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.”

The post AFRO News honors emergency service workers appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

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

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

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

Question F – FOR: Charter Amendment Inner Harbor Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question H – AGAINST: Reducing Baltimore City Council Districts

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

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

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

The post Don’t be fooled Vote ‘NO’ on H, ‘YES’ on F in Baltimore City appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Can AI be a lifesaver in the fight against breast cancer?  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Author Shadra Strickland hosts a read-along for ‘Jump In!’ at Enoch Pratt Free Library! appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Morgan State University’s campus newspaper, The Spokesman, hosted a forum on Sept. 24 for students and the public to hear from leading candidates in the race for Maryland’s U.S. Senate seat. Both Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) and Larry Hogan (R), former governor of Maryland, were invited, however Hogan did not join Alsobrooks on stage to speak with voters in attendance.

If elected, Alsobrooks will make history by becoming the first Black woman to represent the state of Maryland in the U.S. Senate. 

NBC Correspondent, Antonia Hylton, moderated the forum with three student reporters: Lillian Stephens, Aleisha Robinson and Tavon Thomasson.

Alsobrooks  said she was happy to attend the forum, which gave her another opportunity to introduce herself to voters. 

Gun violence 

Firearms were a crucial part of the discussion, as gun violence in the country is a growing concern among voters. 

The 2022 report by Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions stated that “since 2013, the gun death rate among children and teens (1–17) has increased 106 percent. Guns were the leading cause of death among children and teens, accounting for more deaths than car crashes, overdoses, or cancers.”

Data also shows that the fatalities linked to gun violence are higher in Black teens and children.

“In 2021, 46 percent of all gun deaths among children and teens involved Black victims, even though only 14 percent of the U.S. under 18 population that year was Black.” The study also stated that “both the number and rate of children and teens killed by gunfire in 2021 were higher than at any point since at least 1999.”

A panelist pointed out that the Morgan State University community is no stranger to the effects and loss of gun violence. Next month marks a year since the campus shooting that curtailed homecoming events. 

Alsobrooks shared that she was Prince George’s County’s first full-time domestic violence prosecutor, and the issue of gun violence is something that she cares about.

“It is unconscionable that we have had leaders who have been unwilling to make common sense changes that would prevent our children from dying of gun violence.”

According to the Office of Governor Wes Moore ,”Maryland ranks number 31 among the highest rate of gun deaths in the United States.”

Alsobrooks expressed that she has worked towards solving this issue, and as senator, she is going to sign legislation to help resolve the massive gun violence issue. 

“I will work to pass sensible gun legislation to make sure that we are working to ban assault weapons from our communities,” Alsobrooks said.

Reproductive rights 

The Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court case in 197 legalized abortion in the United States. However, it was overturned in 2022. Since then, more than 20 states have placed severe restrictions on abortion or outlawed the procedure all together. 

“It is important that women all over the country have access to reproductive freedoms,” Alsobrooks said. 

“The laws should be equal across the country, which is why I will be in support of the Women’s Health Protection Act.”

The Women’s Health Protection Act protects abortion access and, according to Congress, “prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services.” The act was introduced in 2023 by Wisconsin’s  democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

Economic goals

Aside from gun violence and reproductive rights, the cost of living and inflation were also a key point in the conversation with Alsobrooks. 

She explained that her goal is to attract more companies and opportunities to the state, which would create jobs for the residents she hopes to represent.

“My goal is to attract investment to the state of Maryland that will help large technology companies and other companies that want to invest in the state so that we have six-figure jobs for our young people,” said Alsobrooks. “I’m going to be fighting hard to bring jobs to Maryland.”

Alsobrooks told those in attendance that she is hopeful about the outcome of this election, which will take place in less than 50 days. “I’m going to be a good senator,” said Alsobrooks. “I’m going to go there with not only experience I’ve had over the last 27 years as an executive, but I’m going to take my lived experience.”

Attendees left the forum feeling informed and more knowledgeable about Alsobrooks and her stances on important issues.

“I feel invigorated,” 71-year-old Faye Belt told the AFRO. “Now that we realize it’s all about our future – we can move in a way that we can save this [country].”

The post Angela Alsobrooks, top Democratic senate candidate in Maryland, speaks on economy, reproductive rights with HBCU students appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

And

By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post United they stand: Dock workers and longshoremen in Baltimore join national strike for better wages and job security appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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.” 

The post Wealth Diversity Summit celebrates 10 years appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser awarded $25.1 million in grants from the Education’s Office of Out-of-School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes to 125 local nonprofit organizations that offer free and low cost programming for youth on Sept. 7.

The awarded organizations offer students intensive opportunities; the D.C. Government shared that the programs will focus on “academic achievement, the performing arts, athletics, STEM, financial literacy, career preparation, and more.” 

An estimated 15,000 students will benefit from the out-of-school time initiative this school year, allowing students to engage in extracurricular activities in specified interests outside of school. 

“We’re proud to offer a plethora of out-of-school time programming in the District, and these organizations ensure our children and teens have a wide range of options that meet their

 interests and needs,” said Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn in a statement.

“Students who participate in OST programs have higher school attendance and do better in school than those who do not. That’s what makes our investment so critical – it provides our kids with quality activities to elevate their learning beyond the classroom, setting them up for success now and in the future,” Kihn said. 

The OTS Office is dedicated to improving the programs, which are positive and safe outlets for youth. 

The office has allocated $113 million in awards for District nonprofits since 2017, creating and supporting programming for over 80,000 students. The OST Office’s Institute for Youth Development has curated over 500 workshops to ensure improvement and growth within the programs and has developed detailed training for over 5,000 service providers since 2019.  

We understand the critical role that high-quality and engaging out-of-school learning opportunities play in the lives of our kids,” said Mayor Bowser in a statement.

“This $25.1 million investment in free and low-cost programs is about more than just expanding access – it’s about ensuring that every child in D.C. has the chance to thrive,”  said Bowser.

These programs enhance social and emotional well-being and provide a safe and stimulating environment where our students can discover their passions, build new skills, and stay excited about learning every day.” 

The post Mayor Bowser allocates $25 million to nonprofits for out-of-school youth programs appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Baltimore Comic-Con welcomed thousands of enthusiastic fans to the Baltimore Convention Center from Sept. 20-22. The three-day event highlighted comics, anime, cosplay, book lovers and gamers.

This year was a memorable one. The convention celebrated its 25th anniversary of bringing people together in downtown Baltimore. Each day was jam-packed with activities and panel discussions, during which attendees could hear from some of their favorite artists and authors in the industry.

T.L. Price, an author, shared that she created the “Exiled Elementals Series” to provide representation of Black people in the urban fantasy space.

“I have three sons, and it was very important to me to have a fantasy book series that features African Americans, including females and strong male characters,” Price told the AFRO. 

The convention center’s main floor was separated into several sections, including an area to get comic books and artwork signed, a fantasy book alley, a gaming area and plenty more.

Cosplayers from Charm City and beyond arrived in detailed, creative costumes ranging from anime characters to superheroes. Each day, there were cosplay competitions for adults and children.

Farrah Jones and Michael Thurston attended the Baltimore Comic-Con in cosplay. Jones shared that this was her first time at a Comic Convention, but she was excited. 

“I’m a cosplay geek,” Thurston said. He explained that he was excited to bring Jones into his world. “This is her first time, and she’s super excited. She bedazzled everything herself, and I am excited for her,” Thurston told the AFRO.  

Retro games were a hit at the conference and are only becoming more popular. While some fans collect and store the games, others use them to relive memories. 

Alex Thomas reunited with one of his favorite childhood games, Pokémon Crystal, for the Nintendo Game Boy Color, released in 2001. 

“Finding this game feels amazing,” he said. “I can’t wait for my Game Boy Color to come back out. I bought one, but I didn’t buy any games for it—I was waiting for this.”

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By AFRO Staff

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson spoke in Baltimore about her new book, “Lovely One,” inside of the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Branch on Sept. 21. 

Those able to secure one of the hottest tickets in town on Saturday night were able to hear the first Black woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court speak about not only her new book, but her own personal origin story and the people who put her on the path to success in the law field. 

“My father went back to law school when I was three years old. We lived on the campus of the University of Miami Law School,” said Justice Jackson. “My earliest memories are of my dad’s education table with his law books.”

The title of her book, “Lovely One,” is a nod to the name given to her at birth by an aunt who worked in West Africa, “Ketanji Onyika,” which means “lovely one” in English. 

Jackson noted that while the book is about her life, history and the impact of crucial moments in America are also woven through the pages.

“I start the book with my grandparents and then my parents. I’m trying to emphasize the great good fortune of my birth –the timing of my birth,” said Jackson. “I am a member of the first generation post-Civil Rights Era. And the significance of that I just don’t want anyone to miss. I was born in 1970, which was within five or six years of the Civil Rights Act, the Voting rights Act, and the end of civil pro-segregation.” 

Jackson said that while her parents were born during a time of segregation, her birth came during a “new opening of society to African Americans,” and filled them with hope. 

“They were like, ‘here’s our shot,’” said Jackson, of her parent’s determination to have their daughter take advantage of every opportunity they themselves were denied. 

“If there were swimming lessons, I was in the swimming lessons. If there were music lessons, I was doing the music lessons,” said Jackson. “When I was five-years-old, 6-years-old, my mother had me memorizing poems…I wrote the book as sort of a tribute to the people and circumstances that I felt were most responsible for my being in a position to take advantage of this.” 

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Onyika Brown born to two public school teachers, Johnny and Ellery Brown, in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 14, 1970. After the pair moved to Miami, Jackson’s father eventually became a Miami-Dade school board attorney, while her mother worked her way to become a school principal.

It was in Miami that Jackson’s start began to shine. She was elected class president while attending Miami Palmetto Senior High School and by 1988 she was studying at Harvard University. There, she crossed paths with another Harvard student, Patrick Jackson. After graduating from Harvard in 1992, the future judge went on to Harvard Law School and both graduated and married in 1996. 

After completing clerkships for three different judges, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Jackson worked with private law firms and in government for a number of years. In 2012, after working with the U.S. Sentencing Commission and serving as a prosecutor, Jackson was selected by then President Barack Obamato serve on the federal District Court of Washington, D.C.  His nomination didn’t receive a vote, so he nominated Jackson again the next year. In 2013 she was successfully confirmed. Years later, in April 2021, President Joe Biden asked that Jackson be appointed to the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In a 53 to 44 vote, she was confirmed into the role on June 14, 2021, paving the way for her name to be put forth when an opening came up on the Supreme Court the very next year.

The mother of two spoke on the changes she experienced as she ascended through the ranks and took on different types of judgeships.

“I was a trial judge for the longest period of time in my career. I was seven and a half– eight years– in a courtroom where I controlled everything. I was one judge,” she told the packed room of attendees. “Appellate decision making is very challenging when you have to actually work with other judges, like voting on the outcomes.”

During the Charm City leg of her book tour, Justice Jackson spoke about the moment her journey from law student to clerk to judge and finally, a member of the U.S. Supreme Court was fully realized.

“I think the moment that hit me– the first moment–was the day I was confirmed. I actually went to the White House for the vote call, and it was really overwhelming to watch the votes come in,” said Jackson, of that historic April day in 2022.

Jackson said that her book highlights core values taught to her and passed down to her daughter.

“On the day of my divestiture as a district court judge, my first judicial appointment, I gave a speech in my daughter’s middle school: ‘Work hard, be kind, have faith, and believe that anything is possible,’” Jackson told the audience. “I think those values – you’ll see from my story of the book– are things that I try to live by.”

This article has been adjusted to reflect the correct title of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s book, “Lovely One.”

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By AFRO Staff

The 2024 Baltimore MET Gala returned for a third year on Sept. 14. 

Creatives of every genre descended upon The HALL – LIVE! Casino and Hotel Maryland for the fashion and awards show, executive produced by LaRian Finney and Derrick Chase. 

Attendees did their best to adhere to this year’s theme, “Adam and Eve: Enter the Garden,” by sporting sleek fabrics and vibrant floral numbers.

“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, in a statement. “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.” 

The event featured entertainment by DJ Tanz and a culinary experience was curated by founder of the Black Owned Restaurant Tour (BORT), Azikiwe “Zik” DeVeaux, who pulled together offerings from several restaurants for ‘A Taste of the MET.’ 

The fashion show portion of the event was produced by Lana Rae. Models included in the fashion show came from as far as San Diego, Calif., St. Louis and other cities across the nation to wear the fashions of local designers. Roughly 150 models were selected from a pool of 500 by designers Jody Davis and Earle Bannister. The Baltimore MET Gala also featured an art exhibition, curated by Ernest Shaw, Ainsley Burrows and Laurielle Noel.

The event included several Community Impact Awards: 

• P. David Bramble, Managing Partner/Co-Founder | MCB Real Estate
• Edward “Ed” Evans, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion | Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland
• Linzy Jackson, III, Director of External Partnerships | Office of the Mayo
• 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

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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 Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating 25 years of gathering comic book enthusiasts and cosplay lovers at its annual event, which will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center Sept. 20-22. 

Attendees will have the exciting opportunity to meet with comic creators, authors and artists from around the world, and will have access to exclusive merchandise. There also will be on-site comic book and card signings as well as authorized grading services available.

Over 50 guests will be in attendance, including Afua Richardson (“Black Panther: World of Wakanda,” “Attack on Titan”), Sanford Greene (“Bitter Root,” “Black Panther”) and Keith Williams (“Web of Spider-Man,” “She-Hulk”) among others. Opportunities to attend panels and events with creators will take place daily.

There will be various cosplay contests for children and adults each day, so fans should be sure to put their best cape forward. 

Tickets start at $30 and increase depending on the package. Children 10 years old and younger will receive free admission with an adult who has purchased a ticket. 

For more information about Baltimore Comic-Con and tickets, visit www.Baltimorecomiccon.com.

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Within recent years, there has been an increase in mental health resources and support for K-12 students inside of schools to help provide safe environments that allow the students to thrive academically, mentally and socially. 

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “sixty-one percent of public schools reported that the percentage of staff expressing concerns with students exhibiting depression, anxiety, trauma, or emotional dysregulation/disturbance increased, including 23 percent that reported it ‘increased a lot.’”

However, the agency pointed out several barriers that prevent public schools from effectively providing resources to their student body. The obstacles include, “insufficient mental health professional staff coverage to manage caseload (55 percent), inadequate funding (54 percent), and inadequate access to licensed mental health professionals (49 percent).”

Rachel Larson, a licensed clinical professional counselor and individual, group, and family therapist at Baltimore Therapy Group, expressed the importance of youth having access to therapy. 

“There are so many stressors affecting youth, both on an individual level and societal level,” Larson told the AFRO. “Many of these stressors can impact a child’s sense of safety, including exposure to bullying, the COVID pandemic, school violence, and violence against marginalized groups.”

She continued, “These incidents are being broadcast to much larger audiences than in the past, which could be part of why we are seeing so many more children presenting with symptoms of anxiety.”

Therapy can serve as a safe place for children and youth to express themselves, leading to them acquiring better communication skills that can be useful at home and schools as well as gaining proper coping mechanisms.

“Although a child may not have control over their environment, therapy can help empower them to feel a greater sense of control over how they can cope with these stressors,” said Larson.  

She shared that parents and caregivers should be involved with the treatment, if the child is comfortable, in order to be able to support the child by applying the tools provided during the sessions. Larson also expressed the importance of finding a therapist that fits the needs of the child. 

She shared four tips with the AFRO for K-12 youth and parents when it comes to mental health as well as signs to look out for. 

Changes in behavior 

• Changes in a child’s typical patterns of eating, leeping, level of involvement in activities or school performance could be signs of a mental health disorder.

• Check in with your child’s teachers, pediatrician, school counselor, coaches, and most importantly, talk to your child to find out what kind of support he or she needs.

Validate your child’s feelings 

• Communicate with your child that you are listening and understand how they are feeling. This can help strengthen your relationship as well as support emotion regulation 

• Keep in mind: you can validate your child’s feelings without validating their logic. For example, if your child starts crying because you made them a pancake for breakfast instead of a waffle, you could say, “I can see you are disappointed because you didn’t get what you were expecting” and you don’t need to acknowledge any more of the content of their reasoning. 

• Try to avoid dismissive comments such as “get over it,” “calm down,” or “it’s not a big deal” because this can make it more difficult for the child to regulate their feelings. 

Don’t take threats lightly 

• If a child makes a comment about killing or hurting himself, please don’t dismiss it as “attention-seeking.” This child is likely trying to communicate their emotional pain in the only way they know how, and they need help. 

• Talk to the child in a safe place and ask if he is thinking about suicide. Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale can be a great tool to guide the conversation. 

• If you are unsure of how to help your child in a crisis situation, you can call or text 988 to speak with a crisis counselor. Many counties and cities also have local behavioral health teams that can come to your house to help you through a crisis. Also, please lock away and secure any lethal means and make sure your child does not have access.

Look at the whole picture 

• Are they eating a balanced diet? Are they getting enough sleep? Are they getting too much screen time? Are they getting enough time outside? Are they taking medications as prescribed? Are they using substances? Are they experiencing any physical illnesses that need medical attention? Are they getting enough time to unwind after school? 

Baltimore Therapy Group is hosting six free virtual workshops providing resources and tools for parents and caregivers. Each week the group helps navigate various topics. For more information visit: www.Therapistsinbaltimore.com.

The post 4 ways to support K-12 students’ mental health appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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. 

The post 5 ways to implement ‘zero waste’ lifestyle appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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.

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By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

The Bethune Height Recognition Program of the National Council of Negro Women’s (NCNW) Mid-Atlantic Region will take place at Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Rd, Baltimore, MD 21244, on September 7 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. This year, the organization celebrates the 50th anniversary of the luncheon.

NCNW has 300 campus and community-based sections and 32 national women’s organizations around the country. The organization stands on strong roots of advocacy and empowerment dating back to 1935 when NCNW was founded by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.

This year’s luncheon is expected to have over 400 guests and serves as a way to highlight volunteers, community members and members of the organization. They will also raise money for a donation to NCNW in the name of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and Dr. Dorothy Irene Height.

“We make an annual donation of $300, that money is used to support activities in the community for women and children of african descent,” Catrice Vandross, a co-chair of the NCNW’s Mid-Atlantic Bethune Height Recognition Program told the AFRO.  The Bethune Height Recognition Program was founded in 1974 as a way to help raise funds for NCNW

The Recognition Program recognizes and uplifts the  achievements of honorees. “The Bethune/Height Recognition Program honors Bethune Achievers, persons who contribute $300.00 or more, Life Members, and Legacy Life Members who contribute, join or upgrade through the Program,” said the organization. 

Tilynn Cobb, Monique Robinson-Poole and Awanya D. Anglin Brodie are this year’s special honorees. The theme for this year’s luncheon is “Fifty Years Honoring a Dedicated Mission: Together the Mission Shall Continue.”

“We chose this theme because we want to look back and honor the 50 years of our dedication to the mission and the realization that together our mission will continue,” Vandross told the AFRO.
For more information on the luncheon and The National Council of Negro Women please visit ncnw.org.

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By AFRO Staff

On Aug. 24 the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights held their Biennial Civil Rights and Fair Housing Gala inside of The Hall at Live! Casino in Hanover, Md.  The program paid homage to both Governor Wes Moore, the first Black man to lead Maryland, and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, first woman of color to be lieutenant governor, for service to the state. 

Other honorees for the evening of pomp and circumstance included Superintendent of the Maryland State Police Colonel Roland L. Butler Jr., and President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance Lisa Rice.

Comptroller of Maryland Brooke E. Lierman and Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown were recognized with Visionary Awards during the program, which featured author and activist Dr. Michael Eric Dyson as keynote speaker.

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Thousands of bookworms gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Aug. 24 for the 24th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival. 

Two-time Emmy Award-winning television host Tamron Hall served as a headliner for this year’s festival among other authors. She hosted a discussion for her new cookbook co-written with Lisa Steiling,  “A Confident Cook.”

The three-story convention center was full of events: book reading sessions for children, author panels, book signings and so much more related to literary success. 

The free event is a way to allow book lovers to gather and hear from some of their favorite authors. Attendees had an opportunity to purchase books from the 90-plus authors that were a part of the festival, as well as get them signed by the authors.

Baltimore native Monet Walker shared with the AFRO that she attended to see and hear from one of her favorite authors, Christopher Paolini, a sci-fi author. 

“I try to go to any book conventions that I do hear of,” she said.

Walker said she believes such events keep the literary culture alive, and thanks social media for spreading the word. 

“Book-Tok (a world wide book community on TikTok) is keeping a lot of these bookstores alive” she said.  “I think the conventions are also keeping the bookstores and physical books alive.”

The compact schedule had a balance between reading events and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) making it suitable and enjoyable for children. Several organizations such as Black Girls Code, Boolean Girl and NASA had offerings catering to children and young adults. 

“I am an advocate for reading. If you can read, you can do math, you can do anything. So learning your alphabet, learning your letters, learning sentences, word structure is something I am a stickler for,” said Shamir Cole, who attended the festival with her nieces and daughter. “We push reading at home, and I feel like if you can take children to a carnival, you can take them to go learn something.” 

Some families anticipate making the trip to the nation’s capital every year for the day-long festival as a way to bond and grow their love for reading.

“This is maybe our third year in a row attending,” said D.C. native John Pendleton, who attended the festival with his daughter Ava Pendleton. “My daughters inherited their love of books from their mother, so they are serious about books. Ava can go through books pretty quickly, so it gets too expensive if we don’t go to the library.”

“I just like absorbing knowledge from different books and reading about different topics,” said Ava Pendleton. “And I just like reading in general; it’s fun.” 

Each session was captured and is available at www.loc.gov. 

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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.

The post AFRO Tea set for return to nation’s capital – See Pictures appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

A mass shooting took place in East Baltimore on Aug. 18, leaving one person dead and seven injured. 

The incident claimed the life of Anthony Martin, 36. 

According to information released from the Baltimore Police Department, around 8:01 p.m. shots were fired in the 1300 block of Spring Street. 

The victims’ ages range from 22 to 45 years old, with at one female victim. Several firearms were found at the scene, however the police department is still looking for suspects, according to Baltimore police Commissioner Richard Worley, who shared that the victims’ injuries currently range from stable to critical.

“Baltimore is grappling with the impacts of another mass shooting event that has taken the life of one Baltimorean and irreparably changed several others. Investigators from the Baltimore Police Department will diligently work to find and hold those who are responsible accountable for this horrific act of violence,” said Baltimore Mayor Scott in a statement. “To those who know who was involved – even if they are your loved one – I implore you to do the right thing and urge them to take accountability. If you have any information that might help us bring justice to our community, call BPD’s homicide tip line at 410-396-2100.”

Mayor Scott announced that his Office of Neighborhood Safety would activate a “coordinated neighborhood stabilization response,” to help the community begin the healing process following the mass shooting. 

“These tragic acts of violence — which are still too common in our city — are only possible because of the continued ease of access to guns on our streets,” said Scott. “We cannot acknowledge this tragedy without acknowledging the role that the proliferation of guns plays in endangering our communities.” 

Witnesses or persons with information or video footage related to the shooting are asked to call 1-866-7LOCKUP.

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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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The AFRO has learned that Maryland Governor Wes Moore will endorse Kamala Harris today. 

According to sources, his intention to unequivocally endorse Harris was announced by Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore late last night on a Zoom call hosted by Win With Black Women. The meeting was closed to press and off the record for those present. 

More than 40,000 Black women were on the call, which began around 10 p.m. on June 21 and concluded after midnight on July 22. Attendees described the occasion as “electrifying” and “encouraging.” As a result, 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 AFRO Staff 

The AFRO American Newspapers, now 131 years old, hosted the company’s 2024 Juneteenth breakfast on June 19 at the Center Club in downtown Baltimore.

The event was a celebration of the Black Press and leaders in the Black community who have helped push the race forward.

“So often we want to honor people after they have died,” AFRO CEO and Publisher Dr. Frances Toni Draper. “I believe that it’s important to give people their flowers while they are still living— especially those who have made so many important contributions to our community.”

“It’s good for people of all ages to be able to meet and celebrate those in our community who continue to do so much for the uplifting of our communities,” she said.

All four honorees, legendary activist and educator Dr. Thelma T. Daley, NNPA Chairman and President Dr. Benjamin Chavis, NNPA Chairman Bobby Henry Sr. and Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew, leader of Root Branch Media Group, were present for the event.

The breakfast attracted attendees from all walks of life, including elected officials like Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott, who addressed the crowd in an all white suit, complete with a nod to Juneteenth on his shirt. 

“Today is a day to be celebrated, it’s a day to remember and reflect, but most importantly it is today to rejoice and celebrate the successful struggle to end slavery in this country,” said Scott. “We have to continue the fight.”

Scott praised the Black Press for recording the triumphs and challenges faced by African Americans and the hard work done to pass Black history from generation to generation.

“We know that for much of our history, the true story of that struggle and those who fought for freedom were passed down by word of mouth, through stories told from friend to friend and family member to family member,” he said. “I’m moved to be in this room with all of you and the legacy that you all represent to all of our honorees. The AFRO, for its entire existence, has served and honored that sacred responsibility.” 

Dr. Kaysona Wise Whitehead, who served as keynote speaker, addressed the importance of Juneteenth, which is now federally recognized across the United States. The holiday is celebrated on June 19 of each year in honor of the day that slaves in Texas learned the Emancipation Proclamation had freed all slaves in Confederate territories that seceded from the Union nearly two years before, on Jan. 1, 1863. 

“People don’t understand where you come from, being formerly enslaved,” said Dr. Whitehead, reminding the audience that Black Press began “when Black folks couldn’t even read,” and “had to run away to the woods to get even an inkling education.” 

“We have to uplift what that means,” she said. “If we don’t tell the world about Black history they will never know. And for those who do know, who are extremely conservative, they will act like they never heard. They’ll pretend they can erase us.” 

“Our duty, our responsibility is to hold up the banner of Black history to remind the world over and over again that we are the cradle of civilization, Black literature, Black understanding, Black family, Black tenacity and dare I add– Black joy,” said Dr. Whitehead.

Each of the honorees received a specialized front page of the AFRO with a story about their life and the work they’ve done in the community. Near the end of the event, Dr. Chavis echoed Whitehead’s sentiments, acknowledging Juneteenth 2024 as a time to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we have to go. 
“We have something to be joyous about,” he said. “We’re joyful for the success and progress, the history and the contemporary impact of the AFRO and all of our newspapers.”

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By Madeline Seck 
AFRO Intern 
mseck@afro.com 

Rihanna Fenty has once again reinvented herself. The singer, songwriter and CEO of Savage X Fenty and Fenty Beauty, announced on June 4 that her new haircare line would launch on June 13. The product will be sold exclusively online and available for delivery in 194 countries worldwide. 

“Fenty Hair was truly created for all types. From my curly people to those who love protective styles, to those with straight or wavy hair, there’s something for you,” said Rihanna on the Fenty Hair website.  

The announcement was first teased on Fenty Hair’s new Instagram page, which surpassed 1,800 followers before the launch date.

On June 10 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Rihanna hosted a Fenty Hair launch party in Los Angeles. The launch party included an in-person pop-up shop, live styling, expert advice and more.

“I wanted to create a lineup of products that are easy to use. I also needed products that can keep with me and fit into my lifestyle,” said Rihanna, in her Fenty Hair campaign video. “Hair health is our top priority.” 

From makeup and skin to fragrances and now hair, Rihanna is settling comfortably into her mogul status. Fenty Beauty has received raving reviews since its 2017 launch, which came one year before the superstar founded her highly successful lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty, in 2018.

The company, Fenty Beauty officially hit the shelves on Sept. 8, 2017. Dropping 40 shades of its Pro Filt’R Foundation in its first launch. The deeper shades sold out in many stores across the nation, setting Fenty Beauty as one of the most popular Black-owned makeup brands in history. 

Following the success of Rihanna’s makeup brand, Fenty Skin came out on July 31, 2020. Fenty Skin care products include cleansers, toners, eye care, moisturizers and more. Fenty Beauty added fragrances to their brand in 2021. 

Fenty Hair products includes shampoo, conditioner, treatments, hair protectant, edge control gel and more. 

The products on the Fenty Beauty site are said to be “clinically tested to repair, strengthen, hydrate, smooth and protect at every step.” 

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By Mekhi Abbott
AFRO Sports Intern
mabbott@afro.com

On June 6, Angel Reese registered a double-double and Chennedy Carter scored 25 points off the bench leading the Chicago Sky to a 79-71 victory over the Washington Mystics in Capital One Arena.

This was Reese’s first game in Capital One Arena since becoming a professional. Reese finished the matchup with 16 points, 11 rebounds and five steals. Six of her 11 rebounds were offensive boards.

It was a homecoming of sorts for Reese. The Mystics typically play at the Sports and Entertainment Arena but the game was moved to Capital One due to fan demand. 10,000 people were in attendance, including Reese’s brother and collegiate basketball player for the Maryland Terrapins, Julian Reese. Reese’s mother and Kim Mulkey, Reese’s coach at Louisiana State University (LSU), were also in attendance. 

“Being able to come back home and get a win, obviously I love the environment,” said Reese.

Going into halftime the Washington Mystics led 44-35. Mystics rookie Aaliyah Edwards started off hot with 16 points, shooting 7-7 from the field. She finished the game with 23 points and 14 rebounds.

On June 1, the Chicago Sky were narrowly defeated by the Indiana Fever, 71-70. In the matchup, Chennedy Carter was accessed a common, away from the ball after shoulder checking Caitlin Clark with 15.1 seconds left in the third quarter. Upon review, the foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 1 on June 2. A Flagrant foul is a foul in which contact against a player, with or without the ball, is deemed unnecessary.

The play resulted in a media whirlwind, with basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman and Indiana congressman Jim Banks chiming in. Lieberman said she “would’ve punched [Carter] in the face” and Banks went the lengths to pen a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, encouraging her to enforce a stricter punishment on Carter.

Scoring 25 points is an early season high for Carter. Since the Sky’s matchup against the Fever, Carter is leading the Sky in scoring with 20.5 points per game. She scored 19 in the matchup against the Fever.

“The moment she comes in [the game], she brings immediate energy. She’s electric…I don’t think enough people pay attention to her defense,” said coach Teresa Witherspoon. 

Reese, the former Maryland Terrapin and Baltimore native, was overwhelmed by the overall reception and turnout during the game. In December, LSU traveled to Baltimore to play Coppin State and Reese led her team in scoring with 26 points and five steals. Just six months later and two months removed from losing to Iowa in the Elite Eight, Reese is 10 games into her professional career. 

The WNBA season begins in May, giving a lot of the top prospects that are draft eligible not even a full month before they have to transition between playing in college to playing in the pros. 

“It’s been great, I am overwhelmed by all of the love. It’s surreal,” said Reese. “I am trying to take it all in but everything is moving so fast.”

The Mystics next game is against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, also in Capital One Arena due to demand. Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky will be returning to Washington on June 14. They face off a total of four times during the regular season.

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By Ama Brown
AFRO Editorial Assistant

Morgan State University (MSU) held Spring 2024 Commencement
Exercises May 16 and 18 at Hughes Memorial Stadium, located on the historically Black institution’s Northeast Baltimore campus. Scholars of all different
ethnicities and religious and cultural backgrounds convened with family,
friends and university leadership to celebrate their accomplishments. Not
even the steady downpour of rain could dampen the spirits gathered to
recognize the Black excellence on display.

The keynote address was given by Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, current
chancellor of the University of Cape Coast. Jonah spoke with graduates
about the future they are tasked with, such as the rise of artificial intelligence
and the changes that the advanced technology will bring. Esson was given an honorary doctorate along with Valerie LaVerne Thomas, Ed.D., one of the many Black women who worked at NASA in the 1960s and 1970s. Thomas graduated from MSU in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in physics, making the 2024 recognition a full circle moment.

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By Aria Brent 
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com 

As commencement season begins, the AFRO spoke with Black graduates from colleges and universities near and far about receiving their degree during a time of protests related to the Israel-Hamas war and the right to freedom of speech. Many students in the class of 2024 also either graduated high school or started college during the 2019- 2020 school year, which was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. 

For high school students, the contagious illness made it nearly impossible to socialize in group settings–making the cancellation of traditional events like prom and graduation nonnegotiable. For college freshman, the first year experience was curtailed as coronavirus spread from city to city, ultimately making numerous laps around the globe as different strains emerged.

Ja’Miyah Stokes, a recent graduate of Jackson State University, was a high school senior when the pandemic abruptly halted her day-to-today life.

“Not having an actual graduation ceremony was hard,” she said. “I was mad for a while because I had worked hard and had been through so much during my high school experience, so I was looking forward to my big moment.”

Kairee Hunter, 22, a native of West Baltimore, graduated from Penn State with a degree in animal science on May 4.

He started at Penn State’s Harrisburg campus in the Fall of 2019, thinking he would have a full freshman year like so many students before him. Instead, he went home for spring break in 2020 and didn’t return again for more than a year.

“It was kind of weird because we didn’t even finish the first year,” Hunter told the AFRO. “We were on spring break and they told us not to come back.” 

Once the campus reopened with the option to return in his sophomore year, Hunter decided to remain at home with his family. But it was no easy feat. Hunter was trying to matriculate at a university in a degree program that was heavy with lab work for future veterinarians. 

“It was weird transitioning and picking up where we left off –trying to act like nothing would be affected. It was weird in terms of the comfortability levels in the classroom. Some went back, but I stayed virtual from Fall 2020 through Spring 2021,” he said. 

Throughout two years at Penn State’s Harrisburg campus, and three years at the historic institution’s main campus, Hunter overcame mountain after mountain. 

First, there was the aspect of learning how to become a veterinarian– virtually.

“It made me less focused. When I was on Zoom I was more distracted,” he recalled. 

Then there was the isolation. For Hunter, who was already comfortable being by himself and “marching to the beat of his own drum,” the social opportunities missed began to take their toll.

“I definitely missed out on the social aspect,” he said. “It was hard to actually envelop myself. Normally I would talk to different people, we would study together or compare assignments.” None of that was possible in a global pandemic with – at the time– no vaccine to fight it. 

Looking back, Hunter is just glad he made it through and was able to actually have a graduation– something that is eluding more and more students across the nation as protests and calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war intensify. 

On Oct. 7 terrorists from Gaza shot, assaulted and kidnapped thousands of Israelis in an early morning attack, prompting an Israeli response that many say is unfairly impacting innocent Palenstinians in Gaza. Now, American college students are protesting, staging sit-ins and calling for the U.S to stop Israel’s plan to wipe Hamas “off the face of the earth,” according to the words of Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. 

“It’s not at all fair,” said Hunter, speaking on the canceled graduation ceremonies being canceled as American students demand divestment from Israel and call for the country to stop the brutal attacks in Gaza. 

“I don’t think that schools are responding in the appropriate way by calling the police, tearing down the camps and taking away the graduations. This is our Constitutional right,” said Hunter. “It’s very backwards.” 

President Joe Biden recently spoke on the chaos unfolding across the country on college campuses. “Violent protest is not protected – peaceful protest is,” said Biden. “Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations – none of this is a peaceful protest.”

Biden also spoke against protestors that threaten or instill fear in others.

“There is no place for hate speech, or violence of any kind: anti-semitism, islamophobia, discrimination against Arab-Americans or Palestinian-Americans,” said Biden. “It’s simply wrong. There’s no place for racism in America.”

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is one of the universities throughout the U.S. that has canceled their classes due to protests and encampments turning violent.

Jenae Talison is a second year graduate student at UCLA who has watched over the last two weeks as the turmoil on campus has unfolded. As graduation approaches, she noted that the ongoing protests on campus have resulted in an increased police presence and disruptions to campus activities.

“We’ve been virtual for like the last two weeks and it’s been weird having to continue life as a student like people aren’t being attacked and arrested down the street,” stated Talison. “They just randomly emailed us about classes being virtual and the abruptness of it all reminded me of COVID.”

The soon-to-be graduate explained that although she lives off campus, the effects of the protester and police interaction have affected her motivation to finish classes strong this quarter. She recalled the events that happened on campus that led up to the current environment the student body is dealing with. Talison clarified that UCLA is still scheduled to have their main commencement ceremonies the weekend of June 14 to June 16, however she is fearful that they’ll cancel them in the month they have left before the big ceremonies.  

“They canceled USC’s ceremony and I’m a little nervous we’re next. We’re a public university so our policies for protesting are a little different, but they’ve been enforcing similar police protocols for the protesting that’s been happening,” she stated. “We need more security for the students’ safety.”

Although institutes like Columbia University and the University of Southern California have canceled their commencement ceremonies, other colleges, like Lincoln University in Philadelphia, have held their graduation exercises according to plan. On the list of 2024 graduates were two special names: Ericka Alston Buck, the AFRO’s arts and culture writer, and the legendary icon, Stevie Wonder, who received an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Alston Buck has been working on her undergraduate degree in human resources for two decades. On May 5, she walked across the stage and officially earned her degree after the challenges of adult life, parenthood and a global pandemic.

“Lincoln University understands the needs of adult students. Being able to graduate while working full time and being a parent made this 20-year journey possible for me,” said Alston Buck. “Receiving my degree on the same day that Stevie Wonder received his honorary doctorate made the moment all the more special. He is an iconic figure in the music industry and a champion for social causes.” 

“He epitomizes the spirit of excellence and service that Lincoln University instills in its graduates,” Buck continued. “His presence added an extra layer of significance to an already momentous occasion.”

Stevie Wonder’s next commencement stop will be the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, where he is set to speak on May 23 after Misty Copeland gives her address at the institution on May 22.

AFRO Political Reporter Tashi McQueen contributed to this article. 

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By AFRO Staff

Graduation season is upon us! On May 5,  Lincoln University, the first degree-granting historically Black college or university (HBCU), proudly held its 165th Commencement Ceremony. Over 400 undergraduate and graduate students were honored, marking the culmination of their academic journey and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

The ceremony, held on Lincoln’s main campus, was a momentous occasion filled with joy, pride and celebration. Distinguished speakers for the event included Bryan Stevenson, the esteemed founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, who delivered the keynote address. Stevenson, known for his tireless advocacy for social justice, resonated deeply with Lincoln’s commitment to critical thought and equity.

Lincoln University President Brenda A. Allen, Ph.D., expressed her admiration for the esteemed speakers. 

“Bryan Stevenson addressing our graduates at Lincoln University’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony stands as a testament to the university’s dedication to fostering critical thought and pursuing social justice,” said Allen. 

The ceremony also bestowed honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees upon four remarkable individuals: Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Cherelle Parker, of the class of 1994, Stevie Wonder and Bryan Stevenson himself. Each honoree has made indelible contributions to society, embodying the excellence and leadership that Lincoln University champions.

The commencement was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a testament to the resilience and determination of its graduates. 

Among them was AFRO Arts and Culture writer, Ericka Alston Buck, who received her degree in human services. Buck’s journey to graduation was particularly inspiring, having navigated the challenges of adult life, parenthood and the COVID-19 pandemic– all while pursuing her education. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and dedication.

“Lincoln University understands the needs of adult students. Being able to graduate while working full time and being a parent made this 20-year journey possible for me,” said Buck. “Receiving my degree on the same day that Stevie Wonder received his honorary doctorate made the moment all the more special. He is an iconic figure in the music industry and a champion for social causes.” 

“He epitomizes the spirit of excellence and service that Lincoln University instills in its graduates,” Buck continued. “His presence added an extra layer of significance to an already momentous occasion.”

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By AFRO Staff

In the Democratic primary election, the AFRO endorses Baltimore City Brandon M. Scott for reelection as Mayor of Baltimore City. 

During his first term, his plans have led to a reduction in gun violence, an increase in funding and services to young people and a projected decrease in quality of life crimes currently plaguing the city.

Under Scott’s leadership, homicides in Baltimore have decreased, with fewer than 300 homicides in 2023, the first time since 2015. His focus on the needs of his constituents has been unwavering, and he has shown a strong dedication to improving the lives of Baltimore residents.

Scott has brought a youthful energy and a deep commitment to serving the people of Baltimore–particularly during challenging times such as the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

This election is competitive, with former Mayor Sheila Dixon as a formidable opponent. Other democratic contenders include former Deputy Attorney General of Maryland, Thiru Vignarajah, and businessman Bob Wallace. However, the AFRO believes Scott deserves the opportunity to finish what he has started under his administration. The economy is growing, employment is up and Scott’s efforts to address the city’s vacant housing program are commendable.

Scott’s work with the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) and Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD) has been instrumental in moving Baltimore forward. 

While the AFRO endorsed former Mayor Sheila Dixon in the last election cycle, we believe that at this juncture, Scott is the best person for the job. His leadership has been effective, and he has proven his commitment to making Baltimore a better place for all its residents. 

With 17 years of service to his credit, Mayor Brandon Scott is eager to continue what he’s begun. The AFRO joins many Baltimoreans in wanting to see the completion, and hopefully, the success of current programs led by Scott and his administration. For this reason, the AFRO endorses Brandon Scott for another term as mayor of Baltimore City. 

#Endorsements #AFROEndorsements #Election2024 #Primaryelection

#voters #Blackvoters #ElectionDay2024

The post Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott picks up AFRO endorsement in 2024 election appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Nick Mosby is running for re-election as president of the Baltimore City Council. Mosby has held the position for the last four years. Prior to his term as council president, he served local residents in a variety of roles, including a representative for District 40 in the Maryland House of Delegates and a representative of District 7 on the Baltimore City Council. 

Mosby has previously fought for financial aid for GED recipients and fair hiring laws for formerly incarcerated citizens. A graduate of Tuskegee University, Mosby has also prioritized the promotion and strengthening of Maryland’s Historically Black colleges and universities by creating a tax credit to increase their endowments. His lengthy resume of community oriented initiatives shows Mosby’s ability to continue his work on the Baltimore City Council. 

Through a series of challenges including several months of unpaid utility bills and lying to the media about paying a $40,000 tax lien, Mosby has been able to maintain his integrity as a city leader.

Although Mosby has been accepting donations from large corporations, unions and PACS, his opponent Shannon Sneed is using public funding to finance her education focused city council presidential campaign. 

Even in the face of adversity, Mosby has shown his ability to work with others in Baltimore’s political atmosphere. In November of 2023 Mosby found himself at odds with Mayor Brandon Scott after Scott vetoed a bill Mosby created in regards to the city’s new district lines.

For these reasons, the AFRO endorses Nick Mosby for re-election as Baltimore City Council president. 

#Endorsements #AFROEndorsements #Election2024 #Primaryelection

#voters #Blackvoters #ElectionDay2024

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By AFRO Staff

There’s an open seat on the Baltimore City Council for District 8 after Kristerfer A. Burnett announced he will not be running for re-election. Del. Bilal Ali amongst the five candidates that are  looking to fill the position. 

Previously, he served in the Maryland legislature as a delegate for District 41. The former delegate served from February 2017 to January 2019. He was appointed to fill a vacancy and then defeated for election in the 2018 Democratic primary.With previous experience serving on the State Central Democratic Committee, he is promising to use his connections from over the years to provide resources to the residents of District 8 and beyond if elected to City Council. 

The veteran politician is focused on public safety,  education, community development and housing security for elders. Ali shared with the AFRO that ensuring our youth are learning at their appropriate grade levels is something he’s looking to prioritize due to the long term effects that can occur when children are behind in school. 

His commitment to Baltimore City has been seen through the work he’s previously done and his desire to continue this work is undeniably clear. For this reason, the AFRO endorses Del. Bilal Ali for Baltimore City Council in District 8. 

#Endorsements #AFROEndorsements #Election2024 #Primaryelection

#voters #Blackvoters #ElectionDay2024

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By AFRO Staff

Baltimore County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski Jr. stands out when scrolling the list of candidates for Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District.

As county executive, he has modernized Baltimore County’s government and addressed issues like police reform and gun safety. Though he is only 41, he is a veteran of politics, having served in political offices since he was 23.

Olszewski was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2006, serving District 6 until 2015. While there, he served as chairman of the Baltimore County House Delegation, helping lead economic growth and school board reform efforts for the county. He was also in the House Economic Matters Committee and chaired the subcommittee on Banking, Economic Development, Science and Technology.

In the past month, Olszewski  has shown extraordinary leadership as state and local leaders plan and execute recovery efforts for the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in the early morning hours of March 26 after being struck by a container ship. The catastrophic event has been gracefully handled by Olszewski and an array of stakeholders.

Olszewski has served the community in a variety of ways over the years, including being a teacher in the Baltimore County Public School System, being a member of the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee and a delegate in the 2012 Democratic Party National Convention.

For all of these reasons, the AFRO endorses Olszewski as the Democratic nominee to represent 2nd Congressional District.

The post John “Johnny O” Olszewski Jr. endorsed by the AFRO in race for Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Delegate Mike Rogers is running for election as Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rogers is currently serving as the representative for District 32 as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and has over 30 years of service in the U.S. military. 

In his current role, Del. Rogers serves on the economic matters committee where he’s been able to support legislation that is focused on subjects such as insurance, alcohol, utilities and veteran affairs. With a community oriented mindset and a passion for service, Rogers is promising to continue the work he’s been doing in the House of Delegates if elected to the Senate. 

His lengthy background in leadership both in the community and the military, along with his legislative experience gives him a skill set that separates him from 21 other candidates in the race for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District. He is the only candidate in the race that is a sitting legislator with military experience, in addition to being the first Black man to serve as the chair of the Anne Arundel County Delegation. 

With plans to combat issues like crime and community safety from the inside out with programs like Policing and Communities Together (P.A.C.T),nRogers intends to expand the work he’s done in Anne Arndel to a statewide level. He is a candidate that understands the power of this position and he wants to use it to address issues that directly affect our communities. Rogers is ready to create legislation that will oppose environmental justice matters, like the zoning of minority majority neighborhoods and commercial entities like dump sites. 

Rogers’ service in the military has made veterans affairs a top priority for him. He’s promising to ensure security and consistency in the funding for the local Veterans Affairs facilities and quicker turnaround times for veterans when it comes to receiving their benefits. In addition to this, Rogers wants to educate veterans about all of the resources and systems that are in place for their benefit. 

His passion for the betterment of our communities has spoken for itself throughout the years, however it is time for Rogers’ work to benefit a larger audience. For this reason, the AFRO endorses Delegate Mike Rogers for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District representative in the U.S. House.

#Endorsements #AFROEndorsements #Election2024 #Primaryelection

#voters #Blackvoters #ElectionDay2024

The post AFRO endorsement: Mike Rogers for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Prince George’s County (PG County) Executive, Angela Alsobrooks, a life-long Prince Georgian, is running to be the Democratic nominee in the race for Maryland’s representative in the U.S. Senate. Alsobrooks is seeking a seat vacated by long-time Sen. Ben Cardin, who announced his retirement last May.

Alsobrooks is a native of Maryland and has dedicated nearly 30 years of service to families throughout the state in a variety of roles. During her time as PG County State’s Attorney, she says she learned how opportunities or resources often miss residents who eventually have run-ins with the law. With a new perspective and the power to provide change for these disadvantaged individuals, she has worked to improve healthcare, neighborhood safety, new schools and facilities that focused on addiction and mental health care.

The former State’s Attorney, who has been PG County Executive since 2018, has a platform that is centered around issues like education, reproductive health, gun violence, economic opportunity and affordable housing. Alsobrooks is promising to fight against matters that are disproportionately affecting minority communities across the nation. At the top of her agenda is women’s reproductive care, noting that she plans to pass legislation that will focus on not just proper access to abortion care but a woman’s right to privacy, access to contraception and funding for Planned Parenthood.

Alsobrooks told the AFRO she recognizes Marylanders have concerns around economic opportunities available, and she has promised to focus on bringing back infrastructure resources like transportation, and internet access in rural areas. Alsobrooks says the efforts are aimed at building a better economy and further qualifying Maryland as the perfect area for high paying jobs. She has already proven her ability to bring economic opportunity to Maryland, seen in her efforts to bring the FBI National headquarters back to Maryland.

Her work within the community has allowed her to pinpoint Marylanders biggest grievances, one of those being affordable housing. She is dedicated to lowering the cost of housing and making things such as healthcare more affordable so that families throughout the state can thrive.

After years of working directly with members of the community who have been disadvantaged she’s approaching this campaign with an understanding that those who are closest to the problem are usually closest to the solution as well. In knowing this, Alsobrooks has promised to create policies that are mindful of those it’s meant to benefit and serve.

The need for Black women’s representation in the U.S. Congress is evident, furthermore Alsobrooks qualifications for this position is equally apparent. She has a results-oriented record that speaks for itself and for this reason, along many others, the AFRO endorses Angela Alsobrooks as the Democratic nominee in the race for Maryland’s representative in the U.S. Congress. The Democratic primary election takes place on May 14, with early voting taking place May 2-9.

#Endorsements #AFROEndorsements #Election2024 #Primaryelection

#voters #Blackvoters #ElectionDay2024

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By AFRO Staff

This week, the AFRO is proud to announce an endorsement of incumbent Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07), who is running for re-election in Maryland’s 7th Congressional District.

“I believe that you judge a product by how it’s performed in the past,” said Mfume. “I would like to think that my performance has been more than adequate. I’ve worked extremely hard–day in and day out– to make sure that the citizens of this district and their views are heard.”

Mfume has spent years helping people through public service as a Baltimore City Council member and currently as a congressman. The 75-year-old originally served as the representative of the 7th Congressional District from 1987 to 1996 but returned to the office in 2020.

Mfume has spent time bettering the community as president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and as an assistant professor at his alma mater, Morgan State University. He is also a member of the advisory board for the Schomburg Commission for the Preservation of Black Culture.

His work in the 118^th Congress includes helping to secure $500,000 for the Belvedere Place Affordable Rental Housing Development, $1.25 million for the Acquisition and Renovation of Blighted Properties in Park Heights and more than $5 million to support gun violence prevention projects throughout the state.

“I’m really concerned about this whole issue of mass shootings in our society,” said Mfume on his top agenda items if re-elected. “I’m working very hard on the Mass Shooters Act which would collect data and give the justice department extra things to go for in terms of a digital footprint.”

He also said, if re-elected, he plans to work on the Stop Online Ammunition Act, a bill that would set limits on the online ammunition market to help prevent mass shootings and gun violence across the U.S. 

“I’d like to finish much of the stuff I’ve started, even though I’ve gotten a lot done,” said Mfume. “I appreciate all the support that I’ve gotten to this point.”

#Endorsements #AFROEndorsements #Election2024 #Primaryelection

#voters #Blackvoters #ElectionDay2024

The post AFRO endorses incumbent Kweisi Mfume for U.S. Representative of Maryland’s 7th Congressional District appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Donald Payne Jr., a beloved lawmaker, who represented New Jersey’s 10 Congressional District on Capitol Hill for 11 years, died April 24, his office announced. The 65-year-old died of a heart attack due to complications from diabetes and hypertension.

“Today, the Congressional Black Caucus mourns the loss of our dear colleague and friend,” the CBC said in a joint statement. “Representative Payne will be remembered by all those who knew him for his kindness and generosity. He leaves behind a legacy and commitment to service that New Jerseyans and our country will not soon forget.”

Payne Jr. somewhat reluctantly ran for and won his congressional seat in 2012, following the death of his father, Donald Payne Sr., who was the first African American elected to represent New Jersey in Congress and was a beloved son of the state during his more than two decades on Capitol Hill. 

A member of one of Newark’s prominent political families, Payne Jr. was deeply embedded in the community, living his entire life on Newark’s Bock Avenue. Before his stint in Washington, he previously served his community as a member of the New Jersey City Council, as a president of the South Ward Young Democrats, as a Garden State Parkway toll collector and for the Essex County Educational Services Commission. 

“As a former union worker and toll collector, he deeply understood the struggles our working families face, and he fought valiantly to serve their needs, every single day,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement announcing the congressman’s death.. “That purpose was the light that guided him through his early years as Newark City Council President and during his tenure on the Essex County Board of Commissioners. And it guided him still through his more than a decade of service in Congress.”

Known for his sartorial flair and signature bow ties, Payne was deemed an “effective” leader in Congress, serving on the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, and as the ranking member and chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. In his latter role, most notably, introduced the INVEST in America Act, which became the bipartisan, $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to provide funds for critical road and rail projects, such as New Jersey’s Portal North Bridge and Hudson River Tunnel in the Gateway Program.  

Additionally, Payne was a fierce advocate of racial justice, equal rights for all, reproductive freedom, free college tuition, and public transportation; he fought to expand access to health care, clean drinking water, and cancer screenings; and worked to prevent gun violence, protect voting rights, and promote environmental issues. 

President Biden said Payne, who “represented the best of Newark, a community of faith, grit, and hard work,” has been a stalwart partner on Capitol Hill, even co-sponsoring the 2013 law reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act that Biden first wrote years ago.

“They,” the president said of Payne’s legislative efforts, “will be a piece of his legacy forever.”

He added, “Don Payne was an accomplished public servant whose kind strength and generosity of spirit won him love across his district and the U.S. Congress. I’ve trusted his partnership throughout my presidency, and always been grateful for his insight and support.”

Payne is survived by his wife Beatrice and their three adult triplets: Donald III, Jack and Yvonne.

The post CBC member Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ama Brown,
AFRO Editorial Assistant

Associated Black Charities (ABC) recently hosted a Free Teen Financial Literacy Summit for all ages at The Doubletree by Hilton in Pikesville, Md. on April 13. The event, sponsored by SECU, offered all teens in attendance a new account with a free $25 deposit.

Guests enjoyed breakfast and lunch at the summit, which divided attendees into groups that focused on different finance subjects. Breakout sessions included time allocated specifically to topics such as the job search and interviewing skills, entrepreneurship and investing and breaking generational mindsets.

Chrissy M. Thornton, executive director of ABC, welcomed the teens and community stakeholders to the event, which included a keynote address Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby.

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By AFRO Staff

On April 17 members of the Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness celebrated the work of Angela Celestin, executive vice president and chief of human resources at CareFirst BlueCross Blueshield, and Robert Matthews, vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Exelon. 

The event was the third annual installation of Louder, an event aimed at honoring those who have shown “outstanding leadership and dedication to fostering workplaces that support their employees’ mental health,” according to information released by the organization. 

The event took place at The Winslow in Baltimore and was sponsored by a host of businesses including BGE; Brown Advisory; Carefirst; Bloomtopia; Bon Secours; Exelon; PWC; Pepco Holdings; Tracy and Patric Sutton; Sheppard Pratt and Whiting Turner. 

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By AFRO Staff

The ladies of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s (NCBW) Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter hosted “Pearls with a Purpose” on April 14. The event, which featured a deluxe bull roast, took place at Martin’s West in Baltimore. DJ KeeBee provided sounds for the evening, as attendees enjoyed a three-hour buffet and open-bar. 

While there was plenty of fellowship and networking to do, the event was also a fundraiser. Proceeds from the event will help the NCBW’s Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter continue their advocacy work through community programming. The funds will be aimed specifically at “the areas of health, education and economic empowerment,” according to information released by the organization. 

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By AFRO Staff

Knowledge is power- but the process of learning how to properly deal with money is often a hard lesson. In honor of National Financial Literacy Month, members of the AFRO team weighed in on how they have navigated their finances over the years and tips they have used along the way. Read below and send your finance tips in to the AFRO at editor@afro.com

Question 1: What is the best financial advice you have ever received? Who gave it to you?

Question 2: Have you ever been in a tight financial situation? How did you get through it?

Q1: “The best financial advice you ever got was in reference to stocks: hold your investment until you make a 10-15 percent profit and reinvest all the profits you make. That came from a friend who is a successful portfolio manager.”

Q2: “I’ve been in a tight financial situation. I got through it by cutting my day-to-day costs as much as possible and paying off the debts that were accruing the most interest first.” 

-Yahya Abdelhamid

 AFRO Media Sales Consultant

Q1: “The best financial advice I have ever received is “save, save, save.” My pastor, Rev. Willie B. Tripp of Bibleway Community Church of God, gave me this advice.

Q2: “I have been in tight financial situations before and to get through them I used my pastor’s advice. I leaned on loved ones for support, advice and encouragement while I kept working and researching ways to save money and make more.”

-Tashi McQueen

 AFRO Political Writer

Q1: “The best financial advice I ever received came from Michael Shacklette. He was the president of a multimillion dollar construction company. He told me ‘If your business isn’t paying your bills– it’s not a business, it’s a hobby.” He told me I needed to “get a job.” I learned that there was no shame in going back to work when my business wasn’t turning a profit or paying my bills. I’m proud to say that I’ve not had to go back to work for anyone since 2018!”

Q2: “I once got out of a financial bind by selling four pairs of designer shoes and three handbags. I keep my high ticket items in great condition just in case I’ve got to cash them in, in the future. That crisis was to pay my daughter’s student loans off, she’s debt free.”

–Ericka Alston Buck

AFRO Freelancer, Arts and Culture

Q1: “My grandfather [said] save your money.”

Q2:  “I have been in a tight financial situation. I’ve cried, prayed and used resourcefulness to find solutions. Otherwise, I borrowed.” 

–Edward Robinson
AFRO Contributor, Sports

Q1: “The best financial advice I ever got was to only spend what I have to spend and to be realistic when it comes to memberships and subscriptions.”

Q2: “When in a tight financial situation I usually fall back on credit cards. I try to only use it for emergencies because it is easy to be dependent on them. And, of course, I bug my parents when I need some help, especially as a college student.”

–Ayriana Griffin
AFRO Freelancer

Q1: “Use payroll deductions! When you don’t see it, that makes you not want to touch it so fast.

This was advice from a co-worker.”

Q2:  “I took money from my stocks to get ahead.” 

–James Fields
AFRO Photographer

Q1: “‘Pay yourself first – add to your savings and retirement plans,’” [was] told to me by my dad.

Q2: “Yes, several times. My support was from a Black bank –“my family.” Even now, [with] my parents passed on, my mom instilled in her children to support each other and I can always count on my siblings.”

–Bonnie Deanes

AFRO Finance Manager

Q1: “When I got my first job in high school, my father told me I needed to put 20 percent of each paycheck into a savings account. Being 15 at the time, I didn’t really understand why it was necessary. I was just excited to have my own money to spend. But, the practice became routine, and it’s benefited me ever since.”

Q2: “To support myself during college, I worked at a local wedding venue during the summers. When the semester started, I would work sporadically, but I made the bulk of my money in the summer. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, my hours were cut significantly the summer before my senior year. This meant I went into the school year with a lot less money compared to prior years. To offset the hit to my bank account, I became a delivery driver for Postmates and Instacart. When school started and events picked back up again at my job, I spent my weekends working at the venue. This combined with a strict budget helped me get through the year with a modest amount of money to spare.”

-Megan StylesAFRO Business Writer

The post Spotlight on finances: Tips and tricks from the AFRO team appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Morgan Price’s name is now etched into the history books.

The Fisk University gymnast on April 12 won the all-around title at the 2024 USAG Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Nationals held in West Chester, Pennsylvania, making her the first gymnast from a historically Black college or university to claim the championship.

“It feels good because of the hard work that has been put in,” said Price in a statement. “Honestly, I didn’t know where I would place but it was a pleasant surprise. I have heard from a lot of people so far. I am still trying to take all this in.”

The athlete garnered scores of 9.850 on the floor exercise, 9.850 on the vault, 9.8 on the bars and 9.750 on the balance beam, giving her an overall score of 39.225 to clinch the victory. She will compete for individual titles in the bars, vault and floor exercise events on April 14.

Price had a rich source of inspiration in her head coach, Corrine Tarver. In 1989, the 56-year-old became the first African American woman to win the All-Around Gymnastics Championship while representing the University of Georgia. Now, she can add coaching a history-making champion to her accolades.

“This moment is all about Morgan,” said Tarver when she was asked about her title. “I am extremely proud of the dedication she has to her craft. I am anticipating her doing well in the individuals.”

The post Fisk University’s Morgan Price becomes 1st HBCU gymnast to win national title appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Alexis Taylor
AFRO Managing Editor 
ataylor@afro.com
And 
Aria Brent 
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

Cristina Easton was 34 when she found out she miscarried her very first child. 

The first issue? She never even knew she was pregnant. 

“I was told in a very matter of fact way,” she recalls. “It changes you when you find out about a pregnancy that way. I never got the ‘Oh my gosh– I’m so excited,’ phase. I went to the emergency room because I was in significant pain.” 

Today, the experience and the coldness of it all sticks with her– even though she went on to have a healthy baby just two years later. Easton was just one of the women the AFRO spoke with for Black Maternal Health Week, recognized each year April 11-17. 

“You spend your whole life trying not to get pregnant so you can go to school, get settled in your career and find the right person,” Easton told the AFRO. “I never thought about miscarriage until it happened.”

And she wasn’t alone.  

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Black mothers were more than twice as likely to experience stillbirth compared to Hispanic and White mothers” in recent studies. 

The data is worse when it comes to Black maternal mortality. 

“Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women,” reports the CDC. “Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as variation in quality healthcare, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism and implicit bias. Social determinants of health prevent many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical and emotional health.”

Experts have been ringing the alarm for years about rising maternal mortality in the Black community and solutions to the deaths which are– in large part–preventable.

“Recommendations include addressing implicit bias and improving cultural humility in the healthcare sector,” according to the 2023 report titled, “Listen to the Whispers before They Become Screams: Addressing Black Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in the United States.” Other suggestions include “diversifying the workforce, incorporating social determinants of health and health disparities into the medical and health professions curriculum, exploring the impact of environmental and occupational exposures on maternal morbidity and mortality, addressing the impact of structural racism on health outcomes and improving social policies and programs.”

Easton, now a 40-year-old education consultant, agrees that awareness, a bias-free birthing team, close monitoring and community support kept her from becoming a statistic. As she was 35 when she conceived her second child, Easton says her doctor, Dr. Robert Atlas, and the team at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore watched her closely, monitoring everything while she carried her child through what was considered a “geriatric pregnancy,” due to her age. 

It was during this time, for example, that she became aware of her low blood pressure. 

“I credit my team because they were watching me,” said Easton. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists high blood pressure during pregnancy or postpartum as one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. When Easton’s birthing team saw a blood pressure result that would normally be deemed “regular,” they used the background information they had about her naturally low blood pressure and instead became alarmed. She was given compression socks and monitored closely. And with good reason. 

A 2023 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force report showed that “the risk of dying of eclampsia and preeclampsia is about five times greater for Black individuals.” According to the 

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), “preeclampsia and eclampsia are pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorders.” 

“In preeclampsia, the mother’s high blood pressure reduces the blood supply to the fetus, which may get less oxygen and fewer nutrients,” reports NICHD. “Eclampsia is when pregnant women with preeclampsia develop seizures or coma.” 

It was a risk that Ciara Stevens, a college access educator and mother of two, also had to face.

“I had my daughter in October of 2019. At the time I was preparing to turn 34, which is older than the typical maternal age. At the time one of my biggest fears was preeclampsia and gestational diabetes,” recalled Stevens. “When I went into labor with my daughter they had to give both her and myself oxygen because my blood pressure was high. After giving birth we were both fine.”

Stevens said her deliveries in both 2019 and 2023 had complications related to high blood pressure.

The risk of experiencing complications– and having concerns dismissed- are just two of the many reasons Black women experience anxiety related to childbirth. 

Rashaun James, an instructional coach and mother of two, spoke about the anxious feelings she experienced during her pregnancy.

“I was very concerned about the doctors being dismissive or telling them that I was feeling unwell,” stated James. “I feel like they look at Black women like we just ‘get pregnant’ by somebody and here you are with this baby. They don’t always treat you like you’re a real person with feelings–but you are.”

When James conceived her twins, she had already had a miscarriage. She was mindful of how she took care of herself, but her greatest concern was something she couldn’t control: her doctors and nurses being biased.

“I had a miscarriage before my pregnancy, but when I was actually pregnant I had experienced some bleeding so I called the nurse and I was so scared. I asked her ‘what should I do ?’” 

“At that point, I had already announced my pregnancy. I knew that I was having twins and I was so scared that I had miscarried again,” James stated. “I was asking her what to do and if we should come in and she told me ‘well we don’t have a magic button or something that we can push to make it stop,’” recalls James. “I wondered would she have said that to a White woman.”

When it comes to Black women and their pregnancies, many mothers are left advocating for themselves. Both James and Stevens advise all expecting mothers to get a second opinion from a different healthcare professional if the first one doesn’t seem right. They also warn that Black women must learn to trust their bodies. Several of the mothers that spoke with the AFRO emphasized how important it is to stand firmly in their concerns during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. 

“I tell people all the time that the medical field is to Black women, what police are to Black men–dangerous! It just seems like more times than not they don’t take our concerns seriously,” exclaimed Jada Dunwoody-Brent, a flight attendant and mother of three. “I didn’t have any issues with my pregnancies, but I recognize how important it is for us to look out for ourselves and if you can’t look out for yourself–have someone who can.”

Easton said mental health and support are key while making the transition into motherhood.

“Culturally, we’re seen as the living superwomen – we’re not. As a community, we aren’t as quick to ask for mental health help or admit when we’re struggling and I think that is important to address,” she said. 

“The crisis is often captured in deaths–but it’s not always that you’re going to die,” Easton noted. “You cannot raise a child if you do not have the mental fortitude. If you’re not right mentally you may not pay attention to certain things your body is telling you. You cannot take care of yourself and another human when your mind is not right –especially for Black women who already experience a lot of mental stress just existing in America in 2024.” 

The post Black women speak on motherhood during Black Maternal Health Week appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Sandra E. Crouch, senior pastor of New Christ Memorial Church, has died at age 81. 

According to Billboard, the death came on March 17,  while Crouch was at Northridge Hospital in Northridge, Calif. Crouch had been admitted to the hospital after receiving treatment for a non-cancerous lesion on her brain. 

Crouch, the twin sister of the famed gospel artist, Andraé Crouch, was well known in the faith community and in the entertainment industry as a Grammy-award winning singer. In 1983, according to information from the Recording Academy, Crouch took home the Grammy Award for best soul gospel performance by a female artist. In addition to her vocals, she was known for her work in the percussion arena as well. Most notably, she played percussion for the Jackson 5’s hit classic, “I Want You Back.” 

According to information released by the church that she pastored, Crouch “was ordained as an elder in 1998, but learned how to teach and preach long before that by watching her father the late Bishop Benjamin J. Crouch. She was a “dynamic and passionate servant of God” who strove to “make His Word relatable for all age groups.” 

A musical tribute and viewing will honor Crouch on April 16. A celebration of life will be held for Crouch on April 17. All ceremonies will be held at New Christ Memorial Church, located at 13333 Vaughn Street in San Fernando, Calif. 

The post Sandra Crouch dies at age 81 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has issued an alert on Facebook and other social media platforms warning drivers to “avoid I-695 southeast corridor” as a portion of the I-695 Francis Scott Key Bridge suffered a “collapse due to ship strike.” 

The I-95 and I-895 tunnels are alternative routes to the Key Bridge.

Videos showing the scene immediately began to make rounds on social media. A ship can be seen striking a pillar of the bridge, causing a major portion of it to fall into the Baltimore Harbor in the early morning of March 26.

Emergency personnel have responded, as multiple cars can be seen actively using the bridge for travel at the moment it collapsed.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski commented on the incident via social media. 

“We are closely monitoring the ongoing situation at the Key Bridge,” said Olszewski to his followers on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. 

“I remain in contact with our emergency response team as well as state and local partners,” he said. “Response efforts are ongoing. Our prayers remain with all those impacted.” 

According to information released by MDTA, the Key Bridge opened in 1977 and was “the third longest continuous truss bridge in the world. With the main span stretching 1,200 feet.” 

Later in the morning, Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency due to the collapse.

“My office is in close communication with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, and the Baltimore Fire Department as emergency personnel are on the scene following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” said Gov. Wes Moore in a statement. “I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration.”

Moore continued, “We will remain in close contact with federal, state, and local entities that are conducting rescue efforts as we continue to assess and respond to this tragedy.”

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman spoke out on the incident.

“It is truly horrific to see reports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse early this morning. I am praying for and thinking of all those people who were traveling on the bridge, as well as the crew of the cargo ship involved and their families,” said Lierman in a statement. “I am so grateful for the efforts of first responders from around the state assisting with the ongoing search for victims and survivors. I ask Marylanders to be alert as they make their way around the area today.”

The post Baltimore’s Key Bridge struck by ship, collapses into water appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aria Brent,
AFRO Staff Writer,
abrent@afro.com

And

Tashi McQueen,
AFRO Political Writer,
tmcqueen@afro.com

As the 2024 Maryland General Assembly comes to an end, Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD), a local community advocacy organization, spoke with the AFRO about the legislation they’re looking to pass this session.

Cross-filed legislation, House Bill 531(H.B.531) and Senate Bill 728 (S.B.728), have been heavily supported by BUILD this year and they’re excited for the impact the bill will have on the Baltimore community.

“The bill would make sure that a person’s parole is neither extended or violated and they are re-incarcerated because of parole fees,” said Sen. Jill Carter (D-Md.-41), the Senate bill sponsor. “Oftentimes, people are trying to get on their feet. They don’t have employment because they have a felony conviction.”

“To continue to have people pay these fees and have their lives hurt in other ways when they can’t even find gainful employment with the conviction on their record. It’s just nonsensical,” she continued.

S.B.728 and H.B. 531 would eliminate the $50 monthly parole supervision and the drug or alcohol abuse testing fees.

“If they don’t pay it they are being threatened to be sent back to prison,” said Marquis Howard, associate organizer with BUILD. 

H.B. 531 has been passed in the House by a 107-26 vote, meaning it now has a chance to be heard in the Senate and passed to the governor’s desk for a signature before the session ends.

“We will continue our work organizing returning citizens, and I’m sure some other barriers will come up that we’ll work with them to organize around,” said Leslie McMillan, a co-chair of BUILD.

A top priority for BUILD is their commitment alongside the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) and Mayor Brandon M. Scott in an effort to eradicate the city’s longtime vacant housing crisis. Their endeavor includes a $3 billion investment throughout the next 15 years.

From 2016-2020, the city had 16,000 plus vacant homes but, according to the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, the number of vacant and abandoned properties in Baltimore dropped to 13,541 as of March 19.

“We have been supportive of the governor’s budget around housing,” said McMillan.

Gov. Wes Moore allocated an additional $115 million for housing and community revitalization initiatives under the Department of Housing and Community Development in his proposed fiscal year 2025 budget. Those initiatives include the Project C.O.R.E (Creating Opportunities for Revitalization and Equity) and the Baltimore Regional Neighborhoods Initiative.

Project C.O.R.E. is an initiative between Baltimore City and Maryland state governments to get rid of thousands of vacant properties to redevelop and invest in the city.

McMillan said BUILD is already working in East and Southwest Baltimore to address the vacant housing issue, but they are looking to begin expanding their work to all of the city over the next few years.

Once the housing money moves through the budget process, this year, McMillan said “BUILD will “hit the ground” running, further communicating their agenda to rebuild Baltimore.

All legislation must be passed by both chambers by 11:59 p.m. on Sine Die, April 8. Sine Die is the final day of the 2024 Maryland General Assembly session. Any legislation not passed by then is considered dead and must wait until next year’s session to be reintroduced.

A key component of BUILD’s work is on the local level. Beyond this legislative session, BUILD’s overall initiatives include working with community leaders and connecting mayoral candidates with the community.

“I think what most people are aware of is that BUILD’s work historically has been large-scale city-wide work, but that work finds its power and direction from local action,” said George Hopkins, BUILD co-chair. “That work of them realizing their own power, to bring about change and to direct the direction of the neighborhood is crucial. When we reach across our neighborhoods then we realize we can do that also for our city.”

Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.

The post Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development 2024 agenda appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

For persons trying to escape the shadow of a criminal history, help may be on the way. 

Maryland Legal Aid (MLA), in partnership with Reid Temple A.M.E. Church of Glenn Dale, Md., is hosting a free expungement clinic at the church on April 27. Individuals with a criminal history will have an opportunity to be advised by legal professionals and have petitions prepared on site. This includes people with cannabis-related charges who may be newly eligible for expungement.

The one-on-one assistance could be life-altering for the thousands of persons whose lives were tainted by a criminal history. Experts say for those who have run-ins with the law, that history could pose a steep barrier to gainful employment, stable housing and general reintegration into society, leading to higher chances of recidivism. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 44 percent of persons released from state prisons are re-arrested within a year. And over a nine-year period, that number increased to 83 percent.

“Successful reentry is measured over time and the ability of a person to expunge their criminal record, where appropriate, can be critical to their ability to move forward,” said Nancy La Vigne, director of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), in a statement.

Expungement is a means for offenders to remove information about their criminal cases from legal and law enforcement records, which prospective employers and landlords may tap into when conducting background checks.

In Maryland, a resident can file for an expungement if that person’s case ended with disposition of acquittal, dismissal, probation before judgment (PBJ), nolle prosequi (prosecutor dropped case), stet (indefinitely postponed), or not criminally responsible. No fee is required.

In the case of a guilty verdict, Maryland law allows certain criminal convictions to be expunged after satisfactory completion of the sentence, including parole, probation or mandatory supervision. The nature of the crime determines when that person can file for expungement. The nonrefundable application cost is $30.

To find out more about the free expungement clinic, visit online at: https://www.mdlab.org/reid-expungement-clinic/ 

This includes people with cannabis-related charges who may be newly eligible for expungement. This one-on-one expungement assistance can be life-changing for the vast number of people who qualify.

What:
Maryland Legal Aid / Reid Expungement Clinic

When:
Saturday, April 27, 2024

Where:
Reid Temple A.M.E. Church
11400 Glenn Dale Blvd.
Glenn Dale, Maryland 20769

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By AFRO Staff

Caring Communities, a nonprofit organization based in Maryland dedicated to supporting people with disabilities and their caregivers, is calling for volunteers to assist with its World of Possibilities Disabilities Expo. The annual event will be held April 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center in College Park, Maryland.

The expo will feature over 70 exhibitors showing off the latest in adaptive technology, learning tools, adaptive medical and exercise equipment, service resources, recreation and travel resources, disability law resources and much more. Advocacy and self-help support groups will also be on hand to provide guidance and other assistance.

Attendees can also take advantage of several educational forums, personal care attendants, product demos, live music, on-site wheelchair repair, book signings and exhibits from differently abled authors and artists, face painting and other entertainment aimed at the entire family.

Volunteers will be tasked with such activities as assisting vendors set up their booths, greeting attendees and answering questions, assisting visitors to fill out registration passes, restocking information booths, conducting exit surveys, packing up at the end of the expo and other duties as assigned.

Middle and high school volunteers can use the opportunity to gain service learning credits.

Interested persons should sign up as an attendee on this link and contact mona@caringcommunities.org to volunteer.

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By DaQuan Lawrence 
AFRO international Writer 
DLawrence@afro.com

Haiti is in turmoil once again as authorities and local gangs engage in a deadly power struggle for control over the country. The conflict began to intensify in late February, and on March 11, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has agreed to resign once a plan for leadership is put into place. As the killings continue, residents are caught in the middle with nowhere to go as surrounding countries have closed off their borders. The main seaport in the nation’s capital of Port-au-Prince has also closed, blocking food and other aid to millions of Haitian citizens. Black allies from around the globe are now seeking to support the country, while calling for a Haitian solution to the challenges facing the country. Collage photos: AP Photos/Odelyn Joseph

The death toll continues to climb in Haiti as gangs and Haitian authorities clash in attempts to take control of the country. Around the world supporters and political figures are calling for the violence to cease, as solutions to the many problems facing the country are discussed and agreed upon.

In the United States Black advocates are calling for an answer created for the Haitian people, by the Haitian people. 

To further discuss proposed plans for peace and how Black people around the world can help, the Institute of the Black World: 21st Century convened at the historical AME Metropolitan Church in Washington, D.C. to galvanize U.S. citizens and members of the international community in support of Haiti. 

Led by Dr. Ron Daniels, the Haiti Support Project has been active over the previous three decades and working to build a constituency that can work collaboratively with members of the Haitian population. 

“We are the premier African-American organization that has worked to address issues in Haiti.  Our rally at the historic AME Metropolitan Church is against the backdrop of one of the worst crises in Haiti I have observed in the 29 years that we’ve been doing work in Haiti,” Daniels said. 

Daniels is a major supporter of a plan for Haiti called “The Montana Accord,” which was first proposed in August of 2021. The Montana Accord is a plan created by the Commission for a Search to a Haitian Solution to the Crisis. The commission is a collection of Haitian advocates from all walks of life– including clergy, politicians and a wide variety of community leaders. The group came together in the aftermath of Moïse’s assassination, which left Haiti without a national leader. 

The Montana Accord calls for the country to hold elections while a temporary government is in place. According to the Congressional Research Service, the document lays out a plan for Haitian authorities “restore order, administer elections and create a truth and justice commission to address past human rights violations.”

Internationally known as the first Black free republic in the world, which was once the richest colony and nation in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti is now known as the poorest nation in the hemisphere. 

While many people are familiar with the earthquakes that impacted the nation in 2010 and 2018, and more recently, the political instability that has struck the nation since the assassination of Jovenel Moïse, the 43rd president, on July, 7 2021.

Since Moïse’s death, Ariel Henry has served as acting prime minister and acting president of the nation, however Daniels mentioned that Henry was initially expected to serve for a short period of time. 

“Henry really was only to stay in position for about three months. That ended up being

extending into almost two years, against the backdrop of people demanding change,” Daniels said. 

Under tremendous pressure to resolve the nation’s problems, Henry recently announced his resignation on March 11, 2024. 

The U.S. Department of State has issued a level 4 travel advisory for Haiti, and is advising U.S. citizens not to travel to the nation due to high levels of political instability and gang violence.

“Kidnapping is widespread, and victims regularly include U.S. citizens. Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities, and even convoys have been attacked,” said the U.S. Department of State, in an alert posted to their official government website. “Kidnapping cases often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings. Victim’s families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members.”

The state department warned that “Violent crime, often involving the use of firearms, such as  armed robbery, carjackings and kidnappings for ransom that include U.S. citizens are common” in the area. 

In the past several months, residents have tried to flee the area as the chaos intensified. However, they have met resistance as bordering countries have closed their borders to flights to and from Haiti. Some of those forced to stay have resorted to fighting back against the gangs that are killing without consequence and pillaging communities.

“Mob killings against presumed criminals have been on the rise since late April [2023],” reported U.S. officials in the travel advisory. “Protests, demonstrations, tire burning, and roadblocks are frequent, unpredictable, and can turn violent. The U.S. government is extremely limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Haiti – assistance on site is available only from local authorities–Haitian National Police and ambulance services. Local police generally lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.” 

Since the violence began, U.S. officials report “shortages of gasoline, electricity, medicine and medical supplies continue throughout much of Haiti. Public and private medical clinics and hospitals often lack qualified medical staff and even basic medical equipment and resources.”

The post Black community rallies in support of Haiti as chaos continues appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

As Election Day 2024 quickly approaches, the AFRO is making sure readers stay informed.Take a look at upcoming important dates: 

Washington, D.C. :
– You can register to vote online for the presidential primary and general election until May 14. 

– Mail in ballots must be submitted and postmarked by May 14.

– The Presidential Primary will take place on June 4 at voting centers throughout the District. 

– The General Election will be on Nov. 5 and polls will close promptly at 7 p.m.

Voters can cast their ballot in elections for the U.S. president, delegates in the United States House of Representatives, at-large members of the Council of the District of Columbia and Ward council members from Wards 2, 4, 7 and 8. Voters will also be asked to select United States senators and local party committee members in addition to convention delegates at the request of the eligible parties. Qualified non-citizens can now vote in D.C. elections for local offices. 

Non-citizens cannot vote for federal offices. Early voting will begin in the nation’s capital 15 days before the election. All active, registered voters will be sent a no-excuse mail-in ballot for the D.C. primary. 

Baltimore:

– Voter registration will close ahead of the primary election on Apr. 23, 2024. It will reopen on May 28 and close ahead of the general election on Oct. 15.

-Mail in ballots must be postmarked on or before the primary election day May 14.

-The primary election will take place on May 14.

Those who are interested in early voting for the general election  can cast a ballot between Oct. 24 – Oct. 31. 

The general election will be held on Nov. 5 until 7 p.m. 

In Baltimore the following positions are up for election: Baltimore City mayor, city council president, city council representatives, one Senate seat and  three seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. To vote by mail, you must request a mail-in ballot from the State Board of Elections or your local board. You can register to vote during early voting.

According to the Maryland State Board of Elections, “Effective, March 10, 2016, if you have been convicted of a felony and have completed serving a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment, you are eligible to register to vote. You do not qualify to register to vote if you have been convicted of buying or selling votes.” 

The post Dates to know for the 2024 election cycle in Baltimore and D.C.  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Tashi McQueen 
AFRO Political Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
And 
By Megan Sayles 
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

In celebration of Black History Month, the AFRO sat down with Governor Wes Moore, the first Black man to lead the great state of Maryland. 

Moore became the 63rd governor of the state on Jan. 18, 2023, in a historic ceremony outside of the Maryland State House with star guests, such as actress, author and producer Oprah Winfrey. Before becoming the executive leader he was a businessman, author and military man. 

He served as a U.S. Army captain with the 82nd Airborne Division and produced several books addressing racial plights and inequities including “Five Days,” a book about Baltimore in the days after the death of Freddie Gray in 2015. Now, Moore is doing the work of creating equity in Maryland by closing the racial wealth gap in the state, raising the minimum wage and requiring that minority business enterprise goals be met- not just considered. 

This week, Moore spoke on the Black men that paved the way for him, the strength of being “unapologetically Black” and the ancestors who have guided his path. 

Q: Is it a challenge to advocate for Black Marylanders as governor, in this current political climate?

A: I’m a Black governor. I was Black before I was governor. I’m not going to stop being who I am. I think the challenge would be for me to not . I am unapologetic about the fact that we are going to close this racial wealth gap. If people say to me, ‘Isn’t that focusing on a group?’ No. Over the past two decades, the racial wealth gap has cost this country $16 trillion in gross domestic product (GDP). We are never going to be able to address these issues with colorblind policies –we didn’t get here because of colorblind policies. The policies that got us here in the first place were very color tinted. 

I think we have to have a measure of intentionality if you actually want to increase economic growth that is going to, in turn, benefit the whole state. 

Q: Can you name a Black mentor that made a difference in your life and speak on the importance of Black youth having strong, Black mentors?

A: Kurt Schmoke. He’s just someone who has always been a North Star for me and has always given me clear, cogent and thoughtful, nonjudgmental advice. 

We unfortunately live in a society where people will almost force you to consistently justify your existence and your participation.

The beauty of Black male role models is I never had to justify who I was to them, because they saw me before I walked in the room. There’s power that comes with that and there’s empowerment from that. I feel protected because I know who’s protecting me. There’s a real power. 

I still call him to this day.

Q: What are the top Black novels that inspired you?

A: “The Fire Next Time.” I’m a big James Baldwin fan. I think it’s difficult to think about my favorite Baldwin work. If you gave me a second choice, I would say “Beloved,” by Toni Morrison.  

Q: What are your favorite Black films?

A: “I’m Not Your Negro” was fantastic. 

I think James Baldwin was brilliant. He was so unapologetic about who he was and I love that. He lived and he led with such a sense of fearlessness. He knew–in almost every classification of who he was– he was heard. He lived in a way that he was never going to be uncomfortable in your space because he was always going to be comfortable with himself. 

I don’t lack a sense of comfort anywhere that I am because there is nothing nor anybody that ever makes me flinch. I think we’re just built differently. 

I see who I’m surrounded by–I know who paved all these steps that we walk on and so I never ever feel a measure of intimidation or insufficiency. I just know that everything I do– it’s because there were people who were willing to sacrifice in a way that is incomprehensible, but they did it for the hope of me and all of us.

“Love and Basketball” is another one.  This article has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Tashi McQueen and Megan Sayles are Report For America corps members.

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By AFRO Staff

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Prince Williams County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (PWCAC-DST) held their 39th annual oratorical competition at Charles J. Colgan High School in Manassas, Va. Students from sixth to 12th grade competed for a cash prize, a Drum Major medal, certificate and other gifts. 

Participating schools included Graham Park Middle School, Rippon Middle School, Ronald Reagan Middle School, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, Manassas Park High School and Gar-Field High School.

There were three levels of the competition. Each school chose the student who would represent their school at the regional competition. Next, those students presented their speeches virtually to a panel of judges from the community on Jan 3 and 4.  The judges selected six students, three middle school students, and three high school students for the honor of speaking at the Jan 15 event.

The middle school students chosen were Ashley Gutierrez  Garcia from Graham Park, Rabab Raza from Rippon, and Ebenezer “Ben” Samuel from Ronald Reagan. The high-schoolers chosen were Alyssa Godfrey from Charles J. Colgan, Myles Lanier from Manassas Park, and Brooklyn Saunders from Gar-Field.

At the regional competition, Samuel and Lanier were awarded Best Before Judges. 

In the final competition, Best Before the Audience and Drum Major Awards were awarded to Raza and Lanier.

The judges also selected two students whose content or style impressed them the night of the regional competition for the Judges Choice/Honorable Mention category. Arisha Nawab of Saunders Midke and Gabriel Hamilton of Osbourn Park were awarded this honor also at the Jan. 15 event.

Hosted by Mayor Derrick Wood of Dumfries, Va., this year’s speech topic was: ‘If America is to remain a great nation, we must… .” 

“This year’s speech prompt is thought-provoking and demonstrates that you have challenged the next generation to delve deep within themselves and share their vision of what it will take for our nation to prosper in the years ahead. The student orators have always done an outstanding job in the past, and I have no doubt that this year will be no exception,” said Kevin D. Newman, superintendent of Manassas City Public Schools in a letter statement featured in the event’s program. 

Samuel is an eighth-grader who had never participated in any public speaking contest prior to this.

“To be honest, I was not expecting to get this far. I sat down in a day and wrote this whole speech. The third day I memorized it all and here I am. I just want to spread awareness, and I want to bring more appreciation to his words and honor him with my speech,” Samuel said.  

Several special guests were in attendance such as Sen. Tim Kaine and U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., who each gave a few words on the significance of the event and what it meant to them. Spanberger even announced that she’d entered the event as well as each orator into the Congressional Record.

The event also featured the MLK Community Choir, which was made up of children from grades K-12. 

Maziah Thomas, a member of the choir and an 11th-grader at Woodbridge High School graduating early this spring, said the group started rehearsing in October for the final performance.

“It’s very exciting because I am a Woodbridge Middle School alumni, so I’m able to be with my old choir director,” he said. “ It’s a good experience of getting service hours.”

The choir performed “Glory” by John Legend and Common, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” written by James Weldon Johnson and Stevie Wonder’s rendition of “Happy Birthday to You!”, and closed the program with “We Shall Overcome” by Joan Baez.

Pamela Shavers, a member of the PWCAC-DST chapter, assisted with the youth choir for this year’s program.

“It’s been great working with the kids. They’re really enthusiastic and excited about it. Being able to stand up and do something to remember Dr. King and all of his contributions—I’m hoping that will really touch the kids today as they participate in the program,” Shavers said.

Several other members of the PWCAC-DST chapter also assisted in running several aspects of the event.

For Nicole Gaskin, a longtime event attendee, she was able to experience the event as a volunteer and member of the sorority for the first time. Gaskin assisted with the oratorical event and will soon participate in another community service event later this month. 

“I always enjoy this experience. I’m just super excited that this time I get to be on this side of it. In the times we’re in right now, it helps to bring the community together to see that we can all come together and still focus on a common goal,” Gaskin said.

To learn more about this event and upcoming programs, visit pwcacdst.org.

The post Youth compete in oratorical contest held by Prince Williams County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in honor of MLK Day appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Salihah Hurst, left, Moria Bowman, Hope Pag’an, Aryanna Wilson Pierce and Joy Pag’an were the recipients of $1,000 scholarships conferred by the Black Engineer of the Year Awards on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2023. (Courtesy Photos)

Multiple scholars woke up to a surprise on Christmas Day 2023, courtesy of the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA), a STEM-promoting initiative led by Tyrone Taborn of Career Communications Group.

A total of five students received $1,000 scholarships to continue their education at the college or university of their choice. Salihah Hurst, Moria Bowman, Hope Pag’an, Aryanna Wilson Pierce and Joy Pag’an were all honored with the holiday scholarships. 

Hurst will be using her funds at Florida State University, where she is currently a sophomore. Bowman will have help continuing her education at Santa Fe College, where she is in her first year. Wilson Pierce will finance her matriculation at Spelman College, where she is a freshman. Joy and Hope Pag’an, both college freshmen, will use their $1,000 to further their studies at Harrisburg Community College.

The BEYA is the brainchild of Career Communications Group, an advocate for corporate diversity. The annual awards recognizes African-American scientists and engineers around the United States who are shaping the future of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as promoting diversity and inclusion in the STEM pipeline and highlighting opportunities in the sector’s workforce.

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by Deyane Moses

The Upton Mansion is poised to embark on a remarkable transformation as it becomes the new headquarters for Afro Charities and the AFRO American Newspapers. Erected in 1838, this historic mansion holds a distinguished place on the National Registry of Historic Places and recognition as a Baltimore City Landmark. Once a residence, it also served as the headquarters to WCAO–Maryland’s first radio station, the Baltimore Institute of Musical Arts, and the Upton School—a primary institution catering to children with diverse learning needs. Regrettably, the Upton Mansion has sat unoccupied since 2006. 

Currently, Afro Charities is seeking support via the “Make History with Us” Campaign, aspiring to breathe new life into the Upton Mansion. The nonprofit organization’s vision is to revitalize the mansion, transforming it into a permanent home for the AFRO Archives and an international research center dedicated to the study of Black life.

The revitalized Upton Mansion will boast cutting-edge archival storage facilities, spacious research rooms, and state-of-the-art digitization and processing labs. Additionally, plans have been made to establish a fully-equipped broadcasting and video-casting suite. The premises will offer leasable office spaces for like-minded local organizations. On the grounds of the Upton Mansion, you’ll find an array of amenities, including a classroom, community room, gallery, conference room and rooftop access affording breathtaking views of downtown Baltimore.

As of Jan.1, the organization has garnered roughly $190,000 in contributions from generous supporters across the nation, with donations and pledges arriving daily. In order to close the deal, another $160,000 is needed. 

Have you made your donation? It will play a crucial role in securing the financial backing required for the mansion’s redevelopment. We invite you to become a Groundbreaker and contribute to Afro Charities’ “Make History With Us” fundraising campaign. To make your donation, please visit Afrocharities.org/make-history-with-us.

Donations to the Afro Charities campaign will go a long way in further preserving the history that has been put on record by the AFRO for 131 years. As you consider your pledge, take a look at the AFRO pages of yesteryear, forever preserved in the archives. 

The post A place to call ‘home’: Renovating the historic Upton Mansion appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Hollywood is ready to party as the Golden Globes return for its annual boozy celebration of film and television’s biggest names.

The 81st annual GLobes begins at 8 p.m. Eastern on Jan. 7 and will air live on both coasts on CBS, which is available with an antenna or through cable and satellite providers. It’s the first time the network is airing the show since the early 1980s.

Several Black entertainers are among those who earned nods for their work in film and television and are up for awards at the show. 

“American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino was nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Musical or Comedy for her turn as Celie in “The Color Purple,” a role she also played in the Broadway show’s original  production. Meanwhile, co-star Danielle Brooks, who reprises the role of Sofia for which she earned a Tony nomination in 2016, is up for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.

On the male side, veteran actor Jeffrey Wright was nominated for  Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Musical or Comedy for his leading role in the satiric “American Fiction.”

Colman Domingo, who also starred in “The Color Purple,” was recognized for his embodiment of civil rights icon Bayard Rustin in the eponymous “Rustin,” earning a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. The civil rights drama, which showed the work and controversy behind the organization of the 1965 March on Washington, also garnered a nomination for Best Original Song for rocker Lenny Kravitz for his “Road to Freedom.”

In the world of television, Quinta Brunson and Ayo Edebiri earned nods for their work in “Abbott Elementary” and “The Bear,” respectively; and David Oyelowo received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture made for Television for his role in “Lawmen: Bass Reeves.”

Black stand-up comedians also joined the list of nominees for their television specials: Trevor Noah, “Where Was I”; Chris Rock, “Selective Outrage” and Wanda Sykes, “I’m an Entertainer.”

In addition to the live show airing on CBS,  viewers can stream the Globes, though watching it live requires a specific subscription. Paramount+ users with the Showtime add-on can stream the Globes live. Without that, Paramount+ will offer the show to subscribers the next day. They can also be watched through live TV streaming services that include CBS in their lineup, like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and FuboTV.

Among films, “Barbie” is the top nominee this year, followed closely by “Oppenheimer,” reflecting the way the Globes split top film winners into two groups.

Films nominated for best motion picture drama include “Oppenheimer,” Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,” Celine Song’s “Past Lives,” Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” and Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest.”

In the best motion picture musical or comedy category, “Barbie” was joined by Ben Affleck’s “Air,” Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction,” Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” Todd Haynes’ “May December” and Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things.”

“Succession” was the top-nominated television program, with nine nods including for series stars Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin, followed by Hulu’s “The Bear.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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By AFRO Staff

Carter Roberson made his debut as a guest conductor with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 23. The nine- year-old led the group of talented musicians in a selection of  “Sleigh Ride” as part of the organization’s Holiday Spectacular.

“I felt swell,” said Roberson. “I felt really good up there because I was excited. I wasn’t nervous.” 

The young scholar spoke on why classical music is a category of sound he has come to enjoy.

“I like classical music because it’s soothing– it’s calming,” he said. “ It helps you relax.”

Roberson was exposed to classical music by his mother in the womb, but other family members have helped his inclination to the genre grow over the years as well.

“My great-aunt Lenora Howze started me on classical music when I was starting first grade because I couldn’t sleep at night.”

Aside from Roberson, other guests for the evening included Byron Stripling, who lent his talent as a conductor, trumpeter and vocalist during the event. The show included numbers such as “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” “White Christmas” and “Joy to the World.”

Roberson’s mother, Tiffany Roberson, spoke of her son’s knack for music. 

“I encourage Carter to be involved because he has an ear for music,” she told the AFRO. “He can recognize a sample in a song and give you the  original version with the artist’s name. He is a natural when it comes to music.” 

The proud mom said she was moved, watching her son lead the world-class musicians. 

“It was the most breathtaking experience. It was like watching the smaller version of me shining like a star. It felt surreal and I couldn’t have been happier for him.” 

The AFRO will be on the lookout for all of the great things to come from Carter Roberson in 2024 and beyond.

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By AFRO Staff

Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) made significant strides in 2023, with 39 of its institutions improving the ratings earned on the annual Maryland School Report Card.

Every year, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) gauges schools’ performance based on state tests results and other critical academic, college readiness, and attendance measures. Each school is then awarded a star rating – from one to five stars – based on the results of its assessment.

Of Baltimore’s 164 schools and centers, only 148 were included in the report card since some lacked sufficient data in certain categories. Of those assessed, 27 percent improved in star rating, outpacing the statewide rate of 8 percent. Only nine schools – 6 percent – recorded a decrease in the number of stars earned. 

Additionally, the proportion of 3-, 4-, and 5-star schools  increased from a quarter of City Schools to more than one-third. And the number of 1-star schools was cut in half from 29 to 15. Two campuses – Baltimore School for the Arts and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute – earned the maximum of five stars. 

City Schools officials say the gains – which mirror similar growth shown on other state reports, such as the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) results in math and literacy – reflect their efforts to address key performance areas.

“Our positive results are more than numbers on a spreadsheet; they indicate a rapid growth trajectory that outpaces our state,” said Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises, chief executive officer of City Schools, in a statement. “They are proof of the collective effort and investment of our community to accelerate the improvement of our student outcomes and schools.” 

In the past few years, some of the remedies implemented by City Schools  to improve student performance included, tutoring efforts to improve literacy and math proficiency, implementing individualized student learning plans, increasing summer learning offerings, and organizing a redesigned Office of Student Success to support college and career readiness.  

City Schools also made investments in addressing chronic absenteeism, which MSDE defines as the proportion of students absent 10 percent or more of school days while enrolled at a school.  And those investments paid off.

More than 85 percent of the schools measured – 128 of 148 schools – reduced chronic absenteeism in at least one grade band.

Those gains resulted from investments such as ensuring each school has an attendance plan, establishing cross-functional attendance teams at 64 schools, and embarking on a citywide effort to encourage regular attendance. Outreach to the community has included phone-a-thons, neighborhood visits by the “City Schools On The Go” bus, home visits and summer outreach. 

“The quality of our schools – as indicated by increased stars – is improving, which equals better options for our students and families,” Santelises added. “We still have more progress ahead, but these results, paired with other positive indicators in attendance, literacy, and math, verify that we are on the right track.” 

The post  Baltimore Schools see gains on Maryland School Report Card in 2023 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

^{Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8), left, and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) will lead their respective teams in a clash that will determine the AFC’s No. 1 seed on Dec. 31 in Baltimore.
(AP Photos)}

The Miami Dolphins (11-4) and Baltimore Ravens (12-3) will duel New Year’s Eve in Baltimore in a matchup of heavyweights as the top two teams in the AFC.

Both teams lead their respective divisions and have clinched playoff spots, but have not secured yet their places in their divisions, with the Cleveland Browns behind the Ravens by two games and the Buffalo Bills behind the Dolphins by two games.

In their last four meetings, the two teams have split the series, with the Dolphins winning the last two games. Those games, however, weren’t as important as this one.

This time around, the No. 1 seed is on the line. 

After the Ravens’ huge win against the red-hot San Francisco 49ers on Christmas Day, they currently hold the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC.

The Dolphins, who are one game behind Baltimore, seek to claim the top seed. 

As far as playoff scenarios, if the Dolphins win their last two games they can claim the No. 1 seed. 

For the Ravens, they only need to defeat the Dolphins to claim No. 1 overall. However, if the Ravens lose to Miami on Dec. 31, then they must defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers week 18 and the Dolphins must lose or tie with the Bills in order for the Ravens to reclaim the No. 1 seed. 

At home, the Ravens are currently 5-2 and will play their final two games at M&T Bank Stadium. The Dolphins record on the road is currently 4-3 as they will finish their final two games on the road.

This game will consist of many matchups to look out for:

Potential MVP frontrunners and quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa meet once again with Tagovailo having a 2-0 series lead over Jackson in their head-to-head matchup. 

Current receiving leader Tyreek Hill will likely be lined up against Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

On the other side, Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey will likely alternate coverage with Ravens wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers.

The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday.  

The post Ravens v. Dolphins Dec. 31 matchup: huge playoff implications in battle for the No. 1 seed  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Strains of multiple musical genres —classical, contemporary, jazz, gospel, show tunes —filled the air as students of Melissa T. Music Lessons performed the gems that attested to the practice and discipline they’d acquired during the year. 

The December 9 recital, on the campus of Central Presbyterian Church in Towson, provided the arena for singers and instrumentalists to show off their progress in performance. Each one delighted parents, family members and community supporters; to which energetic applause, “oohs” and “ahs” bore witness. Plus a little laughter when pianists were too small to be seen when they played. 

This was the 14th of its kind showcase for the students of Melissa Chin, who has provided such training since 2017. “Our team of instructors is not only highly educated and talented but deeply committed to nurturing each student’s unique musical path,” Chin said. “We offer a diverse range of programs across various instruments and genres.”

She said they are excited about their upcoming expansion, which includes a new brick and mortar studio. “This space will further enhance our community-centric approach, providing an inspiring environment for both learning and performing.”

More about Melissa T Music Lessons:

Melissa T Music Lessons has been dedicated to providing inclusive and high-quality music education in Baltimore since 2017. Our mission is to make music accessible to all, fostering a love for music that transcends boundaries.

Our team of instructors is not only highly educated and talented but deeply committed to nurturing each student’s unique musical path. We offer a diverse range of programs across various instruments and genres. 

We are proud of our students’ achievements, with many excelling in local and regional music competitions and performances. Many perform in their  schools and churches. Our approach to music education emphasizes individual growth, creativity, and the transformative power of music.

Currently, we are excited about our upcoming expansion, which includes a new brick-and-mortar studio. This space will further enhance our community-centric approach, providing an inspiring environment for both learning and performing.

I hope this information provides a clear picture of our dedication to music education and our students’ successes. Thank you for the opportunity to share our story with the AFRO community.

The post Musical sounds abound as Melissa T’s students take the stage appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Helen Bezuneh,
Special to the AFRO

Baltimore, MD – On Dec. 7, more than 50 organizations and businesses representing more than 200,000 people in the Baltimore area sent a letter urging Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), and Rep. John Sarbanes (MD-03) to join a growing list of members of Congress calling for an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine. 

The letter’s signatories include leading civil rights, student, Jewish, veteran, faith, and street violence prevention organizations. 

“Thousands of Baltimoreans have made phone calls and participated in protests against Israel’s genocide in Palestine, and still our elected officials ignore us” said Anna Evans-Goldstein, who helped coordinate the letter following a Jewish-led sit-in at the office of Rep. Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) that helped move the congressman to call for a ceasefire on Nov. 8. 

“In a time when Torah and Jewish values are being weaponized by many to call for greater violence, my Jewish community and so many Jewish Marylanders uplift that our tradition honors pikuach nefesh—saving a life, as a value that supersedes all else,” said Rabbi Ariana Katz, the founding rabbi of Hinenu: The Baltimore Justice Shtiebl. “Immediate ceasefire is the only way to pikuach nefesh in the face of the heinous bombardment and invasion of Gaza.” 

“The catastrophic carnage, death, and devastation in Gaza, funded by billions of U.S. tax dollars, is reminiscent of some of the darkest periods in human history,” said Zainab Chaudry, Maryland director for the Council on American–Islamic Relations, the largest Muslim civil liberties organization in the U.S. “We are urging members of congress to demonstrate moral courage in this critical moment and take immediate action to help save innocent lives by supporting an immediate, permanent ceasefire and the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid.” 

“As an organization of over 100 public school students in Baltimore City, we stand unequivocally for peace and an end to our government’s complicity in Israel’s indiscriminate bombardment of civilians and public infrastructure—including a number of schools—in Gaza,” said Ethan Eblaghie, a member of the Baltimore Student Union. 

“We need a lasting ceasefire and a full hostage exchange as the first step towards a long-term political solution that ends occupation, apartheid, and siege and ensures equality, justice, and safety for all Palestinians and Israelis,” said Zackary Berger of IfNotNow Baltimore, a Jewish organization dedicated to ending the occupation of Palestine. 

“Billions of dollars have been willingly provided to support Israel’s brutal military assault on Gaza,” said Ashley Hufnagel, Executive Director of United Workers. “But when it came time to extend the pandemic era protections and benefits that cut child poverty in half, decreased hunger, and kept people on life-saving Medicaid, there was no money? For poor people in Palestine and poor people in America, the outcome is the same—death and misery.” 

“As a citizen of the world, I understand that oppression, trauma, and misunderstandings that lead to violence painfully impact the whole of us—while peaceful, equitable, and humane problem-solving helps to heal the whole of us,” said Erricka Bridgeford, founder of Baltimore Peace Movement (formerly Baltimore Ceasefire), which works to end violence in the city. “Please honor our humanity by calling for a ceasefire between Israel and occupied Palestine.” 

“More than 15,000 Palestinians, almost half of whom have been children, have been killed by the Israeli military since Oct. 7,” said Ida K., a member of The Greater Baltimore Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. “We desperately urge our political representatives to sign on to official demands for a permanent ceasefire and put an end to the genocide of the Palestinian people. We will keep organizing until peace is achieved in occupied Palestine.” 

Rep. Mfume remains the only Baltimore-area member of Congress to call for a ceasefire, despite polls showing 80 percent of registered Democrats and 66 percent of all voters supporting one. Complete List of Signers: Anti-Imperialist Action UMBC, Baltimore Abortion Fund, Baltimore City Green Party, Baltimore Palestine Solidarity, Baltimore Peace Movement, Baltimore Phil Berrigan Memorial Veterans For Peace, Baltimore Roundtable for Economic Democracy, Baltimore Student Union, Baltimore Youth Arts, Black Theology Project, Bloom Collective, Community College of Baltimore County Muslim Student Association, Community Play Project, Council on American Islamic Relations Maryland, Fruit Camp Studios, Greater Baltimore Democratic Socialists of America, Greater Baltimore Residents for a Ceasefire, Hinenu: The Baltimore Justice Shtiebl, IfNotNow Baltimore, Islamic Community Center of Laurel, Jewish Voice for Peace Baltimore, June and July Therapy, Malaya Movement Baltimore, Maryland Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Mera Kitchen Collective, MICA Organizers & Activists, NLife, NoMuNoMu, Our Time Kitchen, Peace Action Baltimore, Peace Action Maryland, Present Company, Red Emma’s Cooperative, Students and Labor Against Police, Station North Tool Library, Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Towson Freedom School, Tubman House, United Maryland Muslim Council, United Workers, Women Leading Baltimore.

This article incorrectly stated that elected officials received a letter encouraging them to call for a ceasefire on Dec. 5th.  The letter was sent on Dec. 7th via email.  The AFRO deeply regrets this error.

The post More than 50 Baltimore organizations and small businesses call on Congress to demand an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Afro Charities celebrated six decades of success on Nov. 30 at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The organization was founded on Nov. 15, 1963 and serves as the non-profit sister company to the AFRO American Newspapers. The organization cares for the AFRO Archives and curates educational materials and cultural experiences based on the historic collection, which includes more than three million photographs, audio recordings and letters.

Currently, Afro Charities is in the process of building a new home for the AFRO Archives. Afro Charities has launched a campaign to raise funds for the renovation of the Upton Mansion, located at 811 W. Lanvale in West Baltimore. The building will serve as a permanent home for the AFRO Archives and include office space for the AFRO News staff and other interested organizations and companies. The Afro Charities team has been offered the opportunity to have funds raised matched by donors. They are currently on a mission to raise $350,000 in pledged donations by Dec. 31 of this year, with donors having five years to make good on their promise. Once the pledge goal is reached, it will unlock another $3.2 million in funds. 

To make a pledge to the Afro Charities campaign to renovate Upton Mansion, please visit afrocharities.org/make-history-with-us.

The post Afro Charities celebrates 60 years with gala and fundraising campaign appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Every year, the much-anticipated Forbes 30 Under 30 List features rising stars in several industries. The magazine receives more than 20,000 nominations, collectively, for the North America, Europe and Asia lists. Then, that list is refined – researched, analyzed and vetted – until 600 candidates emerge for the U.S. list. Among those luminaries, Black innovators and artists usually shine bright. Alumni include the likes of Zendaya, John Boyega, Kendrick Lamar and Stephen Curry. This year’s 86 honorees are no less impressive, featuring Broadway’s youngest Black playwright, Jordan E. Cooper, U.S. sprinter Sha’carri Richardson, and social media’s favorite food critic, Keith Lee. Here is the 2024 list of Forbes’ (Black) 30 Under 30:

Music

• Latto, rapper  
• Ice Spice, rapper
• Steve Lacy, musician
• Bktherula, rapper
• Trippie Redd, rapper
• Armani White, musician

Art & Style

• Paul Hill, founder, Strada
• Adefolakunmi Adenugba, founder, Ise-Da
• Tia Adeola, founder, Tia Adeola
• Akea Brionne, artist
• Josh Holm, founder, Castles & Queens 
• Kreshonna Keane, founder, Visuals By K Studios
• Ludovic Nkoth, artist
• Ambrose Rhapsody Murray, artist
• Larissa Rogers, artist
• Courtney Spears, dancer
• Justice Faith Betty and Nia Faith Betty, co-founders, Révolutionnaire
• Kendra Walker, founder, Atlanta Art Week
• Jacob Webster, photographer
• Sophia Wilson, photographer

Hollywood and entertainment 

• Jordan E. Cooper, playwright
• Jasmin Savoy Brown, actor
• Eric Jordan Darnell, agent, William Morris Endeavor
• Gabe Kunda, voice actor
• Lexi Underwood, actor
• Alyah Chanelle Scott, actor

Consumer Technology 

• Tony Morino, co-founder, Wiseday
• Fai Nur, Blossom Okonkwo and Great Okonkwo, co-founders, Wishroll

Education

• Savannah Smith and Ebony Welborn, co-founders, Sea Potential
• Justin Shaifer, founder, Fascinate Media
• Myles Gage, co-founder of Rapunzl
• Alliyah Logan, co-founder, Cultivate Global Education

Energy

• Kiana Kazemi, co-founder, Intersectional Environmentalist

Food

• Camari Mick, executive pastry chef, The Musket Room
• Keith Lee, creator/social media food critic

Games

• Xalavier Nelson Jr., founder, Strange Scaffold

Manufacturing and industry  

• Oluseun Taiwo, co-founder, Solideon

Marketing and advertising 

• Chinonye Vanessa Mbonu, vice president of Digital Marketing & Communications, NAACP 
• Brandon Smithwrick, head of content, Kickstarter
• Shauna James, senior manager, Digital Marketing of Black Music, Atlantic Records
• Bridget Kyeremateng, senior manager, Inclusive Marketing, Twitch
• Simone Jackson, global brand manager, Spotify
• Amala Okpala, strategic partner manager, Instagram

Media

• Dillon St. Bernard, founder, Team DSB
• Devon Blackwell, associate producer, The New Yorker
• Dominic-Madori Davis, reporter, Techcrunch
• Hunter Harris, writer
• Aiyana Ishmael, associate editor, Teen Vogue
• Mya-Breyana Morton, co-founder, Unconscious Media
• Paula Ngon, senior global communications manager, Condé Nast

Science

• Clare Luckey, aerospace engineer, NASA
• Nialah Wilson-Small, industry assistant professor, New York University
• Matthew Clarke, assistant professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Saadia Gabriel, incoming assistant professor, University of California, Los Angeles

Social Impact

• Wawa Gatheru, founder, Black Girl Environmentalist
• Sydney Montgomery, founder, Barrier Breakers

Social Media

• Drew “Druski” Desbordes, creator
• Taylor Cassidy, creator 
• Drea Okeke, creator
• Monet McMichael, creator

Sports 

• Ronald Acuña Jr., outfielder, Atlanta Braves
• Nepheesa Collier, forward, Minnesota Lynx
• Anthony Edwards, shooting guard, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Austin Ekeler, running back, Los Angeles Chargers
• Matt Howard, senior associate, KB Partners, a venture capital firm fostering teams focused on intersection of sports and technology
• Stasia Foster, brand consulting executive/sports marketer, Creative Artists Agency 
• Lamar Jackson, quarterback, Baltimore Ravens
• Tyshawn Jones, professional skateboarder
• Kyle Kuzma, forward, Washington Wizards
• Angel Reese, forward, Louisiana State University
• Sha’carri Richardson, sprinter, Team USA
• Isiah Turner, agent, WME Sports

Retail & e-commerce

• Amira Rasool, founder, The Folklore Group
• Philomina Kane, founder, Kin Apparel
• Kadidja Dosso, founder, Dosso Beauty
• Jordan Bentley, founder, Hypland 

Finance

• Temilayo Butler, vice president, Harbourview Equity Partners
• Saheedat Onifade, investment strategist, Churchill Asset Management
• Nina Meyers, growth equity investor, Goldman Sachs
• Kennedy Ekezie, founder, Kippa

Venture Capital 

• Sesana Allen, associate Investor, Smash Capital
•  Brandon Greer, director of corporate development, Hubspot

The post Black stars shine on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List 2024 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

#education

By DaQuan Lawrence,
AFRO International Writer,
DLawrence@afro.com

As the school year nears the halfway mark for students around the nation, Black and Latino students are still struggling with mental health more than other racial groups in the U.S. Although the COVID-19 pandemic worsened social and economic conditions that negatively impact marginalized populations, stakeholders around Baltimore City are taking steps to reduce the mental health struggles of city students.

According to Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS), the 2023-2024 school year officially began on Aug. 28. with an abundance of resources for families and students. Aside from information on childcare services, vaccinations, transportation, school bell times and school supply lists, mental health resources have also been offered.

Tamira Dunn is the chief operating officer of DMC Empowering Health Services, which started in 2020 and serves Baltimore City and surrounding counties. Dunn shared several pointers for parents looking to support students who may struggle with mental health challenges. 

“Make sure that while you’re advocating for them and their mental health that you’re doing the same for yourself, so you don’t get frustrated or burnt out,” Dunn told the AFRO.  

The city’s public school system has provided support for students from the inner city and marginalized populations. BCPS offers the Expanded School Mental Health program in most schools through a collaboration with the Baltimore Mental Health System, Health Department, Baltimore Substance Abuse System as well as the Family League and four other agencies.

Like mental health clinics, the program provides prevention and early intervention, individual and group counseling for students with more significant mental health issues. Students can also receive support services through a referral process and obtain ongoing medication or more intensive mental health care.

Shameka Thomas-Habersham is the director of Child and Family for Behavioral Health System Baltimore (BHSB). She spoke on the mental health services BHSB provides to families around the city.

“We manage the behavioral health systems and public and private funds to provide behavioral health services to the community. We partner with multiple entities in Baltimore City to target suicide prevention,” said Thomas-Habersham. “We are promoting services such as our 988-hotline for folks to call if someone is having a crisis or contemplating suicide.” 

Research has shown students from Black and Latino communities struggle with their mental health across all academic levels. 

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing mental health disparities in education as students across the nation returned to school, and many struggled to re-adjust, according to a 2022 Brookings Institution report.

BHSB also provides services to school age youth across Baltimore. 

“There are school-based mental health services that we manage, which are useful for students and parents to get connected to, and some schools also have substance-use services,” Thomas-Habersham told the AFRO. 

The mental health of scholars in pre-k through grade 12 is often tied to economic security. Younger students find it hard to concentrate, complete assignments or display appropriate classroom behavior when basic needs are not met due to financial instability in their homes. For older students, financial pressure in the home might require them to find employment to pay for school fees or prepare for life after graduation. 

The stress of economic insecurity and a host of other factors, such as the prevalence of violence and crime in a scholar’s environment, can create anxiety and stress. And it cannot be ignored. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “prolonged stress can cause high blood pressure, weaken the immune system and contribute to diseases such as obesity and heart disease. It can also lead to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression—disorders that are becoming more common in youth.” 

The APA reports that stress can show up in a variety of ways when it comes to school-age children. Stress in a child can show up as “irritability and anger,” “changes in behavior” or “trouble sleeping.” A student that is overwhelmed might begin “neglecting responsibilities,” “eating changes” or succumb to sickness more often. 

Symptoms of stress also vary by age. 

“Pre-k and kindergarten students may complain of stomach aches or headaches, experience incontinence, become clingier, or start habits like hair twirling or thumb-sucking,” reports the APA. While “high school students may isolate themselves, give up easily when frustrated, or react with strong emotions (e.g., anger, hostility), or adopt new and negative coping mechanisms. What is stressful to one person may not be equally stressful to another.” 

In elementary school, students “may cry easily, take frequent trips to the bathroom or school nurse, have difficulty staying in their seats or become irritable” if they are experiencing extreme stress, the APA reports. “On the one hand some students may become angry, oppositional, or defiant and have disruptive outbursts. On the other hand, some students may laugh excessively.”

In middle school, scholars who are stressed might “express worry, show anxiety or feel isolated or lonely. On the one hand, some students may become angry, oppositional, or defiant.”

To improve the mental health of grade school students, the APA advises that scholars get enough sleep each night, which means “nine to 12 hours of sleep a night for 6- to 12-year olds” and at least eight hours of rest for teens each night.

Stress can be reduced by exercise, time outside in nature, journaling, practicing mindfulness or speaking with a trusted adult. The APA reports that parents can help by “modeling healthy coping” mechanisms, while also leaving room for letting “kids be problem-solvers.” Experts say parents can do their students a great service if they teach them how to navigate online platforms and internet culture, “where they can run into questionable content, cyberbullying or the peer pressures of social media.” 

“Parents can help by teaching their children to be savvy digital consumers, and by limiting screen time,” according to the APA. They can also take action to “combat negative thinking.” 

“Children and teens can easily fall into the trap of negative thinking. When children use negative self-talk, though, don’t just disagree. Ask them to really think about whether what they say is true, or remind them of times they worked hard and improved. Learning to frame things positively will help them develop resilience to stress,” reports the organization. 

Dunn said minding the mental health of students throughout the year is crucial, parents must also keep their own needs in mind.

“If you are not your best self, it’s almost impossible for you to be able to care for your children. We know that children are a big responsibility. They require a lot of attention, as there are many needs you must meet as a parent,” Dunn said. “Schedule meetings with teachers and with the school. Identify what you can do at home and ask for outside resources like a behavioral health agency such as DMC,” she concluded.

For more information or questions on supports offered during the academic school year, parents can contact BCPS at engagement@bcps.k12.md.us or call 410-545-1870.

Originally published by Word In Black

The post AFRO inside look: Maintaining good mental health during the school year appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

This week, members of the AFRO team highlighted all of the reasons why they are thankful in the year 2023. Through the ups and downs, there are plenty of reasons to be “grateful,” which is defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as being “appreciative of benefits received.” From family and friends to good health, read below to see why the people who keep the AFRO going each week are happy to give thanks this year.

“I’m thankful for my church family. They truly mean a lot to me. I’m also thankful for the opportunities I’ve had while at the AFRO. I’ve traveled throughout Maryland and even out of state to cover important stories that are impacting Black Americans and it’s been amazing to be a part of that. I’m excited to cover even more significant stories.”

• Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Reporter

********** ********** **********

“For the first time in several years, I will be able to spend Thanksgiving with my godmother and her family, who moved to New Hampshire when I was in high school. I’m thankful that we finally get to celebrate the holiday together in person instead of through a screen.”

• Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer

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“God has blessed me with amazing family and friends. We have enjoyed time with each other all year long and this year we will enjoy food from the family garden. I am thankful for good health, the land we live on and the spirit that keeps us all pushing through the holidays and well beyond.”

• Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor

********** ********** **********

“I am thankful God is healing my husband’s body and keeping my mother for 93 years and counting!”

• Diane Hocker, AFRO Community Relations Director

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“Of course my family, my health– but I’m going to shout out my friends this year. I’m fortunate to have some very wonderful, caring friends. Friends who I consider family and consider me as such. I don’t take that for granted.”

• Denise Dorsey, AFRO Production Manager

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“I’m so thankful for my family and for my therapist who helps me remain thankful for them.”

• Taryn Atkinson, AFRO Executive Assistant

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“What I’m most thankful for this holiday season is that I have my health and that I’m able to spend time with my immediate family, reflecting on the goodness of God!”

• Craig Talley, AFRO Media Sales Consultant

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 “I am Thankful for my family and friends, good health and continuous blessings.” 

• LaTasha Owens, Senior Billing Specialist 

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“When I was a foster child, I always asked God for a large family. Little did I know he would answer that prayer by allowing me to be the mother of that family, alongside my husband, Oscar, of 55 years. For Toni, Adrian, Paula and Wanda; for their children, Janiyah, Jourdyn, Jasmine, Jaime and Trenae– and her sons, Arlen Jr. and Ayven–I’m thankful.”

• Dorothy Boulware, AFRO Special Projects Editor

********** ********** **********

“I’m thankful for love. I’m surrounded by so many types of love and it has kept me uplifted. I pray that everyone finds a love that encourages them to grow themselves for the better.

• Ama Brown, AFRO Editorial Assistant

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“I’m thankful that this year my birthday falls on Thanksgiving. I’m a turkey baby!”

• Bonnies Deanes, AFRO Finance Manager

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“I’m thankful for my family and friends.”

• Chakya Brown, Billing Specialist

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“I’m thankful for my loved ones. They always support my endeavors and are constantly pushing me to my best self. I’m also thankful for Amazon Prime— it helped me out alot this year.”

• Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer

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“I’m grateful for the love and support of family, the warmth of cherished friendships, and the opportunities that have shaped my journey in my career. But to say all of this, I’m very grateful for God keeping me under his wing to allow me to be everything I need to be in this world.”

• Wesley Robinson, AFRO Social Media Consultant and Producer 

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“I’m thankful for the ability to say ‘Thank you Lord’ on a daily basis. I’m grateful for the grace God gives me and my family!”

• Kevin “MPeckable” Peck, AFRO VP of Marketing and Technology

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“I’m forever thankful for the opportunity to curate stories for the Black community. I am grateful to everyone who reached out with requests for coverage, tips, comments and yes— even complaints, which help us grow and become better. I count it a blessing to wake up everyday and be able to curate the stories that ultimately build the AFRO archives, an invaluable resource and record of Black history and culture.”

• Alexis Taylor, AFRO Managing Editor

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“I’m thankful for family, tradition and delicious homemade cooking.”

• Justin McGriff, High School Teacher, Harrisburg, Pa. 

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“I’m grateful for my family and my friends.”

Jourdyn Pierce, Freshman Chemistry Major, University of Hartford 

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“I’m thankful for my family and friends because they’re always with me when things are hard.” 

• Ashley Adeyemo, Sophomore, Joppatowne High School

The post AFRO team members reveal reasons to be thankful in 2023 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Washington and Baltimore

By AFRO Staff

https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=afro_lifestyle_11-24-2023&u=afronewspaper

The post Sophisticated Settings Lifestyle – November 24, 2023 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Name: Rev. Stephanie M. Atkins, Pastor

Recreation choices:

Writing, Dance Ministry Development and Sisterhood with my Links sisters.

The post Meet the Pastor: Rev. Stephanie Atkins appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

For those who’ve known and worshiped at Sharon Baptist Church in West Baltimore, history was made, Nov. 12 when the Rev. Dr. William E. Johnson, Jr., formerly the pastor of the church, was consecrated as lead pastor. Johnson is only the fifth in the church’s history to be named to the position. He stepped up
to fill the void left by his former mentor, friend and Sharon Baptist senior pastor of 30 years, the late Rev. A. C. D. Vaughn, who died March 19.

The Sharon community is quite familiar with the ministry of Rev. Johnson, as he has been a member of the church community for years. He has been fluent in the language of the community and served within and beyond the walls of Sharon Baptist. Johnson continues to build on the story begun many years ago by the Rev. William M. Alexander, who pastored in 1892. That same year, the AFRO American Newspapers was born after a merger of local newsletters, to include a publication from Sharon Baptist.

The post Sharon Baptist Church installs Rev. Dr. William E. Johnson Jr. as new senior pastor appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Patricia McDougall

The D.C. Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Choice Awards and Gala at the Hilton Hotel with a theme of “Elevate, Advocate and Connect” on Nov. 10. Angela Franco, president of the D.C. Chambers shared welcoming remarks to the audience. D.C. Chamber Chairwoman Tonya Vidal Kinlow, gave greetings on behalf of the board and the program began with many receiving awards including the Ali family which was recognized for their staple business, Ben’s Chili Bowl. 

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser received the D.C. Chamber Chairwoman Award. 

The post District leaders highlighted at Annual D.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Choice Awards and Gala appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

This year, the AFRO asked readers and supporters to submit information about the veterans in their lives and why they choose to honor them. Black veterans and their experiences are vital pieces of our nation’s history and we’re honored to highlight their stories. We thank our veterans for their bravery, their sacrifice and most importantly, their service.

Hon. Wilbur P. Trammell

1. “My dad the Hon. Wilbur P. Trammell’s time in the Air Corp–now the Air Force– was relatively short, but yielded a powerful legacy among his children and grandchildren. Homeownership is a key to wealth building and service provided a pathway to homeownership.” 

           – Dana Peck 

Arlen Watson Sr.

2. “Arlen is a hardworking selfless man who is willing to give the very clothes off his back for others. He is always thinking of ways to bring joy to others, oftentimes, with his famous line ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy Birthday’ on random days just to make others feel special.”

– Trenae Watson

Samuel Stackhouse 

3. “My husband served in the Marines and then the Army. He is a soldier at heart. He loves people and enjoys serving others.”

– Toni Boulware Stackhouse 

    Clarence Barber Jr.

4. “There was no one like my father! In spite of his father being away on ships, majority of the time, Clarence Barber Jr., was an overachiever. Thanks to a mentor and his academic success (skipping two grades during a time that Latin was a required subject), my father was accepted and graduated from then Hampton Institute. During his time at Hampton, my father was drafted into the military. From Sept. 29, 1943 until honorably discharged on March 10, 1946, my father served stateside during World War II as a mechanic. After his service to the United States my father returned to Hampton graduating in 1948. From educator to architectural engineer my father was blessed during a time when most ‘negros’ were held up. But GOD was always with my father– from a young man getting into fights constantly,  to a college graduate–always mentoring.”

– Lucille Coleman  

Terrence Jones

5. “My dad is my favorite veteran because of his courageous and open minded mindset. I admire everything my dad does for me and my family. I am so grateful of the job he does because is constantly putting himself at risk for my family. I will never stop saying how my dad will always be my favorite veteran.”

– Victoria Jones

Deyane Moses

6. “Deyane Moses is one of the AFRO’s favorite veterans. She is the most thorough, reliable and caring teammate you could ask for. She is the best!” 

– AFRO American Newspapers Staff

PFC Vashti Murphy Matthews and S1 Robert W. Matthews III 

7. Lieutenant Colonel Rodger Murphy Matthews served 25 years commanding various aviation and logistical units world wide, in addition to working in the Multinational Force during the First Gulf War. He chose to honor his parents in this week’s edition of the AFRO. Shown here, S1 Robert W. Matthews III, USCG in South Pacific during WWII, and PFC Vashti Murphy Matthews, member of the 6888 stationed in Europe during WWII.

The post A time to honor: AFRO friends and family discuss the veterans that inspire them appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By DaQuan Lawrence,
AFRO International Writer,
DLawrence@afro.com

Protests across the country have increased as the Israel-Hamas war intensifies. Americans across the nation are calling for a ceasefire and speaking up on behalf of the innocent civilians in Gaza, trapped in a warzone as Israeli retaliation for the Oct. 7 Hamas attack continues. 

In Baltimore, the Jewish Voice for Peace, which describes itself as “largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization in the world,” organized a march from Penn Station to the office of Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07) on Nov.1. 

Residents and community leaders stopped the flow of traffic for hours after the march began at 3 p.m., calling for peace. 

“I’m here to support the ceasefire,” said Lawrence T. Brown, Ph.D., author of the Black Butterfly. “I do believe people should have the right to defend themselves, but you shouldn’t be going in to kill unarmed, innocent people– especially children. That’s what I think I see happening and that is what’s breaking my heart.”

Mfume weighed in on the issue in a statement sent to the AFRO. 

“I support a humanitarian pause of violence in the war between Israel and Hamas, the release of hostages, and the guarantee of safe corridors to ensure that aid flows into Gaza safely,” said Mfume. “I am not a cosponsor of H.Res. 786 because it fails to condemn the Hamas terrorist group of its responsibility for this war.”

According to information released on govtrack.us, House Resolution 786 (H.Res. 786) was introduced by Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.-01) and called for an “immediate deescalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine.”

Rev. Heber Brown III, spoke with the AFRO about his first hand experiences in the region.

“While in Palestine and Israel myself, I saw what racial discrimination looked like there and it was very familiar to what racism and legacies of brutality look like for Black people in the United States,” said Brown, leader of the Black Church Food Security Network. “Our situations are not identical in every single way, but there’s enough of a connection that I believe it’s important for me to raise my voice for justice and peace.”

The 75-year-old modern state of Israel endured one of the most significant invasions in five decades on Oct. 7, after suspected militants from Hamas coordinated a devastating assault in Southern Israel. 

Residents along the Israeli-Gaza border woke up to warfare, as alleged members of Hamas razed everything in sight. Hundreds of hostages were taken, and while some have been released, many are still in captivity as the conflict escalates. Images and video of a particularly brutal attack at a party for peace, also near the border, have circled the globe. On Oct. 30 Israeli officials confirmed the beheading of Shani Louk. The German native was just one of many international travelers taken hostage at the rave calling for unity between Israel and Gaza.

After the Oct. 7 attack, Israel immediately declared war, launching airstrikes and ground attacks.

Now, despite widespread accounts of Israel defending itself from Hamas forces in mainstream media, many experts, activists, members of the international community have called Israel’s attacks on Palestinian territory a form of contemporary genocide. 

Israel has increased its bombardment of the Gaza Strip as Israeli Defense Forces “expand” ground operations in Gaza.

“In Gaza, the IDF is proceeding with the stages of the war. Overnight, IDF forces entered the northern Gaza Strip and expanded ground activities,” IDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, declared on Oct. 28. “Covered by aerial support, IDF infantry, armor, engineer and artillery forces took part in these activities. The expansion of the IDF’s operational activity furthers the war’s goals,” Hagari said.

Israel has claimed that it is defending its citizenry from Hamas advances and attacks, but there have been accounts of Palestinian civilian casualties as a result of Israel’s attacks. 

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza released a list on Oct. 26, which documented the deaths of more than 7,000 Palestinians, including nearly 3,000 children, since the war began just weeks ago. 

Gaza is currently facing a communications blackout, as residents across the besieged Palestinian territory have been disconnected from the outside world and each other. UN agencies and numerous international aid groups have said they are unable to reach teams on the ground in Gaza. 

Alleged censorship of social media accounts as well as disruptions to electricity and internet access have created conditions where people under fire in Gaza have been prevented from receiving the information and resources they need to survive.

In addition to media censorship and internet outages, there have been reports of recent arrests of Arab citizens in Israel due to social media posts, expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Social media and mainstream media alike have been used to spread misleading information on both sides of the conflict.

Several pro-Palestine protests have taken place in the U.S. as well as around the globe. The protests have varied in size, with some demonstrations including tens of thousands of people in cities across Africa, Asia, Europe,  the Middle East and the U.S. 

Various international bodies, nations and members of the global community have called for humanitarian assistance, with the UN General Assembly voting in favor of a resolution that would put in place a humanitarian truce on Oct. 27. 

A total of 120 countries voted in favor of the UN resolution for a humanitarian truce, while the U.S. and Israel led 14 countries that voted against, and another 45 nations abstained.

The post Protests spread in America as Israel- Hamas conflict escalates appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

The Baltimore City College Knights met up with the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Parrots for the 134th time on Oct. 28. The annual rivalry brings alumni from around the country back to Charm City, as they reminisce and proudly wear their school colors.

Bands and dance girls hyped up the crowd as the players gave their all on the Earl C. Banks Field at Morgan State University. 

Ultimately, Baltimore City College emerged victorious over the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. The historic matchup ended with a final score of 44-6, with City College taking home the trophy.

The post Baltimore City College wins 134th historic matchup against Baltimore Polytechnic Institute appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

While some may feel alone in seeking treatment, mental illness in the general public is more common than one may think. 

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM), “an estimated 26 percent of Americans ages 18 and older– about one in four adults –suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.” 

Furthermore, JHM reports that “mental health disorders account for several of the top causes of disability in established market economies, such as the U.S., worldwide, and include: major depression (also called clinical depression), manic depression (also called bipolar disorder), schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.”

The numbers may be shocking, but there are many remedies available to deal with mental issues aside from or in addition to medication. 

According to information released by the Mayo Clinic, physical activity can go a long way in helping individuals cope with depression and anxiety by “releasing feel-good endorphins,” or “natural cannabis-like brain chemicals (endogenous cannabinoids) and other natural brain chemicals that can enhance your sense of well-being.” The Mayo Clinic reports that exercise can also  help by “taking your mind off worries so you can get away from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression and anxiety.”

Food can also play a part in mental health outcomes, according to information released by Aetna. 

“The link between diet and emotions stems from the close relationship between your brain and your gastrointestinal tract, often called the ‘second brain,’ reports the healthcare company. “Your GI tract is home to billions of bacteria that influence the production of chemical substances that constantly carry messages from the gut to the brain. Two common examples of this are dopamine and serotonin.”

“Eating nutritionally dense food promotes the growth of ‘good’ bacteria, which in turn positively affects the production of these chemicals,” experts from Aetna report. “When production is optimal, your brain receives these positive messages loud and clear, and your mental state can reflect it. On the other hand, when production goes awry, so might your mood.”

As October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, the AFRO spoke with a few prominent locals on how they cope with the day to day stressors of life and balance their busy lifestyles. 

Peter Lwuh, 22 

CEO at Tykoon Agency and Tykoon Sports

Peter Lwuh says that he maintains his health by maintaining a regular, healthy diet. He enjoys calisthenics, including push ups and pull- ups. He also enjoys hiking to maintain a good balance of exercise. Lush says his go-to tip is to remember that minimizing stress is key! 

*****************************

Dana Petersen Moore, 66

Attorney, Baltimore City Chief Equity Officer and Director of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights

I maintain a regular diet, with low carbs, low sugar, no alcohol and no tobacco. My favorite exercise is walking. I started during the pandemic as a way of managing the stress of having to go into the office alone every day and the isolation that came with that. I joined my coach’s Sunday walks through Druid Hill Park. That was a tremendous outlet and I’ve kept it up.  Anyone can do it, and it can be done anywhere!

I absolutely love playing golf. Haven’t been able to do it in a while, however!

[My] best tip for maintaining good health: exercise regularly. Try to do some form of exercise every day.  Definitely manage stress. Find what works for you and deploy it as needed!  Nothing to excess. And it shouldn’t be missed that joy and laughter can cure a lot of the little ills we often encounter!

*****************************

William Lee, 51 

Assistant Pastor, Community of Hope AME Church
Professional Photographer, www.studioblp.com

I would consider myself in good health. I have a regular diet, but do not eat fast food or fried foods. My favorite exercise is boxing–working mitts, a heavy bag and light sparring. My favorite recreation is listening to great music and looking at photography books. I truly believe the best tip for maintaining is being consistent in exercising and eating right. 

*****************************

Marcia Ra-Akbar

Real Estate and Wellness Specialist

Ra-Akbar says her health is in good condition. She maintains her health by eating healthy and describes herself as an “aspiring pescatarian.” Her favorite exercise is the squat and dancing is her favorite thing to do to get moving.

*****************************

Jeffrey Butler

Photographer

Photographer Jeffrey Butler says he’s in good health.  He’s 66 years old and he doesn’t have a particular diet that he follows. He avoids soda and eats smaller portions for his meals. He’s currently looking into intermittent fasting as an option. His favorite exercise is the rowing machine, and his favorite recreation is listening to live music. He suggests being mindful of what your body needs. “Everything doesn’t work the same for everyone. When you find what works for you keep at it.”

*****************************

Sherri Braxton

Fitness Trainer/Consultant and Owner of “Sherri Fitness”

Sherri Braxton is a trainer and community fitness partner who owns Sherri fitness. The 58-year old consultant says she’s in excellent health and maintains a healthy diet that’s fitness focused. Out of the many exercises she does, jump squats are her favorite. Her choice for recreation is working out and her tip is to eat a balanced diet that includes three main meals, and two snacks throughout the day.

*****************************

Winston Scatliffe

Ramp Tech

Winston Scatliffe Sr. is a 58-year-old ramp tech who says he’s in good health. He follows a regular diet with no processed food. His favorite exercises are weight training and running. His choices for recreation are exercise and travel.
His suggestion for maintaining good health is regular exercise and drinking lots of water

Check out the tips below from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America:

• Get active! Thirty minutes of brisk physical activity daily is ideal but even 10 to 15 minutes a day can help. Depression can limit activity but try to push through it.
• Nourish your body! Eat well-balanced meals and avoid high-sugar, high-fat, processed foods and alcohol. 
• Sleep! Too much sleep is not good for depression but getting enough sleep is essential for the mind and body.
• Journal! Write down recurring negative thoughts or feelings. Writing helps with personal expression and allows you to identify any distorted thinking and maladaptive behaviors.    
• Challenge your thinking! Are your distortions true? Or do they just feel real? Are you taking into account the evidence? Does it help to think this way? 
• Limit rumination! Excessively rehashing thoughts, memories or moments in time are a part of depression. Try being more aware when it happens and redirect yourself by thinking or doing something more helpful.
• Set realistic goals! Rather than tackle a goal on a large scale, break it down so it is smaller and more manageable. Celebrate micro-successes and build on them.
• Reduce procrastination! Try to do things a little at a time rather than avoid tasks all together. This can promote a sense of accomplishment and self-efficacy.
• Avoid the big decisions! Contemplating or acting on major life decisions should be avoided until your cognitive and decision-making abilities are sharper.
• Engage in healthy joyful activities! Try to enjoy the small things like listening to a good song, reaching out to a friend, dancing in your own space, or a cup of tea.
• Stay connected! It may feel hard but keep friends and family close. Try to explain what you are experiencing and how they can help. Know you are not alone. 
• Practice self-compassion! Being harsh or overly critical is not helpful, give yourself some grace and kindness.  

The post AFRO inside look: how community members and leaders mind their health appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By DaQuan Lawrence,
AFRO International Writer,
DLawrence@afro.com

The 75-year-old modern state of Israel endured one of the most significant invasions in five decades on Oct. 7, after suspected militants from Hamas coordinated a devastating assault in Southern Israel. 

Residents along the Israeli-Gaza border woke up to warfare, as alleged members of Hamas razed everything in sight. Hundreds of hostages were taken, and while some have been released, many are still in captivity as the conflict escalates. Images and video of a particularly brutal attack at a party for peace, also near the border, have circled the globe. On Oct. 30 Israeli officials confirmed the beheading of Shani Louk. The German native was just one of many international travelers taken hostage at the rave calling for unity between Israel and Gaza.

After the Oct. 7 attack, Israel immediately declared war, launching airstrikes and ground attacks.

Now, despite widespread accounts of Israel defending itself from Hamas forces in mainstream media, many experts, activists, members of the international community have called Israel’s attacks on Palestinian territory a form of contemporary genocide. 

Israel has increased its bombardment of the Gaza Strip as Israeli Defense Forces “expand” ground operations in Gaza.

“In Gaza, the IDF is proceeding with the stages of the war. Overnight, IDF forces entered the northern Gaza Strip and expanded ground activities,” IDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, declared on Oct. 28. “Covered by aerial support, IDF infantry, armor, engineer and artillery forces took part in these activities. The expansion of the IDF’s operational activity furthers the war’s goals,” Hagari said.

Israel has claimed that it is defending its citizenry from Hamas advances and attacks, but there have been accounts of Palestinian civilian casualties as a result of Israel’s attacks. 

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza released a list on Oct. 26, which documented the deaths of more than 7,000 Palestinians, including nearly 3,000 children, since the war began just weeks ago. 

Gaza is currently facing a communications blackout, as residents across the besieged Palestinian territory have been disconnected from the outside world and each other. UN agencies and numerous international aid groups have said they are unable to reach teams on the ground in Gaza. 

Alleged censorship of social media accounts as well as disruptions to electricity and internet access have created conditions where people under fire in Gaza have been prevented from receiving the information and resources they need to survive.

In addition to media censorship and internet outages, there have been reports of recent arrests of Arab citizens in Israel due to social media posts, expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Social media and mainstream media alike have been used to spread misleading information on both sides of the conflict.

Several pro-Palestine protests have taken place in the U.S. as well as around the globe. The protests have varied in size, with some demonstrations including tens of thousands of people in cities across Africa, Asia, Europe,  the Middle East and the U.S. 

Various international bodies, nations and members of the global community have called for humanitarian assistance, with the UN General Assembly voting in favor of a resolution that would put in place a humanitarian truce on Oct. 27. 

A total of 120 countries voted in favor of the UN resolution for a humanitarian truce, while the U.S. and Israel led 14 countries that voted against, and another 45 nations abstained.

The post Violence and misinformation spread in Israel- Hamas conflict appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles

AFRO Business Writer

msayles@afro.com

The Greater Baltimore region has become a federally-designated tech hub for biotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI). President Biden designated 31 communities across the U.S. as Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs on Oct. 23 as part of the CHIPS and Science Act.

The hubs are tasked with driving investment in technologies that are critical to the country’s economic growth, national security, job creation and global competitiveness. Baltimore’s tech hub will be led by the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC).

“From a personal level, this is one of the highlights of my life. From a professional standpoint, I’m super committed to GBC providing economic leadership that has been missing from the region,” said Mark Anthony Thomas, president and CEO of GBC. “To me, this is a win toward building the trust locally that we can do that.”

GBC oversaw the application process for this designation, engaging more than 30 stakeholder organizations in the Greater Baltimore region for the bid. The consortium included local institutions, like Morgan State University (MSU), Fearless, Digital Harbor Foundation, Fulton Bank and Johns Hopkins University (JHU).

 The focus areas for the bid were AI and biotechnology. In the application, GBC leaned into the city being poised to lead in predictive health technologies, which analyze past health care data to identify patterns and improve health outcomes.

The nonprofit expects that this technology will create 52,000 jobs in the region by 2030.

“We realized that those were two themes that had a consistent thread through community colleges, HBCUs and research institutions and in the private sector and government. Now, we’re allowed to put those ideas in front of the federal government and see where there is willingness to put money behind them,” said Thomas. “What distinguished us among the 400 applicants was that our technology and our focus had the potential to have the economic impact that the federal government wants to see.”

Now that Greater Batimore has been given the designation, GBC and its consortium will initiate phase two of the program. This will involve competing for up to $75 million in funding to operationalize biotechnology and AI projects that will propel economic development and sustainability in the area.

“I’m extremely proud of the 38 consortium members who came together. It is not easy bringing a wide range of partners to the table,” said LaToya Staten, director of impact at Fearless. “This is not just about Baltimore, it’s about the region. It’s really exciting to get this designation.”

She thinks leveraging the region’s robust research institutions, like MSU and JHU, will be key to future projects.

“As Governor Moore says, we’ve always been asset rich and strategy poor,” said Staten. “This allows us to really gather Greater Baltimore to put together a good, collective strategy for showing the rest of the country that Baltimore is here, and we are one of the top tech hubs.”

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

The post Greater Baltimore named a federal tech hub by Biden Administration appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Special to air Sunday, Dec. 10 on CBS

By AFRO Staff

The Recording Academy is amassing a bevy of hip-hop heavyweights to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop on Nov. 8 at the 6,000-seat YouTube Theater in Inglewood, Calif.

The live concert, “A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop,” will spotlight and celebrate the deep history of the genre, its evolution, colossal global impact and influence on culture.

“Now, 50 years later, there’s not a single genre of music that hasn’t absorbed something essential from hip-hop,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in a speech in early September during a celebration of hip-hop event at Vice President Kamala Harris’ Washington, D.C. home.

“Hip-hop is the ultimate American art form,” Harris said at the same event. “Hip-hop now shapes nearly every aspect of America’s popular culture. And it reflects the incredible diversity and ingenuity of the American people.

“Hip-hop culture is America’s culture,” she continued. “It is a genre. It is music, melody and rhyme. And hip-hop is also an ethos of strength and self-determination, of ambition and aspiration, of pride, power, and purpose.”

For its Nov. 8 concert, the Academy promises a star-studded lineup of hip-hop legends and Grammy-winning artists including, Black Thought, Bun B, Common, De La Soul, Jermaine Dupri, J.J. Fad, Talib Kweli, The Lady Of Rage, LL COOL J, MC Sha-Rock, Monie Love, The Pharcyde, Queen Latifah, Questlove, Rakim, Remy Ma, Uncle Luke, Yo-Yo, and many more performers to be announced in the coming weeks.

The tribute concert is being produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment. Jesse Collins, Shawn Gee, Dionne Harmon, Claudine Joseph, LL COOL J, Fatima Robinson, Jeannae Rouzan-Clay and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson for Two One Five Entertainment serve as executive producers and Marcelo Gama as director of the special.

The CBS network will air the event on Dec. 10, 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.  The musical event also will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers and all music professionals. For more information about the event, the Grammy Awards and the Recording Academy, please visit www.grammy.com and www.recordingacademy.com.

The post Recording Academy to present ‘A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop’ on Nov. 8 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Article updated Oct. 24.

The Baltimore faith community was shocked to learn of the Oct. 16 death of the Rev. Dr.Grady Andrew Yeargin, who has been pastor of the City Temple of Baltimore Baptist church for nearly 40 years.

His daughter, Adia Crawford made the painful announcement that she has lost her dad.

“There is no easier way to say it and I still can’t believe this is my life,” she wrote on her Facebook page on Oct. 17. “He was an amazing pastor, able to make even the most obscure Bible references relatable to anyone; but to me, he was just Dad.”

“I just lost the man my children called ‘Poppy,’ a name given to him by my sister Kimberly,” Crawford said, adding her dad was the man she could talk to about anything.

Baltimore has lost a great spiritual leader as well, Crawford said.

Rev. Yeargin served as City Temple’s pastor since 1986 and made his presence felt in the community through B.U.I.L.D. and leadership in the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the United Missionary Baptist Convention of Maryland and with the Baltimore affiliate of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS.

He is married to Patricia Ann Yeargin and they have two daughters, Adia Joi and Candace. Their daughter Kimberly Rei preceded him into glory.

Gatherings for Rev. Dr. Grady A. Yeargin Jr. are below:

Friday, November 10, 2023

Greeting of the Family
5:00-6:30 P.M.
Musical Tribute
6:30-7:00 P.M.

City Temple of Baltimore (Baptist)
317 Dolphin Street
Baltimore, MD. 21217

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Memorial Service
11:00 A.M.

City Temple of Baltimore (Baptist)
317 Dolphin Street
Baltimore, MD. 21217

The post City Temple of Baltimore pastor Grady Andrew Yeargin dies at 73 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By DaQuan Lawrence,
AFRO International Writer,
DLawrence@afro.com

Members of the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations (CCBJR) are weighing in on the latest deadly conflict overseas.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the nation is “at war” on Oct. 7 as Palestinian militants known as “Hamas” invaded numerous Israeli towns, brutally slaughtering hundreds,  taking hostages and firing thousands of rockets. 

“I convened the heads of the security establishment and ordered – first of all – to clear out the communities that have been infiltrated by terrorists,” said Netanyahu, in statements released to the press. “I call on the citizens of Israel to strictly adhere to the directives of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and Home Front Command. We are at war and we will win it.” 

Members of the CCBJR issued a statement on the tragic situation. The caucus is co-chaired by Congresswoman Nikema Williams (Ga.-05), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.-25) and Congressman Wesley Hunt (Texas-38).

“As co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the brazen Hamas attack on Israel. Israel has the unequivocal right to defend itself and its people. We stand with Israel and our hearts go out to the families and communities affected by the senseless acts of terrorism and hope to see a swift and safe return of those held hostage. The bond between the United States and Israel is, and will always be, ironclad,” read the CCBJR statement. 

“Additionally, while we have no indication of specific domestic anti-Semitic threats related to the recent terrorist attacks in Israel, if the past is a guide for the future, the coming days could be a precarious time for the American Jewish community. We call on the U.S. Government, particularly its law enforcement agencies, to take swift concrete steps to protect our communities.”

During the early morning hours of Oct. 7, the 75-year-old state of Israel endured one of the most significant invasions of its modern territory in the previous five decades, after suspected militants from Gaza coordinated a devastating assault in Southern Israel. 

After the unprecedented turn of events, Netanyahu addressed the country and the world. 

“Citizens of Israel, we are at war. Not an operation… at war! This morning Hamas initiated a murderous surprise attack against the state of Israel and its citizens,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by the Israeli government.

Dozens of Palestinian paramilitary fighters infiltrated the nation from Gaza on multiple fronts via air, land and sea. Fighting has commenced in various communities near the Gaza Strip including Be’eri, Re’im and Sderot, while hostages have been held in Be’eri and Ofakim. 

Ashriel Moore, a resident in Tel-Aviv, discussed the ongoing situation with the AFRO, as well as the nuances of being a member of the African Diaspora who has settled in the modern state of Israel. Moore was scheduled to speak with the AFRO about being Black in Israel on the morning of Oct. 7, but the turn of events quickly changed the topic of the meeting.

“We woke up to about 2,000 rockets being launched from the Gaza Strip into the heart of the cities here in Israel,” Moore said via a phone interview on the morning of Oct. 7.  “We were awakened by alarm sirens and we were notified that more than 100 terrorists had infiltrated the borders of Israel by air—through parachutes— and on the ground border.”

Moore is a member of a unique group of people of African descent who settled in Israel in the 1960s under the leadership of the late Ben Ammi Ben-Israel. The group calls itself the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem, a group different from the Hebrew Israelites seen in America. 

Despite the political regime that governs the nation and the religious and ethnic background of military and governmental leaders, Moore emphasized that Black Israelis, or members of the African Diaspora who have settled in Israel, should be entitled to safety amid the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. 

“It’s our responsibility to explain what’s going on in Israel from an Afrocentric perspective so the conflict isn’t viewed as ‘a war between Hamas and White Israel,’ because those rockets being shot from Gaza affect me just as much as they affect anybody else who lives here,” Moore said. 

According to the website of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Group (Hamas), Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’ military arm, declared that the assault was in response to several recent and historic points of conflict, including violence at Al Aqsa, the disputed Jerusalem holy site sacred to Jews as the Temple Mount, increasing attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians as well as the growth of settlements. 

Deif said the recent attack is merely the start of “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm” and called on Palestinians between east Jerusalem and northern Israel to join the fight. Deif also cited the ongoing 16-year blockade of Gaza and Israeli raids inside West Bank cities over the past year as reasons for the surprise attack.  

According to the IDF, fighting continued into the early evening in at least five places throughout the southern parts of the country, and Israel had retaliated with strikes on Gaza cities. IDF said that it has struck several terrorist forces around southern Israel and numerous sites that belong to Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 

Israeli Air Force fighter jets and drones attacked 17 military compounds, four headquarters as well as two residential towers that the Israeli military believes stores Hamas assets according to the IDF. As reported by The Times of Israel, the IDF allegedly notified residents of the two buildings before they began their assault. 

Members of the international community, foreign nations and national leaders have weighed in on the latest events in the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a statement released by officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which recently held discussions with the U.S. about re-establishing bilateral relations with Israel, the Middle Eastern nation called for both sides to exercise restraint. 

The kingdom said it had continually cautioned both sides about “the dangers of the situation exploding as a result of the continued occupation [and] the Palestinian people being deprived of their legitimate rights.”

U.S. President Joe Biden condemned Palestinian militants, declaring the events an “appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza” in a statement released by the White House. According to the Biden administration, the president spoke with Netanyahu and  said Israel “has a right to defend itself and its people.” 

Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group congratulated Hamas, applauding the attack as a response to “Israeli crimes.” The Lebanese group said it was in contact with Hamas about the operational planning of the latest attack. 

Despite the potential of further escalation as Israel declared a state of war, Moore said he has hope both sides of the conflict can reach a peaceful resolution. 

“We believe in principles that could lead to a better solution to the current situation we have in Israel, but the problem is that on both ends, you have people who are actually benefiting from this current situation,” Moore told the AFRO. 

“Some people [in] the conflict don’t want to find a solution,” he added. “They prefer for this to continue going on and we don’t support that at all.” According to reporting from Al Jazeera, the Israeli death toll due to attacks by Hamas reached 1,200 on Oct. 10, while the Palestinian casualties from Israeli attacks numbered 1,100. More than 5,000 more people have been injured by fighting in the region. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported Oct. 11 that “about 60 percent of the injuries occurred by the Israeli airstrikes were among women and children in the Gaza Strip.”

The post Black and Jewish members of Congress speak out on brutal Israel- Hamas war appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Runners in the 5K began their race at 7:30 a.m., with participants in the Marathon and 10K race setting off at 8 a.m. The half-marathon runners began at 9:45 a.m. and all races are set to conclude at 3 p.m.

The post All races of the Baltimore Running Festival have officially kicked off!   appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By DaQuan Lawrence,
AFRO International Writer,
DLawrence@afro.com

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the nation is “at war” on Oct. 7 as Palestinian militants from Hamas invaded numerous Israeli towns taking hostages and firing thousands of rockets. 

“I convened the heads of the security establishment and ordered – first of all – to clear out the communities that have been infiltrated by terrorists,” said Netanyahu, in statements released to the press. “I call on the citizens of Israel to strictly adhere to the directives of the IDF and Home Front Command. We are at war and we will win it.” 

During the early morning of Oct. 7, the 75-year-old state of Israel endured one of the most significant invasions of its modern territory in the previous five decades, after suspected militants from Gaza coordinated a devastating assault in Southern Israel. 

After the unprecedented turn of events, Netanyahu addressed the country— and the world. 

“Citizens of Israel, we are at war. Not an operation… at war! This morning Hamas initiated a murderous surprise attack against the state of Israel and its citizens,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by the Israeli government.

Dozens of Palestinian paramilitary fighters infiltrated the nation from Gaza on multiple fronts, as militants invaded towns via air, land and sea. Fighting has commenced in various communities near the Gaza Strip including Be’eri, Re’im and Sderot, while hostages have been held in Be’ri and Ofakim. 

Ashriel Moore, a resident in Tel-Aviv, discussed the ongoing situation with The AFRO, as well as the nuances of being a member of the African diaspora who has settled in the modern state of Israel. Moore was scheduled to speak with the AFRO about being Black in Israel on the morning of Oct.7, but the turn of events quickly changed the topic of the meeting.

“We woke up to about 2000 rockets being launched from the Gaza Strip into the heart of the cities here in Israel,” Moore said via a phone interview on the morning of Oct. 7.  “We were awakened by alarm sirens and we were notified that more than 100 terrorists had infiltrated the borders of Israel by air—through parachutes— and on the ground border.”

Moore is a member of a unique group of people of African descent who settled in Israel in the 1960s under the leadership of the late Ben Ammi Ben-Israel. The group calls themselves the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem, a group different from the Hebrew Israelites seen in America. 

Despite the political regime that governs the nation and the religious and ethnic background of military and governmental leaders, Moore emphasized that Black Israelis, or members of the African diaspora who have settled in Israel, should be entitled to safety amid the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. 

“It’s our responsibility to explain what’s going on in Israel from an Afrocentric perspective so the conflict isn’t viewed as ‘a war between Hamas and White Israel,’ because those rockets being shot from Gaza affect me just as much as they affect anybody else who lives here,” Moore explained. 

According to the website of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Group (Hamas), Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’ military arm, declared that the assault was in response to several recent and historic points of conflict including violence at Al Aqsa, the disputed Jerusalem holy site sacred to Jews as the Temple Mount, increasing attacks by settlers on Palestinians as well as the growth of settlements. 

Deif said the recent attack is merely the start of “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm” and called on Palestinians between east Jerusalem and northern Israel to join the fight. Deif also cited the ongoing 16-year blockade of Gaza and Israeli raids inside West Bank cities over the past year as reasons for the surprise attack.  

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), fighting continued into the early evening in at least five places throughout the southern parts of the country, and Israel had retaliated with strikes on Gazan cities. IDF said that it has struck several terrorist forces around southern Israel and numerous sites that belong to Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 

Israeli Air Force fighter jets and drones attacked 17 military compounds, four headquarters as well as two residential towers that the Israeli military believes stores Hamas assets according to the IDF. As reported by The Times of Israel, the IDF allegedly notified residents of the two buildings before they began their assault. 

Although the numbers continue to increase, thus far approximately 300 individuals have reportedly been killed and about 1,500 other people have been wounded in Israel according to both Israeli and Palestinian officials. At least 230 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, and more than 1,600 people have been wounded since the beginning of the assault as reported by the Gazan Health Ministry. 

Members of the international community, foreign nations and national leaders have weighed in on the latest events in the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a statement released by officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which recently held discussions with the U.S. about re-establishing bilateral relations with Israel, the Middle Eastern nation called for both sides to exercise restraint. 

The kingdom said it had continually cautioned both sides about “the dangers of the situation exploding as a result of the continued occupation [and] the Palestinian people being deprived of their legitimate rights.”

U.S. President Joe Biden condemned Palestinian militants declaring the events an “appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza” in a statement released by the White House. According to the Biden Administration, the president spoke with Netanyahu and mentioned that Israel “has a right to defend itself and its people.” 

Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group congratulated Hamas, applauding the attack as a response to “Israeli crimes.” The Lebanese group said it was in contact with Hamas about the operational planning of the latest attack. 

Despite the potential of further escalation as Israel declared a state of war, Moore expressed that he has hope both sides of the conflict can reach a peaceful resolution. 

“We believe in principles that could lead to a better solution to the current situation we have in Israel, but the problem is that on both ends, you have people who are actually benefiting from this current situation,” Moore told the AFRO. 

“Some people [in] the conflict don’t want to find a solution,” said Moore. “They prefer for this to continue going on and we don’t support that at all.” 

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Members of the Morgan State University community will join with prayer warriors tonight at 8 p.m. 

Link to prayer meeting: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82892534232

Passcode: 546084

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 #MORGANSTRONG

By AFRO Staff 

Though news of the Oct. 3 shooting on the campus of Morgan State University spread quickly across the nation, students and members of the Morgan community are hoping their message of strength, perseverance and unity is carried even farther. 

Students of the historically Black college were closing out their 2023 coronation activities when shots rang out. In total, one woman and four men were shot, but all of the victims sustained non-fatal injuries. Now, students find themselves trying to deal with the sting of gun violence, all while holding onto the precious memories of this year’s homecoming season– cut short by the violence.

“The coronation was a beautiful event. Well orchestrated and executed by our brilliant students and staff at Morgan,” said 18-year-old Gabrielle Hall. “The crowd was very vibrant and enthusiastic to celebrate our royal court. It was a very uplifting event and an amazing display of Black excellence. The atmosphere was filled with nothing but love and community.”

Tanajha Nazora, Miss Freshman for the 2023-2024 academic year, explained how grateful she is to have the support of the MSU community through this difficult time and how proud she is to stand with her fellow Morganites.

“I hopped into such a big position as a freshman and being the face of my class,” said Nazora, in a Facebook post, recapping the coronation ceremony. “Again, I’m just thankful. I ask that you guys please continue to keep my school in prayer. I love my Morgan State family. We will get through this.”

Classes were canceled on Oct. 4, along with the homecoming concert, the homecoming pep rally and parade. The silent concert planned and all activities related to a Lady Bear volleyball match were also called off. Only two activities were postponed instead of canceled, the highly anticipated football game against Stony Brook University and the MSU 39th Annual Gala.  

Though some students are staying away from the campus– of their own volition, or at the demand of parents– others say they will absolutely return. 

“Morgan State is a home away from home. Everyone is welcome and it provides amazing opportunities for all despite your background or academic history,” Hall told the AFRO. “I personally have been able to grow and find amazing people here that have encouraged me to be myself and step out of my comfort zone. The community at Morgan is like no other from the amazing staff, our many organizations, and even just average people you meet everyday.” 

“The Bears are a family and that’s something you will have even after you leave this institution,” she continued. 

Elected officials weighed in with their thoughts in the hours and days after the event.

“It sickens all of us that no place is safe from this type of gun violence. Mass shootings in Baltimore and this flagrant disregard for human life will never be allowed to become the norm,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07), an alum of the institution and chair of the Morgan State University Board of Regents. “Be assured that the vicious criminal(s) responsible for this will be convicted, punished, and removed from our streets. 

“We remain Morgan proud and Baltimore strong.” 

In a message to the MSU community on Oct. 4, David K. Wilson, Ed.D., president of the institution explained the decision to cancel events.

“Today, we unfortunately find ourselves navigating this tragic event during a time at which we should be celebrating our National Treasure during Homecoming. Please understand that the safety of our campus is of the utmost importance and our resolve in ensuring that we have a secure campus is paramount,” stated Wilson, in the letter. “In response to last evening’s events, we are aggressively increasing security measures on campus, further amplifying additional security measures that have been implemented in recent years.” 

“Regarding Homecoming, regrettably for the very first time in Morgan’s history all activities planned around Homecoming will be either canceled or postponed until the perpetrator(s) of this atrocity have been found and brought to justice,” explained Wilson.

“We arrived at this decision after very careful—and at times emotional—deliberation with key stakeholders within our University community including members of my administration, student leaders from SGA and our University Council,” he wrote. “In closing, I want to reiterate our unwavering commitment to delivering a safe campus for our entire Morgan family. We greatly appreciate the support of our larger community who have expressed their concern and support during this most trying time. As more details become available, please know that you will hear from me in the coming days.” 

For more information and updates visit Morgan.edu.

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Baltimore Police Department officials are still seeking suspects responsible for the Oct. 3 shooting of five people on the campus of Morgan State University in Northeast Baltimore. Authorities have released a video showing multiple persons of interest and are asking for help with identifications.

The post Baltimore police release video seeking identities of multiple persons of interest in MSU shooting appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Morgan State University (MSU) officials have decided to cancel or postpone all events related to the 2023 homecoming season. 

In a message to the MSU community on Oct. 4, David K. Wilson, Ed.D., president of the institution explained the decision.

“Today, we unfortunately find ourselves navigating this tragic event during a time at which we should be celebrating our National Treasure during Homecoming. Please understand that the safety of our campus is of the utmost importance and our resolve in ensuring that we have a secure campus is paramount,” stated Wilson, in the letter. “In response to last evening’s events, we are aggressively increasing security measures on campus, further amplifying additional security measures that have been implemented in recent years.” 

“Regarding Homecoming, regrettably for the very first time in Morgan’s history all activities planned around Homecoming will be either canceled or postponed until the perpetrator(s) of this atrocity have been found and brought to justice,” explained Wilson. 

The institution will postpone the MSU 39th Annual Homecoming Gala, which was set for Oct. 6, and the football match against the Stony Brook University Seawolves that was planned for Oct. 7. 

Wilson said in his letter that “canceled activities include: the Homecoming Concert, Silent Headphones Party, Homecoming Pep Rally, Homecoming Parade and all other on campus events including our Lady Bear Volleyball match.”

Students are being offered counseling and classes were canceled for the remainder of the week. 

Wilson said the choices made were tough. 

“We arrived at this decision after very careful—and at times emotional—deliberation with key stakeholders within our University community including members of my administration, student leaders from SGA and our University Council,” he wrote. “In closing, I want to reiterate our unwavering commitment to delivering a safe campus for our entire Morgan family. We greatly appreciate the support of our larger community who have expressed their concern and support during this most trying time. As more details become available, please know that you will hear from me in the coming days.”

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By AFRO Staff

Multiple people have been shot on the campus of Morgan State University, a historically Black college in Northeast Baltimore. The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) confirmed the shooting at 10:01 p.m.

“BPD is on the scene of an active shooter situation in the 1700 block of Argonne Drive,” law enforcement officials announced from their official Twitter page. “We’re asking everyone to shelter in place and avoid the area.” 

“BPD is confirming there are multiple victims involved,” read another tweet from the department. 

Police are asking concerned family members to “avoid the campus area. They may report to the Safeway parking lot at 4401 Harford Road. A BPD officer will be available at that location.”

Morgan State University issued a warning late Tuesday night via the Morgan.edu website, asking all to “please stay clear of the area surrounding Thurgood Marshall Hall and the Murphy Fine Arts Center,” because “an active investigation is currently underway related to a report of shots being fired on or near campus.”

A message was also sent to students and members of the Morgan community who signed up for alerts stating that university officials were “issuing a Shelter-in-Place order.” 

The alert instructed all people on the campus to  “please go indoors or find the nearest shelter,” while those off campus were asked to “avoid coming to the campus until further notice.”

BPD announced shortly before midnight that the situation no longer involved an active shooter. The Shelter-in-Place order on campus has been lifted.

This is a developing story.

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By AFRO Staff

Passionate Black polo players joined Susan Smallwood in hosting the Polo x Jazz event with celebrities Judge Mathis and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins from TLC on Sept. 23. The group enjoyed delicacies from Smallwood’s line of La Grande Caviar and live music from a DJ. The party took place at the Congressional Polo Club amidst
heavy rain but left guests feeling rejuvenated after a red carpet experience, dancing with media personalities and mingling with royal figures like King Yahweh.

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In 2022, Exelon, Pepco’s parent company, launched the RECF in partnership with RockCreek, one of the largest diverse-owned global-operated investment firms. This initiative aims to enhance financial opportunities for diverse businesses so they can create more jobs, grow their companies and reinvest in their neighborhoods and communities. The fund, totaling $36 million, offers affordable capital to enterprises that have historically faced challenges in accessing and securing funding due to systemic barriers.

Pepco is the nation’s largest utility company, serving more than 10 million customers. They provide energy service to almost a million customers in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

Three elected officials, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, and Maryland State Senator William C. Smith Jr., attended the press conference announcement to show their support and speak on the impact of this investment for the local community.

“A city as prosperous as ours can create more wealth and close wealth gaps in our communities. We know when our businesses grow, more DC residents are hired, more wealth is created and circulated in Washington D.C., and more businesses find opportunity,” said Mayor Bowser.

Councilmember McDuffie said, “We are a job city. We are a city that works. It’s going to work even better as we continue to make more investments like the one that’s being made today.”

As part of Exelon’s ongoing efforts to promote equity and economic opportunity in the diverse communities served by Pepco and its sister utilities, the RECF is making investments through debt and equity financing across Exelon’s service regions over the next three years.

“This is a shared mission driven initiative. It’s one of the highlights of my career to have you all here,” said Pepco Holdings CEO and President Tyler Anthony. “Pepco and our parent company, Exelon, are deeply connected to our communities we serve and committed to providing much more than energy by investing in opportunities that make our region thrive.”

RockCreek, a global investment firm with over $16 billion in assets, leads the RECF and makes the fund’s investment decisions.

“Capital is the fuel that allows companies to grow, create jobs, and strengthen communities. RockCreek is proud to partner with Exelon and Pepco to make investments here in D.C. to bring that critical fuel directly to minority-owned businesses,” said Afsaneh Beschloss, CEO of RockCreek. “These visionary founders and business leaders are helping to drive that change, in our community and across our country.”

Following the announcement by the four companies representing the energy, IT, workforce development and real estate fields, leaders from each participated in a panel discussion.

A $1 million equity investment was awarded to Gemini Energy Solutions, a Black-owned and led energy audit and cleantech company that strives to equitably scale energy efficiency to often overlooked small businesses and communities. The organization is currently working to connect businesses and churches in under-resourced communities with green energy solutions.

Public Sector Solutions Group (PS2G) received a $600,000 debt investment. PS2G is a technology driven Black-owned company providing IT consulting services and solutions to state and local government partners.

CJR Development Partners, LC is a minority, woman-owned small business that was awarded a $600,000 debt investment. They advise on public private partnerships and specialize in creating mixed use developments and affordable housing communities.

Escalate is a workforce development platform that provides support for frontline workers to drive retention and positive work environments. Based in Silver Spring, Md., Escalate is a majority-Black and woman-owned company and received $500,000 in equity investment.

“What you invest in minority businesses, Black businesses, it pays dividends …. Those are the numbers, just the raw data points. Think about the stories. Think about the jobs we are creating. Think about the tuition payments that are going to be made. Think about the homes that are going to be purchased. Think about those dreams that are going to be fulfilled,” said Senator Smith.

New RECF applications are open and accepted on a rolling basis. Minority businesses interested in funding may apply online or contact the fund manager, RockCreek, at RECFInquiries@therockcreekgroup.com for more information.

The post PRESS ROOM: Pepco and Exelon’s Racial Equity Capital Fund announces $2.7 million in investments to four local, minority-owned businesses in the District and Maryland appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

The third Hall of Fame Legends Awards Ceremony and Reception took place in the Cherry Hill community on Sept. 16. Trailblazers and legends of the Baltimore neighborhood were honored for their contributions to society and life accomplishments. The event was held at the Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center, located at 201 Reedbird Ave., where advocates are pushing for a Cherry Hill Hall of Fame and Legends Wall at the center. 

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By Marnita Coleman

Special to the AFRO

“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation.” Isaiah 28:16 ESV

Sept. 17 marked a historic moment for the members of Freedom Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church at 2926 Hollins Ferry Road in the Lakeland community of Baltimore.

The congregation, family, friends, distinguished clergy and Baltimore district pastors of the AME Zion Church filled the sanctuary with praise, worship and jubilant celebration as they gathered to dedicate the cornerstone of Freedom Temple and bestow the highest of honor upon their beloved founder and Pastor Emeritus, the Reverend Dr. Frances “Toni” M. Draper. 

“Where two or three are gathered in His name, there He is in the midst of them,” proclaimed the Reverend Dr. Reginald Jermayne Chandler Sr., new pastor of Freedom Temple. “In all ages, His servants have separated certain places for His worship. We are now assembled to lay the cornerstone of a new house for the worship of the God of our fathers.”

Although Dr. Draper retired from the office of pastor in December 2022, she and husband Andre Draper, remain active in worship and service at Freedom Temple under the pastorate of Dr. Chandler.

“We have to shout out the gift that the Lord has sent this way. Before I even got to this church, I was a fan of Dr. Draper,” stated Pastor Chandler. “Her ministry is so impactful and it reaches far beyond where you can see.” He continued, she left indelible prints on all of their lives.

In September 2002, the late Bishop Milton A. Williams Sr. appointed Dr. Draper to the John Wesley African Methodist Episocal Zion Church in East Baltimore, becoming the church’s first female pastor. In 2009, Freedom Temple was established after seeking the Lord’s guidance for a different location, ministry name and purpose. Later in March 2015, while fasting and praying during the Lenten season the Lord gave the church the opportunity to purchase its current location.

Under Dr. Dapper’s leadership, Freedom Temple was very active in outreach. They held back-to-school festivals, food giveaways, Christmas giveaways, community Thanksgiving dinners, missionary outreach, voter registration drives, evangelistic prayer walks and street witnessing. In recognition of faithful service, Freedom Temple has named the Andre and Frances “Toni” Draper Fellowship Hall, after the couple.

The run of show for this electrifying dedication included guest speaker, Bishop W. Darin Moore, Presiding Prelate of the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District of the AME Zion Church, and “the transformative leader,” the Reverend Dr. Evalina Huggins, Presiding Elder of the Baltimore District of the AME Zion Church.

Bishop Moore esteemed Dr. Draper as “one of the most extraordinary leaders” in the church today. She has a “keen intellect,” “loving heart,” and is “gifted!” Dr. Draper has been one of his trusted sources of counsel and advice over the years. 

In Bishop Moore’s powerful message, he explained that consecration is how God reveals Himself through common elements, the sacred manifesting itself in the ordinary, being set apart for God’s glory. 

Dr. Draper was “humbled,” by the accolades shown to her.

Mr. Draper weighed in on the honor.

“It’s overwhelming at times. But, you don’t do it for that, you do it for the Lord,” he said. “When you are used to serving, it’s a different feeling.”

. 

Dominique Johnigan Simmons said the moment was historic for her, as a steward of the church and among those listed on the dedicatory plaque. “It’s documentation of where we have been” and a model for “documenting” where we are going! 

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The H Street Festival in Northeast D.C. offered various attractions on Sept. 16, including popular brands and bands spanning across 11 blocks. Guests had the opportunity to purchase clothing items, candles and other trinkets from vendors while local performers like Strangers that Clique and Joy of Motion graced the stage.

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By AFRO Staff

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 52nd Annual Legislative Conference kicked off on Sept. 20. Thousands gathered in Washington D.C., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for the event which focused on the theme of “securing our democracy, protecting our freedoms and uplifting our culture.”

“Our mission is to advance the global Black community,” said Nicole Austin-Hillery, president and CEO of the CBCF during her opening press conference. “We do that through a leadership institute where we have interns, fellows and scholars that we put on Capitol Hill, and the c-suites of corporate America.” 

“We are creating the next pipeline and generation of leaders who will be change makers in this country,” said Austin-Hillery. 

On day one of the conference, organizations such as the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), American Federation of Teachers, Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation (CPEAR), and the Hip Hop Caucus hosted workshops and panel discussions focusing on mass incarceration, success in the cannabis industry, the power that lies within voting and protecting Black education. 

“The Congressional Black Caucus has fought for the past 52 years to empower citizens and  address our collective legislative concerns by pursuing a dynamic policy agenda,” stated Congressman Steven Horsford, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. “We are dedicated to issues like fighting voter suppression and ensuring voting rights. [We are] addressing criminal justice reform, improving racial health disparities, providing access to cutting edge technology, addressing access to the work force and minority owned business capital and resources and–of course–Black economic mobility and wealth building.”  

This year’s ALC included the 15th Annual Black Women’s Roundtable Policy Forum Series which focused on the power of the ballot and elevating Black women in leadership. The panel featured community and faith leader, Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, White House correspondent of 26 years, April Ryan, and many more powerful women from across the U.S. 

“We [have] got to vote,” said Williams-Skinner. “Stop talking about what other people are doing to us, when we won’t even get up out of our house, put our Twitter down – and vote and take our kids to vote. That’s our responsibility.”

Panelists also presented solutions for maintaining Black history, literacy and Black presence in the U.S.

As the two-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (ILJA) approaches, the CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research hosted a panel to discuss opportunities in electrical vehicle (EV) charging. 

The panel, “Revving Up Change: Charging Forward for Transportation Equity,” discussed how African Americans can participate in and benefit from the construction of the nationwide network of EV charging stations under the ILJA. These chargers will not only be used for personal EVs but also for electric school buses. With this expansion of EV infrastructure, panelists highlighted the need for workforce training in Black communities to ensure they can secure jobs in the burgeoning industry. 

“When you have mechanics who have these specialties in vehicles that are not zero- or low-emission, they need training so they are not pushed out of the workforce. It also creates an exciting opportunity to create new jobs in our community,” said David J. Stephen, senior communications specialist for the International Transportation Learning Center. “[There is] a five percent set aside for all the money that is allocated from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to low- and zero-emission vehicles that has to go toward workforce development. That is our opportunity to make sure that we are dedicating that to the recruitment of African Americans who live in these communities where these buses are transporting people.” 

Aside from discussing the issues, events and festivities happening during the conference, the event aimed to uplift Black culture with the Taste of ALC series, presented by Amazon and hosted by celebrity Chef Huda Mu’min. The culinary extraordinaire spoke with the AFRO about the importance of being at an event like the ALC and what conference attendees can anticipate. 

“I think it’s super important [to be at ALC] because I’ve been blessed to have a platform and it’s always been my goal to give back to our community but to also inspire people,” said Mu’min. “ I think that whenever you participate in a conference– especially this one because it’s for us, by us–it’s important [that] people see what is possible.” 

Mu’min shared that she’s hoping guests will leave her demonstrations full of inspiration, knowledge and delicious food. 

“With the Just Savor group we always look to inspire, educate and empower people through food. Whether that’s through conversation or cooking demonstrations, we’re always looking for our guests to walk away with something,” explained Mu’min. “Our hope for this year is that we inspire people in a delicious way and with the cooking demonstrations they really get to taste and experience and also gain knowledge from the chefs that are being featured.”

In addition to bringing out elected officials and concerned citizens, the ALC also brought out student journalists like 21-year-old Mona Walls and 20-year-old Sonian Mensah, both Howard University students. 

“We need to listen to each other– genuinely listen to each other– not rant and just go about our day,” said Mensah. “We need to be in agreement and we need unity in order to thrive.” 

Walls said the conference left her a bit star struck, with all of the Black excellence on full display.

“This was a homework assignment, but I was blown away by talking to everyone we met. I love seeing Black people come together,” said Walls, a journalism major with a minor in political science. “It’s important to talk about the solutions.”

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By AFRO Staff

Actress Taraji P. Henson is continuing her goal to boost mental health among Black women.

Building upon their inaugural success at Alabama State University, Henson’s nonprofit, The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is expanding its partnership with kate spade new york to establish their “She Care Wellness Pods” at Hampton University this fall. The aim of the joint partnership is to provide 25,000 Black women on HBCU college campuses with frontline mental healthcare.

“When we first had the idea to create the Boris L. Henson Foundation Self-Care Wellness Pods, I knew we had to start with women, and specifically women on HBCU campuses,” said Henson.

The Oscar-nominated actress attended Howard University, a premier HBCU located in Washington, D.C., and bore a child while matriculating there. She graduated in 1995 – her baby boy in her arms – with a degree in theater arts.

“I can remember through my own experiences with stress and anxiety, not having the adequate support to deal with my issues or the education to name what I was experiencing,” she recalled of her experience.

Henson founded her foundation in 2018 with an eye toward eradicating the stigma around mental health in the Black community and increasing access to culturally competent therapy and other mental health services, particularly to Black women.

“Black women, from a very young age, are taught to be strong and dismiss their own suffering, tending to the needs of family and community often at the expense of their own well-being. The She Care Wellness pods seek to change this narrative,” said BLHF Executive Director Tracie Jade in a statement.

Through their unique program, BLHF and kate spade new york will work with vetted professionals within the Hampton University community in Virginia to bring access to mental health facilities and resources directly to Black women on campus, beginning Nov. 2. That includes installing “She Care Wellness Pods” – physical structures that offer a range of services, including:

• Free mental health therapy sessions for female students experiencing an exacerbation of stress, anxiety and hopelessness.
• Hangout spaces that allow students to connect with peers or avoid isolation and grief during the school year and vacation periods.
• Unique programming, including yoga, meditation, art and drama therapy, African dance, nutrition and more, all provided by certified practitioners.
• Workshops that offer resources and tools for those who suffer with anxiety, sleep deprivation and insomnia.
• Quiet spaces for silence, rest and respite to reset from daily stressors.

“At kate spade new york, we believe that mental health is foundational to women’s empowerment, and recognize that it has long been under-acknowledged, underfunded, and stigmatized. We are committed to increasing accessibility of mental health resources to women and girls around the globe through our social impact work and trusted partners in this space,” said kate spade new york CEO and Brand President Liz Fraser. “We are proud to expand our partnership with Taraji, Tracie and The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. By offering space and resources dedicated to mental health, together we can create a positive difference for young women on HBCU campuses and in their communities.”

Kristie Norwood, director of Hampton’s Student Counseling Center, said the wellness pods will be a welcome addition to its toolbox for addressing the campus community’s mental health needs.

“One out of five adults are affected by mental health diagnoses and 39 percent of college students experience a significant mental health issue,” Norwood said. “It is our mission at the HU Student Counseling Center to help normalize therapy within the Black community, and to educate our students on the importance of self-care and mental health awareness. The Wellness Pods will be part of a multi-faceted approach to ensuring the health and wellness of our students.”

As part of the goal to create serene, beautiful environments that boost student wellness, the pods are decorated with a mural that reflects each campus’ unique identity and is designed by an artist chosen by the campus’ leadership team. The intention of the mural is to reflect the diversity of women and intersecting identities within the local study body.

“The piece I have created reflects the importance of watering yourself based upon what your body and mind need,” said Hampton University student and muralist T’Kiyah Reeves. “As women, we must prioritize our wellness. We must treat our minds with the same love, care, compassion and grace we would give to a tangible seedling to support its growth into something beautiful.”

For more information, visit https://borislhensonfoundation.org/.

The post Taraji P. Henson expands mental wellness program to 2nd HBCU campus appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

On a late August evening, Timothy Alphonso Carter married Cornitra Tache’ Sampson in an elegant ceremony, attended by 700 guests at Carter’s home church, the New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore.

Carter, an applications engineer, is the younger son of New Shiloh’s first couple, the Rev. Monique T. Carter and the Rev. Harold Carter Jr., who officiated the Aug. 25 ceremony.

Sampson, a registered clinical nurse II, is the daughter of Carla Johnson and Corey Sampson.

After the wedding, the newlyweds left for a two-week honeymoon in Japan. A love for Japanese culture is among the couple’s shared interests: Timothy took Japanese in high school and Cornitra shares his appreciation for ramen noodles and other types of Japanese food. The couple is expected to visit Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Hakone.

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By AFRO Staff

The D.C. Jazz Festival took place from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at multiple locations throughout the city at venues including the Kennedy Center, the District Pier and Arena Stage. Black performers and lovers of jazz traveled from as far as California to take part in the celebration. The festival was started in 2004 by husband and wife duo Charles Fisherman and Stephanie Peters, offering a wide array of the activities that are in large, free of charge. Organizers and attendees commemorated the nineteenth year of the event in 2023, with well known artists such as Samara Joy, Orrin Evans and Gregory Porter gracing the stage.

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By AFRO Staff

The Baltimore community was saddened to learn of the sudden death of Reginald Haysbert, president of The Forum Caterers.

“Some have been informed and others are just finding out about the passing of our Dad, Reginald Haysbert, last night,” said Comalita Haysbert, via her social media account on Facebook. “We are processing and grieving this abrupt loss. We will find strength in the Lord.” 

Family members are asking for time and space to deal with this tragedy. 

An investigation is being conducted by Baltimore County Police. Comalita Haysbert asked that anyone with information contact Detective E. Legge at 410-887-5396. 

Haysbert is son of The Forum founder, the late Raymond Haysbert, Baltimore business pioneer and civil rights activist. 

This article will be updated as information becomes available.

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By AFRO Staff

House music fans from around the region gathered in Baltimore for the Collective Minds Festival on Sept. 3. The event has been an annual celebration of all things related to House music for 20 years. 

According to Collective Minds, the community organization that coordinates the event each year, “House Music originated in Chicago in the early 1980s and quickly spread across the globe, becoming one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music. Its roots are in disco, funk, and soul, and it’s characterized by its 4/4 beat, use of synthesizers, and soulful vocals.” 

Thousands turned out for this year’s Collective Minds Festival, which took place at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. 

Hundreds arrived to dance the afternoon away as a variety of performing artists and DJs kept the crowd grooving. DJ Oji and Blue Angel took to the stage, along with Damond Ramsey, Greg Lewis and Sahib Muhammed of One House, One Nation. The audience also got a chance to rock to the sounds of Jordan Pope, Househead and Ed Ramsey.

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By DaQuan Lawrence,
AFRO International Writer,
DLawrence@afro.com

As the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (MOW) returned to the nation’s capital for its 60^th anniversary,  fraternities in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NHPC), a group of nine historical Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs ; D9) adamantly called for social justice. 

“The men of Alpha stand aligned with the other D9 presidents and D9 organizations to make sure that we raise the level of consciousness in America and around the world, that equity and equality are important factors of good citizenship,” Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III, general president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, said to the crowd gathered at the Lincoln Memorial. 

“Much like our good brother Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the men of Alpha have arrived to raise the conscience of the United States,” Lonzer explained. 

King is a widely known brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, who joined the organization in 1952 as a member of the Sigma Chapter for the Boston Metropolitan area. He moved to the city as a graduate student and eventually earned his Ph.D in theology at Boston University. 

King would go on to become one of the most influential faith and civil rights leaders in the world, setting an example for many to come after him. Throughout the day on Aug. 26, 2023, speakers at the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington invoked King’s name and implored attendees to push for the rights King advocated for until his death.

“As we leave you today, we continue to hold on to the torch of enlightenment and empowerment as we move forward as citizens in this country,” Lonzer said. 

During the event, participants from all walks of life and around the nation heard from various speakers and several organizations that addressed the importance of human rights and civil liberties for Black Americans and other marginalized communities. 

While many of the attendees at the 2023 March on Washington believe the occasion is significant, the recurring theme from many of America’s Black fraternities was that Black Americans are marching for rights and justice sought after six decades ago. 

“Certainly, there is no question that we are still marching for the same things,” Robert L. Jenkins Jr. Esq., senior grand vice-polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, told the AFRO.

“Unfortunately, many of the struggles and issues that we were confronted with 60 years ago, we still deal with today,” Jenkins Jr. explained. 

The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity were also present at the march, and expressed their discontent with the social, political and economic conditions Black Americans experience in the U.S.

“In this very spot, a man by the name of A. Phillip Randolph [one of the] original organizers of the March on Washington in 1963, a Phi Beta Sigma man once said ‘we shall return to Washington again and again until freedom is ours,” Chris Rey, the international president of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, said during his remarks to the Lincoln Memorial crowd. 

“[Congressman] John Lewis, a Phi Beta Sigma man once said ‘American politics is dominated by politicians who build their careers on immoral compromise and ally themselves with political, economic and social exploitation…’,” Rey said during his remarks. 

Rey, the president of Barber-Scotia College, a private historically Black college and university (HBCU) in Concord, Nc, also called attention to the importance of the nation’s HBCUs during his remarks.

“Historically Black colleges and universities matter, they will always matter. Until this nation recognizes the contributions of the melting pot we call humanity, we will march and protest because this is not the struggle of the day or month, it is the struggle of a lifetime,” Rey declared. 

Continuing the calls for social justice, other fraternities also echoed this sentiment. 

“As we look back at the footsteps that have walked these very streets we cannot help but draw inspiration from the pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement including…our own beloved fraternity brother, Brother Bayard Rustin” First Vice Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Mark E. Jackson spoke ahead of the anniversary march.

“Today is a call to action. The fight for civil rights, justice and equality is not a spectator sport. We need all hands on deck if we are going to move the needle of social justice,” Jackson said to the attendees on the morning of the march. 

Jenkins also emphasized the importance of unity among Black Americans during his remarks. 

“The need still remains the same and the struggle continues…We should draw from our history…as we leave here today, we need all individuals, groups and organizations here today to build partnerships,” Jenkins Jr. told the Washington D.C. crowd. 

The brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity shared a profound and moving message with march attendees. 

“Like this march, Iota Phi Theta is celebrating its 60^th anniversary this year,” said Walter Fields, the chairman for Brown and Gold PAC, the national political action committee of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity. 

“Our brotherhood was founded just one month after the 1963 March on Washington, and four days after four little Black girls were murdered in the bombing of the 16^th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama,” said Fields.

The 16^th Street Baptist Church bombing is now known as an act of terrorism espoused by perpetrators who were racist White supremacists. Eleven-year-old Carol Denise McNair and 14-year-olds Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley and Carole Robertson were killed during the bombing.

“We are the fraternal expression of the Civil Rights Movement,” Fields said, of his organization. “What we do today is important and symbolic, but the question is: what will you do tomorrow when you return home?” 

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By DaQuan Lawrence,
AFRO International Writer,
DLawrence@afro.com

As the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (MOW) returned to the nation’s capital for its 60^th commemoration and iteration, national and international leaders called attention to the importance of remaining committed to the struggle for civil liberties and human rights. 

On Aug. 26, thousands of attendees from across the nation and throughout the world traveled to Washington, D.C., for the commemorative march, which was convened by the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network and the Drum Major Institute. 

National leaders such as the Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes, newly appointed president/CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, emphasized the importance of understanding that the struggle for human rights continues in the U.S. 

“I think it’s important that we remember what took place 60 years ago so we can recommit ourselves to what we need to do 60 years later,” Haynes told the AFRO. “Unfortunately, the hell we were catching 60 years ago is trying to play out in modern society but in different manifestations such as racial disparities with missing persons, legislative changes to affirmative action and abortion rights, as well as the denial of Black maternal health and access to healthcare resources.”

Haynes is a social justice pastor and advocate for marginalized communities. He is the senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church, a megachurch in Dallas, Texas, with more than 13,000 members.

“I am walking with the mother of Jelani Day, who was killed in a Sundown town, and has been denied justice,” Haynes told the AFRO. “I am standing and fighting with her because 60 years later, as Jay Z said, ‘There are still holes in the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’.”

Day was a graduate student at Illinois State University who mysteriously disappeared on Aug. 24, 2021, and was later found in the Illinois River in Peru, Illinois. In December of that year, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity announced an award for information, as Day’s case remained unsolved. 

While authorities claim Day drowned, his mother, Carmen Bolden Day maintains that foul play was involved. She continues to demand that law enforcement solve the case, and shared why she attended the MOW with the AFRO.

“I am here because we do need justice. 60 years later we shouldn’t have to deal with the disparities of missing Black people versus missing White people, so that’s my fight,” Day told the AFRO. 

The unchanged conditions and ongoing struggles facing the Black community six decades after the March on Washington was a common refrain among speakers and attendees. 

Benjamin Crump, known as the attorney for Black America, urged attendees to be unapologetic in their advocacy.

“As your attorney general, I declare now more than ever that we must be unapologetic defenders of Black life, Black liberty and Black humanity,” he told the crowd. 

Referencing controversial new education standards in Florida, Crump added: “They have the audacity to say that we need to teach our children that slavery had positive benefits for Black people. We must tell them without Black history you wouldn’t have American history.

“Just like we fought for justice for the families of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, George Floyd, Oscar Grant, Stephon Clark, A.J. Owens, Patrick Lyoya…Terence Crutcher, Jelani Day, Alton Sterling, Ronald Green and Tyree Nichols,” he continued, “we must also fight to protect our Black literature, culture and history for all of our children.”

Many of those in the crowd listening to Crump and other speakers had attended other iterations of the event.

Sandra Veronica Richardson, of Alexandria, Va., attended the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington in 2013. She returned this year because she believes the march is an opportunity to continue the Black struggle for human rights and civil liberties.

“We aren’t here just to commemorate what happened 60 years ago. We are here to continue to fight for voting and democracy because the future of our democracy is now under threat more than ever,” Richardson said.

Angelique Walker-Smith, who serves as president of the World Council of Churches, spoke to the AFRO about the importance of the MOW, and how ancestors influence future generations.  

“The MOW is important because we are building on the shoulders of those who went before us,” Walker-Smith said.

One of the day’s speakers, Walker-Smith is a global human rights activist with experience as a faith thought-leader and author, and the national senior associate for Pan African and Orthodox Church Engagement at Bread for the World in Washington, D.C. 

“In my remarks, I was pointing out that we must not forget our ancestors who went and marched with much less. We are the embodiment now of what our ancestors prayed for and dreamed for. We must be stronger and remember that we have the power of those who came before us,” she continued.  

Crump said that just as African-American forebears fought for this generation, today’s Blacks have to agitate on behalf of the generations to come.

“We have to be ready to fight until hell freezes over,” he said, “and then we have to be ready to fight on the ice. So, all our children will know that we are ready to fight for them.”

The March on Washington was live streamed by the Drum Major Institute on YouTube for those who wanted to participate virtually. 

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By AFRO Staff

The Billie Holiday Music and Arts Festival took place on Sept. 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore. The event was hosted by April Watts and featured a wide range of performances from the likes of John Milton Wesley, the Brencore Allstars and Symphony Black Jazz. 

The day is meant to celebrate the beauty of Baltimore’s Art scene, while also paying homage to Billie Holiday, the world-renowned Jazz singer who was born Eleanora Fagan Gough

in Philadelphia, but raised on the streets of Charm City. 

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By DaQuan Lawrence,
AFRO International Writer,
DLawrence@afro.com

As the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (MOW) gathered in the nation’s capital for the 60^th anniversary of the 1963 call for civil liberties and human rights, a group of Howard University women volunteered for the event. 

They were part of the Aug. 26 march that drew thousands to the Lincoln Memorial in a gathering organized by Rev. Al Sharpton, of the National Action Network, and the Drum Major Institute.   

Las Vegas, Nev. native Logan Osby, 20, an architecture major, explained that she became a volunteer for the 2023 March on Washington as part of her drive to become “more involved in things going on in D.C.”

Howard University women are known for being leaders in many fields across the U.S. workforce, including government and public service, business, the mass media and communications industries. They also lead in the education, international and nonprofit fields. 

Osby was not alone in her curiosity.

“I was actually in New York and I heard people talking about it. I searched and then I told my friends. Then we decided to volunteer,” Jael Colbourne, a junior media management major from the Bronx, N.Y., told the AFRO. “We applied and it really happened fast. They sent us the email and we were able to participate. I wanted to visit the Lincoln Memorial and participate in the march as a Howard student for a long time.”

Caleighsta Edmonds, an English major from Indiana, said she believes the March on Washington marked an important clarion call for African Americans even six decades after the maiden event. 

“I think for sure, watching for the same thing, especially with all the events that happened [recently] and this year, such as legislative changes,” Edmonds told the AFRO.  “I think that’s just kind of how history goes. You always think it’s going to be a progression, but then some things fall back.”

For some Howard women, the march was an opportunity to be part of history. Aileen Pointer, also from the Bronx, N.Y., a television and film major, said she was attracted to the experience of volunteering for a historic annual event such as the March on Washington

“I didn’t even know it was an annual event, but I wanted to participate and it’s nice and inspiring.to see all the volunteers and everybody that’s involved,” Pointer told The AFRO. 

“When I first arrived in D.C. as a Howard student, I visited the Lincoln Memorial and stood where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered remarks. So, now attending the March on Washington is amazing,” Pointer said.  

King’s remarks, now regarded by experts in oratory as one of the powerful speeches in U.S. history Jr. are now known as his “I Have A Dream” speech. 

For Randy Davis, a junior English major from Chicago, Ill. who says she wants to be a civil rights lawyer, contends that it’s important that Black Americans remember why the march  took place 60 years ago and why we continue to march.

“I think it’s important that we don’t forget the march, the ideals and the message that MLK delivered, especially with politicians calling for the dismantling of critical race theory in education systems in the south,” Davis explained to the AFRO. 

Jada Carter, a  sophomore education major from Memphis, Tenn., said  that 60 years later, Black Americans are marching and demanding the same rights they were pushing for in 1963.

“People might like to think that White supremacy has been eradicated, but it’s just closeted,” Davis told the AFRO. 

“I think we are marching for the same human rights injustices that exist in a different form. We’ve come a long way, but around the nations there are hints of the same social injustices,” Pointer said.   

Colbourne believes new opportunities exist for Black Americans, but also agrees that many conditions that negatively impact Black Americans remain the same. “[Some] things did change because different racial and ethnic groups probably couldn’t come together like how we are now,” she said. 

“It’s still a lot going on, and after George Floyd’s unlawful death, people around the world can see how America really treats Black people,” Colbourne concluded. 

The women of Howard University continue to lead industries across America and throughout the world. Sharon Pratt, a D.C. native, is a Howard alumna and was the first Black woman to be mayor of D.C., while the current U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris, is also a graduate of Howard. 

New York Attorney General Letitia James, who filed a civil suit against former president Donald Trump and the Trump Organization earlier this year, is a Howard University Law School alumna. In addition, Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis, who is currently leading a state criminal investigation of Trump and his affiliates, is also a Howard University graduate. 

“It’s difficult to pinpoint unity within the Black community, and in America in general,” said Carter. “The March on Washington represents that central point [of unity] that we need to return to,” Carter explained to the AFRO. 

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By DaQuan Lawrence,
AFRO International Writer,
DLawrence@afro.com

After a summer of contested disputes and disagreements between Baltimore citizens and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) recently ruled that service shut-offs for customers refusing exterior regulators are not justified. 

The PSC also approved an arrangement between BGE, a group of affected customers and other stakeholders that allows BGE’s residential customers to opt into having a gas pressure regulator installed on the exterior or interior of a single-family home.

BGE is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, and a subsidiary of the Exelon Corporation. In June, Thiru Vignarajah, counsel for Baltimore City residents seeking to alter BGE’s implementation of the gas regulators, filed a petition for a lawsuit against the utility company. 

Customers in BGE’s service territory filed several complaints with the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Division and joined the petition to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. 

In July, the Baltimore City Council passed a resolution introduced by Councilmember Zeke Cohen, who brought BGE leadership, constituents and city residents together in multiple forums to reach a compromise solution, calling on the PSC to reject BGE’s proposed multi-year rate plan. 

Cohen applauded the PSC’s decision calling the decision a win for Baltimore City residents.  

“I applaud Chair Hoover and the commission for using their regulatory power to bring stakeholders to the table and develop a legally-binding compromise on gas regulators,” Cohen said. 

In August, the PSC held two hearings to deliberate on the matter. In their recent decision, the Commission ordered BGE to revise its practices to permit residential customers to choose whether a gas service pressure regulator is installed inside or outside their home.

The Commission also advised BGE to work with relevant parties to deliver a written notice to customers at least 14 days in advance of a gas regulator installation, giving them the choice of exterior or interior installation.

“Today’s decision ensures that customers and homeowners get to decide the placement of gas regulators moving forward…and that all installations are performed safely. My office will be carefully monitoring our district to ensure that BGE complies with the decision,” Cohen said. 

According to the utility company’s Gas Service Regulator Relocation Program FAQs, the failures of indoor regulators can pose an increased risk over failures of outdoor regulators.

BGE maintains that it implemented outdoor installations of gas regulators because “outdoor regulators vent directly to the atmosphere, and indoor regulators require a properly installed, unobstructed and undamaged vent line to allow natural gas to be safely released outdoors rather than accumulating indoors.” 

According to BGE, regulators are needed because they “control natural gas pressure in your building to ensure that it can safely be used in standard appliances. An emergency shut-off valve is also nearby, which can stop the flow of gas in the event of an emergency.” BGE further explains that the gas meter is installed after the pressure regulator and measures the quantity of the natural gas that flows into the building.” 

The company adopted the default practice of external installation beginning in 2021, and complaints have since expressed discontentment with the optics, aesthetics and safety of external gas service regulators. 

According to BGE’s policy, the installations were [in] “alignment with industry best practices” and “regulators outdoors [enable] ease of access during emergencies.”Last summer, BGE released supplemental information on its gas regulator installation plans for Baltimore City residents. The utility company outlines the technical reasons for its policy and advised Baltimore City residents that they could paint or decorate the gas regulators if they were worried about aesthetics.

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By AFRO Staff

Government officials in Baltimore County have worked out a settlement with the Department of Justice regarding sexual assault allegations filed against the Baltimore County Fire Department (BCoFD). 

Eleven women will be paid a total of $275,000 and a consent decree between Baltimore County orders the BCoFD to rethink and revamp their fair practice policy and the procedures related to how investigations are handled. BCoFD employees at every level will receive “live, interactive, annual training” and a survey system must be created and used to measure workplace climate, according to an official statement from Baltimore County officials. The consent decree also requires that the DOJ sign off on the new policies and procedures. 

“Every employee deserves to feel safe in the workplace and I am proud of the progress we have started under my tenure to diversify our department and strengthen our culture,” said Baltimore County Fire Chief Joanne Rund, in the statement. “Through this agreement, the Department is sending a clear message that Baltimore County will not tolerate harassment in the workplace and I fully support the steps required to ensure we are doing all we can to be supportive of all of our people.”

At the heart of the case are nude photos of multiple female BCoFD employees shared via social media by a male coworker. 

According to the DOJ, “several female employees were subjected to a hostile work environment when a male coworker distributed nude and other inappropriate photographs of female [BCoFD] employees to other coworkers, solicited such photographs from coworkers and posted the photos on a social media site.”

The DOJ reports that “as alleged, BCFD failed to promptly and thoroughly investigate the harassment and failed to adequately communicate with the victims as the harassment came to light, perpetuating the hostile work environment that the female employees faced.” 

County officials say the male employee distributed the images in June 2017. This led to a complaint with the Baltimore Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which ultimately sent the case to the DOJ.

DOJ officials found that Baltimore County violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 “by subjecting several female employees to a hostile work environment on the basis of their sex.”

According to the DOJ, “Title VII is a federal statute that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex and religion and prohibits retaliation against employees for opposing discriminatory employment practices.” 

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division weighed in on the agreement. 

“Women deserve protection from sexual harassment and sex discrimination in the workplace, and this lawsuit and consent decree demonstrate the department’s commitment to that principle,” she said, via a DOJ press release. “Like any other employer, fire departments must take prompt and appropriate actions to correct an ongoing hostile work environment. Addressing sexual harassment in the firefighting industry is critical to efforts to bring more women into a profession where they have faced historic rates of exclusion, marginalization and discrimination.”

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), “5 percent of all career firefighters are women” and “11 percent of the volunteer fire service are women.”

USFA lists gender inclusive recruitment tactics, nonwage benefits and a Candidate Physical Ability Test as ways to get more women to join the fire department and make a career out of the profession.

The USFA report, “Emerging Health and Safety Issues Among Women in the Fire Service,” was released in 2019 and highlights the many challenges women face in the firefighting industry. 

Advocates and elected officials are working to change the climate by eliminating discriminatory practices, bullying and harassment.

“Sexual harassment in the workplace too often goes uncorrected,” said Director  Rosemarie Rhodes of the EEOC Baltimore Office. “Allowing such behavior to go unchecked when it affects one victim of sexual harassment is too much, let alone when it affects at least eleven victims. It’s critical to remind victims that sexual harassment is against the law, they do not have to tolerate it at work, and they are protected when they complain.”

The post Baltimore County officials announce settlement with Department of Justice in sexual harassment lawsuit appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Map weakened voting power of Black voters

By MIKE Schneider
The Associated Press

A Florida redistricting plan pushed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis violates the state constitution and is prohibited from being used for any future U.S. congressional elections since it diminishes the ability of Black voters in north Florida to pick a representative of their choice, a state judge ruled Sept. 2.

Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh sent the plan back to the Florida Legislature with instructions that lawmakers should draw a new congressional map that complies with the Florida Constitution.

The voting rights groups that challenged the plan in court “have shown that the enacted plan results in the diminishment of Black voters’ ability to elect their candidate of choice in violation of the Florida Constitution,” Marsh wrote.

The decision was the latest to strike down new congressional maps in Southern states over concerns that they diluted Black voting power.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Republican-drawn map in Alabama, with two conservative justices joining liberals in rejecting the effort to weaken a landmark voting rights law. Not long after that, the Supreme Court lifted its hold on a Louisiana political remap case, increasing the likelihood that the Republican-dominated state will have to redraw boundary lines to create a second mostly Black congressional district.

In each of the cases, Republicans have either appealed or vowed to appeal the decisions since they could benefit Democratic congressional candidates facing 2024 races under redrawn maps. The Florida case likely will end up before the Florida Supreme Court.

Every 10 years — following a once-a-decade census — lawmakers in all 50 states, including Florida, redraw political boundaries.

DeSantis, a candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, was criticized for essentially drawing Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, who is Black, out of office by carving up his district and dividing a large number of Black voters into conservative districts represented by White Republicans.

In an unprecedented move, DeSantis interjected himself into the redistricting process last year by vetoing the Republican-dominated Legislature’s map that preserved Lawson’s district. He called a special session, submitted his own map and demanded lawmakers accept it.

In their lawsuit, the voting rights groups claimed the redrawn congressional map violated state and federal voting rights protections for Black voters.

Florida’s population of 22.2 million is 17 percent Black. Under the new maps, an area stretching about 360 miles (579 kilometers) from the Alabama border to the Atlantic Ocean and south from the Georgia border to Orlando in central Florida is only represented by White members of Congress.

The Florida judge rejected defense arguments from Republican lawmakers that the state’s provision against weakening or eliminating minority-dominant districts violated the U.S. Constitution.

Marsh wrote: “The court finds that defendants have not satisfied their burden in this case.”

This story originally published by The Associated Press

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By AFRO Staff

The United Negro College Fund is bringing one of its famed masked balls to Baltimore, partnering with Mayor Brandon Scott to present the event on Sept. 9, 2023, at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor.

The inaugural UNCF Baltimore Mayor’s Masked Ball, sponsored by Johns Hopkins University and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., is one of the organization’s premier fundraising soirees. The occasions are meant not only to raise funding, but also to raise awareness of the needs and benefits of a college education, the students UNCF aids in moving to and through college, and the integral role of historically Black colleges and universities.  

Moreover, the organizers said, the event is meant to be an evening of celebration, of glamour, fashion and fun. 

Hosted by honorary chairs, David Wilson, president, Morgan State University; Anthony Jenkins, president, Coppin State University; and a diverse group of corporate sponsors, local businesses and professional organizations, the ball is likely to be attended by civic leaders, alumni, dignitaries, volunteers and friends of UNCF. 

“I’m thrilled to join Mayor Scott to bring the Mayor’s Masked Ball to the great city of Baltimore,” said Harry Christian III, development director, UNCF. I commend Mayor Scott and the City of Baltimore for your unwavering commitment and support to UNCF and our mission to invest in students of color to help make better futures for us all.”

During the celebration, Freeman Harbowski, president emeritus of UMBC (The University of Maryland, Baltimore County), and Sashi Brown, president of the Baltimore Ravens, will each receive the M.A.S.K.E.D. (Mankind Assisting Students Kindle Educational Dreams) award for their steadfast commitment to education and ongoing support of UNCF.

For almost eight decades, UNCF has strived to change the HBCU narrative across the nation by equipping more HBCU students with the resources necessary to transition into college, graduate and ultimately expand and diversify America’s highly educated workforce.

It is a goal that Mayor Scott said he is happy to support.

“Education is a portal system into gaining knowledge that can never be taken away from our young people,” Scott said. “We are proud to welcome UNCF into Charm City for their inaugural Baltimore Mayor’s Masked Ball in an effort to raise awareness on the cultural importance of attending historically Black colleges and universities and providing resources to ease the process of attending college.”

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, visit UNCF.org/BaltimoreMMB or contact Harry Christian III at 202.810.0333 or by email at harry.christian@uncf.org.

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By AFRO Staff

Baltimore’s finest designers and Black creatives converged on the M&T Bank Exchange on Aug. 26 for the Baltimore MET Gala. The event was produced by LaRian Finney, of  the Finn Group, and Derrick Chase, of DChase Presents. Aside from the high fashion, Community Impact Awards were given out to movers and shakers of the Baltimore community, including Park Heights Renaissance, BeLoved Community Service Corporation, Springboard Community Services and  U.S Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.- 07). Darin Atwater, of Soulful Symphony, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

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By AFRO Staff

The 2023-2024 school year kicked off on Aug. 28, with thousands of students

returning to the Baltimore City Public Schools System (BCPSS). Students and families of Booker T. Washington Middle School were joined by BCPSS CEO, Sonja

Santelises, Ed.D, and Baltimore City Mayor Scott, where faculty and staff greeted them as they began “rolling into a new year.”

The post Baltimore City Public School students roll into new year appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

More than 50,000 scholars were welcomed back to District of Columbia Public Schools on Aug. 28. Elected officials joined two select schools to uplift and inspire
scholars to start their year on a good note. Raymond Elementary School and Eliot Hine Middle School were both visited by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in addition to a few other special guests: President of the United States Joe Biden and his wife, first lady Jill Biden.

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By AFRO Staff

New Bethel Baptist Church, led by The Rev. Dexter Nutall, hosted a back to school
community day on Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers helped operate a wide range of activities and educational tables for children and families to enjoy. A few of the on-site vendors and offerings included the Black Nurses Collaborative, a video game truck and even a barbershop and hair station.

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By Samantha Hendrickson
The Associated Press/Report For America

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Body camera footage showing the final moments of a pregnant Black woman who was shot and killed by police in an Ohio parking lot last week is expected to be released to the public on Sept. 1.

Ta’Kiya Young, a 21-year-old from Columbus, was pronounced dead shortly after the Aug. 24 shooting outside a grocery store in the suburb of Blendon Township. Her unborn daughter did not survive.

Police say Young, who had been suspected of shoplifting, was killed after she accelerated her car toward an officer trying to stop her.

Sean Walton, an attorney for the Young family, told The Associated Press on Aug. 31 that the family grew frustrated with delays in the police department timeline of releasing body camera footage publicly.

Although he hadn’t seen the police video before Sept. 1, Walton said it had been described to him.

He said the community will be outraged. “She was an unarmed pregnant mother of two,” he said. “It goes beyond the unjustifiable.”

Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford said the delay resulted from a small staff trying to process the video and properly redact certain footage in accordance with Ohio law. The family will be able to review the video before it’s made public, he said.

In a video statement a day after the shooting, Belford said two officers were helping someone get into a locked car when a supermarket employee told them several people were leaving with stolen items.

Young was among them, according to the employee, who pointed her out sitting in her car in the parking lot. She allegedly took bottles of alcohol without paying. One officer went to the driver’s side of Young’s car and told her to stop and get out multiple times, Belford said, while the other officer moved to the front of the vehicle.

Young then put the car in gear and accelerated, Belford said.

“The officer who was directly in the path of the oncoming car fired one shot through the front windshield,” the chief said. “The body camera footage I’ve reviewed also confirms the officer was directly in the path of the car.”

Police have not provided further details on the moments when Young was shot.

Her car continued about 50 feet (15 meters) before stopping on the sidewalk outside the grocery store. Officers broke the car window, pulled her out and began medical assistance with the help of an emergency room doctor who happened to be there, Belford said.

The two officers’ names, ages and races were not immediately released. They are on paid administrative leave while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation examines the shooting, which is standard in cases of police use of deadly force.

Young was expected to give birth to a daughter in November. An online effort to pay her funeral expenses has raised nearly $7,000.

Ta’Kiya’s siblings, cousins, grandmother and father have rallied around her sons, 6-year-old Ja’Kobie and 3-year-old Ja’Kenlie, who don’t yet understand the magnitude of what happened to their mother, Walton said.

“It’s a large family and Ta’Kiya has been snatched away from them,” Walton said. “I think the entire family is still in shock.”

Family and friends held a private vigil a day after Young was killed, releasing balloons and lighting candles spelling out “RIP Kiya.”

Her grandmother, Nadine Young, described her granddaughter as a family-oriented prankster who was a loving older sister and mother.

“She was so excited to have this little girl,” Nadine Young said at a news conference Aug. 30. “She has her two little boys, but she was so fired up to have this girl. She is going to be so missed.”

“I’m a mess because it’s just tragic,” she said, “but it should have never ever ever happened.”

___

AP national writer Aaron Morrison in New York contributed to this report.

___

Samantha Hendrickson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

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By AFRO Staff

Access to resources was a key focus on Aug. 31 as organizations and agencies across the country worked to promote International Overdose Awareness Day.

In the nation’s capital, Mayor Muriel Bowser stressed the importance of access to care, education and harm reduction tools to curb opioid overdoses in the District.

“We want all District residents and their loved ones to know that we have resources available to help prevent or overcome opioid addiction and misuse—including free deliveries of Naloxone or free transportation to and from substance abuse treatment,” said Mayor Bowser, in a statement sent to members of the press. “Let’s work together as a community to spread awareness, prevent overdose deaths and save lives.”

Members of the Bowser Administration have worked with leaders out of the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) to launch the “This Time, It’s Different” education campaign. The initiative is part of LIVE.LONG.DC. 2.0,” the official strategy adopted by city leaders to cut down on opioid misuse and overdose deaths. At the heart of the “This Time, It’s Different” campaign: a call on opioid users who have failed sobriety attempts in their past to try again.

The LIVE.LONG.DC. 2.0 plan offers a range of services and supports, including opportunities to enroll in treatment programs every day of the week. Residents can get rides to and from their appointments for opioid addiction treatment, and if they need to address housing or employment concerns, support for that is available as well. There is also support for people looking to go through the symptoms of withdrawal in a safe space, and a wide variety of other resources available.

According to the National Institute of Drugs, “opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine and many others.” 

According to the D.C. Health Department (D.C. Health), “in 2020, there were 411 overdose deaths that involved the use of opioids in the District.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that, “worldwide, in 2019 about 600,000 deaths were attributable to drug use. Close to 80 percent of these deaths are related to opioids, with about 25 percent of those deaths caused by opioid overdose.”

“There are effective treatment interventions for opioid dependence that can decrease the risk of overdose, yet less than 10 percent of people who need such treatment are receiving it,” reports the WHO.

Nationwide there has been a push to get Naloxone kits into the hands of those in the throes of drug addiction to fight opioid overdose. Narcan is a popular brand of the drug in the United States. It can reverse the effects of a drug overdose in a matter of minutes, if administered within the right amount of time. 

“Thousands of opioid overdoses have been reversed using naloxone and DBH is doubling down on harm reduction strategies proven to prevent overdose deaths with widely available Naloxone and increased access to fentanyl test strips,” according to information released by D.C. Health. “Naloxone kits are distributed by DBH and community partners at 130 locations across in the District of Columbia, and by mail or personal delivery.”

All eight wards in the District of Columbia offer naloxone kits free of charge and there is no requirement for a prescription or an identification card. D.C. Health officials say they have dispersed more than 100,000 of the lifesaving medical kits– and for good reason. 

“The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports the presence of fentanyl in 99 percent of all overdose deaths, and the number of overdose has continued to rise in recent years driven by fentanyl,” says D.C. Health. “DBH also distributes free fentanyl test strips, which can detect the presence of this deadly synthetic in other drugs. DBH and its partners have expanded distribution of free fentanyl test strips with 56,000 strips distributed over the past year.”

To find a pick up station or arrange the drop off of a naloxone kit please text “LiveLongDC” to 888-811. If you or someone you know is ready to go to treatment, please text “Ready” to the same number and get a roster of available centers that are open in real-time. The 888-811 number will also help those in need access test strips to determine if fentanyl or the tranquilizer Xylazine is present in a drug prior to use.

This year, the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) worked with D.C. Health and the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department to introduce a new resource to the community: vending machines with naloxone and fentanyl strips. 

The initiative is just one tool in the toolbox to fight drug overdose and was made possible by a D.C. Health grant to Family and Medical Counseling Services and HIPS (Honoring Individual Power and Strength), a community health organization that offers free HIV and STD testing, medication assisted treatment, syringe access and disposal and case management services. 

The vending machines made their debut in April and are at the following locations:

• Engine #7: 1101 Half Street SW
• Engine #2: 500 F Street NW
• Engine #33: 101 Atlantic Street SE
• Engine #27: 4260 Minnesota Avenue NE
• Whitman Walker Health- Max Robinson Center: 1201 Sycamore Dr. SE
• Bread for the City: 1525 7th Street NW
• HIPS: 906 H Street NW

“Opioid overdose death is preventable,” said DBH Director Barbara J. Bazron, Ph.D, in a statement. “Naloxone and other lifesaving resources are proven to save lives. Our goal is to help people live addiction free lives. We make treatment easy to get and offer supports to maintain recovery.” 

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By AFRO Staff

Historic civil rights leaders gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to continue the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Those who spoke highlighted the fact that the Black community is still working to overcome many of the same obstacles they faced in the 1960s. Elected officials spoke on the topic of voting rights and gerrymandering, which has limited Black voters from making an impact in government leadership. Women like Bishop Vashti Mckenzie, Fatima Goss Graves and Arndrea Waters King took to the podium with passion for making change in the civil and human rights arena.

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By DaQuan Lawrence
AFRO International Writer
DLawrence@afro.com

As the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (MOW) returned to the nation’s capital for its 60^th commemoration and iteration, national and international leaders called attention to the importance of remaining committed to the struggle for civil liberties and human rights.

On Aug. 26, thousands of attendees from across the nation and throughout the world traveled to Washington, D.C., for the commemorative march, which was convened by the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network and the Drum Major Institute.

National leaders such as the Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes, newly appointed president/CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, emphasized the importance of understanding that the struggle for human rights continues in the U.S.

“I think it’s important that we remember what took place 60 years ago so we can recommit ourselves to what we need to do 60 years later,” Haynes told The AFRO. He later added, “Unfortunately, the hell we were catching 60 years ago is trying to play out in modern society but in different manifestations such as racial disparities with missing persons, legislative changes to affirmative action and abortion rights, as well as the denial of Black maternal health and access to healthcare resources.”

Haynes is a social justice pastor and advocate for marginalized communities. He is the senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church, a megachurch in Dallas, Texas, with more than 13,000 members.

“I am walking with the mother of Jelani Day, who was killed in a Sundown town (an all-White jurisdiction that practices some form of racial segregation), and has been denied justice,” Haynes told The AFRO. “…I am standing and fighting with her because 60 years later, as Jay Z said, ‘There are still holes in the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’.”

Day was a graduate student at Illinois State University who mysteriously disappeared on Aug. 24, 2021, and was later found in the Illinois River in Peru, Illinois. In December of that year, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity announced an award for information, as Day’s case remained unsolved.

While authorities claim Day drowned, his mother, Carmen Bolden Day maintains that foul play was involved. She continues to demand that law enforcement solve the case, and shared why she attended the MOW with The AFRO.

“I am here because we do need justice. 60 years later we shouldn’t have to deal with the disparities of missing Black people versus missing White people, so that’s my fight,” Day told The AFRO.

The unchanged conditions and ongoing struggles facing the Black community six decades after the March on Washington was a common refrain among speakers and attendees.

Benjamin Crump, known as the attorney for Black America, urged attendees to be unapologetic in their advocacy.

“As your attorney general, I declare now more than ever that we must be unapologetic defenders of Black life, Black liberty and Black humanity,” he told the crowd.

Referencing controversial new education standards in Florida, Crump added: “They have the audacity to say that we need to teach our children that slavery had positive benefits for Black people. We must tell them without Black history you wouldn’t have American history.

“Just like we fought for justice for the families of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, George Floyd, Oscar Grant, Stephon Clark, A.J. Owens, Patrick Lyoya…Terence Crutcher, Jelani Day, Alton Sterling, Ronald Green and Tyree Nichols,” he continued, “we must also fight to protect our Black literature, culture and history for all of our children.”

Many of those in the crowd listening to Crump and other speakers had attended other iterations of the event.

Sandra Veronica Richardson, of Alexandria, Va., attended the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington in 2013. She returned this year because she believes the march is an opportunity to continue the Black struggle for human rights and civil liberties.

“We aren’t here just to commemorate what happened 60 years ago. We are here to continue to fight for voting and democracy because the future of our democracy is now under threat more than ever,” Richardson said.

Angelique Walker-Smith, who serves as president of the World Council of Churches, spoke to The AFRO about the importance of the MOW, and how ancestors influence future generations. 

“The MOW is important because we are building on the shoulders of those who went before us,” Walker-Smith said.

One of the day’s speakers, Walker-Smith is a global human rights activist with experience as a faith thought-leader and author, and the national senior associate for Pan African and Orthodox Church Engagement at Bread for the World in Washington, D.C.

“In my remarks, I was pointing out that we must not forget our ancestors who went and marched with much less. We are the embodiment now of what our ancestors prayed for and dreamed for. We must be stronger and remember that we have the power of those who came before us,” she continued. 

Crump said that just as African-American forebears fought for this generation, today’s Blacks have to agitate on behalf of the generations to come.

“We have to be ready to fight until hell freezes over,” he said, “and then we have to be ready to fight on the ice. So, all our children will know that we are ready to fight for them.”

The March on Washington was livestreamed by the Drum Major Institute on YouTube for those who wanted to participate virtually.

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By AFRO Staff

In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s  “I Have a Dream” speech and the March on Washington, the Caucus of African American Leaders (CAAL) and partners hosted a reenactment in Annapolis, Md., on Aug. 26.

The Morgan State Marching Band led the march, which began 10 a.m. Led by statewide civic and religious organizations the crowd bore signs advocating on civil rights issues of today.  The procession began at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, then proceeded to Clay Street, past the Banneker-Douglass Museum to view the mural, on to Church Circle and down Main Street before ending at the Annapolis City Dock.

A formal program was held at the Susan Campbell Park at noon, where 1963 March participants were honored and Morgan State University President David Wilson gave the keynote address. Willie Flowers, president of the NAACP Maryland State Conference, also made remarks.

The Aug. 26 event was part of a two-day commemoration. Sunday’s activities were expected to include a health resource fair and worship service.

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By DaQuan Lawrence
AFRO International Writer
DLawrence@afro.com

Black Futures Lab (BFL) and Black leaders recently commemorated a significant milestone, the 2023 Black Census Project, an undertaking and monumental effort that collected survey responses from Black Americans across all 50 states regarding their views on public policy. 

On Aug. 23, Angela Rye masterfully moderated a discussion that included Alicia Garza, founder of Black Futures Lab, Roland Martin, Host of #RolandMartinUnfiltered, Aria Sa’id, founder of The Transgender District, and Michael Harriot, Author of Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America, who discussed the significance of the survey. 

Approximately 128,000 participants responded to the survey, which seeks to collect an aggregate of Black American’s opinions on U.S. policies including voting rights, education, abortion, housing, criminal justice reform, tax laws that impact businesses and more. 

“We launched the first Black census in 2018 because we know that if you want to take a pulse on what’s happening with the country at large, you have to listen to and be responsive to Black communities,” said Garza, the founder of Black Futures Lab. 

Black Futures Lab works with Black people to transform their communities, build Black political power, and change the way that power operates locally, statewide and nationally. The organization seeks to understand the dynamics impacting Black communities and engages the Black community in the decisions that impact their lives. 

BFL’s initial Black Census Project was conducted in 2018 and surveyed over 30,000 Black people throughout the U.S. on their political beliefs, views, concerns and aspirations. The first Black Census was considered the largest survey of Black people conducted in the United States since Reconstruction, and the 2023 report is now believed to be four times the size of the 2018 Black Census, and the largest exclusive survey of Black people in American history.

“This charts a pathway for us to be specific about the issues and allows us to be able to challenge political leaders. We have to connect the dots for our people,” Martin said. 

“Putting this survey in the hands of our people enables us to hold elected officials accountable, and to mobilize the public,” he continued. 

During the briefing, media attendees viewed the initial findings of Black attitudes and opinions across demographics and geography, including LGBTQIA communities, incarcerated Black people, Black immigrant communities and Black people in rural areas. 

“Race is being attacked from many different angles and in history the U.S. has been very good at the activation of amnesia, and the way that power is organized in this country,” Garza said during the virtual press briefing.  

“Attacks on African American Studies because if you study the contributions of Black people in this country, you expose something that we don’t actually want you to see,” she continued. 

Data from the Black Census will encourage Black communities to stay engaged and wield political power to inform, influence, and impact all institutions and decision-makers who are or should be engaging Black people. 

The Black Census is used to design the Black Agenda 2024, a policy road map which informs legislators across the nation of the key priorities of Black communities across America. The Black Agenda 2024 will be used to activate and engage Black voters in advance of elections.

“Anti-trans legislation is building in the U.S., and we know anecdotally that Black trans-people are often impacted severely and immediately,” Aria Sa’id, founder-emeritus of the Transgender District, said during the convening. 

The mission of the San Francisco-based Transgender District is to create an urban environment that fosters the rich history, culture, legacy and empowerment of transgender people and its deep roots in the southeastern Tenderloin neighborhood.

“Especially in a climate where there’s so much anti-trans rhetoric, bigotry and prejudice towards queer and trans people” Sa’id continued. 

“This project was really important to be a part of because it allowed us to be explicit on our needs as a community, as trans communities are labeled ‘other’ within data and in the Black community” she concluded. 

During the briefing the panelists raised the importance of dispelling many myths that politically motivated and propagated by media reporting that is ultimately disadvantageous to the Black community. An example of such a notion is the idea that Black men have not participated in elections at a high rate.

“If we’re ever using a narrative, we have to remind people that on the Democratic side, Black women are the number one voting bloc and Black men are number two” Martin said.

“We have to continue to say ‘thank you’ to Black men for participating at similar rates that Black women participate. Please stay on message and stay on course,” Garza said during the virtual briefing.  

“If we stick together, we have to actually keep refusing to promote those messages that ‘Black men are going to be the reason that Democrats lose the election’. That just has not been true,” Garza explained. 

Another issue and misreported myth that impacts the upcoming elections that was raised was the idea that Black men are vacating the Democratic Party for the Republican Party. With the Republican Party presidential debates taking place on the same night as the press briefing, political clarifications are important to inform voters in the upcoming elections. 

“This narrative of Black male voters kind of swept into the GOPis a function of voter participation,” said historian and author, Harriot.  

“The unwillingness to report facts complicates this narrative when we examine this idea of Black men shifting to the GOP, without talking about stuff like felony disenfranchisement, voter suppression in the south and where Black people vote,” Harriot said. 

“When you leave that out and reports as if the GOP has this great plan that are magnetizing Black men toward the GOP, it is really not true and it’s irresponsible,” he concluded.

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Thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to continue the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, led 60 years ago by civil rights leaders seeking to make change on the human and civil rights front. 

The steps of the Lincoln Memorial overflowed with a myriad of citizens looking to “let freedom ring” in the ways that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of in his 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech.

Many speakers noted that years after King’s iconic words were spoken, things have changed— but a lot has remained the same. 

“Today was a day to show our strength, thousands of you came 60 years later to say that we are a continuation of a movement,” said President and Founder of the National Action Network, Rev.Dr. Al Sharpton. “I want to announce today that we’re going to fight back! They will not be able to turn back the clock.We’re going to stand up for who we are and where we are and what we are. Our fathers fought for this and we’re going to maintain it.”

Former Maryland State Senator Larry Young spoke with the AFRO about being at the original March on Washington and at the 60th anniversary. 

“I was ten years old,” said Young. “I was a youngster and my mother didn’t want me to come. I was lucky that Henry Welcome, Sen. Verda Freeman Welcome’s husband, convinced my mother to let me come.”

“As a result of that, I was on that bus. We came in and I was way in the back. I could still hear the speeches, but could barely see the faces. Six decades later, I’m here— in front. Not to commemorate, but to continue with the dream and the vision,” said Young. 

Young told the AFRO he is concerned about the current state of Black America and the country as a whole. 

“We’re sliding backwards but we must find a way to get the message out and have a voter turnout second to none,” Young said. “It scares me that they are saying 13 to 14 percent of Black men are going to vote for trump. To me that is dangerous and we’ve got to deal with that between now and the general election.”

Though the original march had women behind the scenes, organizing and planning the demonstration, the only woman able to speak to the crowd on that August day was Daisy Bates, Arkansas NAACP director and Little Rock Central High School desegregation leader. 

Danette Anthony Reed, international president and CEO of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, spoke with the AFRO shortly after stirring the crowd with her words. 

Reed weighed in on the significance of women in the fight to make change. 

“I think the major importance of women’s roles is to make sure that we pull together. Number one, making sure that people understand the history,” Reed told the AFRO. “And second, to understand: what is our role? What are we gonna have to do to make a difference? And that’s advocate for justice, soaring to the polls and making sure that we educate.”

Live AFRO coverage can be viewed on our Facebook page here.

“We have to keep marching, we have to continue,” she said. “Yeah, we commemorate- but we gotta make a difference.”

The faith community did not disappoint when it came to whipping the crowd into righteous anger with their fervor and passion for equal rights. 

In 2023, women spoke powerful words throughout the day, representing a host of organizations. 

“This is more than just a reflection of what was, but this is an acknowledgement of the work that still needs to be done,” exclaimed Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, interim president of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. “This is the time— this is the hour— to go grab your courage and push past fear in difficult times. This is the time, this is the hour to keep believing that justice is still possible–even when democracy is on life support!”

Rev. Warren Anthony, advisor for the Prince William County, Virginia NAACP Youth Council, spoke with the AFRO about the importance of handing off the struggle for human and civil rights to the next generation. 

“I think it’s critical,” said Warren. “You have to start them now at this age because our civil rights leaders in the past started in their teens and early 20s. They became great leaders for the change that occurred. That’s what we’re doing. We’re developing our young social activists and leaders.”

“Our ‘three E’s’ are education, entrepreneurship and enjoyment,” Warren explained.

“I feel empowered to be out here with like minded individuals, to give back and show homage to the ones who came before us,” said Morgan Scott, who served as a volunteer on behalf of Howard University. “We have to continue the legacy.”

The post Economic inequity, gun violence and White supremacy key topics at 2023 March on Washington appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Harvard Divinity School is set to welcome at its helm the first woman and first Black female in its 207-year history.

Marla Frederick, whose scholarship is focused on the African-American religious experience, will become dean of the famed theological institution on Jan. 1, 2024, Harvard University President Claudine Gay announced Aug, 24.

While Frederick currently serves as a professor of religion and culture at Emory University, she is no stranger to Harvard. She joined the school’s Department of African and African American Studies in 2003, received tenure in 2010 and, in all, spent 16 years there as a professor. Her departure from Harvard in 2019 to join the faculty of Emory University’s School of Theology came at a time when many Black faculty members opted to exit Harvard for peer institutions, the Harvard Crimson reported.

“We are thrilled to welcome Marla Frederick back to the University,” Gay said in a statement. “Her scholarship and her leadership have been distinguished by wide-ranging curiosity and engagement, and I am confident that those qualities, as well as her deep devotion to the mission of Harvard Divinity School, will make her an outstanding dean.”

Frederick said in a statement that she is “honored” to return as dean of HDS, which she described as “a place bustling with conscientious faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends who are committed to the work of justice and human flourishing informed by deep study.”

“I look forward to joining the HDS community in developing religious and civic leaders for our increasingly complex and diverse society,” she added.

In her previous stint at Harvard, Frederick served in various leadership roles, including as interim chair of the Committee on the Study of Religion, a member of the provost’s academic leadership forum, and as director of graduate studies and chair of the admissions committee for the Department of African and African American Studies.

At Emory, Frederick served on the university’s tenure and promotion advisory committee and was involved in the Emory School of Theology’s committees on strategic planning and personnel and academic policy. She has also served as president of the American Academy of Religion and the Association of Black Anthropologists.

Frederick’s acclaimed scholarship is principally focused on the study of religion and media, religion and social activism in the U.S. South and the sustainability of Black institutions in a “post-racial” world. She is the author or co-author of four books, including Colored Television: American Religion Gone Global and Between Sundays: Black Women and Everyday Struggles of Faith. She also is currently curating, alongside five co-editors, an encyclopedia of the histories of historically Black colleges and universities.

University Provost Alan M. Garber, who co-led the HDS dean search with Gay, told the Harvard Gazette that Frederick is “the right person to lead HDS in the years to come.”

“Marla deeply understands the unique role and influence of the Harvard Divinity School, and why it is a cherished institution,” he added. “She recognizes the challenges and opportunities facing the School and will bring a fresh perspective informed by her service both within and outside of Harvard. Beyond her credentials as an influential scholar, she is also a devoted teacher whose thoughtful, collaborative nature shines through in everything she does.”

Originally from Sumter, South Carolina, Frederick earned her bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and her doctorate in cultural anthropology from Duke University. Prior to joining the Harvard faculty in 2003, she served in a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University and as an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati, before assuming another postdoctoral position at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

The post Harvard Divinity School to welcome 1st Black female dean appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

On Aug. 21 Sha’Carri  Richardson gained her  first official international  title in the 100 meter  dash. Richardson was an  outlier in lane 9 at the  2023 World Track and  Field Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where she was crowned queen of  the race track.  

“It’s always been my  time, but now it’s my time  to actually do it for myself and the people that felt like me, the people  that look like me, and the  people that know the truth  about themselves as well.  I represent those people,” said Richardson, in an  interview with NBC after  her win. “I’m not worried  about the world anymore.  I’ve seen the world be my  friend, I’ve seen the world  turn on me. At the end of  the day, I’ve always been  with me. God has always  been with me. So being  on this scale now-it’s my  time.”  

Richardson is the first  woman ever to win gold in  this event at the Olympics  and world championships  without placing top two in  the semi-finals. Her victorious performance clocked in at  a blazing 10.65 seconds,  earning her the credence  of the fastest woman alive.  Richardson beat Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce of Jamaica,  who warmly embraced  her in a selfie after the big  win.  

The reaction to Richardson’s recent win  was much different than  the response she received  after her devastating last  place finish at the historic  Prefontaine Classic in  2021, where she competed  just one month after losing  her mother. 

It was there that she spoke prophetic words  over herself about what  would occur in her life and  track career. 

“This is one race. I’m not done. You know  what I’m capable of,” Richardson said after the race in Eugene, Ore.  “Count me out if you want  to. Talk all the [expletive]  you want, because I’m  here to stay. I’m not done.”

Even though she was banned from competing in her specialty event at the postponed 2021 Olympic games in Tokyo for using marijuana to cope with her mother’s death, she returned triumphant in the 2023 season, winning the 100 meter dash at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships with a time of 10.82 seconds.

Her advice to those following in her footsteps are simple, “I would say whatever you choose to do for yourself, make sure it benefits you, make sure it makes you happy, make sure you know that you got you despite anybody else,” the athlete said on an Instagram live.

Richardson was placed on a world stage at a young age. She started a legendary career as a standout freshman on the Louisiana State University’s (LSU) track and field team. There, she was  under the direction of coach Dennis Shaver. While at LSU Richardson earned a national collegiate title after running 10.75 seconds in the 100 meter dash becoming the ninth fastest woman in history while still in her first year of college before turning professional. 

However, after all of the attention, Richardson declared that she will not share much of her life after the world championships.

“I’m excited to go out there and share and explore. See what people. Just see what is for me,” Richardson shared on social media. “I am a champ. I am queen. I’m a goddess. I’m a Black woman. I am a woman.”

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By AFRO Staff

Halfsmokes, hot chili and warm smiles flooded the U Street corridor on Aug. 22 as the Ali family celebrated 65 years of ownership at the D.C. franchise, Ben’s Chili Bowl. The married couple Ben and Virginia Ali founded the restaurant in 1958 and have sown seeds in the community as a staple Black business that has outlasted riots, gentrification and growing violent crime.

“It’s an absolute honor to celebrate the Ali family and what they represent to Washington, D.C. and myself as a Black woman in business; they are a representation of what we can do to lead and create a change in our communities which is something I aspire to do as well,” said Danita Johnson, president of business operations at D.C. United who was in attendance at the ceremony. “They are a source of inspiration for the city.”

At the event, Ben’s Chili Bowl distributed free meals consisting of their signature halfsmoke, chips and water which many residents enjoyed. Popular DJ Rico “QuikSilva” Silva played music for the large audience and helped emcee as various organizations spoke words of encouragement to the Ali family.

Historic leaders in the Black community such as former president Barack Obama, Malcolm X and even Martin Luther King Jr. visited Ben’s on his trip to D.C. during the legendary March on Washington. Virginia still remembers his favorite to-go order, the chili cheeseburger. 

“Ben’s Chili Bowl is more than a restaurant. It is sewn into the fabric of Washington, D.C. for 65 delicious years! Ben’s has outlasted the politicians in the capital,” said Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Alan Kensek. “Ben’s plays a crucial role in the culture of D.C. and will continue to show the test of time. Here’s wishing to see another 65 years. Congratulations on their well deserved milestone.”

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By DaQuan Lawrence
AFRO International Writer
DLawrence@afro.com

The Baltimore Police Department has arrested a young man who is suspected to have been involved in the mass shooting that took place last month at the Brooklyn Homes public housing complex in southern Baltimore during the Fourth of July holiday.

Tristan Brian Jackson, 18, was arrested Aug. 17, and has been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted murder in addition to 41 other charges, according to BPD.

Baltimore police also confirmed that Jackson, who was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility upon his arrest, had previously been arrested in February for possession of a handgun.

Jackson is believed to be responsible for firing gunshots into a crowd of individuals gathered on the 800 block of 8^th St. on July 2 during a block party. Detectives said GPS data from an ankle monitor he was wearing at the time–stemming from an unrelated case from juvenile court–corroborated his location at the party. They said he was also caught on surveillance video firing five rounds at a group of seven people who were fleeing in the opposite direction.

The mass shooting led to the deaths of 18-year-old Aaliyah Gonzalez and 20-year-old Kylis Fagbemi, while 28 other attendees of the annual “Brooklyn Day” celebration received substantial injuries.

Many of the surviving victims also were teens between the ages of 13 and 19. 

Mayor Brandon M. Scott continued to express support for family members and communities impacted by the shooting.

“The residents of Brooklyn Homes were deeply impacted by a devastating act of violence, and I want to first extend my continued heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families who are still grappling with this pain and loss,” Scott said in a statement..

Interim Police Commissioner Richard Worley said that since the shooting, BPD has been thoroughly investigating the case.

“ this investigation is still ongoing, I applaud the work of all the BPD members, the Homicide Detectives, our law enforcement partners and our community collaborators who will not rest until they see justice served,” Worley said in a statement..

Earlier this month, Worley declared that the department’s after-action report would be available in 30 to 45 days. The report is expected to provide details about how BPD responded to the mass shooting.

Authorities had previously arrested another teen who was at the party, charging him with possessing a firearm during the event. He was also one of the victims shot that night and hasn’t been charged with any act of violence. Detectives said he arrived at Brooklyn Homes with Jackson and two other people; the same group left the scene in a silver car shortly after the shooting, according to police. 

Last month, The AFRO reported that community leaders and elected officials are seeking to help Baltimore residents recover emotionally and mentally in the midst of a year that has seen upwards of 440 mass shootings around the nation thus far.

When the Brooklyn Day violence occurred in early July, approximately 340 mass shootings had taken place across the U.S. for the year so far.  And, the last five weeks have seen the number of shootings continue to increase at an alarming rate.

Following the July incident, Mayor Scott highlighted that shootings and violent crimes in cities should receive the same attention as mass shootings in rural communities, despite racial demographic differences.

“When it happens in Baltimore, Chicago or D.C., it doesn’t get that same attention,” said Scott in July.

“These Black American lives children’s lives matter just as anyone else,” he continued.

As members of the Baltimore community continue to handle the surge of violent crimes in the city and around the nation, the city’s public officials continue to work to produce solutions that will benefit community members.

“Throughout this entire investigation, BPD has acted swiftly and diligently in response to this tragedy and our efforts are not slowing down. While arrest has been made, the investigation continues,” Scott concluded.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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By Andrew Dalton
AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California appeals court on Aug. 18 revived lawsuits from two men who allege Michael Jackson sexually abused them for years when they were boys.

A three-judge panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal found that the lawsuits of Wade Robson and James Safechuck should not have been dismissed by a lower court, and that the men can validly claim that the two Jackson-owned corporations that were named as defendants in the cases had a responsibility to protect them. A new California law that temporarily broadened the scope of sexual abuse cases enabled the appeals court to restore them.

It’s the second time the lawsuits — brought by Robson in 2013 and Safechuck the following year — have been brought back after dismissal. The two men became more widely known for telling their stories in the 2019 HBO documentary ” Leaving Neverland.”

A judge who dismissed the suits in 2021 found that the corporations, MJJ Productions Inc. and MJJ Ventures Inc., could not be expected to function like the Boy Scouts or a church where a child in their care could expect their protection. Jackson, who died in 2009, was the sole owner and only shareholder in the companies.

The higher court judges disagreed, writing that “a corporation that facilitates the sexual abuse of children by one of its employees is not excused from an affirmative duty to protect those children merely because it is solely owned by the perpetrator of the abuse.”

They added that “it would be perverse to find no duty based on the corporate defendant having only one shareholder. And so we reverse the judgments entered for the corporations.”

Jonathan Steinsapir, attorney for the Jackson estate, said they were “disappointed.”

“Two distinguished trial judges repeatedly dismissed these cases on numerous occasions over the last decade because the law required it,” Steinsapir said in an email to The Associated Press. “We remain fully confident that Michael is innocent of these allegations, which are contrary to all credible evidence and independent corroboration, and which were only first made years after Michael’s death by men motivated solely by money.”

Vince Finaldi, an attorney for Robson and Safechuck, said in an email that they were “pleased but not surprised” that the court overturned the previous judge’s “incorrect rulings in these cases, which were against California law and would have set a dangerous precedent that endangered children throughout state and country. We eagerly look forward to a trial on the merits.”

Steinsapir had argued for the defense in July that it does not make sense that employees would be legally required to stop the behavior of their boss.

“It would require low-level employees to confront their supervisor and call them pedophiles,” Steinsapir said.

Holly Boyer, another attorney for Robson and Safechuck, countered that the boys “were left alone in this lion’s den by the defendant’s employees. An affirmative duty to protect and to warn is correct.”

Steinsapir said evidence that has been gathered in the cases, which have not reached trial, showed that the parents had no expectation of Jackson’s employees to act as monitors.

“They were not looking to Michael Jackson’s companies for protection from Michael Jackson,” the lawyer said.

But in a concurring opinion issued with The Aug. 18 decision, one of the panelists, Associate Justice John Shepard Wiley Jr., wrote that “to treat Jackson’s wholly-owned instruments as different from Jackson himself is to be mesmerized by abstractions. This is not an alter ego case. This is a same ego case.”

The judges did not rule on the truth of the allegations themselves. That will be the subject of a forthcoming jury trial in Los Angeles.

“We trust that the truth will ultimately prevail with Michael’s vindication yet again,” Steinsapir said Aug. 18.

Robson, now a 40-year-old choreographer, met Jackson when he was 5 years old. He went on to appear in three Jackson music videos.

His lawsuit alleged that Jackson molested him over a seven-year period.

Safechuck, now 45, said in his suit that he was 9 when he met Jackson while filming a Pepsi commercial. He said Jackson called him often and lavished him with gifts before moving on to sexually abusing him.

The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they were victims of sexual abuse. But Robson and Safechuck have come forward and approved of the use of their identities.

The men’s lawsuits had already bounced back from a 2017 dismissal, when Young threw them out for being beyond the statute of limitations. Jackson’s personal estate — the assets he left after his death — was thrown out as a defendant in 2015.

Story originally published by The Associated Press

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By Larry Neumeister
The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City drug dealer was sentenced Aug. 18 to 10 years in prison for providing “The Wire” actor Michael K. Williams with fentanyl-laced heroin, causing his death.

Irvin Cartagena, 40, of Aibonito, Puerto Rico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams. Cartagena had pleaded guilty in April to conspiring to distribute drugs.

Williams overdosed in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment in September 2021. He died hours after authorities said he bought the heroin from Cartagena on a sidewalk in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood in a deal recorded by a security camera.

Williams famously portrayed Omar Little, the rogue robber of drug dealers, in HBO’s “The Wire,” which ran from 2002 to 2008. In addition to his work on the critically acclaimed drama, Williams also starred in films and other TV series such as “Boardwalk Empire.”

Cartagena faced a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and could have faced up to 40 years behind bars.

“I am very sorry for my actions,” he said before the sentence was announced. “When we sold the drugs, we never intended for anyone to lose their life.”

Abrams noted that those who knew Cartagena said that he was “helpful and humble and hard working” when he was not using drugs himself.

“I’m hopeful that with treatment, … it will help you move forward on a more productive and law-abiding path,” the judge said.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams noted that those who participated in the sale of drugs to Williams already knew that someone else had died from drugs they were peddling.

Prosecutors said Cartagena and others continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin in Manhattan and Brooklyn even after Williams died, although Cartagena eventually fled to Puerto Rico, where he was arrested in February 2022.

In a defense submission prior to sentencing, Cartagena’s lawyer, Sean Maher, said his client was paid for his street sales in heroin to support his own use.

“In a tragic instant, Mr. Cartagena was the one who handed the small packet of drugs to Mr. Williams — it easily could have been any of the other men who were there or in the vicinity selling the same drugs,” Maher wrote. “Sentencing Mr. Cartagena to double digits of prison time will not bring back the beautiful life that was lost.”

Prosecutors in a pre-sentence submission had requested a prison term of at least 12 years while the court’s Probation Department had recommended a 20-year term after citing Cartagena’s 14 prior convictions for drug-related crimes, including burglary, robbery and prison escape.

Abrams, though, said the recommendations were “simply too high.”

“This sentence, while severe, is sufficient but not greater than necessary,” she said.

This article originally published by The Associated Press

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(Black PR Wire) SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Recently, Republic FC announced Da’vian Kimbrough, a member of the club’s youth development academy, has signed his first professional contract, making him eligible to compete for the club’s first team. In signing his first professional contract, Da’vian is the youngest professional athlete in American team sports history (13 years, 5 months, 13 days). As he begins his third year with Republic FC, he will be added to the club’s first-team roster, pending league and federation approval, and continue his development as one of the team’s high potential players in the academy. Per club policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Da’vian’s journey with Republic FC is just beginning. He is a remarkable talent who has committed to his dream of becoming an elite player, from competing with players in older age groups and thriving at top competitions, to stepping on to the first team training grounds,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “We are honored that the Kimbrough family and Da’vian have chosen Republic FC to support his professional pathway, and we look forward to taking the next steps together.”

“A young player’s path is never the same as the person seated next to them. Da’vian has shown tremendous focus, commitment and dedication, as well as a willingness to embrace the challenging road ahead of him,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs. “Over the last two years he has demonstrated his tremendous potential, and our goal is to continue to support and help him grow as a player and person.”

“With each player that comes through our academy, our approach is unique and tailored to help the individual find their best journey,” said Academy Director Eder Quintanilla. “Da’vian is a special player who has thrived in difficult and challenging environments. We’re excited to be a part of the next step in his development, and to continue to support his professional dream.”

Kimbrough joined Republic FC’s Academy in 2021 at age 11, playing up one age division. In his first season, he scored a team-leading 27 goals in 31 matches, helping Sacramento’s U13 side to the best record of any team in their age group nation-wide with 30 wins and just one loss in league play, including 27 consecutive victories to open the season. In his second season, Kimbrough and the U14 squad finished first in MLS NEXT division play with a 26-5-3 record, outscoring opponents 148-22. As part of the high potential training program, he would join the U15 team for select matches against older competition. In two seasons of MLS NEXT league play, he scored 61 goals in 81 appearances.

After a successful MLS NEXT Flex tournament, Kimbrough was recruited to serve as a guest player at the Bassevelde U13 Cup, one of the most prestigious youth tournaments across the globe. Up against some of the top clubs in the world – including Juventus and Benfica, Kimbrough scored six goals and was named the tournament MVP, leading New York Red Bulls Academy to be the first MLS club to lift the championship trophy. Other notable footballers that have gotten their start in the tournament include 2022 Premier League MVP Kevin De Bruyne and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibault Courtois.

Before joining Republic FC’s Academy, Da’vian’s development began with the coaching staff at North Bay Elite Futbol Club in Solano County, as well as Woodland Soccer Club of Yolo County. In his time with Republic FC, Kimbrough was also selected to participate in his first U.S. Youth National Team ID Center last October. As his development progressed, he would join older age groups, Republic FC’s high potential training programs, and eventually first team training sessions in preparation to take the next step.

Da’vian will now be eligible to compete for Republic FC in USL Championship matches. His training schedule will be modified and monitored with the club’s sports medicine staff, in consultation with his family and USL safeguarding guidelines. He will continue a mixed training regimen that provides him the benefits of competing with professional players on the first team, as well as the unique development opportunities that happen in Academy competition. He will continue his studies and will be able to join Republic FC’s education partner – Elk Grove Charter School – in the future.

Kimbrough is now the sixth Republic FC Academy player to sign a professional contract with the club and the 25th to sign a professional contract overall.  Since its inception in 2015, the club’s youth academy has offered the region’s only professional pathway to support the development of the region’s best players. The program has created a pipeline for 34 players to earn first-team opportunities through USL Academy contracts, with eight players joining MLS-affiliated clubs.

Kimbrough eligible for selection ahead of match against Birmingham Legion FC at Protective Stadium. Republic FC’s next home match is on August 26, when the club hosts its 10th Season Celebration Match at historic Hughes Stadium. For more information or to purchase tickets starting at just $10, visit SacRepublicFC.com/Hughes.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPDY2gRPR3o

‘A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION’ FOR CARIBBEAN MUSIC HOSTED BY 3x GRAMMY AWARD-WINNER WYCLEF JEAN. MACHEL MONTANO TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

(Black PR Wire) New York, NY – The stage is set and it’s time to recognize and celebrate Caribbean Music! With an electrifying lineup of performances, presenters, and nominees, this extraordinary event will be a breathtaking celebration of Caribbean music and entertainment. With his unrivaled charisma and infectious energy, Grammy Award winning artist Wyclef Jean will take center stage as the dynamic host for this historic occasion. Mark your calendars for August 31st, when Kings Theatre will come alive with the rhythm and soul of the Caribbean. Be on the lookout for the official performance lineup set to be announced soon.

This week, Wyclef Jean shared his excitement around being this year’s host at the Today Show via NBC. The 3x Grammy Winning artist further shared: “The countdown starts now! It’s a special celebration of Caribbean Music. We’re celebrating music that continues to connect the world through music, fashion, and a whole different level of energy. Get ready to dance, laugh, wave ya flags and make memories! Let’s come together, under one roof, and show the world the legacy of Caribbean Music and culture.”

Caribbean music has had a profound impact on the global music scene, influencing and inspiring countless artists across genres. From Reggae’s laid-back grooves to Soca’s infectious rhythms, and Dancehall’s high-energy beats to Calypso’s storytelling melodies, the Caribbean has given birth to a rich tapestry of musical styles that have captivated audiences worldwide. Now, it’s time to honor and celebrate these immense contributions.

The Caribbean Music Awards is not just an awards ceremony; it’s a night for the entire Caribbean music and entertainment community to come together in a dazzling display of talent, creativity, and cultural richness. It is a time to recognize the artists, producers, and industry professionals who have significantly shaped and propelled the Caribbean music landscape to international acclaim. But the excitement doesn’t stop there, the Caribbean Music Awards has partnered with the global powerhouse, YouTube, to bring this extraordinary event to audiences worldwide. Through a live stream on YouTube.com, music enthusiasts from every corner of the globe will have the opportunity to join the festivities, immerse themselves in the energy of the Caribbean, and witness the magic unfold in real-time. It’s a chance for fans, both near and far, to be part of a historical moment in music.

Don’t miss your chance to witness the birth of a new era in Caribbean music. The inaugural Caribbean Music Awards, hosted by the incomparable Wyclef Jean, will be a night of unforgeable performances, remarkable talent, and an electric atmosphere. Whether you’re in the audience at the Kings Theatre or tuning in from your screen, get ready to be swept away by the spirit and brilliance of Caribbean music. Prepare for an unforgettable night celebrating Caribbean music’s rich history spanning a multitude of generations on August 31st at 8pm EST.

For the latest updates and information, visit our official website CaribMusicAwards.com or follow us on IG @CaribMusicAwards @CaribbeanEliteMagazine. Get ready to experience the best that Caribbean music has to offer at the Caribbean Music Awards!

About the Caribbean Elite Group

Caribbean Elite Group aims to amplify the people, stories and talent that for generations, has fueled the rich culture of the Caribbean.  As part of the portfolio, Caribbean Elite Group produces Caribbean Elite Magazine – a print and digital publication which highlights Caribbean entertainers, artists, producers, promoters, cuisine, travel, fashion, entrepreneurs and more, while engaging in an array of topics that are of special interest to the community.

About Kings Theatre

The historic Kings Theatre reopened in 2015 as one of New York’s premier performing arts venues. Providing a destination for large-scale popular entertainment and serving as a resource for local arts groups and community organizations, Kings is a cultural and economic cornerstone of the Flatbush community and a major fixture to Brooklyn’s vibrant cultural landscape. The classic 20th-century movie palace was inspired by the French Renaissance Revival style of the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House. With over 3,000 seats—the largest of its kind in Brooklyn—the restoration revived the historic structure’s original splendor and transformed the theatre into a state-of-the-art facility. Kings Theatre is operated by Ambassador Theatre Group. Learn more at www.kingstheatre.com

The post PRESS ROOM: First Annual CARIBBEAN MUSIC AWARDS confirmed for AUGUST 31st, 2023 LIVE from the renowned KINGS THEATRE in Brooklyn, New York appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Stephen Hopkins

The last month of summer vacation started with an exciting weekend long basketball tournament sponsored by Senator Corey McCray in partnership with Leader Breeders. Six teams of all different skill sets were invited to compete over the course of two days. 

The event took place under the world famous “Dome” in East Baltimore during the Peace Promise weekend, promoted by the Baltimore Peace Movement (formerly known as Ceasefire). The Towson University Lady Tigers were on hand to pump up and encourage the young ladies on the court. 

The second day of the event kicked off with more awesome action and truly talented skilled players doing what they loved. The tradition of basketball in Baltimore is strong and thriving and the ladies are coming to make their presence known. In addition to the athletic talent, the programming also included performances by Baltimore’s own Be You Ent.

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By AFRO Staff

The King of Baltimore dance competition celebrated 10 years on Aug. 6. Hundreds of Charm City residents braved inclement weather to pack out Patapsco Arena, where classic dance moves like the Cherry Hill, the Spongebob and crazy legs were on full display as Baltimore Club mix hyped up the energetic crowd. 

The competition took place in three rounds, starting with 24 contestants. The men faced off against each other with their best moves, flips and turns until finally a new king was crowned. 

Deven “King Devo” Cook ultimately took home the King of Baltimore title, an honor bestowed upon him once before in the competition’s sixth year. 

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By AFRO Staff

Activists and historians are honoring the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington with much fanfare this year. In preparation for the event, the AFRO has listed some of the buses that will be traveling from states across the country to bring participants to the nation’s capital for a reenactment of the momentous event. Check to see what may be offered in your state.

New York

Peekskill NAACP:

The Peekskill chapter of the NAACP will mobilize members of the movement with a bus trip from Peekskill, NY to Washington, D.C. Their trip will depart at 6 a.m. and arrive by 11 a.m. Those riding will be provided boxed lunch and can expect other accommodations for just $75. 

United Federation of Teachers:

Buses will leave from all five boroughs in New York City for the March on Washington at 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 26 and return that same day. The federation is allowing teachers to bring two guests including children over the age of 12. They are marching to uphold our democracy while combating a rise in hate and the struggle for equity, jobs and justice.

For more information and departure points, please complete the United Federation of Teachers registration form. 

New Bern, North Carolina:

Patrons will take a bus from New Bern, N.C. to Washington, D.C. to commemorate the March on Washington anniversary. Those aboard will travel for 5 hours overnight to arrive at the site of the March. For a fee of $60 they will receive breakfast and dinner in addition to the ride to the march. 

Baltimore, Maryland 

New Shiloh Baptist Church 

Members of the New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore depart from 2100 N. Monroe Streeton August 26 at 7 a.m. for the continuation of the March on Washington. The day trip cost $30 and participants will leave D.C. at around 2:30 pm.

Louisville, Kentucky:

Two buses will depart from the Downtown Library for the March on Washington. This trip is being organized by Kathleen Parks.

Newark, New Jersey:

People’s Organization For Progress

The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) will be hosting a bus ride to the 60th Anniversary March On Washington. They will be advocating for racial, social and economic justice.

The National Action Network

The National Action Network will be bringing a free bus from South Jersey. They will be departing from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Complex at 5 a.m. on Aug. 26. 

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By AFRO Staff

Music mogul Clarence Avant also known as “The Black Godfather” passed at 92 years old. The star maker who worked with the likes of Bill Withers, Michael Jackson and Muhammad Ali inspired thousands across the span of his lifetime.

“Clarence leaves behind a loving family and a sea of friends and associates that have changed the world and will continue to change the world for generations to come,” said his children, Nicole and Alex Avant, and son-in-law, Ted Sarandos, in a public statement.

“The joy of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss. Clarence passed away gently at home in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 13, 2023.”

Avant’s professional career is steeped in success. He had humble beginnings in North Carolina where started out managing Little Willie John, Jimmy Smith and Freddie Hubbard.

In the 1960s, Avant brokered the sale of Stax Record and founded one of the first Black-owned radio stations, KAGB-FM, in Los Angeles the following decade.

Avant most notably served as chairman of Motown Records in 1993 after its sale to Polygram and managed the Interior Music Group publishing company until 2018.

“Clarence’s extraordinary contribution to music and the barriers he broke throughout his career are unrivaled. He was the mentor to all Black executives in the music industry for decades, providing invaluable guidance and support while always standing up for equal rights,” shared music legend Clive Davis, on Instagram. “Clarence was humane and fair and inspired love and respect from all who knew him. I personally loved him and will miss him forever.”

Due to his undeniable impact on the industry, Avant was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. His other accolades include the NAACP Thurgood Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 and the Trustee Award from the Recording Academy in 2008.

“RIP to The Black Godfather Clarence Avant, thank you for all the wisdom you’ve shared and the path you paved for artists like myself,” Clifford “TI” Harris” wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

While the executive broke many barriers in the entertainment industry he also left his mark politically by aiding several sitting U.S. presidents as an adviser and fundraiser.

“He was skillful, savvy, warm, and wise. It was impossible to spend time with Clarence Avant and not come away feeling more positive and wanting to follow his example. Hillary and I just loved him,” Bill Clinton shared on the social media platform, X. “We give thanks for his long, good life and our decades of friendship, and we’re grateful that his legacy will endure — in the music he helped bring into the world, and in all those who were touched by his compassion, mentorship, and generosity.”

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By Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor 

New Carrollton, Md., a Prince George’s County community, hosted its 40^th National Night Out celebration recently with special guests from the top of Maryland’s state government. 

Gov. Wes Moore, first lady Dawn Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown made surprise appearances at the mid-county community’s Beckett Field, enhancing a local tradition already firmly embedded within and embraced by the small suburban jurisdiction a few miles away from downtown Washington, D.C.

“When we talk about this idea of National Night Out, this idea of public safety, the No. 1 priority for this moment is that everyone in each community can grow up in safety in our own homes and in our own skin,” Moore told the audience under a bright evening sky.

Several hundred people gathered onto Beckett Field, enjoying a waterslide, scores of games, a community antique car show and competition amid representatives from more than 25 federal, state and local law enforcement organizations, community causes and businesses.  

Many residents and neighbors have been going to Beckett Field for New Carrollton’s National Night Out for years. Now in its 40th year, it is one of the longest running celebrations of its kind in the nation. 

Rita LaPrince from neighboring Greenbelt, Md., has attended the New Carrollton celebration for the past three years and said she will keep coming back.

 “This gives the kids something positive to do and gives them an outlet to be kids like they should be. It also allows the police to interact with the kids,” LaPrince said, while watching her children enjoy one of the event’s amusement rides.  

New Carrollton is a family-oriented, small-town community where neighbors know each other. The small city is divided in half by State Route 450, Annapolis Road, and features a mix of winding neighborhoods, flowerbeds and wooded spaces on one side and rows of large apartment complexes on the other side.

 The community’s violent crime rate is higher than locations of its size nationwide, but property crime is the largest challenge for city residents, according to Neighborhood Scout, a data analytics site with national data on community demographics.  

A year ago, Prince George’s County officials lamented the deadliest summer on record as violent shootings, homicides and carjackings spiked, causing Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks to call  in early September for a controversial youth curfew that was later extended until the end of 2022.    

Mayor Katrina Dodo, recently elected in May, said she is committed to bringing the community together through events like National Night Out. Dodo recently reinstated the city’s veteran police chief, David Rice, after he was fired by former Mayor Phelecia Nembhard.

“We want this to be the safest place in the state,” Dodo said.  

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By AFRO Staff

The year is 1992 and Michael Jackson (MJ) is on the precipice of shocking the world with his Dangerous Tour— that’s if he can get it off the ground. 

From financial woes to childhood trauma, a myriad of challenges face the global pop star as he tries to mount the show that is set to be performed on four continents. 

Will MJ find the sound, the look and the feel he’s yearning for audiences to experience? Will the nightmares of his past keep him from realizing the potential of his future? And what about those pills? 

All of these questions and more are staring down the King of Pop in the new musical, “MJ.”  Complete with top-tier choreography, lighting and sound, the musical is directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon.

Elijah Rhea Johnson delivers a riveting performance as Michael Jackson in his adult years, striving to push boundaries and maintain his idea of perfection in the ever demanding show business industry. 

Johnson spoke with the AFRO about how he prepared for the role and the importance of Black actors on Broadway shortly after his matinee performance on Aug.12. 

“It was a lot of research and a lot of looking at archival footage of Michael,” said Johnson. “I was studying his music, but honestly,  I’ve been singing and dancing — and Michael is the reason I started at age 8 or 9. A lot of the groundwork was done throughout my childhood.”

Johnson spoke on why it was important to have Black creatives on the stages of Broadway. 

“We’re here and we have stories. Now, we are getting the opportunity to show that more,” said Johnson. “We are as good as anybody else and we have stories worth telling.”

“MJ” offers an exhilarating tour down memory lane inside of the Neil Simon Theatre in New York City every night of the week, excluding Monday. 

Johnson nails the smooth falsetto of Michael Jackson with a moonwalk that is even smoother. 

The show includes high-energy numbers like “Smooth Criminal,” “Billie Jean” and of course “Thriller,” while weaving in and out of the past with new renditions of old Jackson 5 hits, like the “I’ll Be There” duet performed by Bane Griffith and Ayana Jackson, in the roles of Little Michael and Katherine Jackson, respectively. 

While the play does not address the scandals brought on by allegations of sex abuse or fully delve into the drug use that would ultimately claim his life, the musical does show the fateful Jan. 27, 1984 stage accident that left the superstar with second and third degree burns and years of pain. It also shows how MJ dealt with years of emotional and even physical abuse at the hands of his father, Joe Jackson. 

The four time Tony award winning show opened to the public in February 2022 and has garnered national attention since that time. Though Johnson is currently in the role of Michael Jackson, when the show debuted last year, D.C native and Bowie State University student Myles Frost dazzled audiences and garnered the 2022 Tony for Best Actor in a Musical. 

Though Frost is no longer wowing American audience members, he will reprise the role of MJ when the show opens in London next year. 

Previews for the London showing of MJ begin March 6, 2024. In the United States, the traveling cast of MJ already hit the road, starting this month. Tickets for the Broadway version of the show in New York  are currently on sale through Jan. 21, 2024. 

Antoine L. Smith, who played the roles of Rob and Joseph Jackson on Aug.12 is from Gary, Ind., which Michael Jackson and his family also called home. 

“Being from Gary, Ind., he is a hometown idol,” said Smith. 

“MJ” is Smith’s sixth show on Broadway, and he spoke with the AFRO about being Black on “The Great White Way.”

“As people always say, representation matters,” said Smith. “The more that we see ourselves— the more we understand that we can do this.” Smith told the AFRO this is especially true for young people who are exposed to the stage. 

Amiera Wilson, a 14-year-old dancer from Baltimore, told the AFRO the musical gave her a different view of the world renowned superstar. She also thoroughly enjoyed the choreography routines on display.

“It shows the ups and downs of Michael Jackson,” said Wilson. “I think it’s very unique. The play is mixed with modern and jazz style and it’s very interesting to watch.”

“I’ve always been inspired by seeing Black dancers on stage, being able to express themselves with movement,” she continued. “Black people don’t get as many opportunities as other people do because of the color of their skin.”

Audience members of all ages packed out the theatre house to enjoy the moonwalks and classic sounds of what could have easily been a real, live MJ show. 

Mamie Thomas, 91, of Brooklyn, New York was surprised by her daughter, Regina Mugo, with birthday tickets to the show. The show had special meaning for Thomas, who said her late son was a Michael Jackson fan.

“I lost a son who loves to dance,” said Thomas. “I was waiting for “Thriller” and “Beat It” because my son, who died some 20 odd years ago, liked it.” 

“I was very fascinated— it was beautiful,” Thomas told the AFRO, standing outside of the theatre immediately after the show. “As you grow older you learn to appreciate what goes into theatre. I can appreciate the stage, the preparation of the stage and the lighting.” 

The post Black on Broadway: a look at the African-American creatives bringing Black stories to the ‘Great White Way’ appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

Black people across America are still reveling in the smackdown that took place on a Montgomery, Ala. dock on Aug. 5. 

What began as a co-captain trying to make room on the dock for a commercial boat quickly escalated into a physical assault. Authorities said warrants had been issued– with more possibly on the way. On Aug.10, 21-year old Mary Todd reported to Montgomery police to face her charge of misdemeanor third degree assault.

Todd turned herself in after three other arrest warrants were issued earlier in the week for instigators of the altercation.

Richard Roberts, 48, was taken into custody on two warrants for assault in the third degree, while 23-year-old Allen Todd, was issued a warrant and arrested for assault in the third degree. Zachary Simpson, 25, was arrested on a warrant for third-degree assault. 

“This investigation is ongoing and more charges are likely,” said Montgomery Police Chief Darryl J. Albert, at a press conference live streamed from the department’s official social media page on Facebook/Meta. “We encourage the public to send us additional videos and evidence related to this case.” 

According to Albert and real-time live streams posted to social media by those present for the debacle, the Harriott II Riverboat was attempting to dock at Riverfront Park and let passengers off when a private boat parked, blocking the ship’s designated parking space and stranding the patrons on the water. 

“The captain of the Harriot remained away from the dock for nearly 40-45 minutes as he attempted to contact the operators of the private boat via a PA system. They were only responded to with obscene gestures, curse words and taunting,” said Albert. 

Damien Pickett, the Black co-captain of the ship, “was then picked up by a separate vessel and brought to the pier in an attempt to have a conversation with the private owner,” according to Albert. 

According to conversations overheard in the live streams and recordings, Pickett made space on the dock by physically pulling the smaller, private boat out of the Harriot II’s designated parking space after the owners parked and walked away. When the White boat owner and his party returned, words were exchanged with Pickett. 

What ensued next is all caught on video. 

In a matter of minutes the verbal disagreement turns into a physical assault of the co-captain in broad daylight. Pickett can be seen doing his best to defend himself, but the attack only escalates when friends and family of the boat owner join the fray and attack him as a group. 

Just when it seems that Pickett is outnumbered and alone, help arrives– from every direction, literally. 

First, an unidentified Black man runs down to the dock. Though he is met with punches, he swings none. The first good samaritan to help Pickett succeeds in getting the group of White attackers off of him, but more arrive.

Black America is in awe of 16-year-old Aaren Rudolph, dubbed “Aquamayne,” who jumped off of the Harriot II and swam to the fight. After pulling himself out of the water and kicking off his shoes, Rudolph can be seen taking on Pickett’s attackers. 

After a nearly hour-long delay, witnesses to the unprovoked attack finally make it to the dock. 

Pickett is soon surrounded by coworkers and ship patrons who swing fists and even chairs in his defense. Multiple attackers found themselves wading in the water and police are still asking the man seen on camera knocking people over the head with a foldable chair to come in for questioning. 

“The Montgomery Police Department acted swiftly to detain several reckless individuals for attacking a man who was doing his job. Warrants have been signed and justice will be served,” said Reed. “This was an unfortunate incident which never should have occurred. As our police department investigates these intolerable actions, we should not become desensitized to violence of any kind in our community. Those who choose violence will be held accountable by our criminal justice system.”

Those involved in the altercation have spoken out. Tammie Howard, one of Pickett’s coworkers seen baptizing an attacker, spoke proudly on a social media livestream about her termination from the Harriot II crew after the fight. 

“They didn’t have [any] business putting their hands on Damien,” said Howard, adding that the attackers “put their hands on the wrong person’s child.”

“That’s somebody that we know,” said Howard. “His mama knows my mama. I know her children!” 

Howard spoke of the unified front that arrived to help Pickett. 

“All of us on that riverboat stuck together,” she said.

The parents of Aaren “Aquamayne” have also come forward with a statement. 

“We sincerely thank each of you for blessing our son, acknowledging his efforts in [the] incident and for your generous donations via Cash App and PayPal,” said Makina LaShea, in the statement. The family said they want to clarify that their aim is not to “capitalize on nor exploit” the teen. “Your support is deeply appreciated and will make a significant impact on his future.”

The post Montgomery, Ala. brawl sparks national attention, local authorities issue multiple arrest warrants appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The AFRO took time to honor the  “Unsung Heroes” of the COVID-19 pandemic at Valley Mansion by Martin’s on Aug. 6. The media company commended morticians for the critical and often under recognized role they played in helping families navigate the loss of a loved one during a global pandemic. 

The awardees included Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home, Chatman-Harris Funeral Home and the Hari P. Close Funeral Service. Carlton C. Douglass Funeral Service, Estep Brothers Funeral Service and Howell Funeral Home, March Funeral Homes, Gary P. March Funeral Homes were also honored, along with James A. Morton and Sons Funeral Homes. Redd Funeral Services, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services, John L. Williams Funeral Directors and Wylie Funeral Homes were also recognized for their selfless service. 

“We see you, we thank God for you and we thank you for the service that you render,” said Francis Toni Draper, publisher of the AFRO. “This is just an appreciation to say how much we honor and recognize the sacrifices that you make everyday—knowing though that it was really difficult during COVID.” 

Hari P. Close, founder of Hari P. Close Funeral Service, said his caseload nearly tripled during the pandemic. The boutique funeral home went from serving 350 families a year to upwards of 1,000. 

In order to reduce his staff’s exposure to the disease, Close took over all of the embalming. 

“I’m humbled and grateful at the same time. I think many times people forget that we are the last line of defense for our community and the last line of the healthcare system. We protect our community,” said Close. “For us, today is like a reunion because we’re seeing all of these pillars who’ve paved the way and then we’re seeing the next generation.” 

One of the new generation members who attended the event was Carmalita March-Harris. She is the daughter of March Funeral Homes CEO, Victor March, and granddaughter of the late founders, William Carrington March and Julia Roberta March. 

March-Harris accepted the award on behalf of her family—many of whom have recently fallen sick with COVID-19 after returning from summer vacations. 

“Let’s continue to be vigilant. I know we would really love to let our guards down, I speak for all of us when I say, I believe we have PTSD,” said March-Harris, funeral director at March Funeral Homes. “These were trying times. Not only did we fear for ourselves, but we feared for the families we returned home to.” 

She thanked her husband, as well as other funeral directors’ children and spouses who feared for the health of their family members while they served on the frontlines of the disease. 

“We will make it through, so let’s stay encouraged, but let’s be vigilant because we’re not out of the woods yet,” said March-Harris. “I love you all. I know what you all have been through. We will be OK.” 

Albert P. Wylie, founder of Wylie Funeral Homes, highlighted the support that Baltimore’s Black funeral homes provide to each other. He spoke on how each business steps in to provide supplies, services and resources when another business encounters obstacles. 

“No one can help us but us,” said Wylie. “It’s imperative that we continue to stick together and be unsung heroes.”

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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The post AFRO names 13 local funeral directors ‘Unsung Heroes’ for vital service during COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By AFRO Staff

WEModel USA, a women-led fashion agency dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking, recently held their 2023 Fashion Gala. As human trafficking is the second highest ranking international crime, the organization raises awareness on a global scale.

The founder, Patricia Watts, helps source models from across the nation to be in international campaigns in countries including Dubai, Italy and Paris. The WEModelUSA 2023 Gala and Charity Event was hosted on July 29 at MGM National Harbor aiming to “Connect2Protect.” Throughout the upscale fashion event, resources were provided to those at risk of human trafficking. A victim to victim panel was held and attendees were able to begin building a global trusted network through the foreign embassies, international civil service leaders and the fashion/beauty industry representatives present.

The post WEModel USA 2023 fashion gala: where beauty meets purpose appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.