive.

Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon had previously disclosed initial findings on Massey’s July 6 death in Springfield and the full autopsy report released July 26 confirmed those conclusions, including that her death was a homicide.

In addition to the bullet striking her just beneath her left eye, Massey had “minor blunt force injuries” to her right leg, the autopsy said.

Grayson, who is White, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct charges in Massey’s killing. He was fired last week by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and has been jailed without bond.

Crump, at his third news conference this week since the body camera video was released July 22, used an enlarged diagram from the autopsy that showed the bullet exited on her lower neck in a downward trajectory. That, he said, emphasizes the physical mismatch between Massey and the much larger Grayson, who fired on her because he said he felt threatened by a pan of hot water she was moving from her stove.

“When Sonya Massey was staring at the barrel of his gun, she stooped down, said, ‘Sorry, sir, Sorry,’ and the bullet was shot while she was in this stooped position, coming up,” Crump said. “The autopsy confirms what everybody already knows, that this was just a senseless, unnecessary, excessive use of force.”

Grayson is 6-foot-3 (191 centimeters) and 228 pounds (103 kilograms). The autopsy lists Massey at 5-foot-4 (163 centimeters) and 112 pounds (51 kilograms). Prosecutors have added that the distance between shooter and victim and a counter between them gave Grayson “distance and relative cover” from the hot water.

Authorities said Massey had called 911 to report a suspected prowler. Two deputies eventually showed up at her house in Springfield, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) southwest of Chicago.

The video confirmed prosecutors’ earlier account of the tense moment when Grayson yelled across a counter at Massey to set down a pot of hot water, aiming his 9mm pistol at her and threatening to shoot her in the face. He fired three times.

The unidentified deputy with Grayson then said he would get his medical kit, but Grayson said, “She done. You can go get it, but that’s a head shot. There’s nothing you can do, man.”

He later relented while the second deputy held towels to Massey’s head to try to stem the bleeding, but by the time Grayson returned with his kit, emergency medical professionals had arrived and when they told Grayson his help wasn’t needed, he threw his kit on the floor and said, “I’m not even gonna waste my med stuff then.”

Massey struggled with mental illness, according to her family. Her son, 17-year-old Malachi Hill Massey, said July 26 that he and his 15-year-old sister had moved in with their fathers because Sonya Massey had admitted herself to a 30-day inpatient program in St. Louis sometime during the week before her death, but returned two days later without explanation.

Malachi Massey also said that on July 5, the day before the early morning shooting, law enforcement officers whom he thought were from Sangamon County were called to the house and were there when he arrived. By then, his mother had called him to say she was driving herself to a local hospital, apparently for mental health treatment. He said he doesn’t know who called police or what help she was seeking that day.

The Associated Press has asked local law enforcement agencies for records of the July 5 call.

___

Callahan reported from Indianapolis.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON – The National Park Service today (July 24) awarded $10,670,000 to 15 projects in eight states as part of the Historic Preservation Fund’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities grant program, which focuses on the repair of historic structures on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“It’s vital for America’s HBCUs to preserve their vibrant history, ensuring that the places and the events that happened there are not forgotten,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “I’m proud that the National Park Service can support this locally-led stewardship.”

This year’s grants will support the preservation of sites like Simmons College’s Steward Hall, Delaware State University’s Hope House, and Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s Melrose Cottage.

• Simmons College, the sole private HBCU in the state of Kentucky, will rehabilitate Steward Hall, one of two remaining buildings built during the college’s peak period in 1924. The architect and builder Samuel Plato is a celebrated Black architect who also graduated from Simmons College. The grant funds will be used to rehabilitate windows and doors as well as provide foundation repairs and tuckpointing.
• The Delaware State University (DSU) Downtown campus in Dover, Delaware, will rehabilitate a pre-1885, three-story frame building with Queen Anne architectural features including a mansard roof and an expansive porch. Originally owned by Wesley College, the building was acquired by DSU in 2021. The rehabilitation of the building will address the building envelope, interior water damage, and mold remediation. The rehabilitated building will be named the Hope House and provide social services for students and the community.
• Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, will rehabilitate Melrose Cottage, a cottage that dates to around 1785. The building served as the university president’s house from 1913 to 1951, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The rehabilitated building will become the admission team’s hub and a welcome center for campus tours. Funding will provide repairs to the electrical systems, a fire suppression system, and address accessibility issues. 

Congress appropriated funding for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grant Program in FY2023 through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). The HPF uses revenue from federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf, assisting with a broad range of preservation projects without expending tax dollars, with the intent to mitigate the loss of nonrenewable resources to benefit the preservation of other irreplaceable resources. 

Established in 1977, the HPF was authorized at $150 million per year through 2024 and has provided more than $2 billion in historic preservation grants to states, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofit organizations.

Administered by the NPS, HPF funds may be appropriated by Congress to support a variety of historic preservation projects to help preserve the nation’s cultural resources. Other HPF grant programs managed by NPS fund preservation of America’s premier cultural resources and historic places in Underrepresented Communities, as well as sites key to the representation of Tribal Heritage, African American civil rights, and the History of Equal Rights in America.

For more information about NPS historic preservation programs and grants, please visit nps.gov/stlpg/

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 429 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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By Tierra Stone
AFRO Intern
tierrastone@afro.com

Protests across the country are increasing after the death of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman from Sangamon, Ill. The mother of two was fatally shot by Sheriff Deputy Sean Grayson inside of her home on July 6. 

The disturbing footage sparked national outrage after its release on July 22. During a press conference on July 21 members of Massey’s family, attorney Ben Crump and president of the Illinois Chapter of the NAACP, Teresa Haley, shed light on the case.   

“This is a tragic event for us here in Springfield, we’ve had a lot of tragedies lately, but we’re used to it in the Black community—but we’re here to say enough is enough,” said Haley, during the conference that was broadcast by local news stations. 

Ben Crump pointed out that Massey also struggled with mental health issues.

“She was dealing with some issues and she needed a helping hand, she didn’t need a bullet to the face,’’ said Crump. 

Massey’s family and friends spoke about her life and how they hope legislation will come into effect to prevent these actions from happening.

According to the Center for Policing Equity, a research center, law enforcement officers often interact with people who are dealing with mental illness.

“It is estimated that 7 to 10 percent of all police encounters involve a person who has a mental illness. Most of these encounters do not involve any violence, and some don’t involve a crime at all,” according to information released by the organization. “People with mental illness are no more likely than anyone else to act violently. Despite this, police arrest, injure and kill people with mental illness at higher rates than people without mental illness.”  

Grayson has entered a plea of not guilty after being indicted on multiple charges, including first degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm. 

Following his arrest, the Sangamon County Police Department released a statement via Facebook on behalf of Sheriff Jack Campbell.

“The body worn camera footage has now been released, and the public can see what we saw: Sonya Massey lost her life due to an unjustifiable and reckless decision by former Deputy Sean Grayson. Grayson had other options available that he should have used. His actions were inexcusable and do not reflect the values or actions of our training office. He will now face judgment by the criminal justice system and will never again work in law enforcement.” 

The body cam footage released on July 22 shows two Sangamon County Police Department deputies responding to a call for help at the residence of Sonya Massey in the early morning hours of July 6. 

Upon arriving, the deputies check the property for trespassers and, finding no one, proceed to make contact with the 911 caller. The two knock for several minutes with no answer, becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of response. The officers wonder out loud if she is dead or hiding drugs, before Massey finally opens the door praying to God that the officers don’t hurt her. 

She is obviously disoriented– and scared. 

While one officer continues to check out the property, Grayson enters the home. Massey calmly sits on the couch and tries to answer questions being lodged at her. Ultimately, while inside the home, a pot of water begins to boil, prompting officers to ask Massey to tend to the stove. 

“We don’t need a fire while we’re here,” says one of the deputies. 

A faucet can be heard and it appears that Massey is pouring the water down the sink. As she handles the pot, one officer backs up, prompting Massey to ask where he is going. 

The deputy responds from the living room area, telling Massey he’s moving “away from your hot, steaming water.”

To this, Massey says “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” 

What happens next in the video has shocked a nation. 

Grayson questions Massey’s phrase. “Huh?” he says. 

“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Massey repeats, unmoved from her spot in the kitchen. 

“You better f****** not or I swear to God I’ll f****** shoot you in the f****** face,” Grayson aggressively yells, drawing his gun to combat the soft rebuke.

Massey apologizes and immediately crouches by the sink in fear. As she tries to stand back up with the pot Grayson follows through with his threat and shoots Massey in the face, exactly as he said he would just seconds before. 

Grayson then proceeds to tell his partner not to render aid, leaving Massey to gurgle her own blood on her kitchen floor. Eventually, the second officer disregards Grayson’s suggestion and begins to apply pressure to the gunshot wound. 

He can also be heard telling other officers that he was in fear of  “taking boiling water to the face,” and admits there was no threat of a gun. As Massey bleeds to death, Grayson stands feet away and says he doesn’t want to “waste” his medical kit on her. 

He steps outside and can be heard describing her as a “crazy b****” to other officers.

Majority of the encounter was caught on the second officer’s body camera, as Grayson did not turn his body camera on until after Massey had been shot.

After the death of Geroge Floyd in 2022, many cities and states began to ramp up efforts to have officers wear body cameras. Subsequently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act that same year, but it has since been halted by members of the U.S. Senate. 

Massey’s father, James Wilburn, shared his frustrations with the police and the U.S. Senate regarding their failure to address police brutality and weed out bad cops.

“In 2020 I had quadruple heart bypass surgery. I’ve wondered why God left me here in this world—and maybe it was so that I could tell this whole country that in order to honor my daughter we need to pass the George Floyd Policing Act,’’ said Wilburn. 

Wilburn said that he didn’t care if there weren’t enough votes to pass it, he wanted to make sure no one else has to experience what the Massey family is going through. 

President Joe Biden released a statement on White House website, sharing his condolences, but also urging Congress to pass the George Floyd Policing Act. 

“Sonya’s family deserves justice. I am heartbroken for her children and her entire family as they face this unthinkable and senseless loss. Jill and I mourn with the rest of the country and our prayers are with Sonya’s family, loved ones and community during this devastating time. I commend the swift actions that were taken by the Springfield’s State’s Attorney’s office,” said Biden. “While we wait for the case to be prosecuted, let us pray to comfort the grieving. Congress must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act now. Our fundamental commitment to justice is at stake.” 

The AFRO reached out to the offices of Illinois State’s Attorney John Milhiser and Springfield Defense Attorney Daniel Fultz, but they did not immediately respond to AFRO requests for comment.

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By Mackenzie Williams
AFRO Intern
Mwilliams@afro.com

On July 25, 2022, Resolution 718 was submitted to the senate of the United States declaring the week of July 19-25 as Black Maternal Mental Health Week. 

The reason? According to the document, “1 in 8 women and 1 in 6 Black women will suffer from a maternal mental health condition at some point during their lifetimes.” 

In 2024, the week is used to “raise public awareness and understanding around maternal mental health (MMH) conditions and their disproportionate impact on Black women and families.”

The Shades of Blue Project, founded in 2013 by Kay Matthews, holds a Black MMH summit on an annual basis in efforts to bring together “healthcare professionals, mental health experts, advocates and community members to foster discussions, share research, and promote strategies that specifically target the improvement of mental health outcomes for Black mothers.” 

The AFRO spoke with experts from the 2024 summit being held in Texas to further understand the importance of mental health when it comes to Black maternity.

“Nobody was listening to Black women, so I started listening to Black women,” Shayla Brown told the  AFRO. 

Brown is a mom, long term doula, panelist for the 2024 Shades of Blue Project Black Maternal Health Summit and a digital storyteller. Since 2014, she has been fighting to keep traditional birth practices alive for years– long before the conversation of  Black maternal health and mental health took hold. 

She told the AFRO Black women have always been on the scene when it comes to birthing babies.

“Black midwives were everyone’s midwives before we had this standardized medical system,” she said. “Black midwives were the ones who trained the first OBGYN Physicians.”

According to the National Library of Medicine,“By the early 1920s the terms “granny,” and “granny-midwife” were synonymous with Black midwives in the rural South. In Northeastern cities, midwives were largely displaced by physicians working in hospitals. Many women considered hospital births a “modern” and “advanced” form of delivery.”

Brown said, in her experience, most pregnancy issues begin with a lack of mental health support. This can stress the body or cause larger issues that are compounded by other traumas. 

“If we are afraid or holding onto trauma, then [the] body won’t perform like it is supposed to and it’s simply because you [are] sad,” said Brown. “It’s simply because you [are] lonely.”

Mindset is key. Brown said she ultimately wants to convey to Black women that pregnancy is an enjoyable experience –not a scary one.

“I want to get across ultimately that birth is innately beautiful, natural and it’s nothing to be afraid of.” 

Dr. Ana’Neicia Williams, DSW, LCSW, PMH-C, is a licensed clinical social worker with a specialty in prenatal mood and anxiety disorders. She is also an ambassador for the Shades of Blue Project this year. 

“One thing I center in my research is sister circles,” she stated, adding that the resource can serve as a means of creating cultural support for Black women. Williams said there is a lot of “shame” on the path of motherhood and “individuals believe they are the only ones going through something.”

Sister circles focus on “creating a space that is welcoming and safe but is also rooted in Afrocentric practices.”

Williams said that Black women face racialized stigmas, which can lead to negative experiences during pregnancy. 

“There are so many things that are interconnected for Black women and what they are facing, just to raise a child in America,” she said. 

According to a 2021 Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance Fact sheet, “the cumulative effect of systemic and interpersonal racism takes a toll on the physical and emotional health of Black people. Stress, anxiety and fear all increase the likelihood of developing MMH conditions.” 

The pressure of social stigma often encourages Black women to keep their problems a secret, to avoid being seen as weak and upholding the strong “Black women” trope. 

“I don’t want this to be a week or a month,” said Williams, speaking on the short time allotted to the issue each July. “We have to be intentional in providing the care– and the care doesn’t just have to be on the providers. Care can be in your community.”

To improve mental health during and after pregnancy, experts from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMMA), suggest the following: 

1. Implement a routine. According to the MMMA, “something that can help sustain or improve mood can be a simple, flexible routine that offers a bit of structure and reassurance.” There are a variety of ways to do this, including virtual apps that help track daily schedules when pen and paper don’t work. 

Mothers are encouraged to remember that they can make routines for themselves that work in tandem with routines being created for children. Routines can address mental health needs, such as journaling on a daily basis to relieve anxiety. However, the goals should be realistic and the MMMA asks mothers to remember “it is okay if your plans for an activity or even your whole day have to change or don’t work out. Try your best to be flexible and be kind to yourself.”

2. Don’t let negative thoughts win! The MMMA suggests identifying “specific thoughts that may be making you feel low. Look for what’s going through your mind while you are feeling anxious or upset. Check whether these thoughts are indeed accurate, healthy and compassionate for you. If not, try to replace these thoughts with more accurate, healthy and compassionate ones.”
3. Spend time with your child. While new mothers might be anxious about activities they should and shouldn’t do with their newborn, MMMA experts want to keep one thing at the forefront of the conversation: “Simply being with your baby and involving it in your daily activities is enough.”
4. Take time to unplug. Resources available on the internet and on social media platforms can certainly be helpful, however, mothers are reminded to take technology breaks to combat symptoms of anxiety and depression. “The constant flow of news and social media can make us all feel a little overwhelmed. This potential excess of information may be causing you additional worry and anxiety,” reports the MMMA. “If you feel overwhelmed try to only access the information you and your family need to stay informed. This could involve you setting specific times to go online to seek information, or only watching certain news programmes.”

For more information on Black Maternal Mental Health week and the Shades of Blue Project, please visit shadesofblueproject.org. 

The post Experts speak during Black Maternal Mental Health Week appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor
dbailey@afro.com

It’s not your imagination. You really have been seeing more health prevention ads in your social media feed. 

If you live in one of Maryland’s high health risk areas for diabetes, heart attack, stroke or other chronic diseases, Maryland’s Department of Health is actively looking for you. 

More than one-third of Marylanders are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a condition that can lead to diabetes. Baltimore City, Prince George’s County and Somerset County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore are three areas where Black Marylanders have particularly elevated levels of diabetes and other chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Now, health officials are seeking to halt diabetes before it starts in high-risk communities across the state by identifying people who have a high likelihood of developing pre-diabetes and getting them connected with health prevention efforts. 

“We’ve been doing diabetes outreach for the past three years. We are promoting prevention activities Marylanders can engage in to avert a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes,” Williams said. 

Obesity is a risk factor that accompanies diabetes, according to health experts. In Baltimore, Prince George’s County and Somerset, more than one-third of each county’s adult residents are obese, according to the most recent data from the Maryland Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRSFF). 

Black Americans are more than twice as likely as White people to develop Type 2 diabetes with the racial gap rising, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

“People who participate in pre-diabetes screening and prevention activities have a 58 percent chance of not progressing to the full disease,” said Williams. 

Pre-diabetes occurs in individuals with elevated blood sugar levels, but not high enough for a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Most people with pre-diabetes don’t know they have it because there are no obvious symptoms, according to NIH officials. 

“Don’t think pre-diabetes is something to be taken lightly,” said Williams, who cautioned that pre-diabetes can also put you at higher risk for more serious health problems like heart disease and stroke. 

Williams urged all adults and teens in Baltimore, Prince George’s County and Somerset County to get evaluated for pre-diabetes and enroll in one of the many support programs offered by the Maryland Department of Public Health. 

“Pre-diabetes is a warning to change your diet and lifestyle,” said Tobias Arnold of Silver Spring, Md. who was diagnosed with pre-diabetes in 2016. 

“I really didn’t know what that was,” Arnold added. “I thought I just needed to eat less sugar– you know, cut out the candy bars. I didn’t know about carbohydrates.  My doctor used generalities and assumed that I would know how to change my diet.” 

Williams said there are both on-line and in-person pre-diabetes programs in each county that offer hands-on support to help participants make changes in diet, exercise and other lifestyle decisions needed to avert diabetes.

Williams urges Black Americans to see the onset of diabetes as more than just “a little sugar.” 

Complications from diabetes can affect many of the body’s systems and can lead to heart disease, vision loss, kidney disease, stroke, nerve damage, foot damage and amputation and other complications.

“This is a serious disease,” Williams said. “The Maryland Department of Health realizes a diagnosis of pre-diabetes may call for a complete lifestyle change for people. That takes time, support, and community support.”

    A-1C Test for Diabetes:  diagnosed at an A1C of greater than or equal to 6.5 percent*

Fasting Blood Glucose test: Diabetes is diagnosed at fasting blood glucose of greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl 
 

Reporting for this story is done through the support of a journalism fellowship from the Gerontology Society of America, The Journalists’ Network on Generations and the Commonwealth Fund.

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By AFRO Staff

Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) announced his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris on July 22 after President Joe Biden stepped down the day before and put his full support behind Harris. 

“The American people deserve a champion who will continue the progress of the Biden-Harris Administration, and that’s why I am proud to voice my full support and offer my full endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee for president,” said Moore. “I had lengthy conversations with both the president and the vice president yesterday, and I offered my full support for Kamala Harris’ candidacy to both of them directly.”

“Vice President Harris has the experience, record, vision and wisdom to unify the country. She will have the unique ability to energize the Democratic Party base and mobilize a unique coalition, and we must rally around her and elect her to serve as the next president of the United States,” continued Moore.

Harris has already filed with the Federal Election Committee (FEC) as a presidential candidate and changed the “Biden for President” campaign slogan to “Harris for President.” 

Many Democrats were quick to put their support behind Harris, including former President Bill Clinton and former candidate for president Hillary Clinton also put their full support behind Harris.

“We are honored to join the president in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her,” they said. “We’ve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her. America’s future depends on it.”

Maryland Democratic Party Chair Ken Ulman released a statement announcing that Maryland Democratic National Convention Delegates met virtually on July 22 and unanimously voted to endorse Harris.

“Vice President Kamala Harris possesses experience that uniquely qualifies her to serve as President of the United States, a strong track record of delivering for the American people on the heels of the Biden-Harris Administration and the leadership to unite the party through this unprecedented time,” said Ulman. “The Maryland Democratic Delegation stands unanimously behind her candidacy, eager to cast our votes for her and campaign vigorously for a historic victory this November.”

Senator Chris Van Hollen also weighed in on the announcement with a statement sent to members of the press.

“Kamala Harris has fought tirelessly to advance the aspirations of every American and build an inclusive economy that supports working Americans, families and seniors,” said Van Hollen. “Having served with her in the senate, and worked closely together during her time as vice president, I’ve seen firsthand that she has what it takes to defeat Trump this November and to continue moving our nation forward. The stakes for our democracy could not be higher – and I’m committed to working alongside Vice President Harris to get the job done.”

Delegates will cast their votes for Harris during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from August 19-22.

Word that Moore planned to endorse Harris came through Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore, who joined a late-night July 21 Zoom call hosted by Win With Black Women, a national network of Black women leaders. The meeting was closed to the press and off the record for those present. 

More than 40,000 Black women joined the call that concluded after midnight on July 22. While Zoom usually caps audience size at 1,000, a participant on the call reached out to leaders of the company and had the restriction lifted. Attendees described the occasion as “electrifying” and “encouraging.” As a result of the call, more than 1.5 million dollars were raised during the meeting. 

Dozens of prominent Black women, including elected officials and leaders of national organizations including the Divine Nine, spoke in support of Harris for president.  Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks gave comments, as well as CEO and President of the National Council of Negro Women President Shavon Arline-Bradley; Dr. Johnnetta Cole; Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif- 43); U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas-30); Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio-3); Bernice King, who said this is the first time she’s ever publicly endorsed a presidential candidate, and Bishop Vashti McKenzie.  

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The effects of climate change can be likened to a Russian doll, revealing layers of intertwined consequences as you explore the phenomenon.

On the surface, the planet faces rising temperatures and extreme weather events, but these side effects come with ramifications of their own— some of which further beget climate change. This can be seen in positive feedback loops.

“A positive feedback loop is where one process accelerates or exacerbates another. For instance, with climate warming in high-latitude ecosystems there is increased likelihood, frequency and intensity of wildfires,” said Carly Phillips, research scientist in the Science Hub for Climate Litigation for the Union of Concerned Scientists. “As a result of their burning, greenhouse gasses are released, exacerbating global warming, which drives the wildfires in the first place.”

According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), the U.S. experienced more than 56,500 wildfires in 2023, burning 3.6 million acres of land. Canada also notably had its worst wildfire season yet with smoke reaching a number of Northeastern and Midwestern states in the U.S.

The AFRO recently connected with Phillips to dive deeper into the implications of the burning.

What are some of the unforeseen impacts of wildfires?

While wildfires are present in folks’ minds, I think the subsequent impacts are not necessarily as well appreciated or understood. In high latitude areas, there is a huge amount of carbon stored particularly below the ground in organic matter and soil. It’s also in permafrost, which is lower down in the soil profile.

In these ecosystems, wildfires are burning increasingly larger areas at higher severity as the climate warms. When they burn, a lot of greenhouse gasses are released. There are air quality impacts that are really serious and widespread, but on top of that, the smoke and gasses that are released are a huge contribution to climate change, like carbon dioxide and methane.

There have also been several studies published over the past few years that point to increases in lightning strikes in Arctic ecosystems. We know that in Alaska, lightning has been a huge driver of these major fire seasons they’ve seen over the last 10 years or so. That can have major implications for wildfires and thawing permafrost which can intensify climate warming.

How are people affected by wildfires even if they do not live in the immediate vicinity of the burning?

Smoke is a big one. Families may have to keep their kids indoors for multiple days at a time because it isn’t safe for them to be outside. There are also consequences that result from accelerating climate change even though they may feel abstract.

As emissions from wildfires are exacerbating global warming, people are feeling rising temperatures, which lead to the heat waves that we’re all experiencing this summer. There’s a cascading effect from the exacerbation of climate change that can’t be understated.

How does the fossil fuel industry contribute to the risk of wildfires and other climate change impacts?

The evidence shows that the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation are indubitably the primary drivers of climate change and the increase of greenhouse gasses we see in the atmosphere. It’s not just the fossil fuels themselves but the fossil fuel industry that drives climate change through historical, ongoing deceptive practices. The industry has initiated campaigns to delay climate action and sow doubt about the veracity of climate science despite the incredible evidence that’s emerged over the past 20 years or so.

There have been advertisements that are disguised as editorial, which attack the science behind climate change. In some cases, they even attack the scientists themselves and their credibility.

We also know that internal research at some of these companies pointed to the risks of climate change really early on. However, instead of amplifying that information and warning about the dangers their products would cause, there was a concerted campaign to deceive the general public about what those risks were.

As wildfires intensify, what outcomes might we see in communities?

Wildfire smoke has been linked to things like increasing rates of asthma and lower birth weight. In California, we’re seeing insurers pull out of the market, and I think that’s related to wildfires escalating there.

We may also be faced with some hard choices about where we rebuild. There are people in communities who are very rooted in their sense of place, so what does it mean to lose that? I think that’s something the world is grappling with. How are folks navigating through losses and damages caused by wildfires and how are they being compensated not just in the U.S. but globally?

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