By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

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

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

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

Addressing Maryland’s Digital Equity Plan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best practices for creating regional digital equity plans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Developing successful models for digital skills training 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She also acknowledged her students.

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

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

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

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

The post Jazzmyne Townsend takes ‘D.C. Teacher of the Year’ title appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com

As election day draws near, Black voters face a pivotal moment, as candidates at national, state and local levels take distinct approaches to addressing critical issues, like health disparities, wealth gaps, reproductive rights, voter suppression and education. 

With a polarizing presidential race, tight races in Congress and contentious ballot measures, it becomes even more important for voters to identify the policies that enable them to thrive. The AFRO sat down with three leading, nonpartisan voter organizations that seek to empower the Black community to determine which issues are the most pressing. Here’s what they said. 

National Coalition on Black Civic Participation 

Voting rights

Voter roll purging, or removing individuals from registered voter lists, has escalated in recent years. The practice is meant to preserve the integrity of the list, clearing out people who have died or moved, but a number of states have used it to remove people due to infrequent voting in recent elections.

“Most Black people, close to 60 percent, live in the South where you have a lot of voter purging taking place,” said Melanie Campbell, president of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP). “Voting rights is a big issue for us.” 

NCBCP has spearheaded a voter preparedness campaign to ensure people are registered to vote, know where their polling location is and understand the protections that exist.  

Economic security 

The economy has been a hot-button issue this election season. Campbell said Black women in particular are experiencing a great deal of concern over their finances. 

“We did a poll earlier in the year, and the number one issue for Black women had to do with economic security— issues around paychecks not making it all the way through the month and matching bills,” said Campbell. “There’s a high level of anxiety for Black women across generations.” 

Campbell also pointed out that the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged communities in the Southeast, would mean even more implications for the U.S. economy. 

Black Girls Vote

Economic security 

Leaders of Black Girls Vote (BGV) also touched on the economic plight of Black women. Founder Nykidra Robinson pointed out that they are the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurs in the U.S., but they need to be able to preserve the wealth they are creating. 

“We have a lot of Black women who are heads of households or the breadwinner, but it’s tough,” said Robinson. “Even though we’re going to school and getting educated, we have student loan debt payments that come with our salaries, which can be limited.” 

She also highlighted the steep cost of housing today. Homeownership has traditionally been identified as a way to create generational wealth. But, if home prices are out of reach, this avenue may be closed to Black families. 

“The cost of housing is now astronomical, and Black women want to purchase homes,” said Robinson. “For those who are able, we want to make sure that they can stay in their homes and not just buy them.” 

Health equity 

BGV advisory board member Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, a public health sociologist, raised health care affordability, quality and access as a major issue up and down ballots this year.

“Health disparities exist along lines of race but also along income and geography. We need to vote for candidates who prioritize health equity and ensure that those policies are designed to reduce disparities by addressing social drivers,” said Ramjohn. “Most of what contributes to your health happens outside of your doctor’s office.”

The Black community faces disparities in maternal health, cancer rates, mental health treatment,  heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Social determinants of health, or the conditions in which a person lives, works and ages, significantly impact these disparities, according to Ramjohn. 

She warned that the next president will inherit multiple public health epidemics, including those related to Black maternal health, gun violence, 

“Black women are three times more likely to suffer from maternal morbidity and maternal mortality when compared to their White counterparts,” said Ramjohn “We also know that firearm violence, which is now a leading cause of death among children, is concentrated in marginalized, racial and ethnic communities.”

Addressing reproductive justice is also a major issue under health care. While many associate the term with abortion access, it encompasses much more than that. 

“When we hear about reproductive justice, there’s so much talk about abortion, but we’re not talking about in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments or surrogacy,” said Robinson. “We’re not talking about the mothers who desire to have a child and may not be able to conceive or have complications when trying to have a child.” 

Black Voters Matter Fund

Economic security 

Co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund LaTosha Brown explained that Black communities consider the health of the economy at an individual level rather than global. 

“We’re not thinking about the health of the economy based on how the GDP is doing or the unemployment rate being lower,” said Brown. “We’re looking at costs and the health and wellness of our communities.” 

As Black families, who were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, continue to recover from the pandemic, she said they have become increasingly sensitive to the rising costs of goods.

Like BGV, Brown called attention to pricey housing costs, which have made it difficult and sometimes impossible for African Americans to attain homeownership. 

“The cost of homes has exploded and risen to the point where it’s been cost-preventative for people coming out of college and new families to get a new home,” said Brown. “We need people with strong housing policies so we can build wealth.”

Student loan forgiveness

Though millions of Americans have outstanding student loan debt, there is a stark gap in the amount owed by Black borrowers and their counterparts. According to the Education Data Initiative, African-American college graduates owe an average of $25,000 more in student loan debt than White college graduates. 

Brown highlighted legal attacks, largely led by Red states, on President Joe Biden’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, which is designed to make payments more affordable, expand forgiveness and eliminate interest. 

“They’re willing to give corporate welfare to bail banks out and millions of dollars to wealthy business owners in Paycheck Protection Program loans, but then there’s been attacks on student loan forgiveness,” said Brown. “That impacts us economically.”

Education

In recent years, assaults on Black history in schools have increased. Brown noted that several states have sought to ban AP African American studies and critical race theory. 

“Why is our history less valuable than any other? It is American history,” said Brown. “We have to see that that’s not just an attack on African American history; that’s an attack on our identity.”

The post Navigating the ballot: Key issues facing voters in the 2024 general election appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Hurricane Helene touched down in Florida on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 storm that devastated communities across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service deemed it among the most powerful storms to hit the United States with days of torrential rainfall and powerful winds. 

Then came Hurricane Milton. With winds of up to 120 miles an hour, the Category 3 storm slammed into popular cities in Florida, such as Tampa and Orlando. An estimated 500,000 people lost power and roads quickly flooded. 

More than 200 people died as a result of Hurricane Helene, making it the deadliest hurricane to hit the country since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Now, Florida is grappling with recovery from another catastrophic storm, Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Oct. 9. 

With homes washed away, persisting power outages and impassable roadways from consecutive hurricanes, organizations are racing to deploy help to those who were in the path of first, Helene, and then, Milton. 

“We know that people are generous and want to do everything they can to help after a disaster,” said Stephanie Fox, national media lead for the American Red Cross (Red Cross). “Our priority is to provide shelter and support to those affected. Financial donations are the quickest and best way to help those who need it most.” 

More than 2,000 Red Cross volunteers have assembled to provide shelter, food, water and other support to families affected by Helene. The humanitarian organization has set up shelters in the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida, where residents can get hot meals and emotional support. 

Emergency response vehicles have also been deployed to deliver meals, water and supplies to those in need. As the hurricanes led to the cancellation of blood drives across the Southeast, the Red Cross is working to restock blood products. 

“Donations of clothing and household items divert resources away from our mission, whereas financial donations can be used right away to directly help those affected, such as replacing lost items like prescription medications or reading glasses,” said Fox. 

Baltimore resident Deneen Penny-Rymes spoke with the AFRO about the dire situation experienced by her daughter, Dia Rymes, in late September following Helene. Dia Rymes, a teacher, lives in Hazlehurst, Ga. 

Deneen Penny-Rymes said she thinks her daughter concealed the gravity of the situation in the beginning to prevent her from worrying. Now, the severity has become clear. 

“She sent me a text and said, ‘Mom, I’m going to send you my CashApp because I need help.’ She’s 48. She’s never asked me for help,” said Deneen Penny-Rymes. “I burst into tears because I knew she was in trouble. She never, ever asked for any help. When she said that, I figured it was bad.” 

Fortunately, the main structure of her daughter’s home stayed intact. But, all of the windows have shattered, and the screens have blown out. Her house’s addition has been demolished, and her barn is sitting under the weight of a fallen tree. 

With no power or water, Dia Rymes’ and her significant other began traveling to towns, up to an hour away, to obtain necessities. But that was only possible while gas was available, and with no access to debit or credit cards, money to purchase gas ran low. Banks were forced to shut down and many other forms of payment were thrown offline due to power outages. Deneen Penny-Rymes recently discovered that pool water was a saving grace for her daughter in the immediate days after the storm, as it was the only source of water to bathe and flush toilets. 

As the need for relief in impacted communities continues, organizations have warned people to protect themselves from scams and disinformation. Fox cautioned that those seeking aid should avoid anyone who says they are a Red Cross volunteer and asks for money. The organization’s aid is always provided at no charge.

She also provided guidance for those looking to donate.

“Beware of visits, calls or emails from people claiming to offer financial assistance, asking for your social security number, bank account or other personally sensitive information. Giving out this type of information can lead to identity theft,” said Fox. “Research charities through Charity Navigator, Charity Watch Group, the Better Business Bureau and GuideStar before donating.”

The post A time to help: Red Cross weighs in on how to aid Southeastern communities recovering from back-to-back hurricanes appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Black Girls Love Math: Challenging gender and racial stereotypes appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Supreme Court of Maryland visited Frederick Douglass High School, now situated at Northwestern High School’s former campus, on Oct. 2 to hold off-site oral arguments. Students from 15 Baltimore City public schools, private schools and universities attended the proceedings, including Baltimore City College High School, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Morgan State University and Forest Park High School.

This is the third time Maryland’s highest court has hosted oral arguments outside of its headquarters in Annapolis, Md.

“Last year, our court voted unanimously to find a sufficient cause to sit on a rotational basis at various locations across the state in order to provide an educational opportunity like this one to high school and college students,” said Justice Shirley M. Watts, who represents Baltimore City. “That I can find or document, this is the first time that this very court has ever sat in Baltimore City.”

Watts is the longest-serving justice on the court. She became the first Black woman judge on the Maryland Supreme Court in 2013 after being appointed by former Governor Martin O’Malley.

She noted that Frederick Douglass High School was a fitting location for the court to sit.

“Justice Thurgood Marshall was a graduate of Frederick Douglass High School,” said Watts. “Founded in 1883, Frederick Douglass High School was the first school in the state of Maryland to offer high school education to African-American students.”

The court heard oral arguments in two cases at the school: Homer Walton, et al. v. Premier Soccer Club, et al. and State of Maryland v. Dominick Scarboro.

The former involves whether a violation of Maryland’s concussion policy can be considered the main cause of a concussion injury. The latter surrounds whether an appellant is responsible for proving whether the closure of a courtroom is a significant enough issue that it violates their constitutional right to a public trial.

The oral arguments took place on the 57th anniversary of Marshall, being sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court. Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader said the event was an opportunity for justices to interact with the state’s young people.

“Holding oral arguments in the community, especially in schools, is an important part of the Maryland Judiciary’s community outreach efforts, which help further public understanding of the work of the courts,” said Fader in a statement. “Holding arguments outside of Annapolis provides an opportunity to bring civic education directly to students, teachers and the local community and to give the members of the court the opportunity to meet and engage with students.”

The post Maryland Supreme Court holds oral arguments at Frederick Douglass High School appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

Maryland 

Sweeten the Vote

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

Date: Oct. 12

Time: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. 

Location: Sydney’s Ice Creams 

                  3432 Belair Rd. 

                  Baltimore, MD 21213 

Maryland Women’s Small Business Celebration 

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

Date: Oct. 10

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: Montgomery Park 

                 1800 Washington Boulevard 

                 Baltimore, MD 21230 

HUD-approved Foreclosure Prevention Workshop

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

Date: Oct. 10 

Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. 

Location: St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center 

                 321 East 25th St. 

                 Baltimore, MD 21218

D.C. 

Zenith Gallery Presents: We Are Not Going Back

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

Date: Daily through Oct. 12 

Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Location: Zenith Gallery 

                 1429 Iris St. NW 

                 Washington, DC 20012

A Speakeasy Evening 

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

Date: Oct. 10

Time: 6:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Location: National Museum of African American History and Culture 

                 1400 Constitution Ave. NW 

                 Washington, DC 20001

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

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

Date: Oct. 12

Time: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Grounded 

                 1913 Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast 

                 Washington, DC 20020

Atlanta Fine Art Print Fair

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

Date: Oct. 11 – Oct. 13

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

Location: 1201 K Street Northwest 

                 Washington, DC 20005 

2024 Free Women, Wellness and Wealth Conference 

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

Date: Oct. 19 

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: The Harborside Hotel 

                 6400 Oxon Hill Rd. 

                 Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Black on the Block D.C.

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

Date: Oct. 20

Time: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. 

Location: Nationals Park Field Plaza

                 1500 South Capitol Street SE 

                 Washington, DC 20003

Virginia 

Black Maternal Health Legislative Summit

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

Date: Oct. 18

Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Location: Virginia General Assembly 

                 1000 Bank St. 

                 Richmond, VA 23219

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

FREE Fish dinner with “I Voted” Sticker

Date: Sunday, October 27th, 2024 

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Mount Vernon Governmental Center

2511 Parkers Ln

Alexandria, VA 22306

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

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

Date: Oct. 13

Time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: First Baptist Church 

                 229 North King Street 

                 Hampton, VA 23669

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

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Young entrepreneurs shine at Baltimore Children’s Business Fair appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

A Fulton County judge has overturned Georgia’s six-week abortion ban. Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled on Sept. 30 that the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act was unconstitutional, permitting abortions up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. 

McBurney declared that the ban violated citizens’ right to privacy under the state’s constitution. 

“For these women, the liberty of privacy means that they alone should choose whether they serve as human incubators for the five months leading up to viability,” said McBurney in the opinion. “It is not for a legislator, a judge or a commander from ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’ to tell these women what to do with their bodies during this period when the fetus cannot survive outside the womb anymore than society could—or should— force them to serve as a human tissue bank or to give up a kidney for the benefit of another.” 

Since the decision, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has filed an appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court to reinstate the six-week ban. This is the second time McBurney has struck down the abortion law. The first took place in November 2022 but the state’s supreme court reversed his ruling. 

The LIFE Act has garnered considerable scrutiny in recent weeks after a September investigative report from ProPublica found that a 28-year-old Georgia woman died of septic shock after waiting 20 hours for doctors to administer abortion care.

Medical assistant Amber Thurman traveled to North Carolina to terminate her pregnancy due to her state’s ban. She missed her appointment, but the clinic gave her an abortion pill to take. Once home, Thurman experienced a complication—her body hadn’t purged all of the fetal tissue from her body. 

A standard dilation and curettage (D&C) could have saved her life, but Georgia’s law made performing the procedure illegal with minimal exceptions. The ProPublica report revealed that a state maternal mortality review committee deemed the death preventable. 

Thurman’s family spoke out on the tragedy for the first time during the Unite for America live stream event with Oprah Winfrey and presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Sept. 19. 

“Amber was not a statistic,” said her mother, Shanette Williams during the stream. “She was loved by a family, a strong family, and we would have done whatever to get our baby the help that she needed.” 

She continued, “You’re looking at a mother who is broken.” 

Thurman left behind a 6-year-old son. She had recently landed a new apartment and was thinking about attending nursing school when she discovered that she was pregnant. 

During the live stream, her family denounced the Georgia doctors who failed to care for her as well as the government officials responsible for the ban. 

“We trusted them to take care of her, and they just let her die because of some stupid abortion ban,” said her sister, CJ Williams during the stream. “They treated her like she was just another number. They didn’t care for her as if she was their daughter or their granddaughter. She’s not here, and she’ll never come back.”

Harris said Thurman’s story is one that is not an isolated case since the reversal of Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision gave states the power to regulate abortion. Today, 13 states have made it illegal, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. 

“The former president chose three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade,” said Harris during the stream. “They did as he intended, and in state after state, these abortion bans have been passed that criminalize healthcare providers.” 

Most states that have banned abortion, including Georgia, allow exceptions when the mother’s life is at mortal risk. But, some, including Harris, believe these exemptions are ambiguous and can cause medical professionals to hesitate in performing life-saving procedures due to legal ramifications. 

Although the Dobbs decision enabled states, like Georgia, to reverse and eliminate abortion protections, many contend access was limited well before the ruling. 

“Even before the actual Dobbs case that ultimately took out Roe V. Wade was decided upon, it could have been argued that Roe V. Wade did not exist in this country before then,” said Monica Simpson, executive director of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. “There were states, like Mississippi, that only had one abortion clinic. We know that access is not always granted even when a federal right has been put into place.” 

Simpson’s southern-based nonprofit led the lawsuit against the state of Georgia, which resulted in the recent reversal of the LIFE Act. The organization fights for reproductive justice by boosting the voices of indigenous women and women of color—groups who are heavily impacted by anti-abortion laws. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women accounted for the highest percentage, 41.5 percent, of all abortions in 2021. 

They also face the worst maternal health outcomes. The CDC reported that the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times more than White women. 

“If you think about the picture of maternal health in this country, it’s a pretty bleak one in what is considered to be one of the most industrialized countries in the world,” said Simpson. 

Apart from racism, a lack of comprehensive sex education in public school systems, reduced access to the health care system and lower maternity coverage have contributed to the dire state of Black maternal health, according to Simpson. 

She said the now lawful abortion bans and restrictions across the country will only exacerbate adverse maternal health outcomes for Black women. 

“Access is constantly being restricted across this country and, particularly, in the South. That means the region where there’s the most limited access to abortion is also where Black women are living the most,” said Simpson. “We’re more likely to live in a state where there is an abortion ban, and, now, we’re basically being forced to potentially hold a pregnancy to term that could be detrimental to our lives.” 

Regina Davis Moss, president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, said barriers to accessing abortions can also impact a person’s financial situation. 

“Black women are having to travel over long distances for multiple days sometimes. There’s transportation costs, hotels, meals, child care and missed time off from work,” said Moss. “When you think about some of the reasons that people decide not to continue a pregnancy, largely it’s because of the economics, so it further becomes insurmountable.” 

Six weeks has become the threshold for several abortion bans across the country. Moss said this cutoff often takes place before women discover they are pregnant. 

“This notion that that’s plenty of time is a myth,” said Moss. “Plenty of time for whom? Not usually the average woman.” 

She also explained that some opponents of abortion believe the decision to terminate a pregnancy to be a flippant one. They think it’s taken lightly and neglect to consider the serious health and economic implications an unplanned pregnancy can have, according to Moss. She said this is a misconception. 

“We are forgetting that these are people, and these are real lives,” said Moss. “These decisions are very difficult and personal.” 

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

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

Baltimore resident Darryl Wiggins has not been seen or heard from since Sept. 2, 2022. The 33-year-old, who rented a home on the 600 block of Wyanoke Ave., disappeared after having a disagreement with his landlord days before he went missing. 

Wiggins’ family says the landlord removed his belongings from the

 home and took off his door. But, on the morning of his disappearance, a court ruled that Wiggins had a right to be there as his rent was paid. He returned to the home to take measurements for a new door. After sending them to a friend who planned to help him replace the door, he vanished. 

His mother, Diana Baines, wants answers. 

“I sometimes feel that Darryl has been forgotten about. There haven’t been any updates in a very long time, and I don’t hear from the Baltimore Police Department unless I reach out to them,” said Baines. “I’m not saying they aren’t doing their job; I have to trust they’re doing their best. I just feel, given the circumstances, we should be further along than we are.” 

She described Wiggins as a generous person who is a stranger to no one. He is an avid Baltimore Ravens fan and often had game day superstitions. 

Before he disappeared, Wiggins was regularly involved in his family’s lives. Baines was largely a single mother, and Wiggins viewed himself as the “man of the house.” He also stepped in to be a father figure for his nieces and nephews, attending school and extracurricular activities. 

Wiggins was just starting to get a moving business off the ground when he went missing. 

“Darryl is very family-oriented,” said Baines. “He loved when our family would get together whether it be for the holidays or just someone’s birthday. He lived for his family.”

The Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) provided Wiggins’ missing person’s report, but said it could not comment on ongoing investigations. In the report, police noted that Wiggins did not experience any mental illnesses or health problems. They also confirmed that he typically speaks with Baines every day. 

Her last conversation with her son came at 10:27 a.m. on Sept. 2.

The day after Wiggins went missing, Baines said a friend came over to drop off his paycheck. After knocking on the door and receiving no answer, he asked Wiggins’ landlord whether he’d seen him. 

According to Baines, the landlord said he hadn’t seen him and didn’t know who the friend was talking about. 

Wiggins’ family and friends have been devastated by his disappearance, his mother said. And the lack of leads in his case has her feeling exasperated. 

“I feel it’s not the police but the entire system failing my son,” said Baines. “Every turn I have made to try and get attention to his disappearance has made it nowhere. I feel like we have no rights.” 

She urged the public to come forward and contact BPD with any information regarding Wiggins’ whereabouts.

“The smallest of things can make the biggest difference in the investigation. I think a lot of times people don’t think they know something and they do, or people know something but they’re afraid to come forward. I just want everybody to know the feeling is different when it affects your family.” 

The post Baltimore family continues search for Darryl Wiggins after 2 years   appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Washington Mystics’ Ariel Atkins surprises Moten Elementary with $15,000 in classroom gifts appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Center for Technology Access and Training works to close digital divide in Sandtown appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle hosts forum on ballot question aimed at shrinking Baltimore City Council appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle hosts forum on ballot question aimed at shrinking Baltimore City Council appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

BTST Services, a  community-based mental health clinic, has brought its resources to Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School in West Baltimore. The agency, founded by serial entrepreneur and restaurateur Chris Simon, held the grand opening of its mental health suite at the school on Sept. 25. 

With its new space, BTST Services will provide counseling, mentoring and other mental health support to students. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in six children aged two to eight have a diagnosed mental, behavioral or developmental disorder. For those living below the federal poverty line, the percentage increases to 22 percent. 

In Harlem Park, nearly 31 percent of families live below the line. 

“A lot of times in our communities, they give us what they think we’re worth. They give us the leftovers and the hand-me-downs. They don’t provide for us the same thing they provide to our counterparts on another side of town,” said Simon. “We wanted to stop that. We wanted to make sure you know that we really invested in this space to show you that you’re worth it, your education is worth it and your wellness and health is worth it.” 

The CDC reports that the incidence of depression and anxiety in children aged six to 17 is increasing over time. More than 36 percent of those aged 12 to 17 experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 18.8 percent have considered attempting suicide. 

During an assembly to celebrate the grand opening, Principal Venus Jackson asked her students why they thought the school needed the mental health suite. The young people’s answers included helping people in need, having a safe space to communicate and express their feelings and having a place to cool down after conflict at home or in school. 

She commended Simon’s team for being proactive in lending its services. 

“Believe it or not, I did not have to ask them, ‘Can you come and create a wellness space for us?’ Mr. Simon came to me and said, ‘will you have us next year?’” said Jackson. “I thought about the fact that we had a new wing, and I said, ‘I think we have the perfect area for you.’” 

The new mental health suite will provide individual and group therapy to students. BTST Services’ model includes providing young people with both a school-based and community-based therapist. 

The former hosts biweekly or weekly counseling sessions and serves the school by attending family nights, facilitating parent support groups and training teachers. The latter meets with students weekly outside of school and leads family therapy sessions to manage challenges brought on by their environments.

The suite will also offer a psychiatric rehabilitation program and medication management. The space features bean bags, a TV, playstation and motivational rap lyrics. 

“You might not even come see someone for formal therapy,” said Simon “You might just want to come sit in there and take a breather in between your classes.”

BTST Services COO Jada McCray explained that adults tend to forget the fact that children are people with their own feelings and experiences. She said, many times, they tell children that they are in the best years of their lives, which can minimize the challenges youth face. 

She wants the suite to be a space where children can ask questions and sort out their emotions. 

“You are worth someone going the extra mile,” said McCray. “You are worth someone putting effort, time and attention into something that belongs to you.”

The post BTST Services opens mental health suite at Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Amtrak’s Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program raises concern from West Baltimore residents appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What tips would you give entrepreneurs for staying motivated?

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

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

The post Tawanda Prince, the ‘Good Life Coach,’ talks self-care for entrepreneurs appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

At 86 years old, Hazel Cropper is a mother, grandmother and world champion crab picker. The crustaceans are a staple in Maryland, her home state, and she learned to pick them from her grandmother when she was just nine years old. Over the years, Cropper, who’s affectionately known as “Hurricane Hazel,” learned how to crack and clear a crab of meat in record-breaking time. 

Her family has a long history of crab picking. Some of her relatives were a part of the 1938 strike, in which 600 crab pickers— who were predominantly Black women— walked out of their jobs after packing houses in Crisfield, Md. announced wage cuts. 

“I’m no stranger to work,” said Cropper. 

She continues to pick crabs to this day. Cropper acknowledged that many older adults are set in their routines. She urged them to find ways to stay active. 

“If you sit down, at my age– you’re going to stay down,” said Cropper. “Sitting will kill you.” 

Sedentary lifestyles pose risks to all people. They increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, lead to muscle deterioration, slow down your metabolism and stifle mobility. Some studies have even linked prolonged inactivity to shorter life expectancy.

“Find something to do, and keep yourself motivated,” said Cropper. “I’m not going to sit down, as long as God tells me I can go.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise in a number of industries, including the mental health and self-care space. Its ability to create personalized recommendations, reach a large number of people, augment tasks and analyze human behavior makes the technology well-suited to enhance the industry’s services and resources.

“There are a few startups considering using AI for the diagnosis of mental health, and some have considered using AIs as therapists,” said Sanmi Koyejo, president of Black in AI. “Many have argued that chatbots like, character.ai, were serving this role for some.”

His organization aims to increase African-American representation in AI, as they have historically been left out of emerging technologies. Koyejo warned that the technology can still make mistakes, particularly because it cannot understand or feel the complex emotions humans have. There are still considerations to be made about the ethics and tradeoffs of using AI in the mental health space.  

In any case, Koyejo believes it has the potential to reduce barriers to entry for people trying to access care and to confront the shortage of mental health professionals the country faces.

“When ready, I think opportunities for democratizing access to mental health services are enormous and will have high impact,” said Koyejo. “There are too few mental health professionals compared to the needs, and this gap seems to be widening.” 

Below are some applications using AI to help people practice self-care while boosting mental health and overall wellness. 

Wysa

Launched in 2016 on World Mental Health Day, this platform leverages an AI chatbot to provide tailored care and solutions. It employs data-driven strategies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), meditation and breathing, to deliver support and is available 24/7. Users can vent about their emotions and challenges and learn how to cope and build resilience. All conversations on Wysa are anonymous, helping to reduce the stigma in seeking help. 

MindDoc

This mental health app was designed with the help of clinical psychologists and researchers to support people with mental health challenges, like depression, anxiety, insomnia and burnout. It teaches users about emotional well-being, challenges their thinking patterns and helps them to resolve conflicts. On MindDoc, people can track their moods in real-time, receive personalized insights on their symptoms and utilize an expansive course library. 

Sleep Cycle

Poor sleeping habits have the potential to negatively affect a person’s mental health or exacerbate existing conditions. Sleep Cycle was created to help people improve their rest quality. It uses advanced algorithms to examine users’ sleep patterns and provide recommendations on an optimal wake-up time and coaching to improve sleep quality. It also offers music, ambience and meditations to help people fall and stay asleep. 

Happify

Techniques in this self-improvement app were developed by veteran experts in positive psychology, mindfulness and CBT. After taking an initial assessment of their mood, emotional challenges and goal, Happify provides personalized tracks with activities and games to help them meet their needs, reduce stress and increase their happiness. It includes quizzes, journal prompts, gratitude exercises and mindfulness strategies.

The post Four apps using artificial intelligence to support mental health and self-care appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer 
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer

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

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

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

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

Examining infertility and maternal mortality in the Black community

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

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

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

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

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

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

The role of doulas and midwives 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Black men as allies in the fight for reproductive rights

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Black health experts talk Black infertility and family building at legislative conference appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Afro-Caribbean-inspired restaurant, Dōgon, opens in D.C.’s Salamander Hotel appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and around the globe. The World Health Organization reports that 726,000 people around the world die by suicide every year. In the U.S., more than 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022, equating to one death for every 11 minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, and September recognizes National Suicide Prevention Month. The observations denote a time to raise awareness about the stigmatized crisis and share vital resources. 

“Most people don’t realize that there are more suicides than there are murders in the United States,” said Tamara Ferebee, executive director of human services administration at the National Association of Black Counselors. “We get very upset about shootings because there’s so many, but the number of suicides far exceeds that number.” 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2021, there were nearly two times as many suicides, 48,183, in the U.S. than homicides, 26,031. 

Ferebee explained that mental and physical health should be treated with equal priority. She said some of the warning signs for a suicide attempt include someone talking about death, withdrawing from friends and family, saying goodbye to people, giving away their personal items, taking undue risks, eating or sleeping a lot less or more than usual and increasing their consumption of alcohol or drugs.

“One of the big ones is if they’ve been down for a while, and then, all of a sudden, they’re happy,” said Ferebee. “Usually, that’s because they’ve made the decision that they’re planning to die. They feel like their burdens are over.” 

New York native Dionne C. Monsanto lost her daughter, Busisiwe Ayo Monsanto, to suicide 13 years ago. She was 15 years old at the time of her death. 

Her loved ones affectionately called her, “Siwe,” for short, but her full name meant blessing and joy, which Monsanto said was a fitting description.

“She was a really active, outgoing person and very helpful. I think we were both serial helpers,” said Monsanto. “She was a dancer, reader and writer, and she played the acoustic and bass guitar. She had been on full scholarship at The Ailey School.” 

At the age of four, Monsanto said her daughter would cry for long periods of time when she left Kindergarten. Her teacher said she was perfectly fine during school hours. When Monsanto sought guidance from teachers and doctors, they told her it was an adjustment period. 

The crying seemed to phase out as Siwe got older, but Monsanto decided to have her tested by a doctor when she was nine. 

“It came out that she was highly-intelligent, gifted and talented and had depression and anxiety disorder,” said Monsanto. “They were very matter-of-fact, saying it’s perfectly normal to have depression and anxiety disorder with her intelligence level.” 

When Siwe was a teenager, Monsanto said it was a constant battle to get her to clean her room, a common struggle for parents of teens. But, before her death, Siwe cleaned her room. Monsanto saw it as a parenting win at the time. 

But since her death, she’s realized it may have been a warning sign. Siwe gave her mom an $80-dress that she begged her mother to buy. 

“She gave me the dress, but she didn’t say she was giving it to me. She wanted me to hold on to it. She was like, ‘Mom, you know how my room is. If I’m going to find this dress, you’ll know where it is when I want to wear it,’” said Monsanto. “That made perfect sense to me.” 

Since her daughter’s death, she said she heals by talking about her and keeping her memory alive. She said she’s learned to accept the duality of life, although she sometimes has to remind herself that Siwe’s death wasn’t her fault. It’s important to Monsanto to be a part of conversations on suicide, especially for parents of color. 

According to the CDC, suicide rates among Black people aged 10 to 24 have increased from 8.2 to 11.2 per 100,000, a 36.6 percent increase. Mental health has also long been a taboo topic in the Black Community. 

“We do not judge anyone who has cancer. We do not judge anyone that has diabetes. We do not judge people for a broken leg,” said Monsanto. “We really have to embrace mental health in the same way as we would any other physical thing. If we talk about it, then we can collectively heal.” 

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Please consult the resources below:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• 741741 Crisis Text Line
• National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 

The post Breaking the silence: Raising awareness on suicide prevention appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Developer Alan Henderson stepped into content creating out of a passion for architecture and a desire to inspire people to transform their homes even if they’re on a budget.

 In 2019, the Howard University alumnus purchased a home in Washington D.C., and the property became the catalyst for his content creation.  

“The intent was to show people of color that they can improve their rental house or the house they own whether they have a ton of money or not,” said Henderson. “If you don’t have a lot of money, you can put sweat equity and elbow grease in, and you can transform your space into a place you love.” 

Henderson became known on Snapchat for his “do-it-yourself” (DIY) videos, allowing people to learn by example. Throughout his renovation journey, viewers have seen Henderson strip his kitchen and dining room and remodel the space. 

Now, the Mississippi native is advancing his content creation through Snapchat’s 523 program. Launched in 2021, this accelerator was created to support and showcase diverse creators who have historically been under-resourced. The aim is to help participants grow their businesses and audiences through Snapchat’s Discover feed, which displays curated content from creators, publishers and media outlets. 

“Supporting small, minority-owned businesses and creators isn’t just about boosting the economy, it’s about leveling the playing field and breaking down barriers,” said Kyle Leverett, global editorial and 523 program lead for Snapchat. “The 523 program is all about empowering entrepreneurs to follow their own path and innovate with the support they need. By providing essential tools and a strong network, we’re not just celebrating diversity—we’re making sure those diverse voices and talents have the chance to shine and drive real impact.” 

Henderson is one of 15 creators in the 2024 cohort. As part of the program, he is set to receive $120,000 throughout the year, as well as resources, education and one-on-one mentoring to enhance and monetize his content on Snapchat. 

When Henderson discovered he was chosen for the accelerator, he was in disbelief. 

“I was absolutely floored because I knew that the creator space is extremely competitive and a company, like Snapchat, would not invest in an individual who they didn’t believe in,” said Henderson. “I was shocked that they had enough faith in me to afford me the opportunity to be in the program. It was completely life-changing for me honestly.” 

The funding from Snapchat has eased the burden of material costs for Henderson’s renovations, enabling him to take on more projects. He has also been able to hire an assistant to help him with carpentry work. 

The boost in exposure on the social media platform gives him the chance to forge brand partnerships. Since joining 523, Henderson’s following is up 80 percent. He plans to use Snapchat to spotlight his client projects in real time, while expanding his portfolio of properties for future renovations. 

“I believe that Snapchat is progressive in their thinking for doing this because a lot of the creativity we experience in pop culture and the consumer world is driven by diversity,” said Henderson. “I don’t think one group or one type of person is setting the tone for what’s popular or well-received. We all love, like and engage in different ways.”

The post Meet Alan Henderson, the D.C. content creator working with Snapchat appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

Community leaders and workers across Baltimore City gathered at the Western Sanitation Yard in Brooklyn on Aug. 28 to demand safer labor conditions for employees of the Department of Public Works (DPW). 

The rally comes after the untimely death of DPW worker Ronald Silver II on Aug. 2. The 36-year-old died of hyperthermia, or overheating, on the job. That day, Baltimore was under a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert, an advisory issued when the heat index surpasses 105 degrees Fahrenheit. 

“There has been a gross failure—not an oversight— but a failure of leadership, human decency and integrity,” said civil rights activist Linda Batts. “That indecency starts with DPW and ends with the leadership of the city of Baltimore.”

Following Silver’s death, Baltimore City announced that it would retain Washington, D.C.-based law firm Conn Maciel Carey to lead an independent investigation on DPW’s safety standards and practices. 

The Baltimore City Council also held a hearing on the agency’s working conditions on Aug. 22. During that meeting, questions were raised about the decision to hire Conn Maciel Carey. Some council members asserted that the firm had a history of opposing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. 

During the Aug. 28 demonstration, Batts and other speakers reproached the city for its response to the tragedy. 

“It’s audacious for the city of Baltimore to appear at a city council hearing to report that they will address complaints by sending employees to the very human resources office that has violated their rights,” said Batts. “ that they will use an outside law firm to review the cause and effect of lackluster management practices and failed oversight for safety that they had an obligation to correct with a sound system of inspections, checklists, audits and accountability.” 

Thiruvendran “Thiru” Vignarajah, attorney for Silver’s family, said updates to DPW’s policies and procedures have been long overdue. Several speakers called attention to the 2019 death of DPW supervisor Trina Cunningham, who fell through a grated walkway into a wastewater treatment tank. An investigation by Maryland Occupational Safety and Health later revealed a number of hazards at the plant. 

A July report from Baltimore Inspector General Isabel Cumming was also referenced. The review found dangerous working conditions in several DPW facilities. In some, workers did not have access to air conditioning or adequate water. 

“Our inspector general responded to complaints that were filed two months before Ronnie died. Then, warning, after warning, after warning, and we still did nothing until a man died,” said Vignarajah. “Then, all of a sudden, we all woke from our slumber and decided we suddenly cared.”

He said that Silver’s family wants justice and to see meaningful change. 

“I don’t know about you, but Ronnie’s mother, family, loved ones and children are not going to rest until every Ronnie Silver is treated with the basic decency and dignity that every worker, even the least among us, deserves,” said Vignarajah. 

DPW worker Stancil McNair condemned agency supervisors during the rally. McNair has been vocal on Instagram about the unsafe and abusive working conditions he has encountered at the department for some time. 

“You have supervision in place that doesn’t take you seriously,” said McNair. “They’re not scared because there’s no repercussions.” 

He said, most recently, a co-worker called him seeking guidance after hurting his knee on the job. The co-worker said his supervisor did not believe him. 

“The supervisor told him he couldn’t go to medical because she thought he hurt his knee at home,” said McNair. 

He also called out AFSCME Local 44, a union that represents municipal workers in the city, for their perceived failure to address ongoing concerns from workers. 

Union President Dorothy Bryant said that Silver’s death could have been prevented by agency management. 

“Brother Silver’s death was entirely preventable, and his supervisor and manager did not do their job to protect the employee,” said Bryant. “At Reedbird and across the city, we have and will continue to fight for healthy and safe working conditions.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Bowie State University (BSU) celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the $166-million Martin Luther King Jr. Center on Aug. 27. The new 192,000 square-foot building will be the home base for studies in communications and humanities, as well as for the historically Black college’s military science program. 

The hub notably displays a two-story likeness of late BSU student 1st Lt. Richard W. Collins III, who was killed on the University of Maryland’s (UMD) campus in 2017 just days before his graduation. Collins’ parents said they were thankful for the university’s commitment to honoring their son. 

“We are thrilled that the university continues to remember our son. What happened to him seven years ago is something no parent should ever have to endure,” said Dawn Collins. “My son was ready to give his life for this country, and to have his life taken away from him because someone viewed him as ‘other’ is despicable. It’s momentous that the university would do this, and it’s so befitting that it’s in the MLK center.” 

In the early hours of May 20, 2017, Collins was waiting for a ride-hailing service with friends when UMD student Sean Urbanski approached him. Urbanski, a white man, instructed Collins to “step left, if you know what’s good for you.” When he refused, Urbanski fatally stabbed him in the chest. The U.S. Army commissioned Collins as a second lieutenant shortly before his death and later promoted him to 1st lieutenant posthumously. 

Investigators discovered that Urbanski was a member of a Facebook group called “Alt-Reich: Nation,” a page known for sharing bigoted posts about African Americans and other groups. Although prosecutors argued that the killing was a hate crime, the judge dismissed the charge for lack of evidence. Urbanski was convicted of first-degree murder in December 2019 and subsequently sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. 

Following their son’s death, the Collins were thrust into advocacy. They quickly established the 2nd Lt. Richard Collins III Foundation to educate and empower young Americans who are dedicated to creating a hate-free society. 

The couple was also instrumental in the formation of the BSU-UMD Social Justice Alliance. As a result of their work, BSU and UMD began offering a new sociology course, “Hate Crimes in the U.S.: What Lt. Richard Collins III Can Teach Us About History, Hope and Healing,” this semester. The class is the first-of-its kind in the country. 

Collins’ father said his son would have been proud of the new portrait. 

“We’re proud of him, and he certainly would have been proud of the likeness and representation that he’ll forever have on his alma mater’s campus,” said Richard Collins Jr. “He was a young man who was full of life, intelligent, athletic, and he loved people. It’s a bittersweet moment for us because you never get over something as traumatic as what happened to our son, but it helps us to be energized around our active advocacy.” 

Aside from Collins’ image, the center’s main entrance displays abstract impressions of vocal sound waves from Dr. King’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize speech. 

The building features a fitness center and outdoor training plaza for BSU’s ROTC students. Those studying communications have access to a podcast studio, two television studios, digital editing labs, a custom recording booth and an advanced digital screening room. 

The center also holds 18 general classrooms, a 1,500-seat auditorium and two lecture halls. 

“Every student receiving a BSU education will pass through this building at some point in their curriculum,” said BSU President Aminta H. Breaux in a statement. “The cutting-edge tools and resources found here will elevate instruction of the liberal arts and enable students to find their own voice and develop skills to navigate real-world challenges in their future careers.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Jason Billingsley, the man accused of murdering tech founder Pava LaPere, pleaded guilty to the brutal attack and torture of a Baltimore man and woman on Aug. 26. The 33-year-old entered a guilty plea on two counts of attempted murder tied to home invasion and arson. 

Survivors April Hurley and Jonte Gilmore accused Billingsley of tying them up in a West Baltimore home before soaking them with gasoline and setting them and the house on fire. Hurley also alleged that Billingsley sexually assaulted her and slashed her throat. She bears a scar on her neck from the incident today. 

“We are relieved that Jason Billingsley pleaded guilty today,” said Hurley’s attorneys William “Billy” Murphy, Andrew O’Connell, Malcolm Ruff and Phylecia Faubias in a statement. “Our client, April Hurley, is now one step closer to justice for the brutal attack in which she was raped, tortured, set on fire, had her throat slashed and was left to die— a horrific assault that has forever changed her life.”

Gilmore and Hurley’s attack took place on Sep. 19, 2023. Six days later, LaPere was found dead on the rooftop of her Mount Vernon apartment building, after being strangled and beaten to death. 

Only then did Baltimore police publicly identify Billingsley as a suspect in the cases and a threat to the public. Police apprehended Billingsley on Sep. 27 in Bowie, Md. 

In April, Gilmore and Hurley sued Eden’s Homes and Property Pals, the manager and owner of their Edmondson Avenue home and Billingsley’s employer. The lawsuit accuses the companies of negligence and property liability. Gilmore and Hurley are seeking compensatory damages in excess of $75,000. 

“Yet, no sentence can undo the trauma she endured— not only at the hands of Jason Billingsley but also due to the negligence of those who were responsible for the property where she lived,” Hurley’s attorneys added. “We will continue to hold Eden’s Homes and Property Pals accountable and press them to do what is right by adequately compensating Ms. Hurley for the devastation she has suffered.” 

These violent acts are not Billingsley’s first encounter with the justice system. In 2015, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison, but 16 years of the term were suspended. In 2022, he was released after collecting enough good conduct credits. 

Billingsley is set to appear in court for the first-degree murder charges stemming from the death of LaPere on Aug. 30, the same day he will be sentenced for his attack on Hurley and Gilmore. 

“The horrific acts of false imprisonment, assault and attempted murder have left a lasting impact on the lives of not only the victim but our city as a whole. This outcome reflects our unwavering commitment to seeking justice for victims and holding violent offenders accountable for their actions,” said Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates in a statement. “Our hearts continue to be with the survivors, and we hope this verdict brings them, their loved ones and their community some measure of closure and healing.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

As climate change continues to escalate extreme weather events, like heat waves, hurricanes, flooding and wildfires, it has also magnified the importance of entrepreneurs having a plan in place to withstand business interruptions brought on by unexpected calamities with little to no warning.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently unveiled a new Business Resilience Guide to help business owners prepare. The handbook outlines best practices and supplies templates to help entrepreneurs curb and bounce back from crises.  

“Small businesses are vital to local economies—creating jobs and providing essential products and services, which is why the SBA is committed to ensuring they can survive and recover quickly from natural and other disasters,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman in an Aug. 2 release. “At a time of increasing economic impacts from climate change and natural disasters, SBA’s new Business Resilience Guide equips business owners with the tools and strategies they need to strengthen their operations and preparedness, recover from disruption and build resilience.” 

The AFRO compiled some of the best tips from the new guide below. 

Establishing a baseline

• Begin crafting your resilience plan by cataloging the condition of your business in normal times. 
• Take inventory. Determine equipment, supplies and technology that are essential to your business operations.
• Identify which equipment, supplies and technology are replaceable, how long it will take for them to be replaced and come up with a list of alternatives.
• Think about whether your equipment and supplies can be moved or kept inside for protection in case of extreme weather or whether they would need to be relocated.
•  Make a detailed list of your critical business functions, ordering them from most essential to least. The level of importance will depend on how often you execute each function.
• Consider the results of certain functions not taking place and determine bypasses and adjustments to reduce the effects of disruptions to your operations. 
• Conduct a vulnerability assessment by identifying what threats you’re most likely to be exposed to. Research the frequency and severity of past weather events and natural disasters to inform your evaluation. 

Keeping track of key relationships 

• Maintain a current list of your employees, insurance agent, accountant and attorney with their contact information. The list should be kept digitally and in print.  
• Involve employees in disaster planning. Especially for bigger businesses, employees in niche departments may have more insight into how certain operations may be impacted. 
• Determine how you will check in with employees after disaster strikes. 
• Ensure every employee knows what protocols are in place in the face of disasters. 
• Evaluate your supply chain and determine how unforeseen hazards may interrupt its flow.  
• Make a list of alternative suppliers and include those in areas that would not be impacted by the same disaster. 
• Ensure your suppliers have resilience plans themselves. 

Protecting your resources

• If you can, invest in strengthening your facilities after determining what could be damaged by disasters.
• Try to determine what utilities may need to be turned off to prevent fires during emergencies. 
• Defend your data from cyber attacks. Train your employees in cybersecurity, utilize antivirus software, secure your internet connection with a firewall and hide your Wi-Fi network. 
• Back up your data regularly to the cloud storage or USB drives, but maintain physical copies in case of power or internet outages.

Managing your financials 

• Know the details of your insurance plan. Talk to your agent about coverage limits, exclusions and deductibles as some policies may not cover flooding and earthquakes or business interruptions and extra expenses. 
• Ensure there are no gaps in coverage.
• Regularly update your business records and have an action plan to turn to if your business closes temporarily.
• If possible, reserve three to 12 months of emergency cash or try to acquire a line of credit.
• Discuss extensions on bills during disasters.
• Set up an automatic payroll system and ensure your employees know how they will be paid during emergencies.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

As summer comes to a close and the new school year approaches, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee held a back-to-school pep rally for District educators on Aug. 19. The event preceded a week-long professional development series that D.C. teachers will participate in ahead of the start of school on Aug. 26. 

The rally took place at Alice Deal Middle School in Ward 3, which was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education in 2019. 

“I want to thank you for your commitment to public education and to training, loving and challenging our young people in Washington, D.C. so that they can have a phenomenal school year but also a phenomenal future,” said Bowser. “We are just so grateful.”

“We spend all year making sure that our schools have their budget, that our buildings have what they need and that our young people are supported not just at school but with all of the agencies that serve kids and families throughout the year,” she continued. 

Bowser’s budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 features a number of new investments in education. Some of the largest contributions include $2.2 billion to modernize 33 District schools, $349 million to the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF) and $255 million to upgrade the conditions of District school buildings. 

During the rally, the mayor highlighted the recovery DCPS has made since the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to gaps in math and reading for students across the country. 

“We’re very proud that if you look at this entire region, the kids who have come back to school and are coming back the fastest achievement wise are our students in D.C. Public Schools,” said Bowser. “That’s comparing to the region but it’s also comparing to our own schools in Washington D.C. We know that’s because we have the most highly-effective teaching core in the United States of America.” 

According to a May report from EmpowerK12, an education consultant in D.C., District students in grades four to eight experienced academic gains equal to two additional months of learning in reading and one additional month in math than expected over the last year. These students would have been in grades kindergarten through fourth grade during the pandemic and most vulnerable to learning loss while schooling was virtual. 

However, their math and reading test scores are still not yet on par with pre-pandemic expectations. 

At the rally, Ferebee noted that the District is sustaining efforts to increase educator pay. The latest data from the National Education Association (NEA) ranks D.C. fifth in average teacher salary at $84,882 and one in average teacher starting salary at $63,373.

“We are ensuring that you continue to be one of the highest-paid groups of educators in the nation,” said Ferebee. “We also want to continue to ensure that you are encouraged, inspired and that you are receiving the best professional learning experiences to guide the young Washingtonians who are attending school at Alice Deal Middle School.” 

He also encouraged educators to take advantage of DCPS’ Inova Employee Assistance program. The benefit provides free counseling services and legal and financial assistance to teachers 24 hours a day year-round.  

“Take care of yourself,” said Ferebee. “We know when you do that well, you are able to support our young people, our number one stakeholder, and that’s our students.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) is preparing to deploy funding to organizations striving to tackle sex and labor trafficking. The agency recently released a request for proposal (RFP) for Fiscal Year 2025 Anti-Human Trafficking Grants.

Selected organizations will receive $50,000 or $25,000 grants to support trauma-informed services and programs that confront human trafficking and assist survivors of the crime in conjunction with the Baltimore City Human Trafficking Collaborative. 

“Baltimore’s comprehensive approach to public safety relies on strong relationships and community collaborators,” said Stefanie Mavronis, director of MONSE, in a Aug. 16 statement. “MONSE is proud to again make these grants available in fiscal year 2025 for organizations working to combat human trafficking. We are encouraging anti-human trafficking organizations to apply for this opportunity and serve as a co-producer of public safety.” 

Baltimore’s proximity to interstate highways and airports along with its prominent shipping and trucking industry heightens its risk for human trafficking. Across Maryland, the National Human Trafficking Hotline was contacted 501 times in 2023—153 of the signals came from victims or survivors of the crime. 

Under Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan (CVPP), broadening anti-human trafficking efforts has been identified as a priority for the city. MONSE’s grant opportunity for fiscal year 2025 builds on this endeavor. 

Interested organizations are required to have three letters of community support to qualify for the funding. Their proposals should address the impact of current initiatives, demographics on the populations they serve and their level of preparedness to take on referrals. 

MONSE will announce the grantees by early October.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

CLLCTIVLY, a Baltimore-based social change organization, is working in partnership with the Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) at the University of Pennsylvania to launch a new fellowship program. The Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin Social Impact Fellowship is designed to arm social entrepreneurs with the tools and confidence they need to create social change in Baltimore. 

The first cohort will accept twelve social entrepreneurs who hail from Charm City. Applications are due by Aug. 30, and chosen entrepreneurs will be selected by Sep. 20. 

“This program not only honors the incredible legacy of Dr. Elmer and Joanne Martin but also invests in the future of Baltimore by equipping social entrepreneurs with the resources they need to lead transformative change,” said Jamye Wooten, founder of CLLCTIVLY, in a statement to the AFRO. “Dr. Yanique Redwood, CLLCTIVLY’s scholar-practitioner in residence, is supporting the development of the fellowship and is infusing liberatory leadership principles into the design of the program. We look forward to seeing the innovative solutions and leadership that will emerge from this cohort.”  

The new fellowship will run from October 2024 to March 2025. Each cohort member will be given $2,000 per month to support them while they participate in the program. The fellowship will cover topics, including social impact strategy, business models for social enterprises and the role of digital media in social movement. Participants will also create a capstone project to present to an audience of potential supporters at the program’s end. 

In order to be considered for the fellowship, social entrepreneurs must lead an initiative, organization or project engineered to devise solutions for systemic social issues and challenges. They must also have a strategy to finance their work beyond obtaining grant funding and gifts. 

“I am so proud and excited that the Center for Social Impact Strategy will support this important and historic initiative,” said Ariel Schwartz, managing director of the center, in a statement to the AFRO. “I am thrilled to be working with CLLCTIVLY to provide tools, resources and a learning and engagement platform for the fellows to cultivate their social ventures and fill their own cups.” 

Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin started The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum with four wax figures purchased in 1980. By 1983 they couple had a storefront museum in Baltimore, operating the first African-American history wax museum in the country together as a dynamic husband and wife duo. Today, the Baltimore-based institution maintains nearly 150 figures of prominent African Americans who have made their mark in time. 

The Martins established the museum to fuel interest in Black history, while also supporting community organizations and advancing economic development in the East North Avenue corridor. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com

As the newspaper looks to its next chapter, the crucial succession question looms: Who can build on its powerful legacy?

It all started in 1892 when John H. Murphy Sr., a formerly enslaved man, borrowed $200 from his wife, Martha Elizabeth Howard Murphy to purchase a printing press for what would become the legendary AFRO-American Newspapers. What began as a church circular quickly became a vehicle for advancing Black rights and economic empowerment.

After Murphy’s death in 1922, his five sons took over, tasked with providing wages for their five sisters. Carl Murphy became editor and publisher. The family business has endured ever since and is set to celebrate its 132nd  on Aug.13.

Today, the newspaper is a media company, also known as AFRO News, with offices in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, the great-granddaughter of Murphy Sr., sits at the helm as publisher and chairman of the board. Still, she said the crucial question of who will serve next is never too far in the distance.

“It’s an ongoing discussion,” Draper says. “There are a whole lot of people who have legal and stockholder interest in the company. But succession is always at the forefront, because we don’t want it to be left to happenstance or chance.” 

Honoring the vision 

One thing is clear to Draper: The next successor must uphold the newspaper’s original purpose, which John H. Murphy Sr. outlined in a letter to his five sons two years before his death. 

He wrote: “A newspaper succeeds because its management believes in itself, in God, and in the present generation. It must always ask itself: whether it has kept faith with the common people, whether it has no other goal except to see that their liberties are preserved and their future assured; whether it is fighting to get rid of slums to provide jobs for everybody; and whether it stays out of politics except to expose corruption and condemn injustice, race prejudice and the cowardice of compromise.” 

This charge has changed slightly over time, as readers have turned to the AFRO for endorsements of political candidates in addition to church and community happenings.

At present, the AFRO is a privately-traded C corporation. The vast majority of its nearly 100 shareholders and 17-member board are family members. Ownership has resided with the family since its inception in 1892.

Blending institutional knowledge with outside perspectives

Draper took over the AFRO in 2018 from John J. Oliver, who served as publisher and chairman of the board for 34 years. Oliver, great-grandson of John H. Murphy Sr., never intended to lead the AFRO, although he, like most family members, grew up working in the family business. 

The emergence of the personal computer led him back to the company. Oliver recognized that the AFRO would need to embrace the digital revolution in order to compete. Gone were the days of linotype and teletype machines.

When it came time for Oliver to step down, he says there wasn’t a formal blueprint for Draper to take over. 

“There wasn’t any real plan,” Oliver says. 

Adding that “the younger generations caught on to the importance of taking advantage of digital opportunities quickly,” while also “exploring new ways in which they could radically change what we, historically, expected to be the way a newspaper is run.” 

Kevin “MPECKABLE” Peck, vice president of marketing and technology for the AFRO, and Savannah Wood, executive director of the company’s philanthropic sister company, Afro Charities, are the great-great-grandchildren of John H. Murphy Sr. Several other fifth-generation members are involved via the AFRO board.  

Both Peck and Wood oversee operational areas that will be key to the future of the media company, according to Draper. 

Peck leads the company’s technology strategy, while Wood maintains the paper’s extensive archival collection, featuring nearly three million photographs, thousands of letters, rare audio recordings and other ephemera such as the program dispersed at the funeral of Shirley Parker, found dead in the fountain of the lake at Druid Hill Park Reservoir in 1968. 

“A strength that Savannah and Kevin have is they didn’t do their entire careers at the paper,” Draper says. “They bring other experiences and they have ideas around what may appeal to their generation and the next.” 

Draper, too, did not spend her entire career at the AFRO. She worked as an educator, stockbroker and preacher. She grew up working in the newspaper’s editorial department.  

Peck has years of experience in the music business, serving as the long-time manager of notable acts like Dru Hill. Peck came to the AFRO to support his mother, Draper, as she took over as publisher. He continues to work with musical artists today, but much of his focus for the publication centers on leveraging emerging technologies to streamline the AFRO’s operations and content delivery.  

Wood worked with various arts and humanities organizations in Chicago and Los Angeles before her arrival in 2019. She was initially the AFRO’s archives director. Shortly after becoming executive director of Afro Charities, management of the archives was transferred to the nonprofit partner. 

Wood and Draper underscored the importance of the next successor being committed to supporting the preservation of the archives. 

“The archives tell the story of the newspaper company, but also the broader story about world history through Black perspectives,” Wood says.

Peck said his mission at the AFRO has been taking it from the closet to the cloud, migrating elements of the company’s operations and data management to cloud-based platforms. He was instrumental in the company’s recent launch of the Digital Billboard Network (DBN). The AFRO’s DBN delivers original content to onsite screens at heavily trafficked community gathering spots like restaurants, barbershops, gyms and auto repair shops. 

“The mission and the history and the shoulders that I stand on cannot be ignored. I have to impact the business in a way that’s never been done before,” said Peck. “I have to use all of my entertainment and marketing knowledge to make sure there’s not a Black person that doesn’t know the name of the AFRO.” 

Peck acknowledged that he has considered how he would run the AFRO if he were chosen as the next successor. If he did get the call, he would take the position. 

“I would have to. It would be destiny,” Peck says. “It would feel like everything up to that point prepared me for that next level.”

The ideal next leader

The successor needs to be able to sustain the newspaper’s historical identity and integrity while generating a roadmap for the company’s future, according to Max Hughes, senior manager, Deloitte Transactions and Business Analytics LLP, who specializes in privately-held and family-owned businesses. Picking the right person, he says, is important to keeping public trust and confidence in the legacy business.  

“The right successor has to be a really special person, especially in a business like a newspaper where it’s a more public leadership role,” Hughes says. “You have this foundation and reputation and all of these things you’ve sustained on, and you have a great obligation to match that expectation.”

Micaela Saviano, a partner at Deloitte Tax LLP who specializes in succession planning, said though expectations within a family business can be high, a successor can draw in help from other sources. 

“The next generation doesn’t need to fill the shoes of their predecessor fully. You can supplement with external advisors, other family members, non-family executives, and the board,” Saviano explains. “There are a lot of folks to rely on beyond that one individual.” 

Draper said when it comes to her successor, she has several parameters in mind:

“They either need to have knowledge of trends in the industry or the ability to access that knowledge. They must be able to successfully navigate relationships with readers, policymakers, leaders, advertisers and employees,” she says. “You need someone who understands business, and it doesn’t hurt to have someone who is either technologically savvy or has an appreciation for changing technologies.” 

This article was originally published by The Exchange.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

CLLCTIVLY, an ecosystem builder for social impact in Greater Baltimore, hosted CLLCTIVGIVE for the sixth time on Aug. 9. The annual 24-hour crowdfunding campaign, which encourages Baltimoreans to support Black nonprofits and businesses, raised $1,123,723 for 119 Black-led social change organizations. 

African-American business owners and nonprofit leaders face unique challenges in securing capital and other resources to sustain their organizations. This annual day of giving enables them to gain no-strings-attached funding that can help them grow and scale their work across Baltimore. 

“Social change organizations, whether for-profit, nonprofit or community-based organizations without a legal struggle, are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities,” said Jamye Wooten, founder of CLLCTIVLY. “These organizations are on the ground, making a meaningful impact, but Black-led organizations often go underfunded. By mobilizing resources, CLLCTIVLY not only supports but also amplifies their efforts, ensuring they have the tools and funding needed to create lasting change in our communities.” 

CLLCTIVGIVE fittingly coincides with National Black Philanthropy Month and National Black Business Month. In addition to the donation drive, the campaign included several events for Baltimore’s Black entrepreneurs, including the Black Business Quest, Made in Black at Made in Baltimore and Black and Social at R. House. 

One participating entrepreneur was Melva Harris of GentleMoonBell. Harris, who moved from New York to Baltimore a year ago, started her gently-made plush toy brand in 2014. 

“When I was younger, we couldn’t afford stuffed animals and toys. My mom and I lived in a shelter,” said Harris. “She used to sew and fabricate. When she died, I got all of her stuff, and I started sewing.” 

Harris, who also works for Made in Baltimore, plans to settle down in Charm City and continue to expand GentleMoonBell. She emphasized the importance of buying Black and local. 

“If you keep your money within the Black community, the community will give back to you in turn. It’s possible,” said Harris. “I see it every day when people come into Made in Baltimore and search for Black-owned businesses.” 

Another participating business owner, Randy Lewis, did not initially plan on becoming an entrepreneur. The West Baltimore native had dreams of becoming a veterinarian before he discovered how much schooling the profession required. 

“I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I’ve been growing my beard since I was 20,” said Lewis. “I was buying stuff from the store that was breaking me out and eating my hair up. That’s what prompted me to start my own brand.” 

Lewis launched Five O’ Clock Co. out of his home in 2017, using herbs from his garden to craft organic beard and body care products. His wares include handmade beard wash and conditioner, balms and oils, as well as whipped body butters, lotions, bar soaps and face oils. 

In 2024, Lewis purchased his first production facility in Baltimore’s Old Town Mall. Next on the docket is acquiring a brick-and-mortar store to sell not just his products but those from other local Black-owned businesses too. 

“It’s super important to not only buy local and from small businesses but also Black-owned businesses in particular. There are so many thriving throughout the city,” said Lewis. “You could be helping to make sure that someone’s family has food on the table. A lot of us solely rely on our small business. It’s important for the community to pitch in and keep us thriving.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Montgomery County Planning Board has submitted its updates to the county’s Growth and Infrastructure Policy (GIP) for 2024 to 2028. As of Aug. 1, it is now in the hands of the Montgomery County Council for review. 

The policy, which is revised every four years, is designed to ensure county infrastructure, like roads and schools, is sufficient to support growth and new development. 

“The GIP is vital to ensuring the county is meeting the evolving needs of a growing and diverse population,” said Jason K. Sartori, planning director for Montgomery County, in a statement. “We have shifted from a growth policy decades ago that was appropriate as farmland was converted into neighborhoods, to one that complements the infill and redevelopment of maturing neighborhoods, major employment centers, town centers and downtowns that we see today.” 

The top recommendations for the GIP include: extending a 50 percent impact-tax discount to developers who construct single family homes 1,800 square feet or smaller, exempting development projects that transform office space into residential units from impact taxes and exempting three or more bedroom households from school and transportation impact taxes. 

The planning board also suggested that the county conduct a Local Area Transportation Review for an upcoming development project that’s expected to generate heavy traffic and forgo transportation mitigation requirements during the construction of affordable housing units. 

“Our recommended updates to the growth policy ensure the county can continue to strengthen economic development opportunities while supporting transportation networks and school communities with the infrastructure needed to meet expected population and employment growth,” said a statement from Artie Harris, chair of the planning board. “The recommended GIP update is forward-thinking by aligning with the county’s goals of promoting housing for all, achieving racial equity and social justice, fighting climate change and harnessing economic development tools to create thriving communities.” 

The Montgomery County Council will host a public hearing for the GIP on Sep. 10. Residents can sign up to testify at the meeting on the council’s website. The policy must be approved by November 15 under county law. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb has sued leading online ticket exchange and resale company StubHub, accusing the platform of deceptive pricing. The civil suit was filed in a D.C. trial court on July 31. 

Schwalb accused the company of engaging in “drip pricing,” a strategy where companies initially market a low price to attract consumers and later disclose additional fees during the purchasing process. The charges include fulfillment and service fees. 

“For years, StubHub has illegally deceived District consumers through its convoluted junk fee scheme,” said Schwalb in a July 31 release. “StubHub lures consumers in by advertising a deceptively low price, forces them through a burdensome purchase process and then finally reveals a total on the checkout page that is vastly higher than the originally advertised ticket price. This is no accident—StubHub intentionally hides the true price to boost profits at its customers’ expense.” 

The District houses several professional sports teams, including the Washington Commanders, Nationals and Capitals, as well as 41 entertainment venues and theaters. The attorney general asserts that the city has been disproportionately impacted by StubHub’s practices as visitors and residents spend more per capita on live entertainment than other major destinations, like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

“The District is home to one of the nation’s largest and most vibrant live entertainment scenes, and StubHub’s predatory tactics disproportionately harm District residents,” Schwalb continued. “That is why today we’re suing to end StubHub’s exploitative pricing scheme.” 

In the complaint, Schwalb claims the ticketing platform previously used an all-in-pricing model from 2014 to 2015, which advertised prices that included mandatory fees up front. StubHub then conducted a study to compare the more transparent model against drip pricing. 

During the testing period, the company randomly assigned customers to one of the two pricing strategies. Stubhub discovered that even when the final price was the same, consumers were less likely to buy tickets in the all-in-pricing model. It subsequently implemented drip pricing. 

The lawsuit also asserts that StubHub engages in dark patterns, including creating a false sense of urgency and high demand. According to the complaint, the company has sold nearly 4.9 million tickets to Washingtonians and for District events, amassing $118 million in hidden fees. 

The litigation follows the Federal Trade Commission’s 2023 announcement of a proposed rule that would prohibit hidden and bogus fees for resorts, concert tickets, hotel booking and more. 

StubHub says the back-end fees help the company provide a secure ticket-buying experience. The platform charges a fee when consumers buy and sell tickets on the site. These fees can vary depending on the ticket price, time before the event and supply and demand. 

“StubHub is committed to creating a transparent, secure and competitive marketplace to benefit consumers,” wrote StubHub in a statement to the AFRO. “We are disappointed that the D.C. attorney general is targeting StubHub when our user experience is consistent with the law, our competitors’ practices and the broader e-commerce sector. We strongly support federal and state solutions that enhance existing laws to empower consumers, such as requiring all-in pricing uniformly across platforms.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

It’s been a little over a year since Marylanders, aged 21 and older, were permitted to possess recreational cannabis. The greenlight came after voters approved a referendum in 2022 that legalized the plant for adult use. 

As with any new law, the public has encountered some uncertainty around compliance and the implications of the legislation. The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) recently hosted a Cannabis Symposium to clear up confusion.

“Since the passage of this legislation, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights has noticed a plethora of misinformation about the law,” said Cleveland L. Horton II, acting director of the MCCR. “With that being stated, we provided an opportunity to educate the public regarding the state and federal laws surrounding cannabis.” 

Much of the information session’s focus was rooted in how cannabis use can impact a person’s hiring and employment. Under Maryland law, employers are authorized to test for the use of cannabis and to take action against employees who test positive for its use.

“There are some additional questions left unanswered, specifically as it pertains to employment,” he continued. “The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights deemed it necessary to start the dialogue to develop an educated approach and a plan to address the myriad of issues left unanswered since the passage of the referendum.” 

In its initial draft, the legalization legislation made clear that it did not prevent any employer from denying employment to or disciplining an employee for cannabis use. But, the section was later struck from the legislation. 

Delegate Nicole A. Williams (D-22) said this was in part because policymakers wanted to emulate the state’s laws for alcohol. 

“We basically treated it the same as alcohol, and that was our advice to employers across the state,” said Williams. “If you would not allow your employee to come to work drunk, then that would hold true in terms of them coming to work high from cannabis.” 

Williams also acknowledged that certain industries have voiced concerns since adult-use legalization. 

“Some of the industries that rely on safety and sobriety with their workers, like construction in particular, have worries about their employees partaking whether it’s for recreational or medical use and how that could affect them or others around them on a jobsite,” said Williams. 

There are also challenges around testing for cannabis impairment. Unlike alcohol, there is no standardized measurement for cannabis intoxication. The drug can also be detected in the body long after a person is sober. 

“You can do a blood test to get a level of THC per blood content, but that does not necessarily correlate with whether or not someone’s impaired in the moment,” said Andrew Garrison, chief of the office of policy and government affairs for the Maryland Cannabis Administration. “A lot of the instant impairment tests that are being developed are more so based on cognition and response time rather than any biological indicator of recent consumption.” 

This not only has implications for employment but also for driving under the influence. Williams says solutions are in the works for cannabis testing, but it’s unclear how effective they are. 

“There are some products out there, but they are still being vetted at this time,” said Williams. “I don’t think they have been certified as being as accurate as a breathalyzer at this point, but I know a number of companies are working on various types of technology to do a better job of testing for impairment.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Baltimore County officials gathered on Aug. 7 to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the new Middle River Recreation Activity Center (RAC). The 15,000 square-foot facility houses a full-sized gymnasium, exterior multipurpose court, meeting and activity rooms, stage and movie screens. 

The Middle River RAC is the first in a slate of new parks and recreation centers coming to Baltimore County this year.

“We’re here because we know that every community deserves to have fun, safe and high-quality recreational opportunities that allow our residents to play, compete and connect with each other,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “We know that recreational facilities are athletic spaces and community hubs that make our neighborhoods happier and healthier.” 

Under Olszewski’s administration, Baltimore County has executed a six-year investment of $220 in new parks, park acquisitions and enhancements, facility upgrades and recreational programming. 

In the next year, the county will have delivered nine new RACs. Aside from the Middle River facility, the new Hazelwood Skate Park will open in Eastern Baltimore County, as well as a new Sparrows Point Park. 

“This RAC is another important step in our commitment to offering the most expansive recreational, art, health and wellness programs for residents in every community in addition to offering those more traditional athletic and afterschool programming needs for our children,” said Olszewski. 

The development of the Middle River RAC was financed by a $500,000 grant from the state of Maryland, $1.725 million from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Project Open Space and $8 million from Baltimore County. 

Beyond the center’s amenities, it boasts an aeronautical theme inspired by Baltimore County’s history of aviation. Martin State Airport, which started out as an aircraft company in 1929, sits just over three miles away. 

“It’s important to note that this center is just a stone’s throw away from neighborhood streets, like Compass Road and Fuselage Avenue, all pointing to the history and importance of the aeronautical history in this Eastside community,” said Bob Smith, director of the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks. “What’s also important is the center’s location is on Community Drive, pointing to a future of it being a hub for this community.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

A charter amendment question seeking to halt MCB Real Estate’s $900-million redevelopment of Harborplace will not be on Baltimore ballots this fall. The Protect Our Parks petition, spearheaded by former mayoral candidate Thiru Vignarajah, failed to garner enough signatures to meet the Baltimore City Board of Election’s 4:30 p.m. deadline on July 29. 

The initiative sought to create a system of city parks dedicated to public use that would prohibit private and commercial development. The proposed system included the 34-acre Inner Harbor Park, the site of Harborplace’s transformation. It required 10,000 signatures to make the ballot.

“It’s gratifying that Baltimoreans were unwilling to get behind Thiru’s effort to stop the redevelopment of Harborplace, even with his campaign misleading them by saying it was about saving parks,” wrote John Laria, chair of the Baltimore for a New Harborplace ballot issue committee, in a statement to the AFRO. “Ironically, the MCB plan for Harborplace will add more public open space than exists today, for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.  We’ll be telling the true story as we promote the City-approved ballot question that will help bring Harborplace back to life.”

Critics of the failed petition believe it was deceptively marketed as an effort to safeguard Baltimore’s parks rather than a blatant attack on the development plan for Harborplace. 

If the ballot question passed, it would have barred residential development, private office space and buildings taller than 100 feet. The limitations would have interfered with multiple components of the Harborplace proposal, led by MCB Real Estate co-founder P. David Bramble.

His plan calls for the demolition of the current pavilions to develop a waterfront park, two-tiered promenade, amphitheater, mixed-used commercial buildings and two high-rise residential towers. 

In March, Mayor Brandon Scott signed legislation to alter zoning regulations, the city charter and urban renewal plan for the Harborplace overhaul. In November, Baltimore City voters will choose whether to approve the charter amendment, which would permit residential development and parking in the Inner Harbor. The Protect Our Park petition would have countered that if it made the ballot. 

Maryland State Senator Antonio Hayes (D-40) expressed his disapproval of Vignarajah’s petition drive in a July 21 post on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

“I am told people are out at the downtown farmers market lying. Getting people to sign a petition to protect city parks from development, and it’s really about stopping progress at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor,” wrote Hayes. “Beware of these imposters.” 

The Inner Harbor Coalition, a group dedicated to preserving the waterfront hub for public use, has also opposed Bramble’s redevelopment. Leader Michael Brassert said the organization will continue its campaign urging Baltimoreans to vote no on the Harborplace ballot question. 

“We maintain that there should be a holistic master plan that includes downtown, the convention center, the stadiums and the Inner Harbor,” wrote Brassert in a statement to the AFRO. “There should be an open concept competition for Harborplace and the city should consult with economists, urban planners and architects to find an appropriate and affordable plan. We should not have to settle on one mediocre plan that was cooked up in a backroom deal that privatizes our public land.”Vignarajah did not respond to the AFRO’s request for comment.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Hello Alice, a fintech platform serving over 1.5 million small business owners, is providing more opportunities for entrepreneurs across the country to scale their enterprises. The company announced July 23 that it would expand its small business accelerators and Boost Camp programs in 2024. 

The Boost Camps, created in 2023, were designed to empower entrepreneurs with training and skill development to expedite the growth of their businesses. They also supply owners with a network of entrepreneurial peers for ongoing support. 

“One of the greatest values that comes out of the Boost Camps is the connectivity to peers who are going through similar problems,” said Carolyn Rodz, co-founder and CEO of Hello Alice. “It’s one thing to learn from an expert that built a business 10 or 15 years ago. It’s another to hear from somebody who’s dealing with that issue right now in your industry and at your stage of growth.” 

Hello Alice collaborates with the Global Entrepreneurship Network and corporate partners to run the Boost Camps. In 2024, Progressive Insurance, Antares Capital, Wells Fargo and FedEx will lead the programs. 

The deadline for Antares Capital and Progressive Insurance’s Boost Camps has already passed. However, Wells Fargo will hold four virtual accelerator programs over the next 18 months. They will focus on business health and credit-building practices, and applications will be open until Aug. 16. 

FedEx will also run a Boost Camp coaching program to supply business owners with funding, resources and networks to streamline the success of their ventures. The application period will be announced this fall. 

“We are thrilled to witness the remarkable success and growth of the Boost Camp program initiated by Hello Alice,” said April Britt, director of global citizenship at FedEx, in a July 23 statement. “The impact it has had on small businesses nationwide is truly inspiring. Seeing the tangible improvements in business health and the increased optimism among participants underscores the value of providing tailored mentorship and resources.” 

John Griveas, owner of Fetch Gourmet Dog Treats, participated in FedEx’s Boost Camp last year. His business, based in Buffalo, N.Y., manufactures and distributes handcrafted, all-natural dog biscuits, cookies, cakes and treats. 

Griveas, and his wife and business partner, Jackie Lovern, discovered Hello Alice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pair were looking for ways to keep their business going during the financially challenging time. 

He said the funding and resources he received after being selected for the Boost Camp kept them from closing Fetch Gourmet Dog Treats. 

“It quite literally saved our business. We were at a point where the facility we were manufacturing out of was getting ready to close, and they were kicking out all of their tenants,” said Griveas. “We had a very short period of time to find a new location. We found one but the issue was the place we were getting kicked out of was about half the cost of the new place.” 

The funding enabled the husband and wife to secure the new facility. Griveas said his biggest takeaway from the Boost Camp was that he is not alone. 

“The people who you meet and talk to have gone through what you’re struggling with right now,” said Griveas. “They’re able to help you navigate, and, in turn, you are able to do the same for them. You start building relationships that could make a difference in your brand.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

President Joe Biden recently announced new efforts to reduce housing costs for Americans. The proposals include imposing rent caps on corporate landlords and building more affordable housing.

The move comes after the Biden-Harris administration revealed its Housing Supply Action Plan in May. It is designed to drive down housing expenses over time by increasing the supply of homes across the country. 

“Families deserve housing that’s affordable—it’s part of the American Dream,” said Biden in a  July 16 statement. “Rent is too high and buying a home is out of reach for too many working families and young Americans, after decades of failure to build enough homes. I’m determined to turn that around.”

According to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, 49 percent of renters were cost-burdened in 2021, spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing.

If passed by Congress, Biden’s proposal would deny federal tax credits to landlords who increase rent by more than 5 percent each year. The policy would start this year and continue for the next two years. Landlords who control more than 50 units would be subject to the cap, ultimately reaching more than 20 million renters in the U.S. 

“Rent’s too high and a home is out of reach for too many working and young Americans. After decades of failure to build enough homes, the president decided that it was time to take action to turn that around,” said Stephen K. Benjamin, senior adviser to the president and public engagement director at the White House. “We’ve seen this trend of corporate landlords, those on Wall Street primarily, buying hundreds and thousands of homes in one community and significantly increasing rents higher than normal inflation would dictate.” 

High rents often have a disproportionate impact on Black and Brown families. In 2021, the Pew Research Center found that 58 percent of households led by Black adults are renters. This is compared to 27.9 percent for households led by White adults.

Benjamin highlighted that the president is also working to remove barriers to homeownership, a means of creating generational wealth for Black Americans. According to the adviser, nearly 250,000 Black adults have purchased a home with the help of a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan since 2021. 

He also said Biden’s foreclosure prevention measures have kept more than 160,000 African Americans in their homes.

“People just want a fair shot, an opportunity to do the great things that God has in store for them. They want a level playing field that realizes that oftentimes the system does not work for Black and Brown tenants across this country,” said Benjamin. “The civil rights challenge of the 21st century is, how do I build generational wealth? For many of us, it’ll be through housing.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

When Devin Jackson first discovered that 40 percent of Baltimoreans did not have wireline internet service and more than 25 percent lacked a digital device, he was in disbelief. 

The East Baltimore native has spent much of his career in e-commerce and social media marketing. As a result, his livelihood hinged on accessing the internet and using a device. 

“You can have my house itself because I can buy another house,” said Jackson. “But, if you take my internet away from me, I can’t function. I wouldn’t be able to feed my family because that’s what I do for a living.” 

The value of the internet and devices was not only apparent to him but critical to maintain employment. 

A few years ago, Jackson experienced a cancer scare after discovering a tumor on his throat. His fear pushed him to turn to prayer to cope with the challenging time. In his reflection, he discerned that his calling was to impact people. The realization led him to leave the marketing world.

Jackson set out to leave his mark on people’s lives by creating A Prosperous Tomorrow, a nonprofit seeking to eradicate digital inequities by empowering communities with digital and technology skills, in 2023. 

Although his organization is young, Jackson has already hit the ground running, leading workshops and classes to help people become more comfortable with technology and to equip them with workforce skills. 

“The idea is to get people to see the internet and technology differently while also accepting that people have different barriers,” said Jackson. “One of the barriers is anxiety.” 

Jackson explained that, for some people, learning about information technology (IT), cybersecurity or other technology fields can be intimidating. But, once they start, it becomes much more feasible. 

A Prosperous Tomorrow’s programming comprises six phases.They include developing the whole person, preparation for technology, certification and skill enhancement, coaching and mentoring, job placement and strategy and program extended services.  

The organization runs 12-week cohorts during the school year and six- to 10-week cohorts during the summer for residents ages 16 to 21. The free classes take place at the newly renovated Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center and prepare participants for industry-recognized certifications, like CompTIA and Amazon Web Services.

The nonprofit also regularly hosts workshops at libraries around the city to expose Baltimoreans to technology careers and the avenues to pursue them. Jackson said Baltimore’s recent designation as a Federal Tech Hub has made his efforts even more critical. 

“If Baltimore is a Federal Tech Hub destination and Baltimore is also a digitally illiterate city, that means the new jobs that will be created are not for us. People are going to migrate to Baltimore,” said Jackson. “All this money is coming in, and you won’t have the skills to get that job. If you don’t scale up, you’re going to be in trouble.” 

Currently, Jackson is seeking funding to expand the work of A Prosperous Tomorrow. He recently applied to the second round of the city’s Digital Equity Fund, which will deploy grants to organizations tackling digital literacy, skill-building and creative careers training to communities most affected by the digital divide. 

Jackson submitted proposals for a digital education program aimed at older adults and a content creation class. For him, achieving digital equity will help to mitigate other challenges that residents face in the city, whether health care access, educational disparities or economic inequality. 

“The use of artificial intelligence and all of the technologies we have at our disposal are going to help people lead better lives,” said Jackson. “In my world, if you’re focusing on digital equity and inclusion, you’ll solve a lot of other problems.” 

For 21-year-old Braelen Cypress, it was his uncle who put him on the path to finding A Prosperous Tomorrow. His uncle works in IT, and Cypress began to become interested in the field after talking to him about it. 

He learned about the organization’s work while scrolling on Instagram and reached out to Jackson last year. Cypress previously tried another tech skills class, but it was conducted online. 

“I didn’t really like the online part. I couldn’t focus on it, so I didn’t stick with it,” said Cypress. “But, I still had an interest in IT, so I found the proper program. I passed, and I’m sticking with it.”

While he was drawn to the hands-on nature of the class, a key driver of Cypress’ persistence was Jackson’s support. 

“The reason why I stayed was Mr. Devon. He made me more committed to it just by the way he explained things,” said Cypress. “He had people who were actually in IT come in at times to talk to us about how they got into the business. I like the fact that [Mr. Devon] had proof of someone being in it.” 

A Prosperous Tomorrow prepared Cypress for the CompTIA Security+ certification, an industry standard for attaining a career in IT security. Soon, he will take the exam. 

Cypress will also be attending Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) this fall. Right now, he’s 50-50 on whether he should pursue an IT or cybersecurity degree. 

“Mr. Devon is definitely a good person to talk to if you need information or help with anything, period,” said Cypress. “He’s a very honest person, and if you need someone to talk to you who’s in the business, he will do that.” 

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Health equity leader Dr. Darrell Gray has been at the helm of Wellpoint, one of Maryland’s largest managed care plans for Medicaid insurance, for nearly a year now. The Maryland native was named CEO and president last August. 

But, Gray’s interest in health care was sparked much earlier by his father who practiced internal medicine in Baltimore. 

“I was just enamored by how he was able to impact people in times of wellness and when they were ill,” said Gray. “I saw the relationships he was able to establish and how he was able to influence the care of people at a time when people can be most vulnerable.” 

As a young boy, Gray accompanied his father to his office and hospitals, observing his interactions with patients. This engendered a passion in Gray, which only grew when he was a biology student at Morehouse College and medical student at Howard University.

Through his studies, Gray’s passion made way for his purpose. 

“I believe my purpose is to architect systems that advance whole health and health equity so that people can maximize the call or purpose in their lives,” said Gray. “I hope to achieve this by using my time, talents, treasures and influence to invest in people, relationships and community. That purpose has followed me throughout my career.” 

Dr. Darwin Conwell, chairman of internal medicine at the University of Kentucky, recruited Gray while leading Ohio State University’s Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Gray was just finishing up his master’s in public health at Harvard University. 

“He was well-trained and well-spoken,” said Gray. “I thought he could really help us in our inner-city hospital that serves a very marginalized population that suffers from a lot of the social determinants of health that impact health care delivery.”

Conwell said Gray instantly became involved in a local initiative promoting wellness for Black men.

“Several days before he started his job and since that time opportunities have skyrocketed for him. He exceeded everything I could do for him, and he’s taken it to another level,” said Conwell. “He just makes me proud.” 

Before taking up the Wellpoint post, Gray served its parent company, Elevance Health, as the first chief health equity officer. His draw to the field rested in his desire to address social determinants of health, many of which put his patients in the hospital in the first place. 

He also wanted to have a broader impact on whole populations rather than individual patients. Early in his role, Gray made it clear that advancing health equity was everyone’s responsibility. 

“If they looked to me, as the inaugural chief health equity officer, to be the only one driving toward achieving that goal, we wouldn’t have been successful,” said Gray. “Advancing whole health and health equity is part of our culture. It’s a part of business planning, and it cuts across our values, priorities and the outcomes we hope to achieve. I played a part in that.” 

Gray was initially unsure if he should take on the new position at Wellpoint when the opportunity came about. He was happy with his work in health equity, and he didn’t want to abandon the young team he planned to develop into leaders.  

But, he had faith that the timing was right. 

“Being able to be home in Maryland and focus on Medicaid recipients who are in my church, grocery store, neighborhood and go to school with my kids was a thrilling opportunity,” said Gray. “I couldn’t pass it up.” 

Wellpoint is the second largest Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) in Maryland. It serves more than 300,000 members across the state, many of whom are mothers, children and people with disabilities. 

In the role, Gray oversees operations, finances, quality assurance, community engagement and clinical execution. One of his top priorities is improving partnerships with health care providers across the state to deliver the best quality of care and outcomes to Wellpoint’s members. 

Under his leadership, the health plan earned the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Health Equity Accreditation Plus. This achievement made Wellpoint the only MCO in Maryland to have both a Health Equity Accreditation and Health Equity Accreditation Plus from NCQA. 

He has also set goals around reducing inequities in maternal health, expanding the organization’s health care provider network and meeting members in the community to address health issues. 

“As a Black male in leadership, there is a tremendous weight on me,” said Gray. “There’s also a tremendous opportunity to create change that really reduces the inequities that are faced within not just the Black population, but many populations that have been disenfranchised, minoritized and disconnected from healthcare.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com

The D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE) has endorsed a call to cut deference to donor families and halt legacy admissions in the District’s private and public colleges. During a July 14 public meeting, the board voted 8-1 to pass Resolution SR24-16.  Testimonies from a number of Georgetown University students were given.

Many of the student advocates argued that the practice stifles diversity, preventing low-income and Black and Brown students from accessing equitable opportunity in higher education, particularly at prestigious institutions. Rising sophomore Darius Wagner dubbed it “affirmative action for the White and wealthy.” 

“At Georgetown alone, there are more students from the top 1 percent than the bottom 60 percent. Students from the top 1 percent are 2.7 times more likely to attend Georgetown than an average income student with the same exact test score,” said Wagner. “There are more legacy students at Georgetown than Black and Hispanic students, respectively. It’s clear that this pattern of fast-tracking is giving advantages to people who already have advantages.” 

The first-generation student contended that legacy students begin amassing privileges from birth. They may have access to tutors and better elementary, middle and high school education. They may be able to participate in more extracurricular activities. 

He also noted that they benefit from having a parent who already attended college. 

“All of these benefits are already provided to affluent students, and then they get another added boost in the admission process. We fundamentally think that’s unfair,” said Wagner. “We know that ending legacy admissions is going to be one step, but an important step, in helping us ensure that there’s more fairness in this process and in increasing and protecting the diversity of our institutions.” 

SBOE Representative Eric Goulet, of Ward 3, championed the students’ perspectives. He called D.C. a tale of two cities, where its racial divide between the East and West aligns with a sharp economic opportunity gap. 

He cited racial disparities in unemployment, income and child poverty. 

“Having a tool that preserves the status quo is something we need to abolish. To be clear, we’re not even fully abolishing it in this resolution,” said Goulet during the meeting. “We are demanding that if universities want to retain the ability to consider legacy preference in their admissions, they’ve got to do better in reaching out and bringing in more students who are eligible for Pell grants. , we can bring in students from lower incomes, diverse backgrounds and bring racial and economic equity to higher education.”

President Eboni-Rose Thompson, of Ward 7, was the only board member who opposed the resolution. She pointed out that a ban on legacy admissions would also inhibit Black and Brown alumni from passing on advantages to their families. 

“You have wealthy, White people who have been able to amass not just privilege, but everything else over generations, of generations, of generations, of generations,” said Thompson. “Then, as you start to get people who now could benefit and are Black, Brown and first-generation college students, you say to them you can’t use that to build your family or your community.” 

The board’s decision does not mean an automatic end to legacy and donor admission preferences in District colleges. However, it is a signal to the D.C. Council to pass the Fair College Admissions for Students Act, which prohibits the practice. 

The bill was introduced in 2022 by New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman and Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. States, including Virginia, Maryland and Colorado, have also already banned legacy admissions through state legislation. 

“We want the D.C. Council to see that while this did start with just a few students concerned about fairness in education, these concerns have been recognized,” said Wagner. “This is an issue that D.C. should prioritize.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE) has endorsed a call to cut deference to donor families and halt legacy admissions in the District’s private and public colleges. During a July 14 public meeting, the board voted 8-1 to pass Resolution SR24-16.  Testimonies from a number of Georgetown University students were given.

Many of the student advocates argued that the practice stifles diversity, preventing low-income and Black and Brown students from accessing equitable opportunity in higher education, particularly at prestigious institutions. Rising sophomore Darius Wagner dubbed it “affirmative action for the White and wealthy.” 

“At Georgetown alone, there are more students from the top 1 percent than the bottom 60 percent. Students from the top 1 percent are 2.7 times more likely to attend Georgetown than an average income student with the same exact test score,” said Wagner. “There are more legacy students at Georgetown than Black and Hispanic students, respectively. It’s clear that this pattern of fast-tracking is giving advantages to people who already have advantages.” 

The first-generation student contended that legacy students begin amassing privileges from birth. They may have access to tutors and better elementary, middle and high school education. They may be able to participate in more extracurricular activities. 

He also noted that they benefit from having a parent who already attended college. 

“All of these benefits are already provided to affluent students, and then they get another added boost in the admission process. We fundamentally think that’s unfair,” said Wagner. “We know that ending legacy admissions is going to be one step, but an important step, in helping us ensure that there’s more fairness in this process and in increasing and protecting the diversity of our institutions.” 

SBOE Representative Eric Goulet, of Ward 3, championed the students’ perspectives. He called D.C. a tale of two cities, where its racial divide between the East and West aligns with a sharp economic opportunity gap. 

He cited racial disparities in unemployment, income and child poverty. 

“Having a tool that preserves the status quo is something we need to abolish. To be clear, we’re not even fully abolishing it in this resolution,” said Goulet during the meeting. “We are demanding that if universities want to retain the ability to consider legacy preference in their admissions, they’ve got to do better in reaching out and bringing in more students who are eligible for Pell grants. [Then], we can bring in students from lower incomes, diverse backgrounds and bring racial and economic equity to higher education.”

President Eboni-Rose Thompson, of Ward 7, was the only board member who opposed the resolution. She pointed out that a ban on legacy admissions would also inhibit Black and Brown alumni from passing on advantages to their families. 

“You have wealthy, White people who have been able to amass not just privilege, but everything else over generations, of generations, of generations, of generations,” said Thompson. “Then, as you start to get people who now could benefit and are Black, Brown and first-generation college students, you say to them you can’t use that to build your family or your community.” 

The board’s decision does not mean an automatic end to legacy and donor admission preferences in District colleges. However, it is a signal to the D.C. Council to pass the Fair College Admissions for Students Act, which prohibits the practice. 

The bill was introduced in 2022 by New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman and Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. States, including Virginia, Maryland and Colorado, have also already banned legacy admissions through state legislation. 

“We want the D.C. Council to see that while this did start with just a few students concerned about fairness in education, these concerns have been recognized,” said Wagner. “This is an issue that D.C. should prioritize.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The effects of climate change can be likened to a Russian doll, revealing layers of intertwined consequences as you explore the phenomenon.

On the surface, the planet faces rising temperatures and extreme weather events, but these side effects come with ramifications of their own— some of which further beget climate change. This can be seen in positive feedback loops.

“A positive feedback loop is where one process accelerates or exacerbates another. For instance, with climate warming in high-latitude ecosystems there is increased likelihood, frequency and intensity of wildfires,” said Carly Phillips, research scientist in the Science Hub for Climate Litigation for the Union of Concerned Scientists. “As a result of their burning, greenhouse gasses are released, exacerbating global warming, which drives the wildfires in the first place.”

According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), the U.S. experienced more than 56,500 wildfires in 2023, burning 3.6 million acres of land. Canada also notably had its worst wildfire season yet with smoke reaching a number of Northeastern and Midwestern states in the U.S.

The AFRO recently connected with Phillips to dive deeper into the implications of the burning.

What are some of the unforeseen impacts of wildfires?

While wildfires are present in folks’ minds, I think the subsequent impacts are not necessarily as well appreciated or understood. In high latitude areas, there is a huge amount of carbon stored particularly below the ground in organic matter and soil. It’s also in permafrost, which is lower down in the soil profile.

In these ecosystems, wildfires are burning increasingly larger areas at higher severity as the climate warms. When they burn, a lot of greenhouse gasses are released. There are air quality impacts that are really serious and widespread, but on top of that, the smoke and gasses that are released are a huge contribution to climate change, like carbon dioxide and methane.

There have also been several studies published over the past few years that point to increases in lightning strikes in Arctic ecosystems. We know that in Alaska, lightning has been a huge driver of these major fire seasons they’ve seen over the last 10 years or so. That can have major implications for wildfires and thawing permafrost which can intensify climate warming.

How are people affected by wildfires even if they do not live in the immediate vicinity of the burning?

Smoke is a big one. Families may have to keep their kids indoors for multiple days at a time because it isn’t safe for them to be outside. There are also consequences that result from accelerating climate change even though they may feel abstract.

As emissions from wildfires are exacerbating global warming, people are feeling rising temperatures, which lead to the heat waves that we’re all experiencing this summer. There’s a cascading effect from the exacerbation of climate change that can’t be understated.

How does the fossil fuel industry contribute to the risk of wildfires and other climate change impacts?

The evidence shows that the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation are indubitably the primary drivers of climate change and the increase of greenhouse gasses we see in the atmosphere. It’s not just the fossil fuels themselves but the fossil fuel industry that drives climate change through historical, ongoing deceptive practices. The industry has initiated campaigns to delay climate action and sow doubt about the veracity of climate science despite the incredible evidence that’s emerged over the past 20 years or so.

There have been advertisements that are disguised as editorial, which attack the science behind climate change. In some cases, they even attack the scientists themselves and their credibility.

We also know that internal research at some of these companies pointed to the risks of climate change really early on. However, instead of amplifying that information and warning about the dangers their products would cause, there was a concerted campaign to deceive the general public about what those risks were.

As wildfires intensify, what outcomes might we see in communities?

Wildfire smoke has been linked to things like increasing rates of asthma and lower birth weight. In California, we’re seeing insurers pull out of the market, and I think that’s related to wildfires escalating there.

We may also be faced with some hard choices about where we rebuild. There are people in communities who are very rooted in their sense of place, so what does it mean to lose that? I think that’s something the world is grappling with. How are folks navigating through losses and damages caused by wildfires and how are they being compensated not just in the U.S. but globally?

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

It’s not difficult for people to observe the influence climate change has had on the planet, whether through extreme weather, wildfires, droughts, melting glaciers or rising sea levels. But, its impact on communities’ health may not be as easily detected. 

Black communities, in particular, are especially vulnerable to environmental hazards generated and exacerbated by climate change. According to a 2023 study from McKinsey and Company, African Americans are 1.4 times more likely than their counterparts to be exposed to extreme heat. 

This not only has implications for their physical health but also their finances, as the report notes extreme heat can prevent people from attending work.

In part, the reason for this increased exposure rests in historical and systemic practices, like redlining. 

“Heat and heat-related conditions impact people in different ways based on the environments in which they live. Even though redlining and segregation have been removed on paper, their legacy and practices still continue,” said Lorece Edwards, professor of public health at Morgan State University. “We live in concrete jungles where there is nothing but cement all around, and trust me, I have felt the heat come up from the ground under my pants leg.” 

Redlining refers to the practice of denying loans, access to credit and other financial services to neighborhoods predominantly made up of minority populations. The word originates from the federal government and lenders drawing red lines on maps around neighborhoods that were considered risky investments. 

Urban areas—historically targeted for redlining—are covered in concrete and asphalt with buildings made of brick and metal, all of which absorb and retain heat. They also lack green spaces, which help to reduce heat and provide shade.  

Redlined communities also experience health disparities, which can be intensified by extreme heat. 

“In these redlined or segregated areas, you have children with asthma, people with chronic lung diseases and people with heart disease,” said Edwards. “These temperatures are harder on them, and they are the ones who don’t have access to transportation or the finances to put air conditioners in.” 

According to the McKinsey and Company report, the rate of heat-related emergency department visits grew by 67 percent for African Americans compared to 27 percent for their White counterparts between 2005 and 2015. The study also revealed that extreme heat could result in the death of 60,000 people each year by 2050. 

Some of the more obvious outcomes of exposure to extreme heat include dehydration, heat stroke, heat rash and heat exhaustion. Maija Anderson, chair of MSU’s Department of Nursing, explained that it can also aggravate cardiovascular conditions, asthma, respiratory problems and kidney function, all of which disproportionately impact Black communities. 

She offered guidance for people to protect themselves from the scorching temperatures.  

“Try not to play outside when it’s really hot. Get your exercise in the early morning or late at night when temperatures are dropping. Try to wear light clothing,” said Anderson. “Hydration is really important. For people who have issues with breathing or are diagnosed as asthmatic, make sure you have your emergency inhaler on hand.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Wells Fargo Foundation recently supplied $500,000 in grants to five Washington, D.C. nonprofits as part of a broader effort to address systemic housing challenges in the city. The goal of the funding is to support the creation and preservation of generational wealth through homeownership. 

The five organizations included, Building Bridges Across the River, Manna, Latino Economic Development Center, Centro de Apoyo Familiar and DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF). 

 “As the Bank of Doing, Wells Fargo is dedicated to developing solutions that increase the supply of homes that are affordable and support families in realizing the dream of homeownership and opportunities for building wealth,” said Victor Burrola, vice president of philanthropy and community impact for Wells Fargo in Washington, D.C. “These grants further demonstrate our dedication to Washington D.C., and our efforts to provide housing affordability solutions to individuals and families across the region.”

DCALF Executive Director Gabby Mulnick Majewski said her organization will use its $100,000 grant to provide free estate planning services to District families.

“At DCALF, we have been really focused on how the free legal services we deliver can expand security for families in a variety of ways,” said Majewski. “One of the key places where we feel our work can be very disruptive and transformational is empowering individuals with proactive estate planning services.” 

She explained that this endeavor was driven by the nonprofit’s work in heirs property, which occurs when real estate is inherited by multiple individuals after the owner dies without leaving a will. DCALF is one of the leading organizations for the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Heirs Property Assistance Program, which was launched in 2023. It supports low-income households and individuals in resolving title issues.

“We’re thrilled to be helping families with the very tedious, bureaucratic process of clearing titles and moving through probate, but our belief is that no one should be stuck in the probate system,” said Majewski. “As we’ve expanded our heirs property and probate work, we have been laser focused on finding new outlets and opportunities to reach families with information about estate planning and delivering those services at the key moments when people are thinking about their assets and legacies.” 

DCALF will work with the District’s housing counseling services to ensure residents can access these services. 

Majewski explained that just 31 percent of people have estate plans. The share is even smaller for African Americans. 

“I think that’s often due to the fact that at many points in time in our nation’s history, Black people have been deprived of their property through many systemic, intentional injustices that have been perpetuated. When you compound that with the fact that people don’t like thinking about death, it creates a situation where our Black and Brown families have been that much more vulnerable to tangled titles and a loss of property that can come from a lack of planning,” said Majewski. “Being able to do our part in helping to stem the tide of these horrific losses of property and empower folks with new resources to proactively build the wealth that many White families have been able to do through intentional estate planning is an important mission for us.”  

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

In January, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) delivered an opinion and final order prohibiting Intuit, parent company to TurboTax, from advertising its services as “free” unless they are free to all customers, or if stipulations are clearly communicated. The directive came after an investigation into deceptive advertising claims against the global financial technology company. 

Intuit has since appealed the FTC ruling in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In response, D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, alongside 22 state attorneys general, filed a brief calling for the appeal to be rejected on June 24. 

“Intuit misled taxpayers in D.C. and across the country with ads falsely claiming TurboTax was free,” said Schwalb in a statement. “Preying upon low-income taxpayers and military families who were eligible to file their taxes at no cost, Intuit pocketed millions of dollars in profit. The FTC’s cease and desist order protects consumers from this type of unacceptable, illegal conduct.” 

Intuit previously settled with a coalition of 50 states and D.C. in 2022, resolving state probes into allegations that the company misled consumers about TurboTax’s services. The agreement included $141 million for Americans who paid to file their taxes on TurboTax when the software should have been free. Nearly 4.4 million customers across the country received a payment, according to Intuit.  

A few months before the January opinion and final order, the FTC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell ruled that Intuit participated in deceptive advertising. He ordered a cease and desist on these alleged practices. 

Representatives from Intuit have concerns surrounding the objectivity of the judgment, particularly because it was the FTC that lodged the suit and a judge employed by the agency who issued the ruling. 

“We resolved the core of the FTC’s complaint against us more than two years ago with the settlement with all of the state attorneys general,” said Derrick Plummer, a spokesperson for Intuit. “The FTC’s five-year escapade against us is an overreach and waste of taxpayer dollars. Intuit has always been clear and fair with our customers.”

“We have appealed the FTC’s unconstitutional order to the federal appellate court and are confident that when our case is heard, we will win,” he continued.

Attorneys general from Maryland, Maine, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin joined Schwalb and Raoul in filing the June brief. 

The officials urged the court to side with the FTC’s opinion. 
“Intuit’s arguments in this appeal— which attempt to invalidate the commission’s opinion by claiming that it was not supported by substantial evidence and that the relief the commission ordered was unnecessary given the states’ settlement— would, if adopted, interfere with the states’ interests in preventing deceptive advertising,” wrote the attorneys general in the brief.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

After piloting AP African American Studies during the 2023-2024 school year, the Harford County Board of Education (BOE) has denied a request to make the elective course permanent. Board members voted 5-4 to end the class during a meeting on June 24.

The decision comes after the College Board course faced political attacks, largely initiated by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who blocked the course in 2023. It also follows action from a number of states to ban critical race theory. 

The Harford County NAACP Branch has since expressed its disapproval of the decision and asked the BOE to reconsider. 

“We watched the Harford County Board of Education strip away student’s right to learn about African American history because the majority of the board, who are not people of color, decided that real history isn’t positive or uplifting enough,” President Vicki Jones told the AFRO. “Slavery was real. It was ugly and brutal for Black Americans to be sold and tortured. Segregation was real. We still see the effects of it in the division of our county’s districts.” 

Much of the board’s opposition centered members’ beliefs that the course pushes a political agenda that vilifies law enforcement and neglects to reflect the progress in equality. 

“The topics are heavily political-oriented, perpetuate the message of oppressed versus oppressor and expand beyond the course title and history years to include interlocking systems of oppression in social categories of class and other areas. I didn’t find positive messages that weren’t overwhelmed by the negative messages,” said Board member Terri Kocher during the meeting. “I think we’re missing an opportunity to present positive messages of unity and great American contributions.” 

Kocher said the course failed to illustrate the headway that’s been made. Instead, she said it paints activism as a way to propagate a victim mentality and a derogatory attitude toward the police. 

Board member Lauren Paige Strauss dissented for similar reasons. She expressed concerns about the divisiveness that the course’s content could cause. Both Strauss and Kocher said the curriculum would need to be changed for them to approve the course. But, as the course development is overseen by the College Board, this is not possible.

“I think it does capture hardships and struggles, but I don’t think it accurately or adequately captures the progress that this country has made,” said Strauss. “My decision tonight is surrounded on my belief that there’s a portion of the content that pits Americans against America.” 

Three Harford County public schools piloted AP African American Studies during the 2023-2024 school year, Aberdeen High School, Belair High School and Joppatowne High School. Erin Lange, supervisor of social science for the school district, led the request for the course’s approval during the board meeting. 

She described the class as an evidence-based introduction to African American studies that examines the vital contributions of Black people. She also noted that 355 colleges and universities have agreed to offer college credit, advanced placement or both to students who do well on the exam. 

“We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both our students and our staff, and next year eight schools have signed up to run this course if it’s approved by the board,” said Lange.  

Board members Carol Bruce and Carol Mueller advocated for the approval of the course during the meeting. Mueller highlighted research showing that students who take AP courses perform better in college. 

“We’re taking away an opportunity to put them in a course that will help them to do better in college work in the future,” said Mueller. 

Bruce implied it was senseless to reject the class based on the curriculum, as teachers ultimately dictate how it’s instructed to their students. She said it was parents’ responsibility to determine whether the content is appropriate. 

“Maybe there’s some tweaking that needs to be done, but for us to keep on saying we don’t want it because it’s political, I think that’s unfair,” said Bruce. “I think it’s short-sighted, and it’s pitting African Americans against non-African Americans because we want to speak up to say we want history taught.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Fears over the future of the newspaper industry are not new. With the transition to the internet in the 1990s, the rise of social media in the 2000s and the emergence of artificial intelligence, media organizations have had to continually adapt. 

As consumption patterns change, advertising revenue slows and media consolidation takes place, some organizations may perceive more obstacles than opportunities. However, Benjamin Chavis, president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), has the opposite outlook. 

“All businesses have challenges and opportunities,” said Chavis. “The question is, are the opportunities greater than the challenges? That answer is yes.” 

The opportunities at hand rest in news organizations’ ability to deliver content through a multitude of mediums, which Chavis thinks has expanded the business model. 

“Black press is still in the print business, but it’s expanded to digital and social media. A lot of our businesses are multimedia companies now,” said Chavis. “Some people think one media form supplants the other, but that’s not accurate. We’re content producers and distributors. It’s a matter of how we distribute content, and we do that in multiple formats and channels.” 

Bobby R. Henry Sr., chairman of the NNPA and publisher of the Westside Gazette, thinks there’s also a certain amount of grit that sustains the business of the Black press. 

His father, Levi Henry Jr., started the family paper more than 50 years ago in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. after being misquoted by one of the local White-owned papers, which refused to retract or correct the quote. Its early motto was “a positive paper for a positive people.” 

Growing up at the paper and then leading it, Henry Sr. remembers encountering many trials and tribulations. 

“I vividly remember the struggles, the sleepless night and not being able to pay the printer. All of that comes to mind,” said Henry Sr. “When I’m asked about a business model, it’s to grind by any means necessary.” 

Henry Sr. noted that social media and recent initiatives to secure the future of news have created additional avenues for gaining revenue. But, for him, the true power is in the content the Black press disseminates. 

“The core of gaining the revenue is the same. It’s the message that we’re putting out and the voices that we’re speaking for,” said Henry Sr. “Though we try to engage on all fonts, that doesn’t mean anything if we don’t have the pulse of the people.” 

Chavis shared this perspective. He said the Black press has earned its position as the trusted voice of the Black community. This distinction underpins the value of Black media. 

“It adds value to everything that we do, everything that we publish and everything that we distribute,” said Chavis. “Potential sponsors and advertisers get a greater return on investment when they do business with the Black press because we’re the trusted voice.” 

In the face of attacks on Black history and diversity, equity and inclusion, both Henry Sr. and Chavis think safeguarding the future of the Black press is of vital importance. For Henry Sr., it’s even a matter of life and death, and it’s going to take a team effort to achieve. 

He thinks the Black community cannot win the battle alone. The team must include people from allied communities, but they must be chosen carefully. 

Chavis noted that the protection of the Black press is not just for the benefit of Black communities but for everyone. He compared it to Martin Luther King’s dream. While many think the renowned civil rights leader was only advocating for the rights of African Americans, Chavis said he was fighting for the liberation and self-determination of all Americans. 

“The future of the Black press and the future of Black America are inextricably linked. If the Black press becomes silent, that will be injurious to the future of Black America,” said Chavis. “We serve as a vital source of information not only to Black America but to America in general.” 

The post A trusted voice: Preserving the future of the Black press appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Natural hair care founder Nicole Schuler is set to host the inaugural Hair Education and Beauty Summit (HEBS) on July 7-8 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J. The two-day event will feature panel conversations, live demonstrations, workshops, musical performances and competitions. 

Schuler was inspired to create the summit after attending hair shows herself. She realized the high costs associated with the events could deter hair professionals from attending them and getting the exposure they need to build their brand. 

“There’s so much bureaucracy that goes into it. You might have to spend $10,000, and an average person is not going to spend that to be able to expose their unique talents,” said Schuler. “The Hair Education and Beauty Summit is providing you with that platform. It’s a big network that brings people together feasibly and affordably.” 

The Nigeria native is the creator of PureO Natural Products, a multicultural hair care line she started in 2012. Growing up, Schuler recalled her hair being shaved in the fifth grade—a practice that was commonplace in schools at the time. 

When she moved to the states, she discovered that her shaved head was unconventional. 

“Being thrown into America in the seventh grade, coming here baldheaded was not acceptable. My normal became abnormal in America, and it became a struggle finding a look that I could embrace,” said Schuler. “I think it took me 10 to 15 years to find the look that speaks to me.” 

HEBS is her way of creating opportunities for hair professionals in the state she spent much of her life in. The exhibition is divided into seven specialities, including barbering, locs and braids, protective styling, nail art, skincare, make-up and hair coloring. Each experience has experts sharing their techniques through group discussions, demos and consultations. 

HEBS will also feature four contests, including a barber battle, wild and crazy hair competition, a business pitch competition and a fantasy hair challenge for cosmetology students. 

Celebrity hair stylist Terrence Davidson, affectionately known as the “King of Hair,” will serve as a judge for the latter. 

“You can’t have a fantasy hair competition without having someone who kills the game and has been winning for years in this category. I’m all in for that,” said Davidson. “I love seeing people create. I love giving back to those who are trying to come up in the game and build the same way I built.” 

In highschool, the New Jersey native designed hairstyles for his female peers. Although he intended to obtain a business degree in college, he discovered he didn’t have a passion for it. Davidson decided to go to cosmetology school instead. 

After running a few hair salons in Atlanta, he started working for celebrities. His first client was the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of R&B girl group, TLC. He’s since worked with Remy Ma, Lil’ Kim and Patti LaBelle. 

Davidson commended Schuler for putting on HEBS. 

“We need more Black beauty brands to put on shows like this,” said Davison. “That way, we can support each other in the best way we can.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

It’s been more than a century since a White mob looted, bombed and burned down Greenwood’s thriving Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Okla., destroying one of the wealthiest African-American communities in the country. Still, no trial has been conducted, and no one has been held legally responsible for what experts consider one of the most severe instances of racial violence in U.S. history. 

In June, the Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a 2023 decision made by a Tulsa district court judge, dismissing a case for reparations led by those who lived through the race riot. The two remaining survivors, 110-year-old Viola Fletcher and 109-year-old Lessie Benningfield Randle, denounced the decision and called for a federal investigation into the massacre on July 2. 

“Although our quest for justice in Oklahoma may be over, for as long as we remain in this lifetime, we will continue to shine a light on one of the darkest days in American history. But, we know there is more that can be done,” said Randle and Fletcher, in a statement read by McKenzie Haynes, a member of the women’s legal team. “We ask the United States Department of Justice to intervene, open an investigation into the massacre and do what Oklahoma has never done. It’s not too late to do the right thing.” 

Randle and Fletcher were young girls when they witnessed the destruction of their community. They have both described the long-lasting financial and emotional distress that the massacre caused them and their families. On that May day in 1921, more than 1,400 homes and businesses were burned, leaving almost 10,000 people homeless, according to Brittanica. As many as 300 people died, most of them African Americans. 

The pair, along with Fletcher’s late brother Hughes Van Ellis, sued the city of Tulsa for reparations in 2020 under Oklahoma’s public nuisance law. But, Judge Caroline Wall dismissed the case last year, saying it failed to meet the legal parameters of the statute. 

The Oklahoma Supreme Court voted 8-1 to uphold the decision on June 12. Aside from soliciting the help of the DOJ, Randle and Fletcher’s legal team have filed a petition for a rehearing in the court. 

“We are profoundly disappointed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision ro reject our lawsuit, and we are deeply saddened that we may not live long enough to see the state of Oklahoma or the United State of America honestly confront and right the wrongs of one of the darkest days in American history,” said Randle and Fletcher in their statement. “At 109 and 110 years old, we are weary, and we know that we are living in borrowed time.” 

In 2021, the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre, President Joe Biden met with Randle, Fletcher and Ellis. Lead attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons said the president promised the survivors that they would get justice. 

He asked the president to honor the vow.

“Now that we have been failed by the courts and by Congress, we are calling upon President Biden to fulfill his promise to these survivors, to this community and for Black people throughout this nation,” said Solomon-Simmons. “We hurt for the survivors, we hurt for the descendants and we hurt as a national Black community for the destruction of Greenwood.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Maryland Legal Aid, which specializes in providing law services to impoverished families, filed a lawsuit against the city of Baltimore on July 2, asserting that its tax sale process is unconstitutional and deprives residents of the generational equity they are due.

The suit was filed on behalf of the Edmondson Community Organization (ECO), which lost its West Baltimore property in 2018 through the annual auction. Maryland Legal Aid and ECO claim the building was seized and sold without just compensation.

The litigation trails a 2023 unanimous decision from the U.S. Supreme Court that prohibits the government from retaining more than the initial tax debt amount after taking and selling a person’s property.

“I stand with the people who live in the homes in this community. They raise their family in these homes, they have cookouts in these homes and they build wealth in these homes that they pass down to their children and grandchildren,” said Somil Trivedi, chief legal and advocacy director for Maryland Legal Aid. “It’s these homes that are the subject of this lawsuit because the government is selling them out from under you for pennies on the dollar.”

“Worse yet, the city is actively depressing the equity in those homes, robbing your families and communities of the vital generational wealth that is required to keep this community running,” he continued.

When an individual fails to pay their property taxes, the government can place a tax lien on the home. Each year, the city of Baltimore sells these tax liens in a public, online auction to outside bidders, ultimately awarding them to the highest bidder. The former property owner is entitled to receive compensation equal to the difference between the amount of the tax lien and winning bid.

ECO and Maryland Legal Aid argue that the city’s process is unlawful for several reasons: it charges a high-bid premium that discourages bidders from making fair bids, it does not impose a minimum bid other than the amount of the lien and it does not adequately advertise the properties for sale, which hinders competition.

They believe these factors have led to homes being sold for a fraction of their true market value.

“Yes, people have to pay their taxes— of course they do,” said Jonathan Sacks, executive director of ECO’s development division. “But, it’s about a super complex system that is perfectly constructed for sophisticated, large-scale investors to steal the generational equity of low-income and, often, African-American families and leaving a housing detritus across Baltimore in the wake of those actions.”

According to the complaint, ECO owed $2,543 in taxes when its headquarters became part of the city’s tax sale in 2018. California-based investor Tempest, purchased the nonprofit’s lien for $5,115. After foreclosing on ECO’s right of redemption in 2019, Tempest sold the property for $139,500 during a public auction in 2022.

Prior to the sale, ECO president Joe Richardson raised $65,000 to buy back the property from Tempest, but the company refused the offer, according to the complaint. ECO received just $2,571 from the city, the balance of the tax sale.

“To the city, we say your tax sale is not a property sale,” Sacks added. “Yet, in many cases, it’s acting like one unfairly by giving away to speculators—through the backdoor— the homes, community centers and businesses of Baltimore residents, while giving nothing or next to nothing back in compensation to those owners.”

ECO was established in 1993 to serve the Midtown-Edmondson neighborhood, a primarily Black and long disinvested community. It opened its Edmondson Avenue community center in 1995.

Sacks said ECO’s building was the last community asset in the neighborhood, as it does not have a school, city-run facility, library or police station. ECO is seeking monetary damages from the city and asking a U.S. District Court to require Baltimore to end its practices.

“Your extractive, tangled title-creating, long-term vacancy-spreading, community-destroying tax sale is going to be over with this case,” said Sacks. “It’s time to build a new tax sale model—one based on extreme empathy for low-income, marginalized residents facing hardship, one with policies that value properties for what they are actually worth when a taking is absolutely necessary and one that returns the excess equity after taxes are paid back to the original owners, not to the speculators.”

The post Maryland Legal Aid sues Baltimore City for ‘unconstitutional’ tax sale appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Dali container ship, which struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, has left the Port of Baltimore after nearly three months of being stuck in the Patapsco River. The U.S. Coast Guard announced the vessel’s departure on June 24 and is overseeing its voyage. 

The Dali’s first stop will be at Virginia International Gateway where 1,500 containers will be removed to reduce its draft. It will then sail to the Norfolk International Terminal for ongoing salvaging and repair operations. 

“During the transit, the Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, an 87-foot Marine Protector-class patrol boat homeported in Virginia Beach, will provide a 500-yard safety zone around the Dali while Coast Guard watchstanders at command centers in the Fifth Coast Guard District, in Portsmouth, Virginia, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region and Sector Virginia will closely monitor the ship’s movement as it transits through each captain of the port zone,” wrote the Coast Guard in its release. 

The Dali is manned by a 22-person crew and six salvage experts from Resolve Marine, according to the Coast Guard. Four tugboats are also accompanying the vessel on its journey. 

Members of the maritime community can tune into VHF radio channel 16 to receive updates about the ship’s movements from the Coast Guard. 

The Dali crashed into the Key Bridge in the early morning hours of March 26 after losing power. Eight construction workers were on the bridge during the collision—six of whom died in the accident. 

A National Transportation Safety Board report later revealed the ship had two blackouts 10 hours before leaving the port. The agency is still in the process of determining what led to the power outages. 

The Dali’s June 24th departure from Baltimore coincided with the Maryland Transportation Authority’s (MDTA) deadline for proposals to rebuild the Key Bridge. The department hopes construction will be completed by 2028. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The term “digital divide” rose to national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools, businesses and workplaces went virtual, a spotlight was shone on the bleak reality of disparities in internet and technology access for underserved communities. 

In Baltimore, the Abell Foundation discovered that 73.3 percent of White households had access to wired internet connection compared to 50.2 Black households respectively. Gaps were also uncovered in device access, as 60 percent of Black families had one laptop or desktop computer compared to 80.7 percent of White families. 

“The digital divide is evidenced by the very high number of low-income communities who do not have wireline, in-home internet service,” said Kenya Asli, director for the Office of Broadband Digital Equity (BDE) for the city of Baltimore. “Wireless is great, 5G is good, but wireline is a reliable, consistent connection.” 

“Even if you have wirelines, part of the digital divide is the affordability issue,”  Asli continued. “You can have in-home internet connectivity, but it may cost you $200 a month.” 

With technology tied to nearly every facet of daily life, the digital divide becomes a paralyzing obstacle in navigating the world today. Access to high-speed, reliable internet and devices underpins access to education, employment, healthcare, financial services, social programs and more. 

The impact of the divide has led to calls to action for digital inclusion, or equity, which maintains that every person should have equal access to technology and digital resources. 

“It’s a 21st century problem because digital equity is intertwined with every other issue. When you think of digital equity, you think about telehealth if you’re a healthcare provider,” said Cody Dorsey, executive director of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition. “If you’re an educator, you think about virtual learning. It also intersects with public safety.” 

Dorsey’s organization was established in 2020 to promote advocacy for the closing of the digital divide and advancement of digital equity. While statistics surrounding connectivity in Baltimore put the gaps into numbers, Dorsey said it’s the lived experiences of residents that really illustrate how critical the problem is. 

“We’ve heard stories of parents having to choose which child gets on Zoom for school,” said Dorsey. “We’ve heard stories of grandparents not getting visits from their grandchildren because they don’t have the internet.”

“When we think about digital equity, oftentimes, we talk about the internet connectivity piece, but there’s also the skills piece. With AI, we have to make sure people know what’s real and what’s fake,” Dorsey added. “We have to make sure people know how to work a device and are prepared for the workforce because 92 percent of jobs across the country require some level of digital skill.” 

In December 2023, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott in conjunction with the Baltimore City Office of Information and Technology (BCIT) announced a five-year plan to decrease the digital divide, improve the city’s digital infrastructure and enable residents to equitably engage with technology. 

The blueprint centers on four actionable goals: provide Baltimoreans with access to reliable, high-speed internet, enable them to obtain modern devices, offer digital skills training and supply technical support in multiple languages to all residents who need it. 

BDE, an office under BCIT, has been tasked with implementing the plan. Asli said they’ve already begun to make progress. 

Ensuring residents have access to reliable, high-speed broadband

Baltimore’s focus for internet connection rests in fiber optics. 

“Fiber provides faster, more reliable speeds,” said Asli. “We want to make sure that Baltimore City has a future-facing network that will last a few generations.” 

On the heels of the Digital Inclusion Strategy roll-out, Scott launched FreeBmoreWifi, a public-facing, free Wi-Fi network. It will be available in every city recreation center and several older adult centers. 

“The plan is to get all 50 recreation centers done by August,” said Asli. “We already have 11 completed, and we wired up two pools just in time for Memorial day. In our recreation centers, we’re going to have indoor and outdoor, public Wi-Fi.” 

The city is also addressing affordability with the Bmore Connected campaign. The initiative advocates for the reauthorization of the federal government’s Affordability Connectivity Program (ACP), which offered a monthly discounted internet service and a one-time subsidy for the purchase of a device. The program ended on June 1 due to a lack of funding from Congress. 

To complement this effort, Baltimore is using $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to deploy grants to local nonprofits and anchor institutions for the construction of broadband networks. The Connect Baltimore Broadband Grant Program is targeting internet service providers (ISPs) that will work in low-income communities—primarily multi-dwelling units— and provide internet service at low to no cost. 

It’s part of Baltimore’s strategy to increase ISP competition in the city, which can create more affordable service options for residents. Later this year, Asli said a request for proposal (RFP) will be released to invite a new ISP to provide free internet service in eight of the Housing Authority of Baltimore City’s (HABC) public housing locations.  

In the past, costs have been a barrier for attracting new ISPs. But, Baltimore is building out its middle mile infrastructure, which will enable ISPs to save money by leasing existing city lines to deliver internet service. 

“What we hear time and time again from Baltimore City residents is we only have one provider in the city—good, bad or otherwise. They want to see more competition,” said Asli. “The belief is more competition will drive down those prices or at least offer a variety of price points.” 

Getting devices in the hands of Baltimoreans

As part of a grant from the Maryland Connected Devices Program (MD-CDP), Baltimore has been in the process of distributing 50,000 Chromebooks to low-income households at no charge. BDE partnered with the Enoch Pratt Free Library to deploy the devices and expects to finish delivering them by December. 

It also forged a partnership between Baltimore City Recreation and Parks and the library system to provide a number of Chromebooks to each of the city’s recreation centers. 

Digital skills education and technical support

BDE has developed a directory of online training courses for residents that will be available on the devices at recreation centers. Asli acknowledged that this resource is limited to those who already know how to use technology. 

“We know online training is great for those who know how to use devices. But, if you don’t then what?” said Asli. 

To address this challenge, the second round of Baltimore’s Digital Equity Fund will award grants to nonprofits that can provide in-person training at recreation and community centers around the city. The first round of the fund delivered $1 million to more than 20 organizations for programs covering device access, digital literacy and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. 

“We’re beginning to call rec centers, ‘tech hubs,’” said Asli. “Every rec center will have indoor and outdoor public Wi-Fi, devices you can borrow on site, a directory of training providers and, where possible, in-person training.” 

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, commemorates the day that Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to declare the freedom of some 250,000 enslaved African Americans in the state. Two years prior, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which decreed the liberation of enslaved people in Confederate territories during the Civil War. 

According to the National Archives, on June 19, 1865, “U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, which informed the people of Texas that all enslaved people were now free.” 

The holiday is known by a variety of monikers, like “Jubilee Day,” “Black Independence Day” and “Freedom Day.” In 2021, President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday. 

“One of the most important things about Juneteenth is that its rise was meteoric. The fact that it was established as a federal holiday only partly speaks to its popularity and impact,” said Anthony Cohen, historian and president of the Menare Foundation, an organization that protects the legacy of the Underground Railroad. “I think the Black Lives Matter movement and the murder of George Floyd really elevated the observance of the holiday in the American mind.” 

“The codification of it into federal law has elevated it as a holiday like we’ve seen no other— it being celebrated almost instantly nationwide,” continued Cohen. “The history is also being retold and learned by generations who have never heard of it.” 

Cohen learned about Juneteenth as a young child, before he could really grasp the significance. His mother was born in Houston, Texas, just two blocks away from Emancipation Park, which was created in 1872 to hold Juneteenth celebrations. 

He said people often mistake the holiday for the end of slavery, but that wouldn’t come until December 1865 with the passing of the 13th Amendment. 

“Lincoln’s proclamation effectively didn’t free slaves anywhere. It was more symbolic. It was aimed at people enslaved in the Confederate or rebel states, which Lincoln did not have control over,” said Cohen. “But, it sent a very clear message that the Union was fighting for the end of slavery where it existed.” 

Maryland was a border state during the Civil War. Although it was a slave state, Maryland did not secede from the Union and was not subject to the Emancipation Proclamation. However, according to David Armenti, vice president of education and engagement at the Maryland Center for History and Culture, the decree made way for Black men to gain freedom by enlisting in the Union Army. 

“Soon after the proclamation, we start to see that men are being enrolled in the United States Colored Troops,” said Armenti. “In Maryland, we see a lot of individuals either self-emancipating by going to places like Baltimore or Washington D.C. where there is a federal government presence or we see individuals being freed, manumitted and enlisted.” 

In November 1864, the state of Maryland enacted a new constitution, which officially outlawed slavery months before the 13th Amendment was ratified in December 1865. 

“This happened while the war was still going on. Black men who were soldiers at the time were able to turn the tide on that vote. It wasn’t a foregone conclusion that the constitution was going to pass,” said Armenti. “It was a very close vote.” 

Although Juneteenth marks a significant turning point in American history, its acknowledgement has been limited in years past— especially outside of Black communities. Cohen attributed this to a dearth of education about the holiday’s history.

“So little of the African-American angle on American history has been taught in our schools. As time’s gone on, it’s clearly been taught more and more, unless you live in a state where there’s a broad assault on both Black history and Black people in general,” said Cohen. “However, I do think Juneteenth has been able to leapfrog from its almost unknown status to being a premier holiday.” 

Cohen said Juneteenth is a time for gathering with community, friends and family. He said people celebrate the holiday with reflection, singing Black spirituals, historical reenactments and food. His organization will host a Juneteenth 6K and 12K race to commemorate the holiday this year in Germantown, Md. 

The Juneteenth flag is also flown. It features the red, white and blue of the American flag, an arc that represents new horizons, the five-point star of Texas and a bigger star that symbolizes the proliferation of freedom, according to the General Services Administration. 

“Juneteenth is an opportunity for communities to be reminded of that long road out of slavery and to envision who they want to be as Americans,” said Cohen. “Celebrating it is a revolutionary act and a message to all the powers that be that we are destined to be one nation. It’s okay to celebrate that as we fight for it at the same time.” 

The post The historical roots of Juneteenth and its legacy today appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

JPMorgan Chase committed $8.45 million to advance economic and community development in Baltimore City on June 4. The firm will deploy funding to nonprofit organizations addressing the vacant housing crisis, commercial corridor restoration and small business growth. 

The investment is a part of JPMorgan Chase’s broader five-year, $20 million commitment to support Baltimore’s underserved communities, which was announced in January 2022. 

“There is just so much opportunity in Charm City, and we at JPMorgan Chase are committed to seizing it with all of you,” said Tim Berry, global head of corporate responsibility and chairman of the Mid-Atlantic region for the company. “Through thick and thin, we are here for the long haul and ready to continue showing up for Baltimore in both good and challenging times to create an even stronger local economy.”

Six million of the funding will be deployed to nonprofits working to fortify Baltimore’s housing supply, especially those that specialize in combating vacant housing. A special focus will be put on organizations that work to stabilize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and create wealth in underserved communities. 

Since Mayor Brandon M. Scott took office in 2020, the city has decreased the number of abandoned homes from nearly 16,000 to about 13,300—the lowest number in more than 20 years. Last December, he announced a $3 billion agreement with Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development (BUILD) and the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) to resolve the vacant housing crisis over the next 15 years. 

“We obviously have a lot of work to do, and partnerships like this one are an opportunity for us to work together to get it across the finish line,” said Scott. “The city can’t do it alone. GBC can’t do it alone. BUILD can’t do it alone. JPMorgan Chase can’t do it alone. We need everyone at the table to answer the call to Baltimore’s most long-standing challenges.” 

JPMorgan Chase will use $2.45 million of the funding to advance small business growth and revitalize the city’s commercial corridors.

 Of this share, $1.45 million will be delivered in five grants to community organizations, including Innovation Works, Revolve Fund and The Harbor Bank of Maryland, to provide technical assistance and capital to local small businesses. The Baltimore Civic Fund will receive $1 million for its “Vacancy to Vibrancy” initiative. The city of Baltimore is matching the investment. 

The initiative will support Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s BOOST Program, which supplies funding for entrepreneurs to open brick-and-mortar businesses in Downtown. It will also back a project to restore the West North Avenue corridor and Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street. 

“Today is an example of the power of public-private partnerships in addressing our city’s challenges, like vacant housing and growing our small businesses,” said Scott. “It’s no secret that every day I push my administration to tackle our biggest challenges and overcome the decades of purposeful disinvestment that so many of our communities have faced.” 

The post JPMorgan Chase to invest $8.45 million to address Baltimore’s vacancy crisis and revitalize commercial corridors appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles

AFRO Business Writer

msayles@afro.com

Sonja Santelises will lead Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) for another year. The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners voted 8-1 to extend the CEO’s contract on June 12, weeks before it was set to expire on June 30. Vice Chair Shantell L. Roberts opposed the extension. 

The one-year renewal is shorter than her previous four-year terms.  

“Tonight, the board is eager to engage in a contract extension with Dr. Sonja Santelises,” said Board Chair Ronald S. McFadden, during the public board meeting. “We remain committed to collaborating with you and all stakeholders as we work to improve outcomes for each of our children and families.”

Santelises has been the head of City Schools since 2016, making her the longest-serving CEO in the district in more than three decades. She previously worked for City Schools as chief academic officer from 2010 to 2013. As superintendent, Santelises is the highest-paid employee in the school system, earning $339,589 in 2023, according to OpenPayrolls. 

“I just want to thank the board,” said Santelises during the meeting. “I want to thank team City Schools for the work that has led us to the point where we do see an increased trajectory of outcomes for our young people, but we still have a good amount of work before us.”

For the 2024 to 2025 school year, Santelises will have a $1.786 billion-budget at her disposal, a $42 million, or 2.8 percent, increase from the previous year. It includes investments in math and literacy, early learning centers, career coaching, post-secondary success, summer programming, mental health and educator pipeline development. 

Baltimore’s school system has long faced widespread criticism for poor building conditions, chronic absenteeism and low math scores. Under Santelises leadership, the district cut the number of schools without air conditioning from 75 in 2017 to 11 in 2023. 

It has also opened a number of 21st Century Schools across the city, with more coming down the pipeline. Math proficiency remains inadequate in Baltimore at 16.7 percent, lagging behind Maryland’s average of 40.3 percent, according to the Maryland Public Schools Report Card. 

City Schools encountered spikes in chronic absenteeism during 2021 and 2022, sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. But, in his 2024 State of the City address, Mayor Brandon M. Scott touted a 12 percent reduction across all schools. Scott and Santelises launched the Mayor’s Attendance Challenge ahead of the 2023 to 2024 school year to encourage students to come to school. 

The district has also experienced controversies with Santelises at the helm. In 2022, Maryland Inspector General for Education Richard P. Henry released findings from an investigation into City Schools’ grading. The examination was brought on by claims that teachers were pushed to change failing grades to passing ones between 2016 and 2020. The agency reported that there were more than 12,000 grade changes across City Schools. 

The system has since revised its grading and reporting policies, including implementing a technology system for improved tracking and monitoring and ensuring no one person is exclusively responsible for grade entry and review. 

In March 2024, an independent audit conducted by consulting firm Alvarez and Marsal reported that there was no evidence of pervasive grade manipulation in the district during the 2022 to 2023 school year. 

Commissioner Andrew Coy said he was glad that the school board finally arrived at a contract vote. Typically, contract negotiations are finalized in March or April. 

“It was certainly giving me a lot of anxiety to be this late in the school year and not have this concluded yet,” said Coy during the board meeting. “While I know there’s been a diversity of opinion among the board, it certainly makes me relieved to have a consensus for a vote and for the district to benefit for another year of Dr. Santelises’ leadership.” 

The post Baltimore City School Board renews CEO Santelises’ contract for one year appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

A recent report revealed that Washington D.C. is a leading region for women entrepreneurs. The 2024 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses, commissioned by Wells Fargo, examined the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan statistical area (MSA) among others across the country. D.C. ranked number nine. 

“D.C. was a top 10 metropolitan area,” said Val Jones, women’s segment leader for small business at Wells Fargo. “There’s a moderate firm growth of 9.6 percent, but what they found in the D.C. area in particular is that women-owned businesses contributed a lot to strengthening the region’s economy.” 

The report was inspired by the need for more current data about the state of women-owned businesses. Previously, most people referred to the 2019 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, which was commissioned by American Express. 

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the country, disrupting and, in some cases, eliminating businesses. The long-term effects are still unfolding. As so much has changed for businesses in the past couple of years, Wells Fargo wanted to assess the current landscape. 

Jones said of the top 10 MSAs, including D.C., there were a couple common themes contributing to their regions being suited for women-owned businesses.  

“First, they have a strong economy in general. D.C. definitely has the government there providing a lot of different growth opportunities, and it’s very stable,” said Jones. “Across the board, they also found that there was a highly educated workforce. If you’re needing expertise to get your firm off the ground, you have that workforce around you and you can do that a lot faster.” 

One other common thread is that the regions prioritize providing support to women-owned businesses. 

“These top areas provide focused support for women entrepreneurs,” said Jones. “There are specific programs providing opportunities for bidding on contracts and technical assistance.”

Across the U.S., the report found that there were more than 14 million women-owned businesses, representing 39.1 percent of all firms. They commanded 12.2 million employees, and their revenue was $2.7 trillion.  

Their earnings represent just 5.8 percent of total firm revenue in the U.S., but they have more to give. 

“Still, women could make a greater impact if the gaps between women of color and White women-owned businesses, as well as between women and men, were closed,” wrote the report.

It projected that women entrepreneurs could generate an additional $7.9 trillion if their average revenue was on par with men’s. They could garner an additional $667 billion if minority women-owned businesses and White women-owned businesses had the same average revenue. 

One challenge is that women are more likely to start businesses in sectors that produce modest revenues. 

“Women tend to congregate in industries that have lower revenues, as opposed to their male counterparts, like service, education or personal aides,” said Jones. 

Although this tendency prevails, the report identified a few sectors that women are growing into. 

“There are opportunities for women to consider industries that they might not have thought about before,” said Jones. “Some of the growth industries we’re seeing are finance, insurance and construction.”

Access to capital is also a persistent barrier for women entrepreneurs, especially for Black and Brown women. Though the report learned that Black women have similar growth rates to their peers and eclipse them with employment growth rates, they are more likely to be denied loans or encounter higher interest rates from lenders. 

While there’s been a rise in support programs for women-owned businesses since the COVID-19 pandemic to address long-standing disparities, some of these efforts have come under attack. Most recently, a U.S. appeals court suspended a grant program led by Atlanta-based Fearless Fund that targets Black women entrepreneurs

The venture capital fund is part of an ongoing lawsuit lodged by the American Alliance for Equal Rights. The organization is headed by conservative litigant Edward Blum, who championed the eradication of affirmative action. 

“No one is trying to take anything away from anybody that’s already getting capital. No one is trying to take anything away from supports that might be out there for a variety of people,” said Jones. “If we enable women, minorities and any special groups that might be out there to be successful, they’re going to hire employees and put more money into the economy. We all benefit.” 

The post D.C. leads in markets for women-owned businesses appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) tapped Rachel D. Graham to become its next permanent CEO in February. The move came after a challenging year for the quasi-governmental agency.

Prior to BOPA, Graham served as the external relations director for the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. In her new role, she hopes to reorient the organization as a trusted advocate for the Baltimore arts community. 

“If you build a robust arts community, that in turn can play a huge role in the city taking its rightful place as an arts and culture mecca,” said Graham. “People have a tendency to forget how much this city has given in the way of arts and culture. Working with our partners in the city, I look forward to us being able to play a role in pushing the city forward and telling the story of Baltimore.” 

BOPA is the official event producer for the city of Baltimore, organizing large-scale events like Artscape and the Baltimore Book Festival. Its contract with the city is set to expire on June 30, and there has yet to be word on whether it will be renewed. 

The AFRO recently connected with Graham to discuss the trajectory of the agency going forward. The responses below have been edited for length and clarity. 

Q: As you grow into your new position, what are your top goals for BOPA? 

A: The short-term goal is meeting the expectations of the city around our contracts and obligations. Over the past year, BOPA has done a lot of work to regain the trust of the city and to demonstrate that we are a stable organization that takes its work seriously. When I first came in, one of the conversations I had with the team was understanding that our first responsibility is to the taxpaying residents of Baltimore because they are who pay our bills. We are charged with promoting arts and culture and supporting artists in the city of Baltimore. Instilling that understanding at a deep level will help us shape what the long-term looks like. 

We’re also really focused on making the bones of the organization sturdy around bylaws, governance and fiscal responsibility. Our interim board will be doing a lot of work over the next year to determine the path forward for the organization. As they set marching orders, I will be working with my team to execute them. 

The budget for the organization has decreased over the years so we’re identifying ways to expand the pie not just from governmental sources but by proving ourselves worthy of private and nonprofit contributions. That way we can do more work to meet the needs of the community. 

Q: Baltimore maintains a vibrant community of Black creators and artists, what is your role in ensuring they can access opportunities and support from BOPA? 

A: Much of my career has been steeped in conversations about equity even before it became a part of people’s lexicon. I’ve gone through a number of training sessions centered on undoing racism. I understand racism and bigotry are not the same thing. 

BOPA is an organization that considers diversity, equity and inclusion as a key driver. My job is to keep the organization true to that. That means examining how we intentionally encourage the community to be a part of our application processes for prizes that go out. It means making sure we’re communicating information about funding opportunities to the broadest audience as humanly possible. 

We also do public artwork and mural projects, which have guidelines as it relates to the spending of federal dollars, but that’s the bare minimum. We want to take it a step further and incorporate  community voice throughout the entirety of the process such that we’re walking alongside residents as we support arts and culture in the city. 

Q:What impact do you want to have on Baltimore’s arts community and the city as a whole?

A: Ultimately, it’s not about the impact I want to have on them but the impact I want them to understand they can have on our organization. We want to hear what their interests are and implement or provide support to them to bring about sustained change for the city. We want to help make this city a place that will attract people from all over the world to enjoy. 

It’s also important for me to broaden the understanding of the opportunities that exist in Baltimore’s arts and culture landscape. I want us to be a connector, promoter, celebrator and solutions finder. 

When people ask what my vision is for the organization, I struggle to answer because, for me, it’s not my place to say. Instead, I need to sit back, listen to the community and shape their vision into something actionable.

The post The road ahead: An AFRO inside look at BOPA’s new CEO, Rachel D. Graham appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Invite only event to take place on White House South Lawn

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will once again commemorate Black freedom with a Juneteenth Concert on June 10. The musical event will take place on the South Lawn of the White House, featuring a slate of artists that includes Gladys Knight; Raheem DeVaughn; Doug E. Fresh; Patina Miller; Brittney Spencer; Kirk Franklin; Anthony Hamilton; Patti LaBelle, Trombone Shorty; Roy Wood Jr. and Charlie Wilson.

The event takes place during Black Music Month, which acknowledges the contributions of Black musicians, composers, singers and songwriters. Former President Jimmy Carter established the month-long celebration in 1979, long after African Americans began shaping the course of music.

“Black music began when enslaved people, who were cruelly prohibited from communicating in their native languages, found ways to express themselves through music,” wrote Biden in a May 31 proclamation for Black Music Month. “Set to the sound of African rhythms, they captured the inhumanity, tragedy and toll that America’s original sin took on their lives while also telling the stories of their hopes and dreams, spirituality and love and purpose.” 

“Ever since, Black performers have carried on that tradition of using art to break down barriers, create sacred spaces for expression and give voice to the promise of America for all Americans,” he continued. 

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the day Union troops of the American Civil War arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of slavery in 1865—two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation declared Black people free. 

Juneteenth became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021 when Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Last year, the president’s inaugural Juneteenth Concert showcased artists, like Jennifer Hudson, Ledisi and Method Man. 

The White House’s 2024 Juneteenth Concert will start at 7 p.m. on June 10.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Despite Black people comprising nearly 14 percent of the U.S. population, they own just about 3 percent of the country’s businesses. In comparison, White entrepreneurs own 85 percent of companies– even though their share of the population is about 60 percent. 

Nevertheless, according to a Pew Research Center analysis, Black businesses are on the rise– and they’re making more money. The center reported that there were 161,031 Black-owned businesses in the U.S. as of 2021, up from 124,004 in 2017. During this time period, Black business owners revenue grew from nearly $127.9 billion to $183.3 billion, a 43 percent increase. 

Anne-Marie Knight, executive director for the Black Business Alliance (BBA), said this progress is limited. 

“The state of Black business is fluctuating. There’s been growth in Black business over the years, and in particular, growth in Black woman-owned businesses,” said Knight. “But, we are still not succeeding in certain areas.” 

Knight has led the BBA since 2020, bringing years of experience in consulting and entrepreneurship. The Connecticut-based organization works to empower, promote, and grow small and medium Black small businesses by providing education, funding and capacity-building. 

“We don’t have enough small Black businesses that have employees and are successful to be able to make that big of a difference for our economic wealth,” said Knight. “Our businesses are primarily in the service space. We’re salon owners or in retail or restaurants, we’re not in some of these high-yield business areas, which are better for building wealth.” 

After the 2020 murder of George Floyd and subsequent racial reckoning, a number of U.S. companies made racial equity promises that included commitments to closing the racial wealth gap. A main component of these pledges was expanding capital access for Black and Brown businesses. 

Knight thinks these actions have helped, but funding remains sparse. 

“Though the spotlight has been shone on capital issues, and we’re starting to address them, we still have a long way to go,” said Knight. “We’re still at the 1 percent mark for venture capital funds.” 

As far as who can step in to reduce these divides, Knight urged the Black community to look inward. According to the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, African-American buying power is expected to hit $1.7 trillion by 2030. 

Knight thinks Black people should prioritize spending with businesses from their community. Black businesses should view each other as allies rather than competitors. 

“These systems haven’t worked for us for hundreds of years. They’re not designed to work for us. Part of what we can do is take control of our actions,” said Knight. “We can agree to network amongst ourselves, support each other, build our businesses by doing business with each other first and spend our money with Black-owned businesses first.” 

As entrepreneurship is considered a common path for wealth creation, Knight said it can help to close the racial wealth divide. She also thinks running a business has become more than a means of supporting a family for Black people. It’s a way to create lasting impact in their communities. 

“Having stable and growing Black-owned businesses is a solution for our community,” said Knight. “If we’re going to close that gap, we have to increase not just the number of Black-owned businesses but their capacity to grow six- to seven-figure businesses in their communities.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles 
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

A recent report from Oxford Economics discovered that U.S. small- and midsize-businesses (SMBs) generated $14.7 billion in revenue through advertising on TikTok in 2023. The enterprises spanned industries, including food and beverage, health and wellness, automotive, business services, tourism and real estate. 

In particular, Black-owned businesses have created more than 1.5 million videos, amassing more than 3.3 billion views. Eighty-three percent of them say they’ve experienced sales increases after promoting on TikTok, according to the report. 

“TikTok provides a new path to business growth for SMBs,” wrote Oxford Economics. “These organizations use TikTok’s wide reach and high engagement to promote their brand, create awareness of products and services and track the success of business initiatives in the app.”

Fifty-seven percent of Black businesses said TikTok is critical to their existence. Not only has the platform boosted their sales, it’s helped them to scale. Fifty-nine percent of Black SMBs have used the app to hire a new employee, and 76 percent have been able to secure a new investor with the help of the platform. 

In April, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that made way for a potential ban of TikTok. U.S. lawmakers have argued that the app poses a national security risk as it’s owned by China-based company, ByteDance. The technology company has a year to sell its stake in the app before it’s shut down. 

Some Black SMBs worry a ban could harm their businesses. 

“This potential ban is concerning for minority companies like myself because TikTok is more than just a social media platform. It’s a lifeline,” said Felicia Jackson, founder of CPRWrap. “It saved the life of my business, and because other people were able to see it, it saved the lives of people out there in the world.”

Jackson is a mother of three and former healthcare professional from Chattanooga, Tenn. In 2002, during a family outing, her 2-year-old son began choking. Although she was CPR-certified, Jackson froze out of sheer panic. 

Her husband thankfully stepped in to save their child, but Jackson couldn’t shake the fact that she was unable to take action. This inspired her to create CPRWrap, a portable first aid tool for resuscitation. 

The kit provides a template with simple CPR instructions that can be placed over a person undergoing a cardiac emergency. The product hit the market in 2018. 

“When I first saw TikTok, I didn’t think promoting my business was something that was feasible because my daughter was on it a lot and she used it for dancing,” said Jackson. “I thought it was entertainment only and that my business would not fit on the platform at all.”

It was a disheartening conversation with a mentor that finally pushed Jackson to take to the app. The mentor told Jackson she should make a White person the face of her company, implying that would be the only avenue for growth. 

She posted about the experience in February 2022 and went viral, garnering more than 754,000 views and 137,000 likes.  TikTok users flooded the comment section with questions about Jackson’s invention, and she posted another video introducing the life-saving tool. 

Nearly 1.4 million people saw the clip. 

“We made almost $600,000 dollars from that one video, and I was able to keep my doors open,” said Jackson. “I was able to hire, pay myself and buy inventory.” 

Jackson’s growth on TikTok has also spurred more followers on her other social media pages. For her, the platform was the key to overcoming an obstacle that many minority businesses face, a lack of visibility. 

“Could a ban jeopardize my livelihood? Yes, there’s a possibility it could,” said Jackson. “It’s disheartening to see.” 

Stormi Steele, CEO and founder of Canvas Beauty, said while she’s been thinking about the potential ban, she hasn’t allowed it to consume her. 

“When the time comes, I hope that people and brands like mine on TikTok can be a voice for not seeing it go away because to me it does more good than bad as of right now,” said Steele. 

The small-town Mississpi native created her first product, the Canvas Hair Blossom Serum, in 2015 while working as a hairstylist. Soon after, she decided to quit her day job and start selling the hair product online. 

In her first year, Steele generated $1 million in sales. The brand continued to rapidly grow, hitting the $20-million mark in 2020. 

But, Steele almost went bankrupt. 

“I grew so fast, and I just didn’t know a lot or how to properly vet people who wouldn’t take advantage of me,” said Steele. “In 2023, we launched a new product called Body Glaze, and it did moderately decent numbers on the website, considering we had been in business before. But, when we got TikTok, we saw this tremendous boom.” 

She posted her first viral video last August. It follows Steele as she prepares Body Glaze orders. In the same month, Canvas Beauty joined TikTok Shop, which enables brands to sell directly through content on the app. 

By December, Steele secured a new 30,000 square-foot warehouse for the business, which she moved into in March. She’s also been able to grow her staff from 10 to 60 employees. The brand captured about $5 million in sales in March alone—the vast majority of which came from TikTok. 

Though Steele isn’t allowing the potential TikTok ban to intimidate her, she is conceiving courses of actions if the app is prohibited.

“As of right now, I’m focused on the day-to-day of it all and trying not to make myself afraid of what the future may be,” said Steele. “I’m also intentionally putting measures in place if the worst was to happen.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles 
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Jobs Not Guns Coalition welcomed students from Wards 7 and 8 to a career-building workshop on May 15. The event was designed to expose youth to job opportunities, skills training, career advice and support services. 

The coalition intentionally chose to focus on communities east of the Anacostia River as youth there tend to be associated with negative narratives that do not paint the full picture. 

“We focus on the high schools and middle schools inside Wards 7 and 8 because that’s where the concentration of negativity is, and it’s a misnomer,” said Dottie Love Wade, event coordinator. 

Conversations about Southeast D.C. are typically tied to high crime rates and concentrations of poverty without consideration for the area’s successes. 

“They don’t recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the high school students or focus on the number of students who graduate and attend college,” said Wade. “They don’t focus on the fact that even though young people make errors they come back and correct themselves.” 

Two local employers that spoke at the workshop included Pepco and Busboys and Poets. Brittny Pinto, workforce development manager at Pepco, highlighted the utility company’s participation in the D.C. Public Schools Career Bridge Program for high school seniors. 

Through the program, Pepco prepares students for full-time positions in operations departments, including overhead and underground line work, transmission and substation, meters and fleet. Students interview with Pepco and its partner contractors at the close of the program. 

“We just finished up our spring semester with a group of students this year. We’re hoping that all eight of them will be coming to work for us in the fall, straight out of high school. That’s pretty unheard of for a lot of jobs now,” said Pinto. “The jobs they’re getting hired for are not minimum wage jobs. These are jobs that you can come into making $85,000 to $90,000 within your first year.” 

Ashley Bethel, director of events for Busboys and Poets, shared her journey from starting as a host at the restaurant to transitioning to the corporate side of the business as a director. She said the hospitality industry enables people to earn steady money while working toward other passions. 

“One of the beautiful things about the service industry is it allows you to pursue other dreams while bringing in money,” said Bethel. “You can come in for four or five hours, leave making $300 that day and go pursue some other opportunities.” 

Busboys and Poets is also a part of the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. Through it, students can participate in marketing, information technology and social media internships. 

“We look for people who have a vision or an idea, and we try to give them the support to pursue that,” said Bethel.

Wade thinks experiences like the career workshop can be even more beneficial than classroom subjects as they equip students with possibilities—they have the opportunity to discover attainable career paths for themselves. 

“The thing I hope they take away is that there are options other than violence, outside of what they have been exposed to and outside of east of the river,” said Wade. “If we can get them to change their focus to a positive trajectory for their lives, we will be successful.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer

msayles@afro.com

In 2023, 25 percent of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland’s (Live!) supplier spend went to minority business enterprises (MBEs). The dollars amounted to more than $14 million.

This year the gaming destination is on track to exceed that figure. Diversity, equity and inclusion(DEI) director Edward Evans projected that supplier spend will rise to $20 million in 2024, reaching somewhere between 29 and 32 percent participation.

“A lot of companies will set a target for minority business participation, and we find that a lot of times it’s just that, a target,” said Evans. “With us, it’s a goal. It’s tied to my performance review. It’s tied to my merit increases. There’s accountability to me and the company to make sure we’re doing the work.”

Every fresh flower found in the casino is supplied by a minority-owned business. MBEs also participate in construction projects, serve as alcohol vendors and contribute to gaming integration.

Evans’ refers to his approach for attracting minority businesses as “100 pennies to a $1.” Rather than pursuing large leaps, he grows participation with smaller, gradual gains. This allows the company to take on MBEs that may have less capacity than larger competitors.

“People tend to aim for big splashes in the minority business arena, whereas we look at every way we can find an MBE to participate with us from a business standpoint,” said Evans. “We meet the company where they are. You can discredit certain companies based on their size and scale, but we find where they fit within our company.”

One of the first steps in preparing for supplier opportunities with Live! is for businesses to become formally registered as minority business enterprises. Evans said the process can seem intimidating or intrusive though that’s not the case.

“It’s not a process where we’re digging into all of your personal business. It’s a vetting process, and it’s painless,” said Evans. “I’m a hand-holder through the process.”

Aside from his MBE goals, Evans is also striving to connect with every historically, Black college and university (HBCU) in the country by this time next year. There are 107.

The aim is to introduce Black and Brown students to career opportunities in gaming, as their exposure may be confined to dealer and hospitality positions.

“If you don’t know the opportunities are there, then you have limited knowledge, which then restricts your access to an industry that has proven to be very fruitful,” said Evans.

He hopes his efforts will help increase minority representation in the gaming industry’s leadership positions.

“Although we do see improvement in the minority gaming industry, it still lags behind where it should be. It’s about access,” said Evans. “We need people to understand that they have an opportunity to grow with this multi-billion-dollar industry that is gaming.”

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The AFRO’s fourth annual Black Business Matters Expo is quickly approaching. Once again, Career Communications Group (CCG) CEO Tyrone Taborn is stepping in to host the virtual event on his metaverse platform, STEM City USA. 

The platform is a community of digital twins, or virtual replicas of the physical world. Its aim is to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education globally accessible and to advance diversity and inclusion.

“The metaverse is nothing more than a platform. It’s what you put on the platform that makes it the metaverse,” Taborn told the AFRO in a previous interview about the platform. “We have virtual reality, 3D and artificial intelligence. The majority of the world will embrace the metaverse through web-based platforms, which is exactly what we’re doing now.” 

When expo attendees click on a session to attend, they will be transported to one of STEM City USA’s classrooms. There, they will be able to see and hear speakers in real-time. Business leaders will offer insights and strategies for growing and scaling enterprises. 

This year’s theme for the expo is celebrating small business— a pursuit that is fundamental to the work of STEM City USA. 

“It’s very important because Black-owned small businesses often face unique challenges, including access to capital and resources. Supporting these businesses really helps create economic opportunities, reduces the wealth gap and fosters financial independence within Black communities,” said Alana Winns editor-in-chief and chief content officer for CCG. “STEM City is a trusted community where people have access to these resources to become everything that they are and beyond.” 

STEM City USA is continuing to expand its digital world and enhance its technological capabilities. The platform already houses health and wellness centers, a historically, Black college and university (HBCU) village and education centers. 

It’s also developing an AI-powered 3D digital library called Collin AI. The model applies to STEM and academia topics through the lens of people of color. 

“It’s really important for us to create these systems where we can uplift Black entrepreneurs,” said Winns. “We want to create platforms for them to continue being role models who inspire the next generation of business leaders within the Black community.” 

The AFRO’s Black Business Matters Expo will take place on May 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. To register and receive your free ticket, please visit Afrotix.live. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Chase for Business welcomed D.C.’s small business community to “The Experience” on May 8, a free, day-long event with marketing workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities. The financial institution handpicked six local minority-owned businesses to exhibit their products in a pop-up marketplace during the occasion. 

Kristina Sicard, senior business consultant for J.P. Morgan Chase, said the event gave business owners the chance to learn how to advance their enterprises regardless of their growth stage. It also allowed them to discover the resources the firm has to offer. 

“We are the largest bank. We have a big reach, but we still have a unique, touchy-feely relationship with our clients,” said Sicard. “This is an opportunity to show D.C. who we are as a firm and how we show up while giving them resources at the same time. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Two of the businesses featured in the local marketplace were Brix Fitness, led by Robert Glover, and MahoganyBooks, owned by Ramunda and Derrick Young. 

Glover started the online fitness brand after losing 160 pounds with an approach that leveraged mindfulness and emotional awareness alongside diet and exercise habits. It offers virtual group and one-on-one weight-loss coaching and personalized meal plans. 

The Youngs, a husband and wife team, founded MahoganyBooks in 2007 to ensure readers across the country have access to books written by and about the African diaspora. The couple maintain an online bookstore, as well as two brick-and-mortar locations in the Greater Washington area. 

The Youngs and Glover are participants in the Chase for Business Coaching for Impact program, which supplies free, one-on-one consulting and executive coaching to business owners regardless of who they bank with. 

“It’s an intentional time to strategize with someone who’s in finance. It helps us look at our profit and loss statements in a different way,” said Ramunda Young. “It’s funny, you can be in business for 17 years and still not understand how cash flow works and how to optimize that. has helped us understand what we’re looking at and how the numbers speak to us.”

In Glover’s case, the logistics of entrepreneurship were tiresome. He established Brix Fitness out of a passion for holistic weight loss, not for business operations. 

He said The Coaching for Impact program has helped him better understand the basics of running a business. 

“I’m a passion-based business and understanding the logistics wasn’t super important to me. I need some help with that,” said Glover. “For me, it was about learning the intricacies of being an entrepreneur. They provided me with resources, and it helped me steer my business in a different direction where we’re poised to scale now.” 

As he primarily operates Brix Fitness virtually, The Experience gave him the opportunity to meet community members face-to-face. He said most people that approached his booth were dancing around the idea of addressing their health goals. 

Glover was able to share his personal journey with them—something he hopes proves they can meet any goal they set for themselves. 

At MahoganyBook’s booth, Ramunda Young offered books by business leaders. The works included “I Am Debra Lee,” a memoir by the former Black Entertainment Television (BET) CEO, and “More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say),” a memoir by award-winning fashion journalist Elaine Welteroth. 

“As an entrepreneur, you can have lows and feel like you’re by yourself,” said Ramunda Young. “To have a book about someone who’s a millionaire or billionaire and see the struggles that they’ve gone through can help.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Baltimore native Ramsey L. Harris has a passion for serving communities. Not only is he PNC’s senior vice president and Greater Maryland market manager for  the bank’s Community Development Banking and the Corporate Responsibility Group, but he’s also the pastor and founder of City Sanctuary Ministries. 

“I’ve been able to create a community-focused banking career that dovetails with who I am outside of the bank as a third-generation Pentecostal pastor with a desire to help people,” he said. 

Harris spent his elementary years in Baltimore City before moving to the county. His parents split when he was young, and Harris was primarily raised by his mother. 

She was determined to keep him out of trouble but, despite her efforts, Harris got into mischief early on. Consequently, his paternal grandfather, an Apostolic Pentecostal bishop and civil rights activist, stepped in to steer Harris back onto the right path. 

“That’s where my life began to take a turn toward who I am today,” said Harris. “My grandfather was my hero. He personified what it meant to be a strong, positive and successful Black male.” 

Harris said he felt compelled to become a leader in the community like his grandfather. He first acted on this instinct by becoming a minister. 

Harris was trained under his grandfather and licensed before college. When it came time to pick a school, he had plans of attending Morehouse College. But, he ultimately chose University of Delaware to be closer to home and support his grandfather’s church. 

While there, he landed a telemarketing internship with Bank of America, his first foray in the world of banking. Then, during his senior year, a PNC recruiter reached out to him about entering the bank’s management trainee program. 

“After undergrad, my goal was to either go to seminary or law school. I decided to temporarily give a shot because I thought it could help me save more money to go to seminary or law school,” said Harris. 

Banking drew Harris in because it enabled him to help others become financially empowered.  

“There was an interest there, but I didn’t see it as a long-term career because I’m a third-generation Pentecostal preacher and I had desires to obtain a law degree. I saw myself eventually pastoring a church and going into some type of law practice to help people,” Harris said. “Once I got into the banking industry, the rest was history.” 

Harris started his career with PNC in Delaware. But, after his mother got sick, he relocated to Baltimore to take care of her. While in the training program, one of Harris’ capstone projects was supporting the opening of the Charles Village Branch of PNC. 

Before getting into community development banking at PNC, Harris spent stints as a branch manager and business development officer, supporting Black and Brown entrepreneurs who frequented branches in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. All the while, Harris remained active in ministry.

“Then, I continued to climb the corporate ladder. I became a leader and even a territory executive in our Community Reinvestment Act small business lending space,” said Harris. “I was very instrumental in authoring the playbook for how PNC supports and lends to small, minority business enterprises.

“That kind of laid the foundation for a national department that we’ve created at PNC called the Minority Business Development Group. That organization is 100 percent dedicated to providing dedicated bankers and resources to Black and Brown businesses throughout the country.” 

Harris then took over the helm of Community Development Banking in PNC’s Greater Maryland market. The group serves low- to moderate-income communities by investing in economic development, affordable housing and community service projects. It also provides free financial education. 

Under his leadership, the group has deployed capital to developers, like Beloved Community Services Corp. Led by the Rev. Alvin C. Hathaway, the organization is restoring the family home of civil rights activist Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. and the law office of his wife, Juanita Jackson Mitchell.  

The group also invested $3 million in Baltimore Community Lending to support loans for minority businesses and real estate developers. 

Harris’ team is creating workforce development opportunities for returning citizens and older adults to secure gainful employment. They’ve collaborated with organizations, like the Job Opportunities Task Force, the Center for Workforce Inclusion and Baltimore Corps. This year, the group is heavily focused on addressing affordable housing in the region. 

“We want to deploy more capital. I want to connect with more developers and provide equity to projects that are doing to transform our communities,” said Harris. “Long term, our end game is to have contributed to wealth-building in our communities. We want to look back 10 years from now and say we played a part in making a generational impact throughout our region.”

When former colleague Eugene Allen came to PNC, he wanted to become more entrenched in the community. He was quickly directed to Harris for support. 

The pair worked together to increase supplier diversity at the bank, going into communities to talk to entrepreneurs about doing business with PNC. Harris became Allen’s mentor.

“Ramsey was integral in terms of me finding my niche, and he talked to the regional leaders about my work,” said Allen. “It got to the point where I was known for not just being in the community but adding to the bank’s bottom line.”

Allen said Harris was an earnest leader. 

“You know he’s guiding you because of the love for what he does but also the love he has for you as an individual, the love he has for the company as an organization and the love he has for his community,” said Allen. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

In the early hours of March 26, the Baltimore County Fire Department received a call reporting that a cruise ship had struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, leaving 13 people in the Patapsco River. They would later discover the information was inaccurate. 

It was a 984-foot cargo ship, the Dali, that crashed into the bridge, and eight construction workers were in the water—six of whom died in the catastrophe. 

“There were a lot of challenges because it was nighttime. There was nearly zero visibility so there was no way to get divers into the water,” said Marcus Johnson, assistant fire chief for the Baltimore County Fire Department. “We were able to deploy marine units to do a quick survey, but we couldn’t get them as close as we normally would because of the wreckage that could have threatened the safety of our first responders.” 

Johnson was one of many first responders honored by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce during its Inspire MD event at the American Visionary Art Museum on May 9. 

The organization recognized members of the Unified Command, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Baltimore City Fire Department, Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management, North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department and Baltimore County Fire Department. 

Mary Kane, president and CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, said the responders emerged as heroes to support rescue, recovery and rebuilding efforts following the tragedy. 

“Their selflessness, dedication and quick-thinking undoubtedly saved countless lives and prevented further devastation, while also helping to restore stability to our residents, communities and businesses,” said Kane. “While we will never fully comprehend the challenges these heroes have faced, we are forever grateful for their extraordinary bravery.”

Johnson is the first African American to serve as assistant fire chief for the Baltimore County Fire Department. He said he was honored to receive the recognition although it wasn’t required. 

“I don’t need the recognition. This is what we’re called to do. We serve the public. We want to ensure the public is safe,” said Johnson. “I think it’s part of the job. I’m honored to be able to serve, and I’ve enjoyed the 21 years I’ve been able to do it.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The National Education Association (NEA), the country’s largest labor union, recently revealed that the average teacher earns $69,544 each year. If you’re just starting out in the profession, that number drops to $44,530. But, inflation is outpacing these salaries, according to the union, putting a strain on the pockets of teachers across the nation, regardless of years served.

“Even with record-level increases in some states, average teacher pay has failed to keep up with inflation over the past decade,” wrote the NEA in its 2024 Educator Pay in America report. “Adjusted for inflation, on average, teachers are making 5 percent less than they did 10 years ago.” 

The report comes as the U.S. battles a national teacher shortage, which was intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. In its analysis, the NEA asserts that there is considerable work to be done in reducing the teacher pay penalty, a term used to describe the wage gap between educators and professionals with similar levels of education. 

“Chronic low play is plaguing the profession,” wrote the NEA. “A staggering 77 percent of U.S. school districts still pay a starting salary below $50,000— 28.6 percent start out teachers at less than $40,000—while teacher salaries top out over $100,000 in only 16.6 percent of districts.” 

California, New York and Massachusetts offer the highest salaries, on average, to public school teachers at $95,160, $92,696 and $92,307 respectively. Meanwhile, Florida, West Virginia and South Dakota maintain the lowest salaries, doling out $52,870, $53,098 and $53,153 respectively.

These figures come at little surprise, as top-earning teachers also live in some of the most expensive states, while bottom earners live in states with relatively low costs of living. 

Coppin State University (CSU) School of Business Dean Sadie Gregory said it’s critical for people to account for cost of living when assessing salaries. 

“You want your income to be above the cost of living,” said Gregory. “Whatever region you go to get a job, you want to make sure you don’t just look at the paycheck but at how much the paycheck will buy you.” 

Cost of living encompasses essential expenses, like food, clothing, housing, healthcare and childcare according to Gregory. She said states on the West coast and in the Northeast, as well as Alaska and Hawaii, tend to have higher costs of living than those in the South. 

The NEA provided corresponding minimum living wages as part of its report. They represented the income necessary for one parent and one child to attain a modest standard of living in states’ most affordable metropolitan areas. 

This measure is somewhat limited though, as cost of living can be vastly different depending on the given metropolitan area. In California, the NEA estimated that the minimum living salary is $68,182, nearly $27,000 less than the average teacher salary for the state. 

But, for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale area, the Economic Policy Institute approximates that the annual living costs for one adult and one child total $96,117, just shy of $1,000 more than teachers’ average earnings. 

In some states, the cost of living exceeds what teachers are taking home. In fact, all of the bottom-earning states have average teacher salaries that fall short of the minimum living wage, according to the NEA’s estimates. South Dakota’s shortfall is the starkest of the bunch with more than a $9,000 gap. 

Across the country, Hawaii fairs the worst with an average teacher salary of $70,947 compared to a $100,150 minimum living wage. 

If a teacher, or anyone, finds themselves in a position where their cost of living outstrips their income, Gregory said their quality of life will decline.  

“If you’re barely able to cover the cost of living and you’re living paycheck to paycheck that means no savings, no vacation, no money for your kid’s tuition and no opportunities to do something extra special,” said Gregory. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

In February, retired Navy veteran John Wright came to his social worker with a new interest. He wanted to learn more about computers. 

Wright, 58, spent much of his career in security and law enforcement and was comfortable performing day-to-day tasks without relying on technology. But, it was time for a change. 

“I noticed I wasn’t as literate in computers as I needed or wanted to be,” said Wright. “I set the goal for myself to learn new things and adapt to them.” 

Wright’s social worker from the Veterans Affairs Department began looking for computer training classes and schools that Wright could join. She landed on Byte Back, a nonprofit working to close the digital divide in Washington D.C. and Baltimore. 

To achieve this lofty goal, the organization provides free digital literacy and tech certification training to residents from underserved communities. In Computer Foundations 1, adults who have limited experience with digital devices learn how to use a mouse, navigate their email and the internet and about computers’ components and processes.  

They build on this knowledge in Computer Foundations 2, learning how to use Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint in their daily lives and in professional settings. 

Wright’s already completed Computer Foundations 1, and he’s enrolled in Computer Foundations 2. 

“I feel more comfortable when I’m navigating the computer as far as using apps. I now know what the terminology means when someone says something pertaining to a computer,” said Wright.  “I actually know how to compose an email, send it and how to use the search bar to recover emails I’ve sent. They’ve helped me to be confident in my abilities.” 

Paying his rent online has also become easier. 

“When I go into my rental portfolio, I know I have to do a left click to go to the next page,” said Wright. “Before, I wasn’t sure if it was a right click or left click.” 

Byte Back’s programming has become increasingly important considering so much of everyday life is now tied to technology. Today, people use devices to pay their bills, book travel, manage their health, shop and more. 

Baltimore site director Wynisha Witt said the COVID-19 pandemic especially shed light on this reality. 

“We came to realize that technology is really at the intersection of everything. It became really transparent with the pandemic, especially with Baltimore City residents needing to access their food stamps, supplemental security income and all of their benefits online,” said Witt. “People were losing their benefits because they weren’t able to do redeterminations on pen and paper and couldn’t go to offices at the time.”  

In 2021, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott created the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity and tasked it with permanently closing the digital divide in the city by 2030. This includes providing residents with access to reliable, high-speed internet, devices, digital skills training and technical support.

Two years later, the mayor used $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, to launch the Digital Equity Fund. The initiative has since awarded grants to 22 organizations working to expand digital inclusion. Byte Back received $74,739 to support its digital literacy curriculum. 

“It’s really important for individuals here in Baltimore City to have access to classes that are teaching them how to navigate the computer and how to do it safely. A lot of individuals that I come into contact with are fearful of using the computer,” said Witt. “Because we’re providing a safe space, we’re able to show them that the internet is not a scary place and that it can be an asset to them.” 

The other class that Byte Back offers is IT Fundamentals (ITF+) through the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). It’s an entry-level course on basic IT skills and competencies. The organization also offers Network+ and Security+ certifications through CompTIA. 

The classes expose participants to fundamentals for careers in help desks, cybersecurity and network administrators and equip them with industry certifications. 

“It sets them up to identify which pathway they want to take,” said Winn. “These jobs can increase their income significantly, and they are more accessible because a lot of jobs outside of an IT technician are remote. A lot of barriers that people have to employment are alleviated when it comes to transportation and childcare.” 

Baltimore native Beronica Martin discovered Byte Back while working as a home health aide. A client of hers was enrolled in Computer Foundations I, and Martin would take him to the classes. 

Her interest was piqued after listening in on a few sessions, and she decided to enroll herself. Martin has now taken both Computer Foundation I and II, and she’s preparing to enroll in the Security+ training. 

She, like Wright, had limited knowledge of computers. 

“I probably was introduced, but I didn’t grasp it,” said Martin. “I think now that I’m older, I’m able to grasp it.” 

Now a medical assistant, Martin has used some of her new-found skills to design flyers and memos at work. She has also encouraged her aunt, who is an older adult, and a friend, who is a returning citizen, to take the training. 

“You’re going to need technology in every aspect of living now. Everything from going to the market to paying your bills is mostly online,” said Martin. “This training gives you a better opportunity to do these things and to go on a different career path if you want that.” 

Both Wright and Martin said they consider their classmates and instructors at Byte Back as family. They encourage one another and check in when someone is absent. 

“Byte Back has turned into an extended family of mine,” said Wright. “I know if I’m having problems, I can always call them day or night or leave an email, and they will address any concerns that I have. Nothing is too trivial.” 

This year, Byte Back’s Baltimore office is focused on making its classes more accessible. The organization intends to forge partnerships with senior housing facilities to engage more older adults and with organizations in each region of the city. 

Winn hopes this will curb transportation challenges that prevent residents from taking the classes. 

“Because classes are in-person, the constant conversation is about transportation,” said Winn. “Going forward, we’re trying to gain funding so that we’re able to provide a stipend to help support individuals while they’re in classes.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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

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By Megan Sayles 
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Real estate veteran Gina Merritt and construction consultant Michael Karnes have joined forces to establish NREUV Contracting and Mechanical. The D.C.-based company specializes in designing and installing HVAC systems for new and existing construction properties. 

Together, Merritt and Karnes bring decades of experience in HVAC, project management, real estate development and finance. Through their new venture, the duo aims to work with Black and Brown communities.  

“We’re a new company. We’re still very small, but our goal is to create an opportunity for people from underserved communities to get training, apprenticeships and create a career pathway,” said Merritt, CEO of NREUV Contracting and Mechanical. “Our goal is to grow the company in a way that brings high-value jobs to the communities we serve and build in.”

The company also intends to team up with minority subcontractors on projects. Part of Karnes interest in partnering with Merritt was the opportunity to ease capital challenges for minority firms. 

“One of the reasons I shifted away from consulting to starting this company with Gina is because there’s a very big disparity in access to capital when it comes to minority firms versus White companies,” said Karnes, president of NREUV Contracting and Mechanical. 

Before going into business with Merritt, Karnes ran a consulting business following 28 years in the HVAC industry. His goal was to help minority subcontractors grow from exclusively supplying labor to general contractors on projects to providing materials and equipment. 

However, the costs associated with construction materials and equipment are steep.

“The number one biggest issue in construction right now is that the subcontractors finance the job, not the banks. Even though the banks say they’re financing the project, they’re delaying payment for 30, to 60, to 90 days in some cases,” said Karnes. “When you’re a small, minority contractor that has $100,000 in the bank, you can’t carry a job for four months before you get paid.” 

“We had an idea to hire these subcontractors and make them labor-only,” said Karnes. “Then, we can help them grow their capital to self-finance and help them get their credit up in order to obtain financing.”  

Merritt is no stranger to connecting underestimated communities to employment opportunities. The New York native started her career on Wall Street before venturing into real estate development. 

In 2002, she started Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures (NREUV), a community development firm focused on serving low-income communities. The firm has supported the construction of more than 7,000 multifamily units and has $600 million worth of projects in its pipeline today. 

Merritt, herself, lived in affordable housing as a child—a reality she didn’t realize until her 20s. She said her Bronx neighborhood was a beautiful community, and she loved growing up there. 

With real estate development, Merritt thought she could create and maintain communities like the one she grew up in. She wanted to ensure they had longevity and investment. In 2008, she established another business, Project Community Capital, to leverage her industry relationships to connect underserved individuals with employment, subcontracting and entrepreneurship. 

“There are so many people in Black and Brown communities who just need access to economic opportunity, and if they had the access, they would kill it,” said Merritt. “Our platform has proved that. We place all kinds of folks in jobs that they would otherwise not hear or know about, and we leverage our social capital to make those connections.” 

As interest rates have skyrocketed in the housing market, Merritt is hoping NREUV Contracting and Mechanical will help offset cash flow for NREUV. 

“Development has slowed down because interest rates are so high. We can’t borrow as much,” said Merritt. “I needed another way to throw off cash flow to run my development business. 

NREUV Contracting and Mechanical secured its first $2-million contract with Brookfield Properties in Delaware. The townhouse development is about 152 units.

“We hope we’ll be awarded another seven-figure contract— close to $3 million— in the next 30 days,” said Merritt. “My hope is that we wind up being a $100-million HVAC company one day.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Researchers from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) visited Morgan State University’s (MSU) National Transportation Center (NTC) on May 2 to learn more about the hub’s ongoing innovations in transportation and technology. 

Officials toured research labs and observed student-led projects, including an autonomous wheelchair and smart intersection technology. 

“As the lead institution, we’re expecting a lot from as it relates to safety, mobility and equity in this region,” said Robert Hampshire, deputy assistant secretary for research and technology for the U.S. DOT. “You all have already stepped up to the plate.” 

In 2023, the U.S. DOT awarded MSU a $15-million grant over five years to establish the Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Regional Transportation Equity Research (SMARTER) Center, which is housed in the school’s NTC. The center’s purpose is to conduct research through an equity lens to enhance the mobility of people and goods in the Mid-Atlantic region. 

MSU is the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to lead a regional U.S. DOT transportation center. 

Hampshire shared that the top priority of the federal transportation department is to save lives. Last year, more than 42,000 people died on roadways across the country. He said MSU’s research could help to prevent future fatalities. 

“Some of the technology that this center is working on, be it connected vehicle technology, vehicle sensing technology or the design of our roadways could help mitigate this. We could have one more person alive” said Hampshire. “That’s the standard that we’re looking for.” 

MSU currently has two smart intersections on its campus, which the U.S. DOT visited during a ride-along demonstration. They’re situated at Hillen Road and Cold Spring Lane and at Hillen Road and 33rd Street. In order to make streets safer and more efficient, the intersections employ Light Detection and Ranging  (LiDAR) and Vehicle-to-Everything technology (V2X). 

The former uses lasers to scan environments, ultimately creating maps of terrain and movements in the intersection. The latter enables vehicles to communicate with other vehicles, roadside infrastructure and pedestrians. 

The intersections are a part of a testbed in the SMARTER Center and are used to conduct research on Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) technology, a subset of V2X. 

“By processing the data and using machine learning and artificial intelligence processes, we can get valuable information. We can get counts on cars, trucks, buses, pedestrians and bicycles that cross the intersection,” said Al Taher, third-year Ph.D. student at MSU. “We can also get the near-miss events, which are conflicts between vehicles or a vehicle and a non-vehicle. 

“By analyzing this information, we can propose countermeasures to enhance safety, especially for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists.” 

U.S. DOT officials also witnessed a demonstration of an autonomous wheelchair from second-year Ph.D. student David Nyarko and junior Derrick Cook. In its current phase, the wheelchair uses sensors to scan a track of QR codes that allow it to orient itself before determining where to move next. 

The wheelchair is being tested at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. With it, wheelchair users will be able to travel through the airport without an escort. 

“The future step is going trackless where the wheelchair is able to make a map of any location it’s going to operate in. It will be able to move from point A to point B without any marking on the floor,” said Nyarko. “Just as we humans do, the wheelchair will know the map of the airport and be able to navigate from gate to terminal.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) will hold its 69th annual meeting at Tradepoint Atlantic in Sparrows Point on May 23. The event will mark the unveiling of the organization’s 10-year economic opportunity plan, which will create a roadmap to achieve a globally competitive and equitable economy in the region. 

The strategy is a part of GBC’s larger multi-year agenda that is designed to accelerate economic opportunity, transportation, infrastructure and collective impact in Greater Baltimore. 

“Over the last year, we’ve pursued the Tech Hub, we’ve launched an effort to design a regional brand and an effort to tackle the city’s vacant housing challenge. The 10-year plan will institutionalize that level of work,” said Mark Anthony Thomas, CEO and president of GBC. 

“We’ll outline the types of things the region needs to collaborate on, the areas of big opportunity where we see growth and potential job opportunities and the ways we want to collaborate to create opportunities that are critical for the region.”

Established in 1955, GBC maintains over 400 partners, including leading businesses, higher education institutions, nonprofits and philanthropic organizations. Together, they work to address civic challenges and advance the region’s economy. 

In 2022, GBC merged with the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, aligning the two organizations under the mission of positioning Greater Baltimore to prosper in the global economy. Thomas became president and CEO the same year. 

Under his leadership, GBC became the lead organization of the Baltimore Tech Hub, a designation bestowed by the federal government last October. Through the program, Greater Baltimore is competing for funding for projects in predictive healthcare technologies. 

GBC also joined Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development (BUILD) in an agreement to confront Baltimore City’s vacant housing crisis over the next 15 years. 

Thomas considers the Greater Baltimore region a hidden secret. 

“We have a lot of great assets. People obviously know the institutions that are here,” said Thomas. “But, when you think about development language and the narrative that the rest of the world looks for in markets where they’re expanding and investing, we haven’t had the chance to tell that story the right way.” 

He thinks GBC’s recently released Investment Scorecard for the Region and the upcoming 10-year economic plan will help to better illustrate the economic momentum of Greater Baltimore. 

“These are foundational efforts to start to build awareness around Baltimore as a place where people should be investing and Baltimoreans as a people that folks should be investing in,” said Thomas. 

GBC’s Annual Meeting will run from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Registration for the event closes on May 21. 

“If you’ve never been to Tradepoint Atlantic, and you’ve never seen our port, export and industrial economy up close and personal, we’d love to have you at the meeting to be a part of it,” said Thomas. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Authorities have discovered the sixth victim of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Salvage crews from Unified Command located the body of 37-year-old José Mynor López on May 7. 

Investigators and officers from the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police and the FBI then recovered the late construction worker. López’s family has been notified. 

“With heavy hearts, today marks a significant milestone in our recovery efforts and providing closure to the loved ones of the six workers who lost their lives in this tragic event,” said Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, in a May 7 media release. 

“As we mourn with the families, we honor the memory of José Mynor López, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, Carlos Daniel Hernandez Estrella and Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez.”

Eight men in total were working on the bridge when it was struck by the Dali container ship and subsequently collapsed on March 26. López is one of six construction workers killed in the disaster. Two men were rescued. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

The post Final victim in Key Bridge collapse recovered appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Preparation efforts are underway for salvage teams to remove spans of the Francis Scott Key Bridge resting on top of the Dali container ship, according to a May 6 release from Unified Command. 

Crew members are examining potential hazards, including crushed containers, hull damages and weight shifts, which could impede the bridge removal and refloating of the vessel. Unified Command has also secured special equipment to supervise the positioning and movement of the Dali and the bridge remains. 

“We’ve got a total of six of, what we call, inclinometers that measure tilt on key locations of the span and key locations of the ship so we can watch how it’s pitching and rolling with tide, and wind,” said Rob Ruthledge, a contractor working for the Key Bridge Unified Command, in a release on May 6. “We have a sensor measuring the relative position of the span on the ship so we can see, if for some reason, it starts to slip. We also have what are called string gauges, which can measure, in real-time, the stress, while they are performing operations.”

These efforts come days before the anticipated removal of the Dali and re-opening of the 45-foot-deep Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel on May 10, which was announced by the Port of Baltimore last week. 

However, during an April 30 press conference, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said a concrete date of the ship’s removal could not be given as factors, like weather, may interfere with salvage operations. 

Unified Command did not provide an update on when bridge wreckage will begin to be removed from the Dali in the May 6 release. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is celebrating D.C. Small Business Week from April 29 to May 4 with a host of free events and summits open to the District’s more than 70,000 small business owners. 

At the top of the week, Bowser announced that 64 brick-and-mortar retail businesses became recipients of the Robust Retail Citywide Grants. She also toured several businesses and nonprofits located on Rhode Island Avenue Main Street that have received government funding. 

“If we have more jobs, we have more businesses and we put more D.C. residents to work, then we can continue to make historic investments in schools, transportation and in our human services programs,” said Bowser. 

The week coincided with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week. Following the kick-off event, the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, D.C. Health Link, DSLBD and Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) hosted a small business summit and expo on April 30. The event featured workshops covering best business practices and networking and grant opportunities. 

On May 1, small business owners were invited to a DSLBD workshop on accessing capital and a pitch and resource exhibition at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. The Downtown District Improvement District organized an exclusive celebration and networking gathering for  Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) on May 2. There, business owners connected with their peers and industry experts.  

The businesses Bowser visited during the kick-off included Studio Chique Salon, Zeke’s Coffee, Emma’s Torch and Bandura Design. The latter, a women-led hospitality and multi-family interior design firm, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its remodeled space on the Ward 5 corridor. 

“My amazing team, fondly known as the ‘Bandura Babes,’ has doubled in size since we moved into this location. That growth has provided the opportunity and need for continued development in our space,” said owner Jennifer Farris.

Thanks to nonprofit D.C. Squared, Bandura Design was the recipient of a facade improvement grant, which is funded by the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). 

“We are starting, today, to bring our office to the next level along with this amazing, thriving community here on Rhode Island Avenue.”

Through DSLBD, the 64 Robust Retail grantees are set to receive $10,000 to cover eligible business expenses, including wages for employees, rent, utilities, insurance and cleaning supplies. Since the grant program’s inception, the agency has deployed nearly $4 million to businesses spanning the District. 

“These investments clearly demonstrate that D.C. is putting our money where our mouth is when we say that our small businesses are truly the backbone of our local economy,” said At-large D.C. Councilman Kenyan McDuffie, chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development.

Bowser’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes several investments to further support local, small business enterprises. The mayor allocated $4.9 million for the Main Streets Program to bolster the revitalization of District business corridors and $26 million to enact the Business and Entrepreneurship Support to Thrive (BEST) Act, which will streamline the city’s licensing process. She also designated $6.7 million for DSLBD’s Clean Teams, which work to beautify D.C.’s commercial districts. 

These investments accompany Bowser’s $401-million Downtown Action Plan, which presents a five-year economic development strategy for the recovery and transformation of D.C.’s downtown. 

“I want to recognize Mayor Bowser for making sure that our small businesses—our entrepreneurs who live here, were born and raised here and hire our local residents— are getting the resources they need to be a part of this comeback,” said McDuffie. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

UpSurge Baltimore’s (UpSurge) 2024 Tech Ecosystem Report recently revealed that local companies raised $782 million in venture capital in 2023, up 12.3 percent from the seven-year average of $697 million. The full analysis was unveiled at the organization’s inaugural Annual Meeting, which took place on April 23 at Rye Street Market. 

This is UpSurge’s third Baltimore Tech Ecosystem report. For the first time, the organization expanded the study area beyond Baltimore City to encompass the entire Baltimore Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which covers Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Queen Anne Counties, with Baltimore at the center. 

“A lot of times when reporting happens on startup or venture activity, Baltimore gets lumped in with D.C.’s data. They sort of get to take credit for all of our activity without having to take hits for the negative stuff people say about Baltimore,” said Kory Bailey, CEO of UpSurge. “Tech is one of the brightest spots in our city. We have tremendous momentum, and our ecosystem is growing.” 

Currently, the Baltimore MSA maintains 496 startups in its ecosystem. They are most commonly found in ZIP codes: 21202, 21205 and 20759, which represent Downtown Baltimore, East Baltimore and Fulton, Md.

Of the $782 million that tech companies raised, 90 percent went to healthcare and information technology in 2023. 

The report also collected workforce data to illustrate how the concentration of local talent impacts startup growth and expansion. In the last five years, Baltimore MSA tech jobs had an annual growth rate of 5.3 percent. Baltimore City alone had an annual growth rate of 6.8 percent, 1.1 percent higher than the national average of 5.7 percent. The average salary for tech workers was $105,000. 

“Some of the demographics that have the fastest growth are Black women,” said Bailey. “I think that is really telling. We have a competitive strategy in getting more underrepresented groups into the tech workforce.” 

However, women tech workers’ earnings still lag behind those of their male counterparts. The report revealed that the average wage gap between women and men in the tech space is $19,000. Although, women in tech do make 81 percent more than their non-tech peers. 

“I think the wage gap is due to the historical underrepresentation of women in the tech space and in the type of roles women typically hold within tech,” said Bailey. “The more leadership we start to see from women, the more diverse hiring practices and diverse teams we will start to see.” 

“I think tech is probably one of the best ways to close the overall wage gap between men and women in the country, but we definitely still have some work to do.” 

Last October, the Baltimore MSA became one of 31 federal Tech Hubs across the nation , a designation bestowed by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The classification enabled the region to apply for funding to operationalize a plan that propels economic growth and opportunity in key industries. 

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) is leading the hub with a consortium of 38 local business and technology leaders, including UpSurge, which is a leading partner. The region’s proposal centers on predictive healthcare technologies that will leverage artificial intelligence to enhance biotechnologies. 

The hub will do this work under UpSurge’s Equitech framework, which views equity and diversity as a vital force in the advancement of emerging tech sectors.  The model capitalizes on the innovations of underestimated founders. 

While the Baltimore Tech Hub has experienced broad buy-in from the public sector, there’s still more work to be done in engaging private entities. 

“Public-private partnerships will actually drive the work. If you look at Silicon Valley, London or Toronto—the biggest tech hubs in the world— the magic that makes things happen is public and private investment,” said Mark Anthony Thomas, CEO and president of GBC. “It’s people committed to the ecosystem above their own interests, and that’s what we need to move the ball in the region.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

As more industries leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to increase productivity and efficiency, local government has its own plans to harness the technology. Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott issued an executive order in March to regulate the use and development of AI within city operations. 

The announcement came just over two months after Governor Wes Moore issued his own executive order to guarantee the responsible and productive use of the technology. 

Both directives seek to modernize outdated government processes while ensuring AI is wielded equitably. 

“City government has routinely played catch-up in terms of technology, but this administration is trying to change that. We know that artificial intelligence is moving incredibly fast, presenting both unprecedented challenges and opportunities for city services,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott in a statement. “We must proceed with caution and the utmost responsibility to ensure the best interests of Baltimore’s residents are centered as the use of AI becomes increasingly common.” 

Scott’s executive order will create an advisory group to govern AI implementation and compliance. It will also restrict AI technologies that have the ability to fake or mimic people’s appearances or voices. 

Moore’s order establishes a dedicated AI subcabinet that will devise an action plan for implementing the technology across state agencies and coordinate the responsible and ethical use of AI.

“I want Maryland to be the leader in AI and AI technology. We have the resources here. We have the assets here that can help to foster it,” Moore told the AFRO. 

The action plan will be rooted in Maryland’s AI principles, which include fairness and equity, innovation, privacy, security, validity and transparency. It will create a strategy to ingrain risk assessments for AI tools in state processes and track the tools to confirm they reflect the state’s principles. 

“I also know that we have to do it responsibly because this is a powerful technology, and it’s one that is here and growing. It’s important that we put the right guardrails around what that growth looks like so that it will be additive to our societal growth and not something that takes away from it,” he added. 

One priority for the AI subcabinet will be to ensure the state has the requisite workforce for the implementation of AI. The group is tasked with offering training programs to state workers on generative AI and examining strategies for providing opportunities to external AI talent to serve the state on targeted, short-term projects. 

John Foster, chief impact officer for Fearless, thinks Moore’s service year and apprenticeship program will be able to help in building this pipeline. 

Last October, the governor launched the Service Year Option, a public service program for high school graduates to learn hard and soft skills through a service placement while earning money. In November, he announced a $3-million initiative to bolster the growth of registered apprenticeships in Maryland’s public sector. 

“If we know there’s a need for highly skilled digital technicians inside the government, we need to think about incentive structures that exist to make it so that individuals want to work inside the government or with industry partners,” said Foster. 

He believes the programs could be especially beneficial in state contracting. 

“One idea that I have is ensuring that the procurements that the government pushes out have mandates that require bidders to partake in the Service Year Option or apprenticeship program,” said Foster. 

He said this could encourage the technology industry to invest in systems that create new talent who can meet the needs of the government as it works to modernize operations. If the necessary talent pool is not created, Foster said Marylanders will face lackluster government services. 

“I think we will continue to see subpar services being provided to constituents. The end result is that government has to increase its delivery in a way that is not optimized,” said Foster. “That’s how services degrade overtime.” 

Innovation design consultant Bianca Jackson said AI could be used to automate government certain services and remove bias in systems. 

“Racial equity can be enhanced by AI systems designed to eliminate bias, bias in state employment, housing, law enforcement and decision making,” said Jackson. 

In light of the Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster, Jackson said the government could have used AI-powered tools in its response. 

“It could be used for automating evacuation alerts and directing first responders more efficiently, optimizing rescue operations,” said Jackson. 

She commended Moore and Scott’s efforts to lean in on AI rather than reject it. As they lead by example, Jackson believes individuals will become more comfortable with AI. 

“If they hadn’t taken this stance, they would have missed an opportunity to reduce the digital divide between the tech rich and the tech poor,” said Jackson. “We still have people around the country who are fighting this, and it’s already here. The best thing we can do is figure out how we can get AI tools to work for us and create better outcomes for society.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Nineteen vessels have traveled through the 38-foot-deep Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel since it opened on April 25, officials said on April 30. Nine vessels traveled into the Port of Baltimore, while another 10 departed from the docks.

The ships carried cargo, including sugar, cement, fertilizer and lumber. The trips facilitated the work of 200 members from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). Gov. Wes Moore said the channel is a short-term remedy to the impassable, permanent 50-foot channel, which is expected to open by the end of May.

“That’s an important milestone, but it’s a temporary solution. We cannot take our eye off the ball,” said Moore. “The focus is making sure that we are going to open the 50-foot channel, and we will.”

On April 28, the Port of Baltimore announced that the first container ship arrived at the Seagirt Marine Terminal since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. MSC’s Passion III brought nearly 1,000 containers, which were handled by 80 members of the local ILA.

The Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel was closed on April 29 to make way for salvage and recovery efforts and the removal of the Dali. It will tentatively open with a depth of 45 feet on May 10, barring the removal of the ship.

Thus far, 3,300 tons of steel have been removed from the Patapsco River. Authorities have also completed the removal of 183 containers from the Dalie ship. Operations are underway to cut and clear the span of the bridge that rests on the bow of the vessel.

“We are using a precision cutting technique to allow us to safely remove that section from the bow of the ship,” said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath. “By using precision cutting techniques, we are able to institute all those cuts simultaneously. It’s the safest possible for the salvagers themselves, so they’re not trying to cut something and then another section collapses while they’re making that cut.”

Gilreath could not provide a concrete timeline on when the Dali will be removed from the channel.

“There’s a lot of factors that play into that— the engineering, the salvage operations themselves and weather,” said Gilreath. “We’re going to continue to move to do this safely and as fast as possible.”

Moore reaffirmed his commitment to bringing closure to the families of the five construction workers killed in the bridge collapse. Two men remain unaccounted for.

Authorities have used sonar images and other mapping techniques to determine search areas, but efforts have been hindered by the bridge wreckage.

“It’s very poor visibility down there, and there’s so much debris. We believe we have areas of interest, but we’re unable to access those areas of interest,” said Maryland Police Secretary Roland L. Butler. “That’s why it’s so important for the Unified Command divers to work in conjunction with the salvage divers to communicate what they’re seeing, where they’re locating things and to allow the Unified Command divers to develop an effective survey to determine where they’re going to search once they have that area declared safe.”

In light of the tragedy, the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs has opened a fund to provide relief to the families of the seven men working on the bridge during the collapse. It has raised $750,000 in donations.

“While no amount of money can heal the pain that these families are feeling, we want to make sure they know that they will have their bases covered and we will be with them as they navigate this most difficult time,” said Scott.

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Biden-Harris administration is canceling more than $6.1 billion in student loans for nearly 317,000 individuals who attended Art Institutes, a private, for-profit system of art schools that permanently closed in 2023. 

The announcement came on May 1 after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education (USED) revealed that the institutes and its parent company, Education Management Corporation (EDMC), fabricated post-graduation employment rates, salaries and career services to prospective students. 

“This institution falsified data, knowingly misled students and cheated borrowers into taking on mountains of debt without leading to promising career prospects at the end of their studies,” wrote President Joe Biden in a statement. 

Students who attended an Art Institutes school on or after Jan. 1, 2004 through Oct. 16, 2017 will receive automatic relief. In total, the Biden-Harris administration said it has approved $160 billion in student debt relief to nearly 4.6 million borrowers—$29 billion of which has been deployed to students who were deceived by their colleges or whose colleges closed suddenly. 

“For more than a decade, hundreds of thousands of hopeful students borrowed billions to attend The Art Institutes and got little but lies in return. That ends today—thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s work with the attorneys general offices of Iowa, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania,” wrote U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a statement. “We must continue to protect borrowers from predatory institutions and work toward a higher education system that is affordable to students and taxpayers.” 

Attorneys general offices in Iowa, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania led multi-year investigations and lodged lawsuits against The Art Institutes and EMC after fraud accusations. The information that was gathered included internal employment data, admissions training manuals, institutions’ employment advertisements, records of graduate employment outcomes and statements from former students and staff. 

After reviewing the evidence, the USED determined that The Art Institutes participated in rampant, pervasive falsifications that exaggerated the value students would get out of the schools. 

The system broadcasted that more than 80 percent of graduates secured employment relevant to their areas of study within six months of graduation. The Art Institutes internal records revealed this was an overestimate. The USED estimated that the in-field employment rate could be no higher than 57 percent. 

Salaries were also misrepresented on school advertisements. According to the USED, employees of The Art Institutes manufactured graduates’ pay and annualized the income of those working in temporary roles. They also included top-earning outliers in averages and forged incomes reported for graduates. 

The USED began notifying eligible borrowers that they’ve been approved for debt cancellation on May 1. 

“The Art Institutes preyed on the hopes of students attempting to better their lives through education,” wrote Federal Student Aid Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray in a statement. “We cannot replace the time stolen from these students, but we can lift the burden of their debt. We remain committed to working with our federal and state partners to protect borrowers.”

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Wells Fargo Foundation awarded a $200,000 grant to Junior Achievement (JA) of Greater Washington on April 19 to expand the organization’s 3DE program, a four-year educational model designed to connect core classroom subjects to real-world experiences. 

The grant presentation took place at Potomac High School during Market Day, in which 3DE eleventh-graders showcase businesses they’ve created as part of their curriculum. 

“3DE has been seeded by philanthropy, and it’s gifts like Wells Fargo’s that give us the ability to grow. We’re getting to a point where we’re going to be looking for public funding as well because the demand and interest in the area is huge,” said Ed Grenier, CEO Emeritus of JA of Greater Washington. “Wells Fargo’s gift is perfect timing. They’re not just doing it to do it, they’re doing it because they genuinely believe in what we’re doing.” 

3DE was first piloted in Atlanta in 2015. Since then, a number of high schools across the country have adopted it. Maryland and D.C. maintain four 3DE schools. The program employs case methodology, an approach that places students in real-life scenarios to exercise decision-making, collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills. 

Student teams collaborate with the business community to generate solutions for case challenges. In their junior year, students design and launch start-up companies. During their senior year, students are matched with a local business partner to participate in an immersive consultancy project. 

“3DE makes school real— something that can be of tremendous value to students because they can see a pathway into careers and adulthood,” said Lynne Ford, interim CEO of JA Greater Washington. “It makes school feel worthwhile and like an investment that makes sense to students.” 

During Market Day, Potomac High School juniors featured jewelry, apparel, candle, beauty and bakery businesses. Student Autumn Miller’s Infinite Pastries sold homemade baked goods. 

The business is more than supplying customers with a delicious treat. Miller created it to advocate for mental health issues. It encourages patrons to bake as a means to relieve stress and anxiety, and 20 percent of its proceeds are donated to organizations that support mental health. 

“Mental health is very important to me because I know a lot of my friends and myself have a lot of mental health issues,” said Miller. “The main thing I want to do is give back to the community, and that’s what we strive to do here.”

Cedric Wilkerson presented his custom-clothing business, Tailors, which prints personalized T-shirts, sweatshirts and mugs for customers. Wilkerson intends to pursue a business degree to help him grow Tailors. He hopes one day to transform it into an online shop before moving into brick-and-mortar stores. 

Wilkerson said 3DE has taught him how to write resumes and reinvest money back into his business. 

“3DE is something that can teach you about business in a very intelligent way,” said Wilkerson. “It’s something that schools in any county should have. I know a lot of people have business dreams, and it can teach them something very important.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles

AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com

American Publishing has filed a class action lawsuit against the owner and manager of the Dali cargo ship, which struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26 causing it to collapse. The disaster marked the loss of a major throughway for truckers and the partial closure of the Port of Baltimore, the nation’s leading port for auto shipments. 

Plaintiffs Karen and Charles Austin allege that their business has experienced significant revenue losses since the bridge collapse, according to the complaint. They claim their income declined 84 percent compared to this time last year. 

“The losses incurred by Claimants were a foreseeable consequence of the Petitioners’ negligence, given their failure to ensure the seaworthiness of the vessel that ultimately led to the bridge’s destruction. Consequently, the destruction wrought by the Petitioners has significantly impaired Claimants’ proprietary interests, with considerable financial losses that are expected to persist,” reads the complaint. 

“Essentially, the negligence of the Petitioners not only led to the physical destruction of the Key Bridge but also precipitated a broader economic shutdown in Baltimore, severely affecting local business owners like Claimants.” 

Grace Ocean Private Limited owns the Dali, and Synergy Marine Group manages the ship. On April 1, the companies filed a petition in a Maryland District Court to limit their liability for the accident. Since then, the city of Baltimore filed suit against the companies on April 22, alleging that alarms on the ship indicated an unreliable power supply before the ships’ port departure. 

The Austins are seeking relief on behalf of other Baltimore businesses that have encountered financial deficits since the catastrophe. 

Megan Sayles is a Reporter for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

April Hurley thought she was safe in her home on Sept. 19, 2023. What began as a routine night ended with a brutal attack on the Baltimore resident and her friend, allegedly at the hands of Jason Billingsley.

Now, attorneys from Murphy, Falcon and Murphy have announced a lawsuit against Eden’s Homes, Property Pals and Billingsley. 

According to court documents, Billingsley sliced Hurley’s throat, tortured and sexually assaulted her before setting Hurley and her guest, Jonte Gilmore, on fire in her Upton home on Sep. 19. 

The pair managed to survive the attack after receiving emergency care at Shock Trauma. 

Six days later, Baltimore tech founder Pava LaPere was discovered dead on the rooftop of her Mount Vernon apartment building. She was discovered after being strangled and ruthlessly beaten to death. Only then did Baltimore police publicly identify Billingsley as a threat to the public. As a result, he was spotted and apprehended in Bowie, Md. on Sep. 27. 

Billingsley, a registered sex offender and convicted felon, was employed as a maintenance worker for Eden’s Homes and Property Pals. The companies managed and owned Hurley’s home, respectively. Hurley is suing the companies and Billingsley for compensatory damages.

“The fact that I’m sitting here in front of you today is honestly a miracle,” said Hurley during the press conference, tears streaming down her face. “Sometimes it’s still unbelievable I’m here. Jason Billingsley literally tried to take my life. This could have been prevented. He would have never had the chance if my former landlord and property manager did not hire him.” 

The complaint alleges that Eden’s Home and Property Pals are “vicariously liable” for the false imprisonment, assault and battery of Hurley under respondeat superior, a legal doctrine that makes an employer responsible for the actions of its employees. It also alleges that the companies were negligent in hiring Billingsley as a background check would have revealed his criminal history. 

When Hurley encountered Billingsley in her home at 842 Edmondson Avenue, the maintenance worker said he was responding to a flood in her kitchen. Still today she bears a scar on her neck from Billingsley’s attempts to slash it, and she’s been unable to return to work due to mental distress caused as a result of the attack. 

“The problem that we have with what happened here and why it was so preventable is that it’s clear to us that Eden’s Homes and Property Pals did not look into Mr. Billingsley’s background,” said Malcolm P. Ruff, trial attorney and associate at Murphy, Falcon and Murphy. “He was a repeat violent offender. He had sexually assaulted a woman and been sentenced to serve 16 active years in jail back in 2013, and he had been released well before his sentence had ended.” 

“If Eden’s Homes and Property Pals had cared to take the time to look into his background, they would never –and should never– have let someone with that record and known propensity for violence to be in someone’s private residence and to have access to their home.” 

Ruff also questioned why police treated Hurley’s attack differently than LaPere’s murder. The Baltimore Police Department initially characterized the Sep. 19 incident as an arson and say, for that reason, they did not immediately alert the public to the crime. Further details about the incident were revealed in light of LaPere’s death. 

“These incidents happened less than a mile away from each other, but Ms. Hurley’s incident happened on the other side of MLK Boulevard,” said Ruff. “Mrs. Hurley and Mr. Gilmore were violently attacked during a home invasion, she was sexually assaulted and they were almost burned alive– why did the Baltimore Police Department categorize this as an arson? Why wouldn’t we want the public to know how heinous and serious this situation was?” 

“Maybe that proper and accurate categorization of what happened to these Black people on the other side of MLK might have saved Pava LaPere’s life, but instead, their pain and attack was treated differently,” Ruff continued.

There is no Maryland law that requires employers to conduct background checks on employees. The state’s “Ban the Box” statute, or the Maryland Criminal Records Screening Act, prohibits employers from conducting criminal background checks on job seekers until they’ve had their first interview. 

But, Hurley’s counsel asserts that Eden’s Homes and Property Pals had an obligation to investigate Billingsley, particularly because he had keys to Hurley’s and other residents’ homes. 

“There’s no specific state statute that’s requiring this, but there’s a duty to look into somebody’s background when you hire them—especially when that individual is going to be given a position of trust and access to your home, which is our most sacred space,” said Andrew K. O’Connell, partner at Murphy, Falcon and Murphy. 

Hurley is seeking an excess of $75,000 from the defendants. The AFRO reached out for comment from Eden’s Homes and Property Pals but did not receive a response. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The idea of bankruptcy is scary for most people. Many may associate it with utter financial ruin, irreparable damage to credit scores and denied loans in the future. Some consider the act of filing bankruptcy shameful and fear possible judgment from friends, family and colleagues. 

But, bankruptcy is not an evil word. In fact, it’s designed to relieve people from the pressures of insurmountable debt. The AFRO recently connected with attorney Ebele Ebonwu, an associate in Gordon Feinblatt’s Financial Service Group, to discuss what to do in the face of bankruptcy. 

Q:  How can people avoid bankruptcy?

A: Live beneath your means, take credit counseling and make good financial decisions. You should ensure you know the state of your credit at all times. I know some people cannot avoid borrowing, but make sure you aren’t borrowing at every turn. 

Bankruptcy can take a toll on your life. You can lose your hard-earned property and home, depending on the type of bankruptcy you’re filing for. You have to mind your finances and pay particular attention to how you’re borrowing because creditors will come after you to the extent that they are secured. 

Q: What are the primary influences that drive people toward bankruptcy? 

A: I think a lot of people don’t have a good understanding of savings. All kinds of people are in bankruptcy, and there are even millionaires in bankruptcy. I don’t think a lot of people are taught how to manage their finances and put money away for themselves at a young age. They don’t know how to live below their means and how to avoid relying on credit society. If people start to learn those skills earlier in life, they will be in a better position.

There are other factors that can throw you into bankruptcy too. It’s not just about money habits. Unfortunately, we’re in a country where a lack of quality healthcare can upend your life. You could be in an accident while you’re two paychecks away from bankruptcy. A loss of a job can also send you into bankruptcy. It’s good to prepare for the possibility of these catastrophic events. 

Q: If you’ve already filed for bankruptcy, what are some immediate steps you can take to manage the situation? 

A: I find that some people file bankruptcy when they owe very minimal amounts of money. Don’t do that. There are ways you can reorganize your finances. You may be able to talk to your lenders and make workarounds or sign other agreements to manage your debts better. 

If you decide to file for bankruptcy, you should get a good attorney. Bankruptcy is technically supposed to make your life better. It should lift the burden off your shoulders, and, in some cases, it helps you save your home. Picking an attorney who is going to understand this and can bring you to the lighter side of debt relief is really important. You should look for someone who’s primarily practiced bankruptcy law for a long time. You don’t want someone who does it part time and doesn’t have a genuine interest in it. 

The responses above have been edited for length and clarity. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

For some, retirement means freedom— freedom to travel, freedom to spend more time with friends and family, freedom to pursue hobbies and freedom to essentially do anything you didn’t have time for while working. But, without the requisite savings, these freedoms might not be possible. 

According to Shelly-Ann Eweka, senior director at TIAA Institute, forty percent of U.S. households risk running short on cash in retirement. The risk is heightened for Black and Brown people, who are less likely to have retirement accounts. 

“You do see a significant difference between different races and ethnicities,” said Eweka. “About half of Hispanics and Blacks have retirement accounts, 52 percent for Hispanics and 49 percent for Blacks. That’s compared to 76 percent for Whites and 71 percent for Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders.” 

There are also gaps between genders. Sixty-four percent of women have retirement accounts compared to 70 percent of men. For Black and Brown women, that number is 48 percent and 45 percent respectively. 

Eweka said a number of factors contribute to these disparities. 

“Many Black Americans face great challenges from the moment they graduate from college,” said Eweka. “Student loans impact our cash flow, which then means we have less to save toward retirement.”

According to the Education Data Initiative, Black borrowers owe $25,000 more than White borrowers for undergraduate degrees on average. Forty-eight percent of Black borrowers also owe more than they initially borrowed four years after graduation compared to 17 percent of White borrowers. 

Salary gaps are also a contributor to the deficits. 

“Women roughly earn about 85 cents for every dollar earned by men. For Black women, it’s 63 cents, and for Hispanic women, it’s 53 cents,” said Eweka. “Women, if they can afford it, are also much more likely to take time off of work to care for their children or elderly parents, which can also impact their savings and salary and promotion opportunities.” 

As life expectancy rises in the U.S., retirement plans become even more critical. Joy Stephens, D.C. market director at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, said people should start saving for retirement as soon as possible. 

“When it comes to investing for retirement, the sooner the better. The amount of time you are invested is one of the most important factors in growing your wealth,” said Stephens. “I like to say it’s about time in the market, not timing the market.” 

Two common retirement plans are Roth IRAs and IRAs. The accounts differ based on how they are taxed. Investments in Roth IRAs are made with after-tax dollars, meaning they grow tax-free and withdrawals in retirement are also tax-free after age 59.5. IRA contributions grow tax-deferred and then they’re taxed when money is withdrawn after age 59.5. 

Certain workplaces also offer employer-sponsored plans, like 401(k) and 403(b)  plans. 

“Many employers match a portion of their employees’ workplace retirement plan contributions. If your company offers a retirement plan with a match, consider taking advantage of this,” said Stephens. “If you can, contribute at least the maximum amount that your employer will match. You don’t want to leave any money on the table.”

According to Stephens, one of the biggest obstacles to investing in retirement is thinking that it requires a lot of money to get started. This, along with believing retirement is in the distant future, is a misconception. 

Contributions to retirement accounts vary between people and are dependent on their current financial situation. However, consistency is key, according to Stephens. Whether big or small investments, it’s important to make them regularly. 

“Consider contributing as much as you can to your retirement accounts. If you can increase your contribution rate automatically every year that might be a good idea,” said Stephens. “It can be easier to contribute more when the increases occur automatically.” 

When forming a retirement plan, Stephens encouraged people to think about the lifestyle they want to live when they retire, where they’d like to live and what their expenses will look like. This can help them set goals to personalize their plan. 

It can also be helpful to employ the help of a financial advisor. 

“For some people, working with an advisor can be beneficial. An advisor can sit down with you to outline your goals and help you create a customized plan to work toward them,” said Stephens. “You should check in on your plan with your advisor on a regular basis to see how you’re tracking toward your goals and to adjust your strategy when your life or priorities change.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Schelo D. Collier likes to say she became an investor before she even knew what investing was. In middle school, she used her weekly allowance to buy snacks to sell to her classmates at double the price she purchased them for. Collier was, in essence, buying low and selling high. 

In 2019, she founded Black Women Invest to foster a community for like-minded Black women to learn about investment and wealth-building topics. The network has grown to nearly 15,000 members and regularly engages in financial wellness trainings, investment brunches and international real estate tours. 

For Collier, investing is key to the Black community building wealth. Homeownership has long been recognized as a determinant of wealth. However, Black people have significantly lower rates of homeownership compared to their White counterparts due to discriminatory housing policies and limited access to credit. 

Investing can contribute to economic empowerment for Black communities. 

“Since investing allows people’s money to work for them, it speeds up the process of closing the racial wealth gap,” said Collier. “Someone who is just saving and putting money aside or in their mattress is not going to create real wealth. Their money is going to technically depreciate because it’s not going to win against inflation.” 

The AFRO connected with Collier to gain insights into investing basics. The responses below have been edited for length and clarity. 

Q: How early should someone start investing? 

A: As soon as you start making money. At 18, you can open up a brokerage account on your own and manage it. If your job offers an employer-sponsored account, like a 401(k) or 403(b), you should start investing in that even if you don’t fully understand it just yet. You can also start investing for your children even before they’re born through an account like a 529 Education Savings Plan. 

Q: What options do people have for investing?

A: Outside of stocks and real estate, there’s cryptocurrency. You could also put money into a high-yield savings account, and it will gain interest. You can invest in bonds, which are essentially an “IOU” from a company or the government. They tend to be less risky than investing in stocks. You can also invest in money market funds and index funds. 

As far as alternative investments, there’s venture capital. You can also invest in specific assets, like gold and oil, or privately into a company. 

Q:What are some common misconceptions about investing?

A: One–that you need a lot of money to start investing. You can actually invest in the stock market with as little as $1. What you really need is a plan. You need to have a blueprint of what you ultimately want to achieve. Then, you can work backwards and determine what type of investments make the most sense for you. 

The second one is that investing is very complicated. When you aren’t familiar with something, you can feel like you’re never going to understand it. I always tell people it’s like starting a new job. In those first few weeks, you think: am I ever going to be good at this? But, after a few weeks, the things you do become second nature, and it’s the same with investing. The more you dedicate time to learning, the easier it becomes. 

Q: What should people avoid when investing? 

A: It’s a really bad idea to chase hot stocks. By the time a majority of people hear about a stock and start buying it, it’s typically already overpriced. I think it’s more valuable to focus on understanding industries and to create a longer-term strategy to buy and hold stocks. 

You also should avoid emotional investing. You don’t really know how you’re going to respond to your investments not going as planned right away. I always discourage people from downloading stock trading apps on their phones so they don’t make decisions based on fear or excitement. You can’t allow emotions to cloud the way you think about investing. 

Q: What tips would you give people for reducing risks in investments? 

A: The first thing is diversification. You can’t just put all of your eggs in one basket. You should spread your investments across different asset classes, sectors and geographic locations. That way, if one sector, one company or one particular part of the market performs poorly, it doesn’t completely wipe out your investment portfolio. 

You should also employ dollar cost averaging. This is a strategy of continuously investing a fixed amount regardless of what’s happening in the market and regardless of the price. If you decide that you want to invest $100 a month into a particular fund, you continue to do that at the same time and same amount no matter what. This helps you pay a lower average price overtime. 

In regard to the stock market, investing in low-cost index funds is also going to help you mitigate risk. With real estate, you want to find properties that are in the best location, and you want to have a credible real estate team. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Orioles hall-of-famer Cal Ripken Jr. and Exelon CEO Calvin Butler celebrated the ribbon-cutting of a new, state-of-the-art STEM center at Lansdowne Middle School on April 11. The hub is one of 81 that will open in elementary and middle schools across the East Coast as part of a collaboration between the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) and the Exelon Foundation. 

Butler committed $3 million over three years to open the centers, with the aim of exposing underserved youth to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. 

“What I love about the STEM curriculum is it makes kids curious. It makes kids try to figure out how things work, why they work and how they can make them work better,” said Ripken Jr.

 “I think one of the most important things when dealing with kids is how can you expose them to things that might their natural aptitude to shine? We couldn’t be more proud to be affecting kids in a positive, big way all across the country.” 

The CRSF began establishing STEM centers in schools eight years ago. The foundation is named after Ripken Jr.’s late father, who’s often remembered for his devotion to coaching and mentoring young people. 

The April 11 ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the 500th center to open in the country. The 80 additional STEM centers will open in areas near Baltimore; Atlantic City, N.J.; Wilmington, Del.; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia and Chicago. Through them, students have access to programmable robots, 3D printers, drones, Chromebooks and Snap Circuits. Teachers also receive training to implement STEM curriculum. 

For Butler, the initiative demonstrates the organizations’ belief in young people’s potential.

“As one of a few handfuls of African-American CEOs across the nation, my job while sitting in this seat is to encourage young people that they can do this,” said Butler. 

Black and Brown people, many of whom live in marginalized communities, have long been underrepresented in STEM industries. According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), Black and Brown workers represented 9 and 15 percent of the total STEM workforce in 2021, respectively. 

Butler said the STEM centers can introduce youth to opportunities that extend beyond the confines of their neighborhoods. 

“I came from these types of neighborhoods. I know what you can do, but you have to believe in yourself and you have to roll up your sleeves. You have to work hard,” said Butler. “It’s not going to be easy, but you need to know you have a support system, like the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Exelon Foundation, that will help you get there because none of us get there on our own.” 

Eighth-grade student Da’Sheyll Dixon, a member of Lansdowne Middle School’s STEM Robotics Club, thinks the new center will give her peers a leg-up in excelling in STEM as they move on to high school and college. 

She has already had the opportunity to interact with some of the center’s educational products, like the Sphero BOLT—a robotic ball designed to introduce youth to coding concepts. 

“Having this new STEM center will mean a lot to students going to high school and to the ones coming from elementary school because it will give them new learning experiences,” said Dixon. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) unveiled the first-ever Investment Scorecard for the Region, establishing a benchmark to measure the area’s future economic growth. The scorecard presents data on Greater Baltimore’s investment and development deals, labor force and tax revenue. 

In 2023, the scorecard revealed that the region attracted 347 investment and development deals for a total of $4.19 billion. GBC predicts that these investments will create 23,000 new direct jobs, generating $1.7 billion in labor income. 

“One of the top things that people ask me is, how are we going to better tell the Baltimore region story?” said Mark Anthony Thomas, CEO and president of GBC. “What you find is it’s not just an ad or a commercial, how we better tell our story is in all these different ways. One is making sure the world knows that people are investing in Baltimore.” 

The scorecard examines data from seven jurisdictions in the region, including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford and Howard Counties and Baltimore City. Of the 347 deals, 140 were development, totaling $3.4 billion, and 207 were investment, amounting to $800 million. 

Development deals are those that involve a physical component of growth, like real estate and companies opening or expanding in the region, whereas investment deals encompass venture capital and start-ups. The leading deal was the $500-million transformation of Harborplace, led by David Bramble at Baltimore-based MCB Real Estate. 

Thomas said as data continues to be collected on the scorecard, the region will have a better sense of its performance in drawing private sector investments. 

“There is no timeline that this is going to stop. It’s going to get better,” said Thomas. “We’re going to better understand how companies are investing and how foreign direct investments are flowing into our market, but today is about setting a baseline.” 

More broadly, the scorecard demonstrates the diversity of Greater Baltimore’s economy. Investments in 2023 came from life sciences, information technology, hospitality, manufacturing, business services, real estate, education, logistics, agriculture, artificial intelligence, energy and aerospace industries. 

At least 62 investments came from out of state, and five were international deals. GBC said these measures were likely undercounts. 

“We are not just focused on one or two sectors, and even our seven jurisdictions have so much diversity and strength within them,” said Nick Henniger-Ayoub, director of policy and research for GBC. “For that reason, we have a regional economy that we can be proud of— even when comparing to peer and competitor regions.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

The post GBC unveils economic scorecard for Greater Baltimore region appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Governor Wes Moore shared progress updates on ongoing efforts to clear the Fort McHenry shipping channel and return the Port of Baltimore to full operational capacity at the Maryland Transportation Police Authority Headquarters on April 10. 

Since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, most vessel traffic has been suspended. The 984-foot Dali cargo ship, which struck the bridge, remains in the Patapsco River amongst the steel remains of the bridge. 

Two temporary passageways have been opened since the catastrophe, allowing smaller vessel traffic into the port. According to Moore, the respective 11- and 14-foot channels have experienced 58 commercial movements as of April 9— merely a fraction of the usual traffic that passes through the 50-foot channel.

“Let’s be clear, even with those 58 movements, we’re still only talking about 15 percent of what vessel traffic looked like before the collapse,” said Moore. “Even when you factor in vessels that are going to Tradepoint Atlantic, the economic activity is likely even lower than that 15 percent.” 

Tradepoint Atlantic, located in Sparrows Point, has ramped up its capacity to collect cargo and debris as docks inside of the wreckage wait for the Fort McHenry channel to fully reopen. Steel wreckage from the bridge is being taken to the logistics center, which has a 35-foot channel. 

Authorities are on track to open a 35-foot-deep, 280-foot wide channel by the end of the April, according to Moore. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are aiming to reopen the permanent channel by the end of May. 

As debris is cleared from the waterway, authorities are also working to remove containers from the Dali. As of April 9, 34 containers have been extracted. The present goal is to remove 178 in total before preparing to refloat the ship. 

“I want to be clear on that as well. That work is complicated, and that work is dangerous because just one empty container that’s sitting on the vessel can have a weight of over 1.5 tons,” said Moore. 

The governor called on the federal government to display bipartisan support and cooperation in the wake of the disaster. He highlighted their response after the 2007 collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis, Mn. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 13 people, with more than 100 others injured. 

“Members of Congress, of both parties, must come together again and act with the same level of urgency and partnership that they did in 2007,” said Moore. “This administration is ready and willing to work with anybody and everybody. 

At the time of the incident, Democrats controlled both the House and Senate under Republican President George W. Bush. Moore said they worked together to deploy $250 million in emergency funds the day after the bridge collapsed. Two days after the Key Bridge collapsed, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced $60 million in quick release emergency relief funds for the bridge’s reconstruction.  

Moore stressed the need for both political parties to come together again and display the same level of urgency and partnership in response to the Key Bridge collapse. 

“To members of the U.S. House and members of the U.S. Senate, my message is simple: Come to Maryland. Work with our congressional delegation. Sit down with me and my team. Get up close to the wreckage. See it for yourself. See what we’ve been seeing for two weeks. See what it looks like when a steel bridge falls on top of a shipping vessel that is the size of the Eiffel Tower,” Moore said. 

The loss of the bridge and interruption to the Baltimore port has impacted thousands of dock workers and shipping and trucking companies. Last week, the Biden-Harris administration announced an initial $3.5 million in dislocated worker grants to the state of Maryland. 

 On April 9, Moore signed the Maryland Protecting Opportunities and Regional Trade (PORT) Act into law. The legislation will provide financial relief to affected workers and businesses. It also establishes a scholarship program for the children of roadside workers who are killed on the job. 

Mayor Brandon M. Scott released an Action Plan on April 10 to delineate Baltimore’s continual efforts to support port workers and businesses. The outline includes funds for rent and electricity and water bills. 

“I’ve directed the entire city government to provide workers impacted by the bridge collapse access to energy assistance through the Maryland Energy Assistance Program and water bill support through the city’s Water4All assistance program,” said Scott. “Additionally, we’ll be providing $500,000 into our ongoing rental assistance program, specifically for eligible port workers.”

Scott also said the city is considering deploying an additional $1 million in wage subsidies for impacted workers. 

“These two buckets of support will be going directly to city residents impacted by this tragedy to help address one of the biggest looming problems: bills coming due when there’s not much work to be had,” said Scott. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

As authorities race to clear the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge from the Patapsco River, dock workers at the Port of Baltimore are experiencing mounting uncertainty about the future of their jobs.

International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 333, which represents 2,400 maritime workers at the port, already has more than 1,800 members out of work, according to President Scott Cowan.

“It’s a scary time for us. I mean this is how our members feed their families, send their kids to private school and put gas in their cars,” said Cowan. “Without the docks they have problems doing that.”

Two temporary channels have been opened to allow limited vessel traffic, but Cowan said the passageways will not provide immediate relief to the dock workers. A third channel will be open by the end of April and by May the Army Corps of Engineers expects the channel currently blocked to be fully reopened.

ILA is stepping in to cover workers’ retirement and healthcare benefits, but government assistance is required for lost wages.

“We need supplemental wages. We will take care of the rest internally. We’re not looking for somebody to cover everything for us, we can take care of ourselves,” said Cowan. “But, at a time like this where you never prepare for something like this happening, we do need help with some supplemental wages.”

Cowan said workers can withstand a few weeks of the port being closed before it causes permanent damage to their livelihoods.

“We need to get the shipping channel open so we can get back to work and get this economy rolling again for the state,” said Cowan. “It’s not just about the ILA members. It’s about the truckers, the warehouse, the consumers and the economic driver in the port. We’re losing $191 million a day in economic impact by this channel not being open.”

On April 4,  Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order that “directs $60 million to provide immediate temporary economic relief to support businesses and workers impacted by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse,” according to information released by his office on effort. 

The Small Business Administration has also set up two centers to help those impacted apply for loans and grants to help them as they recover from the financial impact of the bridge collapse.

The Port of Baltimore contributes nearly $3.3 billion in total personal income to the local economy. It generates more than $395 million in taxes and $2.6 billion in business income. More than 15,000 direct jobs and over 139,000 related jobs are supported by the port.

Aside from ranking number one for automobiles, the Port of Baltimore also leads in farming and construction machinery and is the second in the country for coal exports.

As shipments are diverted to other ports on the East coast, Louis Campion, president of the Maryland Motor Truck Association, said trucking companies are struggling to serve their customers.

“We have a scenario where global trade routes are being modified and supply chain shifts are occurring as diversion happens with cargo ships going to places like Norfolk, New York, New Jersey or Philadelphia,” said Campion. “That’s when we really start to take it on the chin because our members are scrambling to figure out how they can provide services to customers as that freight is diverted.”

Before the collapse, about 4,800 trucks crossed the Key Bridge daily, according to Campion. Now, truckers have lost a critical transportation link. Those carrying hazardous materials also do not have the option to use the Fort McHenry or Baltimore Harbor Tunnel.

“With regards to hazmat, depending on what you’re delivering and where you’re delivering to, it could be an extra 30 miles around the West side of the 695 beltway,” said Campion.

“Cargo needs to come back to Baltimore as quickly as possible,” he added.

Experts do not think the disturbance to the Port of Baltimore will have long-term effects on the U.S. supply chain, particularly because most cargo can be diverted to other ports.

“Baltimore is a mid-sized port. It’s big, but relative to Los Angeles and Long Beach or New York and New Jersey it’s not that large,” said Philip Evers, associate professor of supply chain management at the University of Maryland. “While it does handle quite a few containers through the port, every container ship that goes to Baltimore passes the port in Norfolk and Philadelphia. It’s a short-term effect as long as there’s enough capacity.”

However, Evers said re-routing coal shipments may be challenging.

“There are two big coal piers in Baltimore. It’s a lot harder to divert because there are far fewer coal piers on the East coast,” said Evers. “They will be jammed up for a while.”

As cargo is redirected, some worry that the detours will become permanent. Omar Khan, professor of international business and marketing at Morgan State University, said the concern is legitimate but not likely.

“These industries and industry subsectors have been utilizing the Port of Baltimore for decades. The guidance that they gave to their loaders, unloaders and mechanics and the efficiencies that were required from the truckers were created and practiced over decades,” said Khan.“I expect that once the port reopens and is fully serviceable as it was prior to the bridge collapse, most, if not all, of the industry activity will return very quickly.”

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Businesses across the region are still reeling from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which has halted most vessel traffic to the Port of Baltimore. Since the catastrophe, local and federal officials and nonprofits have stepped in to provide aid to affected firms. 

At Governor Wes Moore’s request, the Small Business Administration (SBA) made an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration for the state of Maryland. Impacted business owners in Maryland and contiguous counties can now apply for low-interest loans for up to $2 million to cope with revenue losses brought on by the bridge collapse. 

“We know that the port was critical for so many products and services coming into the United States and going out,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman. “That’s going to affect large and small businesses, as well as their employees. It’s a pretty broad impact in the region and nationally.” 

More than 500 businesses have already applied for EIDLs, according to Guzman. The 30-year loans have interest rates as low as 4 percent for small businesses and 3.25 percent for nonprofits. The loan also allows businesses to defer payments and interest for up to 12 months after disbursement. 

The SBA opened two Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) to support business owners in completing EIDL applications. The first is located in Baltimore County at the Dundalk Renaissance, and the second is situated in Baltimore City at the CareFirst Engagement Center. 

Guzman said a few more BRCs will open in Maryland in the future. 

“We want to ensure that the Biden-Harris administration stands ready in the long term to continue to support efforts to rebuild and recover and to ensure that no one is left behind,” said Guzman. 

The city of Baltimore has also intervened to provide relief. On March 3, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that the Board of Estimates (BOE) unanimously approved $1 million in wage subsidies for businesses impacted by the partial closure of the Baltimore port. 

The capital will be transferred to the Baltimore Civic Fund for deployment, which managed a similar program for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During his announcement, Scott clarified that the program was not created to outshine any relief efforts that other local, state and federal officials are leading. 

“This is just an initial step that we can do to help start to fill the gaps, but it’s an important step,” said Scott. “In the coming days, we’ll be talking about more assistance that the city of Baltimore can help to offer, but we want to ensure, as always, that everyone is moving together.” 

In the philanthropic community, United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) launched the Bridging the Gap Fund to support afflicted communities with food access, eviction prevention services and other long-term needs that arise in the aftermath of the disaster. 

“We anticipate that the repercussions of this catastrophic event will play out in our communities over the next months, maybe years,” said UWCM president and CEO Franklyn Baker. “Our goals with the Bridging the Gap Fund is to provide support for immediate needs but also to support our neighbors and the neighborhoods they call home well into the future.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Old Glory, Washington D.C.’s first professional rugby team, played its 2024 home opener at the Maryland Soccerplex on March 16, tying with the Chicago Hounds 22 to 22.

As a franchise, Old Glory is young, much like Major League Rugby (MLR) in North America. Local business leaders and former rugby players Chris Dunlavey and Paul Sheehy founded the team in 2018 before the team played its first regular season game in 2020. 

Since then, the pair have slowly been trying to build the organization to compete in the D.C. market, which already has several, long-established professional sports teams. 

“If we go where we want to go—which is to be one of the largest rugby leagues in the world— we have to become more visible in the general spectrum of professional sports in the U.S,” said Dunlavey, chairman of Old Glory. “D.C. is admittedly a bit of a challenge in that regard. We have a team in every league here. It will take us a few years to develop awareness and help people understand what a great sport rugby is.” 

Dunlavey is the president and co-founder of project management firm Brailsford and Dunlavey and founder and owner of Centers, a management services company for university recreation and sports facilities. This is his first foray in sports ownership. 

He met Sheehy, owner of Sheehy Auto Stores, during a reception at the South African Embassy following an international rugby game in 2018. In chatting, the pair realized that MLR had reached out to both of them about starting a team in the league, and they decided to team up for the endeavor. 

Both former rugby players themselves, Sheehy and Dunlavey knew the Greater Washington area already maintained a strong rugby community with several men’s and women’s clubs. 

“D.C. is known across the country as one of the hotbeds of this sport with its diversity of cultures and people from countries where rugby is more popular living here,” Dunlavey said. “In addition to that international connection, there’s a very strong connection between rugby and the military. A lot of military installations have rugby teams, and of course, there’s a very large veteran and active military base to draw on in D.C.” 

Last June, Sheehy and Dunlavey welcomed three new investors to Old Glory: Paxton Baker, Washington Nationals minority owner; Verdine White, founding member of Earth, Wind and Fire; and Pablo Calderini, investment manager. 

For White, this is his first investment in a sports team. 

“I wanted to get into rugby because rugby, I thought, was sexy,” he said. “ It was international. It was something different.”

“D.C. is a great city. It’s an international city, of course, because of politics, and sports naturally fits into that,” White added. 

Old Glory’s primary streams of revenue are ticket sales and corporate partnerships. The team currently attracts about 3,200 fans to its games. In the next two years, Sheehy and Dunlavey expect attendance to break 5,000, and, over the next decade, they hope to reach the 10,000 range. 

The franchise has locked down partnerships with companies, like Cuisine Solutions, BTS Software Solutions and The Supply Room. This year, Old Glory also secured a media partnership with Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which will broadcast its 2024 season. 

“Since the league’s founding, we’ve consistently been the highest performer in corporate partner revenues supporting our team,” Dunlavey said. “Overtime, we’re expecting to build the value of our media rights.” 

Dunlavey believes the key to grappling with D.C.’s crowded sports landscape is to get more people out for a game. He called rugby an addictive, full-contact sport with a tremendous amount of speed and grace. 

Game days are more like festivals, with themes, entertainment and activities for families, according to Dunlavey. 

“If we get people out to see it, they come back and see more of it,” he said. “We’re building through all of the social media outlets we can to make people more aware and get them out to games. We’re also very focused on growing the game at a grassroots level — growing the number of youth, high school and collegiate level teams.” 

Old Glory created nonprofit affiliate The Greater Washington Rugby, or Young Glory, to support rugby clubs and clinics for young people aged five to 23. 

Alex J. Anderson, program coordinator for sports management at Bowie State University, said this will be key to Old Glory’s success. 

“It’s about educating folks. Whenever you can get the kids involved, the parents will come because the kids love it,” he said. “You can go into the high schools, middle schools and elementary schools and talk to the students and show clips. The kids want to see what you’re doing on social media.” 

Anderson acknowledged that playing in D.C. will be a challenge for Old Glory. He said the franchise must hone in on its target audience to contend with the crowded sports market. 

“The one thing you have to sell with rugby is that it’s different,” he said. “ I don’t think you’re going to get the same fans as basketball or even the same fans as football. It’s going to be a different audience. People in this area make some good money, but they’re not going to buy season tickets for every sport.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America Corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

After several years of a former laundromat sitting vacant in Walbrook Junction, Tawana and Roger Bhagwat are bringing laundry service back to the West Baltimore shopping center. The husband and wife team are preparing to open The Wash Zone, a coinless laundry facility, this spring.

For the Bhagwats, the business is more than a means to generate income, it’s an initiative to bring resources to a community that’s suffered from long-term disinvestment. 

“This is more to us than just making money. This is truly about providing a necessity to our community but doing it at another level,” said Tawana Bhagwat. “Our motto is, ‘Experience clean differently.’ We want this place to be a place where there is a standard—a place that has modern technology, is clean and a place where our people feel welcome.”

Opening up a laundromat was always a bucket-list item for the Bhagwats. Each has had experience as entrepreneurs. Roger Bhagwat previously ran a body shop, while Tawana Bhagwat operates the human resources consulting firm Organization At Its Best. 

When they learned that Chicago Trend, a commercial development company led by Lyneir Richardson, purchased Walbrook Junction and was looking for a new laundry operator, they seized the opportunity.

Convenience and technology were two priorities for the Bhagwats when devising the concept for The Wash Zone. 

“Customers can drop their clothes off and get alerted when they’re ready to be picked up. We’re also contracting through Uber, Lyft and Doordash to do pick-ups and drop-offs for the wash and fold service to make it more convenient,” said Roger Bhagwat. “There’s no need for coin pouches, we use a card system.”

The laundromat enables customers to load laundry cards with debit and electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards and mobile payment services, like Cash App and Apple Pay. 

The Bhagwats have also created three initiatives to support the surrounding community: Start Fresh, Start Clean and Start Bright. The first will welcome women and men living in transitional housing to come to the business for laundry service. The second will engage citizens returning from the corrections system. The third will partner with local schools to bring underprivileged families to the laundromat. 

“There are a few words that we hang our hats on: dignity, pride and respect,” said Tawana Bhagwat. “We are hoping to raise the standard here within the shopping mall and even with our fellow store owners in how we treat and respect the customers in the community.” 

Thibault Manekin, partner at Seawall Development, lent his real estate expertise to the Bhagwats as they were examining their lease terms for the space. Manekin and Tawana Bhagwat served on the board of Associated Black Charities together. When he learned of her plans for the business, he fell in love with the vision.  

“What separates Tawana from so many others is that she is as focused on the financial success of the business as she is on the well-being of the community,” said Manekin. “Tawana has the perfect blend of business acumen and heart that is required to bring a venture like this to life.” 

As the Bhagwats are not Baltimore natives, Manekin commended their commitment to becoming a fixture in the community. 

“Following Tawana and Roger’s vision for the project, I hope that The Wash Zone has as much positive impact on that part of West Baltimore as they have set out to have,” said Manekin. “I applaud them for their unwavering commitment to showing up as a true neighbor and not a guest. I have no doubt that they will succeed.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

It is still unclear when the rubble of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the Dali container ship will be removed from the Patapsco River following the structure’s collapse on March 26. 

The Unified Command spent 10 hours cutting and lifting a 200-ton piece of the North section of the bridge out of the channel on March 30. They are scheduled to remove an estimated 350-ton span of the bridge on April 1, barring lightning. 

Governor Wes Moore stressed the need to prioritize safety over speed while cleanup efforts are underway. 

“I know there’s an urgency to move fast, and nobody feels that urgency more than the people standing up here today, but we have to be clear on the risks,” Moore said during an April 1 press conference. “This is a steel bridge that is sitting on top of a container ship in the middle of the Patapsco River. We’re talking about tons of steel that is mangled and tangled up and water that is so murky and so filled with debris that divers cannot see anymore than a foot or two in front of them.” 

Crew members remained on board the Dali, which has a section of the bridge across its bow. Unified Command and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have reportedly stayed in close contact with the seafarers. 

Crew members’ living quarters were not impacted by the fall of the bridge ,and kitchen operations remain intact. 

Unified Command has described the bridge’s remains as “chaotic wreckage.” According to U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath, the steel beams are intertwined, making it difficult to determine where to cut them before they can be hoisted out of the water. 

“It’s turning out to be more challenging than we thought it might be just in trying to determine how they’re tangled and how we’re eventually going to cut through them,” Gilreath said. 

As authorities work to remove the debris, a temporary 11-foot channel for commercial vessels has opened under the Northern part of the bridge that remains standing. The action is a step in restoring transit to the Port of Baltimore.

The channel will be marked with government lights to aid vessel navigation. A second, temporary 15-foot channel is expected to open on the Southwest side of the waterway in the ensuing days. 

Moore said at least 8,000 port jobs have been affected by the collapse. 

“These are individuals who work hard, never complain and get the job done,” Moore said. “Many have continued to work on the docks. Many haven’t been able to get back to work at all.” 

“We want to let them know this: we have their backs because they’ve always had ours,” Moore added.

Following a request by the state of Maryland, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is now deploying low-interest loans of up to $2 million to businesses affected by the incident. Since March 30, the agency has received 57 applications for the relief. 

“We cannot rebuild the bridge until we clear the wreckage, but I’m telling you, we are going to get this done,” Moore said. “We will clear the channel, we will move the Dali and we will rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Federal Reserve System Board of Governors recently elected Coppin State University (CSU) President Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D., to the board of directors of the Baltimore branch for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The bank serves Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington D.C.

Beginning this March, Jenkins will serve a three-year term. He is the first Maryland university president to be appointed to the board. 

“It’s critical for monetary policymakers to understand the communities we serve, and Coppin State University is a vital institution in Baltimore,” said Jessie Romero, assistant vice president and corporate secretary for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. “We’re very excited about the insights and connections Dr. Jenkins will be able to bring from the people who live and work here.” 

Jenkins said the position was not something he sought. Instead, the board reached out to gauge his interest in the role. He thought it would be a unique opportunity not only for him, but for CSU. 

Jenkins said the appointment speaks volumes about the reputation of the West Baltimore anchor institution. 

“I think the Fed really acknowledges how Coppin is a leader in urban higher education and appreciates what we can bring as far as insight and value as an anchor institution,” said Jenkins. “I think they also acknowledge that in order for Maryland to be strong, Baltimore has to be strong. Coppin, as the hometown university, really has its thumb on the pulse of what’s going on in Baltimore.”

Jenkins became president of CSU in 2020. When Jenkins arrived on campus, CSU’s retention rate was about 57 percent compared to 74 percent today. Enrollment increased 5 percent last fall, with students hailing from 37 states and 31 countries. Last year, the university invested more than $14.1 million in research, up from $1.5 million in 2019. It also raised $6 million, up from $1.2 million in 2019. 

“We did that with the backdrop of a global pandemic. You can’t underscore how much we moved this university in a short period of time during a global pandemic,” said Jenkins. “Imagine what we’re going to continue to do now that that’s behind us.”

Since assuming his board position, Jenkins said his perspective on the U.S. economy has shifted. Instead of thinking about the economy from a consumer perspective, he’s considering its sustainability and its impact on the rest of the world. 

“This board is really responsible for creating a healthy and more sustainable economy for this nation, understanding that what we do has a trickle effect on the rest of the world,” said Jenkins. “For me, it’s about bringing insight, information and expertise of what’s happening in Baltimore to strengthen the economy, policies and regulations and to put families in a much better place.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Maryland is conducting a disparity study intended to ascertain the presence of racial or gender discrimination within the markets in which the state does business. Business owners have until March 31 to participate in a 10-minute vendor questionnaire and share their encounters – if any – with discrimination and its effect on their ability to compete in Maryland’s marketplace. 

Studies like this enable the state to gather evidence that can provide justification for race- and gender-conscious procurement policies. 

Maryland commissioned MGT Consulting Group to lead the investigation. The firm will collect data on the presence of minority- and women-owned businesses in the state and their utilization as primes and subcontractors in Maryland’s procurement system. 

Aside from the vendor questionnaire, local business owners can email MGT at stateofmddisparitystudy@mgtconsulting.com to indicate their interest in participating in an in-depth interview or focus group. They can also submit comments about their experiences 24/7 using the same email address, calling 301-658-3440 or using the disparity study contact form.

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Reporter

As damage from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is assessed, leaders are now questioning the incident’s implications for Maryland’s economy. 

“Locally, and even internationally, people are getting a real-time lesson on the importance of the Baltimore Port,” said Mark Anthony Thomas, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC). “When we saw the accident, initially, we did not assume the port would be shut down indefinitely. Now, we are learning that it will have a longer impact on our economy. We just don’t know how dramatic that will be.” 

The Port of Baltimore contributes nearly $3.3 billion in total personal income to the local economy and generates more than $395 million in taxes and $2.6 billion in business income. It supports more than 15,000 direct jobs and over 139,000 related jobs. Nearly 1,800 ships visit the marina each year. 

Nationally, the Port of Baltimore ranks number one for automobile shipments. In the face of the recent catastrophe, vessel traffic will be suspended until further notice. Thomas said there is an immediate need to restore the port’s operations.  

“It serves as a major thoroughfare for cars,” said Thomas. “Any part of the United State’s supply chain that’s disrupted creates a ripple effect in other areas.”

Drivers are urged to use I-95 and I-895 tunnels as alternative routes to the Key Bridge. As a reminder, MDTA officials are imploring drivers to remember that vehicles transporting hazardous materials are prohibited in tunnels. According to the MDTA, those drivers “should use the western section of I-695 around tunnels. This includes vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives significant amounts of radioactive materials.”

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Private equity billionaire David Rubenstein has officially become the new owner of the Baltimore Orioles. Major League Baseball (MLB) owners unanimously approved the $1.7-billion sale of the team on March 27. 

Rubenstein’s investor group includes Michael Arougheti, co-founder and CEO of Ares Management, and Mitchell Goldstein and Michael Smith, co-heads of the Ares Management Credit Group. Notable figures, including O’s Hall-of-Famer Cal Ripken Jr., former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke and Washington Spirit Owner Michele Kang, are also expected to join the ownership group. 

“To own the Orioles is a great civic duty,” Rubenstein said in a statement released on March 27. “On behalf of my fellow owners, I want the Baltimore community and Orioles fans everywhere to know that we will work our hardest to deliver for you with professionalism, integrity, excellence and a fierce desire to win games.” 

Rubenstein, a native of Baltimore, announced his intention to purchase the Orioles from the Angelos family in January. He is the co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the largest and most diversified global investment firms in the world. 

Prior to the sale, the Angelos family owned the team for three decades. The late Peter Angelos, patriarch of the family of attorneys, purchased the Orioles in 1993, just one year after Camden Yards opened to baseball fans. In 2019, his son, John Angelos, took over as his father’s health declined. 

“I thank John Angelos and his family for all they have done to bring us to this point. John led a dramatic overhaul of the team’s management, roster, recruitment strategy and farm system in recent years,” Rubenstein said in the statement. “Our job is to build on these accomplishments to advance a world-class professional sports agenda — with eyes on returning a World Series trophy to Baltimore.” 

Under John Angelos’ leadership, the Orioles finalized a long-term lease agreement with the state of Maryland in December, pledging to keep the team in Charm City for the next 30 years. 

Last season, the Orioles finished with the best record in the American League and second-best in baseball, winning 101 games. They also became the first team in MLB history to have the number one farm system for three consecutive years. 

“Capping our organization turnaround with a championship in perhaps the toughest decision in sports, while fulfilling my pledge that the O’s would forever play ball in Charm City, dovetails perfectly with the privilege to now pass stewardship of Baltimore’s iconic team to a Baltimore native, passionate American and celebrate philanthropist in David Rubenstein,” John Angelos said in the statement.

“The Orioles are in great hands, and the club, as well as the city and state that it calls home, are well positioned for success into the future.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

The post MLB greenlights Rubenstein’s purchase of the Orioles  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Executive Alliance hosted its 2024 Honor Roll Award for Women’s Representation ceremony in Baltimore on March 20, celebrating 43 local, nonprofits, hospitals, colleges and companies—including the AFRO. Awardees demonstrated that women comprise at least 30 percent of their boards and 30 percent of their executive leadership. 

During the event, Ellen Fish, Baltimore market leader for Sandy Spring Bank, unveiled findings from Executive Alliance’s 2024 Census Report of Women Board Directors in Maryland. The study revealed that 74 percent of board director seats in the state are held by men. 

“Maryland does not compare well from a national standpoint either when you compare us to the Fortune 500 and the Stockton and Poor 500 (S&P 500) companies,” said Fish. “Nationally, since 2000, there are no more all-male boards for the S&P 500. Maryland still has seven all-male boards.” 

One primary difference between Maryland boards and those in the S&P 500 is the implementation of age and term limits, which Fish said helps to accelerate diversity. She reported that while 69 percent of boards from companies on the index have these regulations, only 21 percent of Maryland boards have them. 

The state’s boards also exhibit shortcomings in racial diversity. According to the census report, just nine percent of all new Maryland directors are Black and overall African Americans hold eight percent of director seats in the state. 

Fish pointed to a new Nasdaq directive that seeks to tackle diversity gaps. The Board Diversity Rule requires companies listed on the exchange to publicly disclose data on the diversity of their boards. Depending on the company’s classification, they must also have one to two women, underrepresented minority or LGBTQ+ board directors by 2026 or an explanation for why not. 

“What this does is bring transparency and light into those boardrooms, and hopefully it will encourage diversity,” said Fish. 

During the program, attendees heard from four Maryland business leaders as part of a panel centered on women advocating for women in the workplace. One pressing topic of the conversation was the dream gap, which refers to young girls developing self-limiting beliefs about what they can achieve due to gender stereotypes and other social constructs. 

The phenomenon has implications for women pursuing leadership roles and male-dominated fields, like science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

“The young women in our organization will not raise their hand for an opportunity unless they think they’ve got 90 percent of the skills, whereas every man will if he thinks he’s got 50 percent of the skills,” said Laura Gamble, regional president for PNC Bank in Greater Maryland. “A lot of times, we have to push the women to raise their hands and to think about their development plans.” 

Chrissy Thornton, president and CEO of Associated Black Charities (ABC), said the dream gap is beginning to close as society moves toward breaking down gender roles. 

“A lot of that is going away because a lot of our roles are being de-gendered,” said Thornton. “Back in the day, girls were given toy houses and dolls and taught to be nurturers and self-sacrificing. Then, we grow up and do that in the workplace.” 

Thornton called for women in leadership roles to extend support to those trailing behind them and to be continual learners in their careers. 

“My advice is to figure out how to pull someone else along, and don’t ever be too grown for mentorship yourself,” said Thornton. “Don’t ever relegate another woman to go through the same traumas that you’ve had to go through just because. There’s no benefit in that.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

The post Executive Alliance highlights the state of women’s representation during Honor Roll ceremony appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

The state of Maryland is currently considering legalizing i-gaming, or internet-based gambling on casino-style games. Two bills in the Maryland General Assembly, HB1319 and SB603, would give residents the chance to vote on authorizing online slot machines, roulette, poker and other table games. 

If legalized, the assembly predicts i-gaming could generate more than $900 million in gross revenue by 2032. The measure comes after voters approved online sports betting in 2022. 

Morgan State University’s Center for Data Analytics and Sports Gaming Research (DASGR) hosted a town hall to explore the opportunities and implications of the legislation on March 15. Part of the argument for legalizing the practice is combating the Black Market that already exists for i-gaming.

“We’re talking about legalizing it in Maryland, but I just Googled online gaming on my phone, and I could start playing in five minutes,” said West Virginia Delegate Shawn Fluharty, president of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States. “You can play. It’s already there. It’s just not regulated, and you’re not making revenue off of it.”

Not regulated by government entities yet, the i-gaming Black Market can pose consumer protection risks. Betters are vulnerable to financial fraud and unjust gaming practices, and there are no measures in place to curb problem gambling. 

“Just like all other forms of consumer products, gaming is going to have a digital channel,” said Scott Gunn, senior vice president of corporate public affairs for International Game Technology. “Policymakers in this state and others should put their imprint on it, rather than let consumers find unregulated sites.” 

A primary concern for legalization is i-gaming’s effect on brick-and-mortar casinos. Under the legislation, the establishments would receive their own i-gaming licenses, but some worry that escalation of online gambling will lead to the cannibalization of land-based casinos, putting numerous people out of jobs. 

An example of this can be seen in the retail industry, with more people choosing to shop online rather than patronize physical stores. 

“Operators are always concerned that if they go online with their services, they might lose money, and along with losing money, they might lose jobs. No one wants to bring in a new legal business where jobs are going to be lost, especially post-COVID,” said Jeff Ifrah, online gaming attorney and founder of iDevelopment and Economic Association (iDEA). “Everyone’s trying to get back to normal, which means we want casinos to have the revenue they had before.” 

A study commissioned by the Maryland General Assembly reported that i-gaming would be responsible for a 10.2 percent decline in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for brick-and-mortar casinos. By 2032, the study forecasted that Maryland casinos would lose $222.5 million as a result of internet gambling. 

Ryan Eller, executive vice president and general manager at Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland, said his establishment experienced a 70 percent decline in visitation when online sports betting was legalized in 2022. He expects i-gaming to follow suit. 

“It certainly isn’t my fear that Maryland Live!, which employs close to 3,000 people and has a great deal of livelihoods associated with it, would go the way of the local strip mall and become vacant. The sky is not falling in that respect,” said Eller. “But, it would have similar impacts. If cannibalization does materialize the way we anticipate that it would, some of the stores in our mall would inevitably go dark.” 

However, four Maryland casinos, Rocky Gap Casino and Resort, Hollywood Casino, MGM National Harbor and Horseshoe Casino, have expressed their support for i-gaming during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing. 

Proponents of the bill have also cited a study from Eilers and Krejcik Gaming (EKG), commissioned by iDEA, that determined i-gaming will have a positive impact on revenue for brick-and mortar casinos. The report examined states like New Jersey, West Virginia and Michigan, which already operate live and online casinos. 

It found that the states’ land-based casinos experienced a 2.44 percent quarterly revenue increase after legal i-gaming was enacted. The study concluded that, in a typical U.S. state, i-gaming would have a 1.7 percent positive impact on revenue for physical casinos. 

“Online gaming is a different way to approach a new consumer. It’s not an existing consumer who is going to choose this instead of that,” said Ifrah. “It’s someone new and that provides a new opportunity because not everyone goes to land-based casinos.”

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

The post Morgan State University explores implications and opportunities for Maryland’s iGaming bill appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Associated Black Charities (ABC), a Baltimore-based racial equity organization, will hold its first Teen Financial Literacy Summit on April 13 at the DoubleTree Baltimore North Hotel in Pikesville, Md. The free event builds on the success of ABC’s six-week Teen Financial Literacy summer series that took place last summer. 

Baltimore area youth aged 12 to 16 are welcomed to attend the summit, alongside a guardian aged 18 and over, to learn about critical subjects, including entrepreneurship, budgeting, assets, liabilities, debt management, investing and philanthropy. 

“As Black people, we’ve been disenfranchised from information on how to build wealth, how to have multiple streams of income and how to become investors,” said Chrissy Thornton, president and CEO of ABC. “As we are training the next generation, we need to make sure that the current generation not only has the information, but that they are positioned to be supportive of their children.” 

Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby will open the summit with a keynote address. Attendees will then participate in breakout sessions on finance essentials. During one session, guardians and youth will separate. Adults will take part in a discussion about breaking generational mindsets around money while youth will learn about job seeking and interviewing skills.

The program employs curriculum from Morgan State University alumnus Kerwyn Phillip’s book, “Malik’s First Job.” The story follows Malik who has his first job interview at a local sneaker store. During his employment journey, he seeks his father’s guidance to learn how to manage money and become financially responsible. 

Phillip said he was inspired to write the book because he wanted to prevent young people from facing the same financial challenges he did. 

“Coming out of college I didn’t know how to properly manage money. A lot of the things that I’m teaching now, I didn’t do myself,” said Phillip. “It caused me to get into debt and to struggle financially. I just wanted to share what I’ve experienced so that the next generation doesn’t go through the same thing I did.” 

Without comprehensive financial education, Phillip said people are unable to create generational wealth and pass it on to their children. He cited a study conducted by The Williams Group that revealed 70 percent of wealthy families lose their wealth by the second generation. 

“We’re hoping that with this program, we help spark conversation within households,” said Phillip. “These children are still in their teen years. We hope once they get older they’ll already have a basic understanding and appreciation of finance.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

The post Associated Black Charities to host Teen Financial Literacy Summit appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

The Walters Art Museum will invite AFRO Publisher Frances “Toni” Draper to share the journey and accomplishments of the Black-, family-owned newspaper while in conversation with Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts Lynley Herbert on March 23. The discussion will tie into the stories of women who have created and published books in the museum’s collection.  

“The Walters has always been a favorite museum of mine. I’m happy to be back there,” said Draper. “I love the fact that we are making connections between women of different eras and cultures as creators and women of the AFRO as creators, including women who were involved in the founding all the way up until the women involved today.” 

The founding of the AFRO originated from an investment by Draper’s great-grandmother. Martha Howard Murphy, wife of John H. Murphy, Sr. , lent her husband $200 to purchase the newspaper in 1892. 

Today, under Draper’s leadership, the media company continues to serve the community with a focus on Black news and Black issues. Savannah Wood, fifth-generation of the Murphy family, serves as executive director of  AFRO Charities, which oversees the extensive archival collection. The AFRO archives encompass three million photographs, thousands of letters and rare audio recordings. 

“The women who are curating our archives are all young women with a passion for the work—not just from a historical perspective but from a creative perspective,” said Draper. “I think that’s fascinating, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

During the program, Herbert and Draper will draw connections between the Murphy family and the Calderon-Benavides family, which spawned seven generations of printers in Mexico—many of whom were women—from 1631 to 1815.  

“I have three books in the exhibition by the first three generations of women printers, and I am continuing this strategy to acquire books by the entire seven generations of printers,” said Herbert. “The AFRO’s story connects really beautifully with its many generations and strong women leaders.” 

Herbert started at the Walters Art Museum fourteen years ago. At that time, the museum possessed just four works by women in its collection, which represents nearly 3,500 rare books and 1,000 manuscripts spanning centuries. 

Since then, Herbert has made it her mission to bring more women’s stories to the collection, as their voices have been historically viewed as unimportant. 

“I want people to be thinking about women as having agency over their lives even in earlier periods. I think they get overlooked,” said Herbert. “Even across our entire art collection, there’s very few women makers, and a lot of times their voices are lost. That’s something I am trying hard to bring back to the surface with these acquisitions.” 

The March 23 is free to the public, and interested attendees can register on the Walters Art Museum’s website. 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

The post Walters Museum to host AFRO Publisher Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper for ‘Women as Creators and Leaders’ conversation appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Members of Caring Across Maryland, a coalition that represents advocates, workers and patients in nursing homes, assisted living and home care, assembled in Annapolis, Md. on March 5 alongside partner organizations to rally support for key legislation that would enhance compensation and data collection across the state’s care landscape.

The event was a part of a larger national campaign spearheaded by the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA). The initiative advocates for government to invest in a care infrastructure that provides comprehensive support and services to paid and unpaid caregivers and those who receive care. This includes living wages, benefits and pathways to citizenship for care workers, who predominantly tend to be women and people of color. 

Caring Across Maryland championed two bills while in Annapolis, the Homecare Workers Rights Act, or HB39, and HB189. The first would bar the Maryland Department of Health from reimbursing residential service agencies (RSAs) that hire care workers as independent contractors. The second would require RSAs to submit data to the Maryland Department of Labor regarding wages for care workers. 

“We’re working to transform the care industry,” said Chanelle Croxton, director of state strategies and organizing for NDWA. “We’re making sure that people who need access to care can get that access and that the folks who are working in it are able to have dignified wages and be in this profession that they love without having to sacrifice their livelihood.” 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Maryland’s home health and personal care aides earned an average of $15.67 per hour and $32,590 each year in 2022. Meanwhile, their day-to-day responsibilities can include assisting individuals with bathing and dressing, administering medications, shopping for groceries, preparing meals, housekeeping and driving individuals to appointments. 

Aside from substandard wages, a major issue for the care industry is misclassification. According to Croxton, care workers are classified as independent contractors at times. This has implications for labor protections and taxes. 

Care workers classified as independent contractors must use 1099 tax forms, meaning they are subject to paying for both self-employment and income taxes. They also do not receive benefits like overtime pay and health insurance.

Baltimore native Vivian Boone has been in home care for 35 years, working for The Elizabeth Cooney Agency, Sunrise Senior Living and Chesapeake Home Health Care amongst other agencies. Over her career, she’s generally made anywhere from $12 to $15. She works a part-time job in a school cafeteria to supplement her income. 

“If it’s a difficult patient, you might get $18,” said Boone. “But that doesn’t [reflect] that I have to come in, get you out of bed, put you in your wheelchair, help you stand to get a shower, cook your meals and wash your clothes. It takes a toll.” 

Although Boone said she was hired as an employee, her current agency has classified her as an independent contract. 

“I get no benefits. None. I’m going to be hit real hard at the end of the tax year,” said Boone. “Yeah, I could find another job, but right now I just want to focus on getting this fixed.” 

Croxton said HB189 is positioned to complement a federal proposal from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that would direct more funds to care workers’ wages. The rule, Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services, proposes that 80 percent of Medicaid payments for homemaker, home health aide and personal care services be earmarked for workers’ compensation. 

“With information on what workers are making, we’re able to come back to the legislature to ask for our fair share of that and ensure that workers actually see the benefit from the funding that’s put toward this work,” said Croxton. 

Both bills have passed the House and are being considered by the Senate Finance Committee. 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

The post Advocates call for better wages and data collection for workers in care industry appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

The world of Black-owned tabletop games is not just about providing fun. Black game creators provide a refreshing break from what the mainstream has to offer.

They draw on the culture and collective experience of the Black community, whether with conversation starters or trivia competitions. When planning your next celebration or get-together with friends and family, consider picking up one of the Black-owned card games below to get the party started. 

Hella Awkward 

Brittane Rowe founded Awkward Games alongside her brother, Brandon Rowe, and his girlfriend, Jane Lim, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brittane Rowe was quarantining alone in Harlem, while Brandon Rowe and Lim hunkered down in Brooklyn. The trio often used Facetime to cope with the isolation. During their calls, they began having deep discussions about their childhoods and life experiences. 

“A lot of Black and Brown people have similar experiences where our communities do not encourage us to be vulnerable and dive into stuff that can feel really uncomfortable,” said Brittane Rowe. “We started creating a list of questions that had come up in our conversations.” 

The hundreds of questions ultimately turned into Hella Awkward, a conversation-starter game meant to foster more meaningful connections between people. The questions are broken down into four categories: relationships, dating, sex and real talk. One player starts the game by choosing a card that they and the rest of the group answer, and they continue taking turns until they want to stop the game. Each player receives one skip card should the question feel “hella awkward.”

“We have such a fun, eclectic mix of questions,” said Brittane Rowe. “It’s important because these are real life experiences that all of us go through, and I think it’s great to talk openly about those things.” 

Hella Awkward is available online, on Amazon and in various Target, Urban Outfitters, Macy’s and Walmart stores. Its Hella Black pack, a collaboration with The Shade Room, donates 10 percent of proceeds to small, Black-owned businesses. 

Lyrically Correct

Cousins Donte Jones and Juelz Rhodes created this music trivia game with their high school sweethearts, Tiffany Jones and Nikki Rhodes in 2020. While scrolling through social media, Nikki Rhodes saw a post that inspired the concept for the game. The Rhodes then called on the Jones to help them formulate a business plan, as Donte Jones spent 10 years in business banking and Tiffany Jones had experience in wholesaling and marketing. 

Lyrically Correct tests players’ knowledge on the lyrics of popular songs across genres like 90s and 2000s hip-hop and R&B; gospel; 80s pop, funk and hip-hop; and 60s and 70s music. The game is available online, on Amazon and in Target stores across the country. 

“A lot of times, we can think of a million obstacles that will prevent us from doing what we want to do,” said Donte Jones. “Whether it’s something you want to create or something you want to sell, just do it and figure out the rest later.” 

PO’ UP! Card Game

Georgia native Lizz Rene never intended to become a game maker. She studied public relations at the University of Georgia, and upon graduation, relocated to Washington D.C. Many of the friends she made during undergrad remained in Georgia, but during the holidays, they gathered to catch up and play games. 

Brittane Rowe is the creator of PO’ UP! Card Game, which allows Black students to celebrate and connect over their college experiences. (Courtesy of PO’UP!)

“One year, I wanted to come up with an icebreaker activity to switch things up, so I wrote some note cards down with nostalgic questions about our time at UGA,” said Rene. “What was supposed to be a 15-minute icebreaker ended up taking the whole party.”

One of Rene’s best friends liked the concept so much, she encouraged Rene to turn it into a business. In 2020, she did just that. PO’ UP! Card Game enables players to relive their college days and celebrate Black excellence. Each card in the game is a prompt or open-ended question centered on the Black student experience, and Rene intentionally made the game inclusive for students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominantly White institutions (PWIs). The cards are broken into 11 categories, including Black at a PWI, HBCU Pride, College Broke, Nostalgia, Greek Life and Proud Black Grad, and they indicate which players must PO’ UP!

“It’s not a trivia game. It’s not about right or wrong answers. It’s about giving you the feeling of being back in your college experience,” said Rene. “For those who are still in college, it’s about being able to celebrate and connect over shared experiences.” 

PO’ UP! Card Game is available online and in several retailers across D.C., Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, New York, Missouri, Louisiana, Colorado and Georgia. 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

The post Gaming Black: A look at African Americans in the card game space appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Student athletes, coaches and basketball fans from around the country flooded the downtown Baltimore area Feb. 26 to March 3 as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament returned to Charm City. 

The men of Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University beat out Fayetteville State 54-51, capturing the men’s 2024 CIAA title, while the ladies of Fayetteville State battled Elizabeth City State University, 64-59, ultimately taking the title. 

While most of the action took place on the court at CFG Bank Arena, a spotlight was also shone on Baltimore’s Black dining scene. The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, in collaboration with the Baltimore Local Host Committee, held the Black-Owned Restaurant Tour for the third time to encourage fans to patronize Black businesses. 

“Every night was packed, especially on the weekends,” said Chris Simon, co-owner of the Outkrowd Group, which operates Baltimore restaurants Prim and Proper and Blk Swan. “Blk Swan was the landing spot for people after they finished bouncing around during the day. We definitely felt a surge in business because of that.” 

Simon said his sales surged during the eight days of the tournament. 

Both Prim and Proper and Blk Swan had several buyouts for private parties from alumni of schools competing in the competition, like Bowie State University. The rentals substantially added to the restaurants’ revenue for the week, according to Simon. 

“I think Baltimore is a great city for CIAA,” said Simon. “I really like how people were purposeful about supporting Black businesses while being here to support HBCUs.” 

In 2023, CIAA brought 38,450 fans to CFG Bank Arena. The tournament, which showcases premier teams from historically, Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), generated an economic impact of $29.6 million, up from $19.6 million in 2022.

“We almost doubled in economic impact year over year, and the city of Baltimore really stepped up and did a tremendous job with signage and other activities,” said Al Hutchinson, CEO and president of Visit Baltimore.

This year, months before the tournament, CIAA advertisements began to build excitement for the tournament via digital billboards strategically placed on buildings along high-traffic areas in the downtown area. 

Before returning to Baltimore in 2021, the CIAA Tournament ran in Charlotte, N.C. for 15 years. According to CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker, its stint left behind more than $600 million for the city and state. 

Since being in Baltimore, she said the CIAA has had an intentional impact on minority- and women-owned businesses. McWilliams-Parker said Baltimore hotel bookings were full, and ticket sales went well for the 2024 tournament. The competition created more than 1,000 jobs this year, according to McWilliams-Parker. 

She also noted the plethora of incentives for Black entrepreneurs. 

“We have opportunities for our minority- and women-owned businesses to get engaged and make some revenue themselves,” said McWilliams-Parker. “Over the last couple of years, Visit Baltimore has been able to capture over a $1 million for , which we haven’t been able to do in the past. That’s one area I’m really proud about.” 

According to Hutchinson, Visit Baltimore partnered with 180 small, Black-owned businesses during the 2023 CIAA Tournament. Over the course of the competition, nearly $1.2 million was spent with the establishments.

Hutchinson was happy to once again engage the Black business community through the Black-Owned Restaurant Tour. 

“Last year, we had eight Black-owned restaurants. This year, 14 Black-owned restaurants a part of the tour,” said Hutchinson. “This is one way we can celebrate Black-owned businesses and push the fan base and our residents to celebrate these Black-owned restaurants.” 

Simon’s two restaurants participated in the tour. He said he looks forward to the visitors that come from near and far each year.

“CIAA has had a tremendous impact on our business as it brings a bunch of out-of-towners to the area for an HBCU sporting event with many of them looking to patronize Black-owned restaurants,” said Simon. “We consistently see a spike in sales throughout the week of CIAA.” 

Aside from CIAA’s financial impact on Baltimore, Hutchinson said the tournament elevates the city’s brand. Visit Baltimore invites potential conference organizers to the event to demonstrate Baltimore’s ability to host large events. 

He added that the competition contributes to the city’s broader tourism industry, which he identified as Baltimore’s third largest economic sector. Many depend on the industry for employment, according to Hutchinson. 

“If not for travel and tourism, a lot of folks would not be employed in this community,” said Hutchinson. “I think it’s very important and it should be celebrated. The CIAA helps all of us keep our jobs.”

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

The post CIAA Tournament returns to Baltimore appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

District Court Judge George L. Russell III recently dismissed a discrimination lawsuit lodged against Atlas Restaurant Group (Atlas), owner of Ouzo Bay, by Baltimore real estate planner, Marcia Grant.

Grant sued the company in July 2020 after she and her nine-year-old son, Dallas, were prohibited from dining at the upscale Harbor East restaurant. At the time, staff asserted that Dallas’ athletic shorts were a violation of the establishment’s dress code, which was posted at the entrance. In response, Grant recorded a now viral video showing a similarly aged White boy dining at the Greek restaurant who appeared to be wearing a similar outfit, but with “khaki shorts” instead of basketball shorts.

Now, years later, a decision has been handed down.

Atlas President and CEO Alex Sm[1] [2] [3] ith released a statement after the court ruling saying his team was pleased with Russell’s decision.

“While incredibly unfortunate, we have long maintained the 2020 incident was purely a customer service issue and most certainly was not a case of discrimination or racial bias in any form, which was confirmed by the court today,” said Smith.

“Atlas Restaurant Group will continue embracing the core values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging,” said Smith. “These foundational pillars create Atlas’s strong work culture and vibrant Baltimore community. Atlas will continue building and promoting a culture that celebrates diversity in all its forms.”

Russell ruled that Grant did not have sufficient evidence to prove that Atlas intentionally discriminated against her and her son based on their race and granted the hospitality group’s motion for summary judgment, forgoing a trial.

“I respect the court’s decision. There was some disappointment in the outcome, but it was short-lived,” said Grant. “I quickly resolved that the win is in the pursuit of what’s right. The win is progress. It can never be said that I didn’t make an impact, that I didn’t move us forward.”

Much of Grant’s case centered around whether the White child was wearing gym shorts, like Dallas. At the time, Atlas’ dress code, which was amended after the incident, prohibited activewear, gym clothing and gym shorts. Russell concluded that while Dallas was wearing basketball shorts, the White child was wearing khaki or “Bermuda shorts,” according to court documents.

Grant also alleged that Atlas, as a restaurant group, had engaged in a known pattern of discrimination. During the case, affidavits from two former employees of other Atlas restaurants recounted perceived incidents of discrimination.

One alleged that they witnessed Loch Bar deny service to a Black woman wearing leggings and a button-down shirt over a tank top, which they believed to be because of her race. The other asserted that Azumi was on “higher alert” with the attire of patrons of color when compared to the dress of White customers.

An employee that worked for Ouzo Bay during the incident, Rafael Coppolla, also made an affidavit claiming that he complained to a manager about a server who avoided waiting on a Black couple, but was told he was exaggerating.

The court ruled that these statements were hearsay and conclusory opinions, which are not admissible evidence.

“‘Not guilty’ does not mean ‘innocent.’ It simply means that after administering the rules set forth by the court, which is usually a high bar and rightfully so, the court could not find guilt,” said Grant. “That is a very important concept and distinction that must be understood.”

“In a similar fashion, the judge presiding over our case that it did not meet the bar that is set forth to proceed with a federal discrimination suit,” she added. “This means just that and nothing more. It does not mean that this was not discrimination. Guilty people walk everyday, especially when they have the means to be well-represented.”

Since the incident, the restaurant group revised its dress code policy so that children aged 12 and younger, who are accompanied by an adult, do not have to follow it.

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

The post Atlas Restaurant Group wins lawsuit as plaintiff speaks out about case dismissal appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer 
msayles@afro.com

Dr. Sherita Hill Golden has exited her post as vice president and chief diversity officer for Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM), according to an email sent by Dean and CEO Theodore L. DeWeese and Executive Vice President Kevin W. Sowers on March 4. As the medical institution prepares to conduct a national search for a new, permanent diversity lead, Chief Human Resources Officer Inez Stewart will assume the role in the interim. 

Golden’s departure comes after she received public criticism over her definition of “privilege” in an email sent out to the JHM community, which she later retracted. 

“We are writing to share the news that after a great deal of reflection, Dr. Sherita Golden has decided to step down from her role as vice president and chief diversity officer for Johns Hopkins Medicine,” wrote DeWeese and Sowers in the email. “She has been a valuable member of the Johns Hopkins Medicine leadership team, and, like many of you, we wanted her to stay in her role, but we respect her decision.”

In a digital January newsletter, Golden defined privilege as “a set of unearned benefits given to people who are in a specific social group.” She proceeded to list White people, males, Christians, heterosexuals and able-bodied people—among others— as part of those groups. 

After the email was shared beyond the JHM community, an X account titled “End Wokeness” posted a screenshot referring to it as a “hit list of people automatically guilty of privilege whether they know it or not.” The viral post sparked a number of negative comments about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and calls for Golden to be fired. 

JHM rebuked the language used in Golden’s definition, saying it ran counter to its values and commitment to serving everyone equally. The medical institution said Golden acknowledged her mistake and retracted the definition. 

Students and employees of JHM expressed their disappointment over the renouncement in an open letter to DeWeese and Sowers. They contended that the pushback on the definition was a part of a broader effort to spread disinformation about the importance of DEI at colleges and universities. 

Golden is not the first Black woman to resign from a prominent position in higher education in the wake of public backlash this year. In January, Claudine Gay, the first Black president of Harvard University, resigned from her position after coming under fire for her response to questions about Anti-Semitism in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. 

“Surely discussions about privilege can be challenging. The word is easily misinterpreted or taken to mean that people who benefit from systems of advantage are immoral or unworthy,” wrote JHM students and employees.

“However, it is important for our institution to respond to assaults on our commitment to DEI with courage and conviction. In the face of bad-faith attacks, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins University must state clearly, loudly and proudly that we value diversity, equity and inclusion.” 

JHM leadership did not address the controversy in their announcement of Golden’s resignation. Instead, they praised her dedication to health equity and efforts to recruit and retain diverse talent across the institution. 

Golden will remain on JHM faculty as the Hugh P. McCormick Family Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

The 15th annual MBE Night in Annapolis took place on Feb. 22, assembling local political leaders, members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and the minority business community. The conference exists to expose minority business enterprises (MBEs) to economic and procurement opportunities in the state. 

Former Maryland Del. Herman Taylor, who founded MBE Night in Annapolis in 2009, opened up the program by discussing his devotion to supporting  minority-owned businesses. 

“I am steadfastly passionate about minority business inclusion and entrepreneurship because it gives people power—not power over other people but power over themselves,” said Taylor. “It gives them power to control their own lives, which is what we call self-determination, so they can create their own opportunity and destiny and live their own dream.” 

Gov. Wes Moore also gave remarks during the event. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening Maryland’s MBE program and holding state agencies accountable for complying with the state’s aspirational goal of 29 percent MBE participation on government contracts. 

Moore also highlighted his recent appointment of Nichelle Johnson as Maryland’s first MBE ombudsman, who will be instrumental in resolving contract issues between primes and MBEs and creating policies to streamline MBE program compliance. 

“I’m proud of the fact that just in our first year, the Board of Public Works delivered $1.4 billion to MBEs, a $160 million increase compared to the year before despite the fact that we allocated $6 billion less than the year before,” said Moore. “There was a significant increase in how we evaluated and made sure there was significant MBE participation in the way that government dollars are allocated and treated.” 

Minority business owners heard from two prominent Black CEOs on a panel covering growth and success during the conference. Del. Jazz Lewis (D-Pr. George’s) led the conversation with Warren Thomspon, CEO of Thompson Hospitality, and Doyle Mitchell, CEO of Industrial Bank. 

Mitchell encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of Industrial Bank’s financial literacy workshops and resources. 

“A bank is a very inexpensive place to get certain financial advice. We have borrowers who constantly talk to the lenders, and when they listen, they tend to do very well,” said Mitchell. “Our job is to try to grow businesses. The more they grow, the more we grow.” 

Thompson said his company maintains a division dedicated to engaging small and minority businesses for contract work. The hospitality firm also aids entrepreneurs in getting certified as MBEs with the National Minority Supplier Development Council. 

“It’s often said, ‘It’s lonely at the top,’ and it is,” said Thompson. “I think any good leader will realize that and surround himself or herself with smart people who are willing to give you good advice and tell you when you’re messing up.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Ticker tapes, whether mechanical or electronic, have long been used to transmit real-time financial information about the stock market, like stock prices and trading volume. Traders and investors rely on them to monitor market movements and to make informed decisions about buying, selling or holding securities. 

Now, Charles Walker, founder and CEO of Friends of the Movement (FotM) Global, has invented a new kind of ticker tape, the Conscious Spending Ticker (CST). The tool was designed to hold corporate America accountable for their commitments to fight racism and discrimination and to encourage consumers to spend with intentionality. 

The first CST is known as the Black Wall Street Ticker. It tracks and reports spending, giving and investing by Black and allied consumers and companies with Black-owned businesses. 

“We were able to put together cutting-edge technology that would allow us to track spending in the Black community with Black businesses. We can also analyze spending by category, whether it’s Asian, Latinx or LGBTQ, to gauge reciprocity between communities,” said Walker. “We have allies out there. Instead of leveraging the $1.7 trillion we spend, we want to leverage almost half of America’s spending to bring swift social and economic change.” 

The Black Wall Street Ticker, which is being piloted in Atlanta, is powered by FotM Global’s Digital Voter Wallet. The app promotes conscious spending by enabling users to identify companies that align with their values and prioritize racial justice. It aims to persuade people to “vote” with their wallets. 

Walker believes African Americans spend less money with Black-owned businesses than other ethnic groups spend with businesses owned by members of their same group. He thinks the legacy of slavery has caused Black people to envy one another’s success at times. 

However, Walker said as more attention is given to Black history and Black excellence there’s been a resurgence in the importance of unity among African Americans.  

“The more we learn, the more we wake up to systemic racism. When we wake up and start demanding change, we see what’s occurring in modern day, which is that people want to reverse all of our gains,” said Walker. “If we really want to change and make an impact, yes, we should vote, but we must also vote with our wallets.” 

Ron Sailor, Southeast regional director of the National Action Network, said he was particularly inspired by Walker’s work because it’s rooted in Martin Luther King Jr.’s focus on the economic empowerment of Black people. Walker, himself, has been heavily involved in civil rights groups, like the NAACP, Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.  

Sailor also pointed out that FotM Global’s mission relates to what civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson called “silver rights.” 

“The spending of our dollars has caused large-scale success in almost any major American corporation. It is the infusion of these dollars freely spent from African-American communities that has led to this kind of corporate success,” said Sailor. “There must be a degree of mutual responsibility.” 

He thinks the Black Wall Street Ticker is particularly important today as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts are under siege. Last June, the Supreme Court voted to end affirmative action in college admissions, outlawing the consideration of race in applications. The decision has engendered legal uncertainty for companies that promote DEI in their recruiting and hiring practices. 

Firms like the Fearless Fund, which provides venture capital to businesses led by women of color, have also come under legal scrutiny. 

“In the face of DEI attacks, this movement from Dr. Walker becomes increasingly important because it gives us a tangible and practical technology that we can use to definitively show where we are in the parity of these relationships between the Black and corporate community,”  said Sailor.

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Md. Washington Minority Companies Association (MWMCA) has called attention to an eight-count lawsuit filed by a local Black entrepreneur against Fulton Bank, a Small Business Administration (SBA) preferred lender. 

According to the complaint, Baltimore resident Pless Jones Jr. attempted to obtain a loan from Fulton Bank in 2019 in order to purchase his father’s construction business, P&J Contracting. The financial institution had concerns about approving the loan because of a 2014 consent decree that his father, Pless Jones Sr., agreed to for a property associated with the business.

The consent decree in question was related to the cleanup of a property in East Baltimore. The agreement was entered into by Jones Sr. with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), which is also named as a defendant in the suit. 

Allegedly, Fulton Bank initially told Jones Jr. that he should not have to become party to the consent decree in order to purchase the business. But, the bank changed its stance, and Jones Jr. has claimed that he was coerced into becoming party to the consent decree in order to obtain the loan and assume ownership of the business. 

Jones Jr. alleges that he was made to think that he would need to take over the responsibilities of the consent decree although there was no legal obligation on his part. Instead, the burden should have fallen on the seller who initially entered the consent decree, according to the complaint. 

MWMCA’s president, Wayne Frazier, led a press conference at The Woodberry, located at 2001 W. Cold Spring Lane, on Jan. 2 to discuss the lawsuit. 

“Fulton Bank, as the lawsuit states, placed Mr. Jones’ business in a position that would cause a default sooner or later because the cash flow would have to be siphoned off of his business to pay for improvements to a property the bank did not even secure as collateral,” said Frazier. “There was no statutory standing for the bank to include that property as collateral for that loan.” 

Frazier said that he believes Fulton Bank had no lawful reason to bring Jones Jr. into the consent decree agreement. 

“He had nothing to do with it,” said Frazier. “That land wasn’t a part of the collateral. I keep going back to why? Because it may affect other Black-owned and women-owned businesses in this town.” 

In addition to issues with the actual loan, Jones Jr. alleges that the bank was unethical in their attempt to handle problems related to the consent decree. Jones Jr. says in September 2020 Fulton Bank advised him to procure legal counsel from Todd Chason, resident agent at Gordon Feinblatt, to help resolve the consent decree issue with MDE. Jones Jr. would later come to discover that Chason was also representing Fulton Bank, according to the complaint. 

A couple months later, the complaint claims that Chason told Fulton Bank they had reached an agreement with MDE that involved withholding $500,000 from the loan to place the funds in escrow as a security measure in the event that Jones Sr. failed to adhere to the consent decree. 

Shortly after, Fulton Bank told Jones Jr. that MDE was requiring him to join the consent decree and that he would be unable to obtain a loan if he refused, according to the complaint. In December 2020, Jones Jr. signed the consent decree and closed the loan to purchase P&J Contracting. At that point, he assumed all terms, conditions and requirements of the agreement. 

“Defendants Fulton Bank, MDE, Gordon Feinblatt and Chason worked together to coerce Mr. Jones into being added as party to, and signing, the second consent decree,” according to the complaint. “There was no statutory requirement or legal authority which required Mr. Jones to be added as a defendant to the second consent decree.” 

The complaint accuses Fulton Bank, MDE, Chason and his law firm of crimes, including civil conspiracy, breach of contract, legal malpractice, negligence, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation and punitive damages. 

A Fulton Bank representative told the AFRO that it was against company policy to discuss pending litigation with news media. 

Jones Jr. is seeking a judgment in excess of $75,000, according to the complaint. 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Several experts in artificial intelligence (AI) gathered at the 2024 Becoming Everything You Are (BEYA) STEM Conference, organized by Tyrone Taborn’s Career Communications Group, on Feb. 16 to discuss the power and potential of the emerging technology. The seminar addressed the importance of AI adoption, its impact on the workforce and barriers to implementing AI. 

Fear, triggered by misconceptions and a lack of education, was named as one of the most significant challenges to individuals embracing AI. 

“The first problem is education. There’s a lack of information around what these technologies can and can’t do,” said Marcus Finley, CEO and digital director of FIN Digital. “The first thing people think of is ‘Terminator,’ the end of the world or that their data is insecure if they use AI tools or technologies.” 

Without proper education about AI, individuals– especially those who are underserved– may refuse or be unable to use the technology. This could delay tech equity, preventing people from having equal opportunities to utilize and benefit from emerging technologies. 

“Tech equity is a major issue across our nation when it comes to minorities leveraging technology and being aware of technology,” said Howard R. Jean, CEO and co-founder of Black Meta Agency. “Creating partnerships with BEYA and corporations [is important] to addressing equity.” 

Tonia Bledsoe, a certified AI consultant and strategist, recommended that people test AI tools, like ChatGPT and Perplexity, before making judgements about the technology. She said AI could be especially beneficial in the education sector. 

“AI is here. Students will use these tools, but we now have to figure out how we can get back into the classroom and show them how to use it correctly and how to research with it,” said Bledsoe, owner of Bledsoe Legacy Management. “Then, because teachers are not doing so many administrative tasks, they can talk to their students and engage with them in a more educational way.”

As AI emerges, many have raised concerns about its potential to replace jobs across industries, as the technology has the ability to automate tasks and reduce labor costs. But, experts on the panel said AI can be designed to augment workers’ capabilities and increase productivity rather than put them out of a job. 

“I think you should be less worried about AI taking your job and more worried about the person who knows AI taking your job,” Finely shared. “If you don’t understand the technology, the people you’re competing with who do understand it will get the job you’re looking for because they’re working faster and getting more things done. They can be more useful to a company than someone who doesn’t understand these technologies.” 

Bledsoe acknowledged that some jobs will be lost to AI, but overall the technology will create more jobs than those lost in the future. That being said, workers must have experience and knowledge in AI to be prepared for these roles. 

“If you’re not using AI within the next two years, your businesses and the things you’re doing are going to be far behind,” said Bledsoe. “You will feel like people are leapfrogging over you if you’re not employing this technology.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles 
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Health LeadHer founder, Ogo Ekwueme, is hosting her annual Diaspora Women in Health Global Business Conference in partnership with Sharrarne Morton, founder of Black Door Society, Feb. 22 to Feb. 24 at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Convention Center. 

The summit is providing multicultural women with access to more than $10 million in federal contracting opportunities and will enable women to hear from government leaders about impending community health priorities. 

 “I’m not shy to say we are the only conference where every participant walks away with a contracting opportunity. Yes, we love to come together, talk and meet new people, but after most conferences you’re still what to do next,” said Ekwueme. “We’re literally setting these women up to have a successful 2024.” 

According to a 2022 report from McKinsey and Company, women occupy just 32 percent of C-suite roles in healthcare. Women of color are even less represented in the industry’s senior level positions, holding 4 percent of these roles. 

Increasing representation for multicultural women is critical to mitigating health disparities and moving toward health equity. But, women must earn enough money to thrive in the industry. 

“A lot of the women who come to our conference and engage with our program are nurses, doctors, nursing assistants, allied health professionals, public health professionals and community health workers who are in the field doing the work and know what their community needs,” said Ekwueme. “We need to bridge their understanding of the community with the dollars that are available to continue to support their communities.” 

Over the course of the three-day conference, attendees will gain strategies for obtaining government contracts, forging new business partnerships and wealth building. 

Some of the workshops will examine creating wealth as a mother, leveraging artificial intelligence to win procurement dollars and securing grants for health equity and community development projects. 

“The great thing about this conference is that women in these spaces can actually access government health contracts, establish strategic partnerships and build wealth in alignment with the government’s critical priorities for community health,” said Morton. “They can scale their businesses and not have to struggle so much.” 

Keynote speakers for the Diaspora Women in Health Global Business Conference include Tracy  Balazs; president and CEO of Compass Government Solutions; Eleager Primus, former director of strategic contracting for the Department of Veteran Affairs; and Michael Wooten, former administrator of federal procurement policy for the White House. 

Wooten said he wants women to leave the conference with an understanding that there are opportunities in public procurement all over the world, not just at the federal, state and local level. He also wants to ensure attendees know how important they are to improving health in underserved communities. 

“I want them to understand that not only can they serve the sorely deserving women who are their sisters, but they can have a profitable business doing that,” said Wooten. 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world, Black unemployment peaked at 16.8 percent in the U.S. Now, White House officials have reported that 2023 was the lowest year for Black joblessness on record. It currently sits at 5.3 percent. 

Officials say the recovery was jump started by President Biden signing the American Rescue Plan into law, which provided stimulus checks to Americans, deployed capital to hard-hit small businesses, extended unemployment benefits and expanded tax credits. 

“Because of the actions of this administration and the grit and determination of the American people, we’re experiencing the most equitable recovery in American history,” said U.S. Department of Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo. “As we’ve succeeded in driving a historical equitable economic recovery, we’ve also been increasing our long term economic activity through the president’s Investing in America agenda.” 

Biden’s agenda comprises the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Each policy was created to drive public and private investment in manufacturing, repairing roads and bridges, delivering high-speed internet and creating clean transportation. 

The policies also aim to generate good-paying jobs, including union jobs. 

“Under President Biden, 2.6 million more Black Americans have jobs. The latest jobs report also shows the share of Black Americans in the workforce is above its pre-pandemic level and near its highest level in over a decade,” said Adeyemo. “We’ve also seen Black Americans earnings rise faster than inflation. Earnings for the typical Black full-time worker are up 7.1 percent since before the pandemic.” 

Black wealth has also increased by 60 percent since 2019, the largest growth on record. However, the country’s stark racial wealth gap still persists. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, median Black wealth was $24,520 in 2021 compared to $250,400 for Whites. 

“The gap between Black and White wealth in America is still too great. That’s why the president’s been focused on doing things like making sure we’re providing access to small businesses, especially underrepresented small businesses, with the tools they need to build out the economies and communities they live in,” said Adeyemo. “[This includes] $1.4 billion being provided to Black-owned and Black-operated banks in America that will not only make those banks more stable, but will allow them to be in a position where they can lend to businesses in their communities, which traditionally tend to be run by people of color.” 

While in office, the Biden-Harris Administration has continued to increase federal spending on contracts to small businesses. In Fiscal Year 2022, the administration hit an all-time-high by delivering $163 billion in procurement dollars to small businesses, $70 billion of which was awarded to small disadvantaged businesses. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration has also eclipsed $1 billion in lending to Black, small businesses for the third year in a row. 

“The president and vice president came into office on day one, committed to revitalizing our economy from the middle out and the bottom up, combating previous systems that have left communities behind by decades of failed trickle down economics,” said White House Public Engagement Director Stephen Benjamin. “The unemployment numbers we’ve seen today are truly historic, but it’s also important to note the economy is getting fundamentally stronger for African Americans because this administration is making long overdue investments in Black communities.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Tax season is upon us, with tax returns due to the IRS on April 15. If you brought in less than $64,000 last year, you qualify for free tax preparation through the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs, like the CASH Campaign of Maryland. 

If not, you may choose to file your taxes independently, but if you don’t, choosing a qualified, trusted tax professional is crucial. According to the IRS, thousands of people have fallen victim to tax scams, losing millions of dollars and their personal information. 

“I know people don’t want to spend a whole day going over the best way to file their taxes. It’s something people just want to get over with,” said John Hardt, director of the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic at Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS). “But, I would recommend that people take the time to pay attention to what the tax preparers are advertising, what their reputation is and to see if they can find recommendations from people who have used a tax preparer for multiple years.” 

Hardt connected with the AFRO to share some of the warning signs associated with fraudulent tax professionals and offer guidance on how to find a trustworthy preparer. The responses below have been edited for length and clarity. 

Q: What are some common tax scams?

A: A fraudulent tax preparer could direct the refund check from the IRS to them instead of the taxpayer if the taxpayer opts to receive their check by mail or if they leave that decision up to the preparer. Also, some tax preparers will try to convince the taxpayer to give the tax money to them instead of directly to the IRS or the Maryland Comptroller, which allows the fraudulent tax preparer to pocket the money and disappear. 

Another one that is more subtle is when a tax preparer charges a commission based on the size of your refund. They can actually apply for certain tax credits and deductions that they know the taxpayer doesn’t qualify for, and, usually, the taxpayer will initially receive that credit as part of their refund if the return is not audited right away. This means a larger refund and a larger percentage for the fraudulent tax preparer. 

When the comptroller or the IRS takes a closer look at the return after filing season, they will reject the credit. If that happens, the taxpayer is required to pay back all of the extra money that they received, not the preparer. 

Q: Are there any groups of people who are especially vulnerable to tax scams?

A:  Yes. Some of the populations that fraudulent tax preparers will go after are older or retired taxpayers. They will also go after low-income taxpayers who they believe don’t have as much education or familiarity with the tax system. The third group they definitely go after are taxpayers who don’t speak English or speak it as a second language. Our tax system is mostly in English, and a lot of the forms don’t have an official Spanish translation or translation to other languages either. 

Q: What are some things to watch out for when using a tax preparer? 

A: You should immediately stop working with a preparer if they ask you to sign blank or incomplete forms or if they try to get you to fill out forms in pencil. If they don’t sign their own name on the return as a preparer and don’t provide a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) that is a big red flag. 

Another indicator is if they don’t ask you for important documents like your W-2. We’ve seen some fraudulent tax preparers say they can fill out a person’s taxes over the phone without any documents. No matter how good a preparer you are, it’s impossible to fill out taxes like that. 

Finally, watch out for aggressive advertising. Fraudulent tax preparers often make very bold statements saying they will get you a bigger refund than any other preparer. It’s a common promise that unfortunately isn’t true. Tax preparation is more like solving a math equation. If two competent tax preparers do the same person’s taxes, they should get the same answer. 

Q:  How would you recommend people find a trustworthy tax preparer?  

A: The IRS has a directory of all registered, federal tax return preparers in the country. They all have a PTIN and are legally authorized to prepare people’s tax returns for money. It’s not necessarily an endorsement that the preparer is going to do a good job, but it does show that the person is not pretending. Maryland also has their own state licensing board, the Maryland Board of Individual Tax Preparers, and they have a database as well. 

More generally, people should be mindful of the tax preparer’s reputation. The tax preparation business is very seasonal, so scammers can open up shop at the beginning of a tax season and disappear after the filing deadline. A tax preparer is a lot more trustworthy if they’ve been in the community for a while and if they’re open year-round. 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Executive Alliance has issued its 2024 Honor Roll Award for Women’s Representation, and the AFRO has made the list for the second year in a row. In order for a company to qualify for the honor, women must hold at least 30 percent of executive leadership positions and at least 30 percent of the roles board of directors at the company.  Credit AFRO Photo

Executive Alliance recently issued its Honor Roll Award for Women’s Representation, and the AFRO made the list for the second year in a row. Forty-three Maryland businesses and nonprofits, including the Black-owned media company, received the award for their dedication to the recruitment, development and advancement of women. 

To be chosen for the honor, each organization must have women compose 30 percent of its executive leadership and 30 percent of its board of directors. 

“Some businesses have to sit down, look at the numbers and say, ‘Who are we missing?’” said Frances Toni Draper, publisher of the AFRO. “We’ve been a company that’s valued inclusion throughout our whole existence. It’s part of our DNA. We are honored to be recognized once again by Executive Alliance.” 

The AFRO’s 1892 founding stemmed from an investment by a woman. Martha Howard Murphy, wife of John H. Murphy, gave her husband $200 to purchase the newspaper. Today, the paper is led by their great-granddaughter, Draper. 

Managing editor, Alexis Taylor, and assistant editor, Ashleigh Fields, drive the newspaper’s award-winning editorial team. Savannah Wood, a fifth generation Murphy, sits on the AFRO’s board and manages its extensive archival collection under the paper’s sister organization, Afro Charities. 

“I’m so excited that the AFRO is on the Honor Roll, which is honestly not a surprise because there’s such strong female leadership at the publication,” said Rebecca Snyder, executive director of Executive Alliance. “From the very beginning, the AFRO has been supported and uplifted by women. It’s very special to see that carry through and to see them be recognized for those accomplishments.” 

Executive Alliance has run the Honor Roll Award for Women’s Representation since 2007. The organization’s mission is to advance the success and leadership of women in Greater Baltimore through advocacy, education and mentorship. 

Snyder said recognizing organizations for their commitment to empowering women is critical because there are still many C-suites and boardrooms that women struggle to enter. Out of nearly 80 public companies in Maryland, Snyder said only nine met the threshold for the Honor Roll.  

Executive Alliance will hold a celebration for this year’s recipients on March 20 at Notre Dame of Maryland University. During the program, the organization will hold a panel discussion on how women can advocate for one another in the workplace. 

“Programs, like the Honor Roll, are so important because it gives us an opportunity to celebrate these companies and to see that there’s a long way to go until we reach equity because we’re not on pace to do that in any of our working lifetimes,” said Snyder. 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Violet Apple, the first Black CEO of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, stepped down from her post on Jan. 31. Apple has led the organization, which serves more than 35,000 girls and adults, since 2014. 

Her exit marks the first time in her career that she has not worked for a Girl Scouts council. 

“I’m stepping down from this role, but that doesn’t mean I’m stepping down from Girl Scouting,” said Apple. “It’s been part of my life, and it’s going to continue to be. I really have enjoyed everything about the work I have been able to do, the people I have met and the communities I have served.” 

Growing up in Lebanon, Pa., Apple was a Girl Scout herself. She, alongside a group of friends, joined a troop in the fourth grade. She recalled volunteering, holding spaghetti dinners and camping—something she said her family never would have done. 

Although Apple’s time as a Girl Scout ended during her seventh grade year, several of her fellow troop members became her lifelong friends. 

After Apple became her family’s first college graduate, earning a social work degree from Millersville University, she secured her first job with a Girl Scouts council in Pennsylvania

She was hired in a full-time position as membership extension coordinator, although she had only applied for a summer job. 

“My job was predominantly to go into communities of color and recruit more diverse girls into the organization, and that was many moons ago,” said Apple. “That’s how I got started with the organization, but what kept me was learning about what was happening to girls in terms of academics and how they saw themselves.” 

Apple came across a study from the American Association of University Women that found girls excelled in math and science until just before middle school. Then, there was a drop in achievement. 

Through working with the Girl Scouts, Apple thought she could help to change these outcomes by encouraging girls to embrace science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). 

Apple rose through the ranks in Pennsylvania before moving to Massachusetts in 2008 to serve as the chief membership services officer for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. She oversaw all membership, programming, volunteerism and camps for the council, which totaled 60,000 members at the time. 

Six years later, Apple was selected to become CEO for Girls Scouts of Central Maryland. During her tenure, parents regularly approached Apple, telling her how much it meant to their daughters to see a Black woman as the top executive. 

Julia Lenzer, board chair of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, described Apple as a servant leader. She said she led with integrity and intention. 

“Violet is one of the hardest workers I know,” said Lenzer. “She worked day and night, often at her own personal expense.” 

Volunteer Melissa Bain recalled Apple coming to an event for World Thinking Day, a celebration  for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides, at the request of a Junior Girl Scout. Bain didn’t think Apple would come, but she did and stayed the entire night. 

During the event, adults lined up to meet Apple, while Bain’s brownies troop waited at the back of the line until Apple spotted them. 

“She put her hand up and said something along the lines of, ‘I’m enjoying talking with you all, but I’m here for the girls. They are the VIPs here,’” said Bain. “Then, she directed them to come to the front, and she spent time with them.” 

Some of the work Apple’s most proud of doing as CEO involves promoting STEM education. Apple put on all-day STEM conferences for the girls and invited parents to participate in workshops that would help them understand how to support their children’s interest in the fields. 

“For me, it wasn’t about just putting a program in place. It was about nurturing each girl’s interest all the way through and inspiring them to want to do something that is not a traditional career,” said Apple. “It was also about giving them the chops to not give up because it isn’t easy for women and girls to go into STEM professions.” 

Looking to the future, Apple said she’s weighing a number of opportunities. But, whatever she chooses, it will be grounded in serving and uplifting individuals. 

She’s also looking forward to taking a break to re-center herself. 

“I just hope at the end of the day people recognize that for me it was all about making opportunities available to girls and giving girls an opportunity to find their own voice,” said Apple. 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America Corps member.

The post Violet Apple leaves CEO position with Girls Scouts of Central Maryland appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Comptroller Brooke Lierman kicked off tax season on Jan. 23 at the ribbon-cutting of her new Baltimore office at 7 Saint Paul Street. The new Office of the Comptroller is the first Maryland agency to move from the State Center Complex to downtown Baltimore. 

The space will accommodate 300 team members across six floors and was designed with accessibility at top of mind. The office’s location is steps away from Charles Center Station and walkable to several bus lines. 

“Leaving the outdated facilities at State Center and moving into this newly renovated space in downtown Baltimore really demonstrates our commitment and our entire agency and state government’s commitment to creating a work environment that our great team members deserve, an improved experience for all Marylanders and a resilient and prosperous Baltimore anchored by a thriving downtown core,” said Lierman. 

The move comes after a 2021 announcement from former Governor Larry Hogan, which allocated funds to relocate more than 3,000 state workers to Baltimore’s Central Business District. 

Lierman said the new office will bolster efforts to modernize her agency, a promise she made to Marylanders during her campaign. She also announced the upcoming launch of Maryland Tax Connect, a secure online portal that will enable residents to pay their taxes, file tax returns and register businesses on mobile and desktop devices. 

The portal will open to business tax filers on Feb. 6 with the goal of opening to all Maryland taxpayers by early 2026.

“As the first state agency to make the move from State Center to the Central Business District, I hope and believe that we’re really paving the way for other departments and private entities to follow, contributing to the economic and cultural resurgence of downtown Baltimore,” said Leirman. 

For now, Marylanders can make requests for Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA) certification and license hold release letters. Eligible taxpayers can receive free tax preparation services at the new location. However, until phase two renovations are complete in spring 2024, they must go to the State Center Complex for individual collections and audits, business collections and audits, hearings and appeals and unclaimed property. 

Lierman said the relocation was a team effort and thanked government officials, including Lieutenant Gov. Aruna Miller, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Atif T. Chaudhry, secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services; and Faith Leach, chief administrative officer for the city of Baltimore.

During the event, Miller doubled down on her shared vision with Governor Wes Moore of reimagining state government in a way that benefits all Maryland residents. She said this transformation begins in Baltimore.

Miller touted the city’s recent recognition as one of the fastest-growing economies in the country and federal tech hub designation, which she said will spark economic opportunity in Baltimore. 

“The heartbeat of these opportunities resonate right here in the Central Business District, emphasizing the need for our state government—particularly, the Comptroller’s Officer, which plays such a key role in determining the economic footprint in our state— to be strategically placed in this epicenter,” said Miller. 

Tax season officially begins on Jan. 29. Individuals have until April 15 to file their tax returns. 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Nichelle Johnson is now the first minority business enterprise (MBE) ombudsman for the state of Maryland. Governor Wes Moore appointed her to the post in January. 

In her new role, Johnson will serve in the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs and work to enhance state procurement for MBEs. 

“I am grateful that Nichelle raised her hand to serve Maryland in this new leadership position,” said Moore, in a statement. “Our entire administration is confident in her ability to advocate for our minority-owned businesses and help us grow a more equitable economy.” 

A Baltimore native, Johnson grew up in the Lafayette projects, known today as Pleasant View Gardens. She became interested in entrepreneurship at a young age through watching her mother run businesses. 

In her most recent role, Johnson served as an MBE compliance manager in the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs. She was responsible for collecting annual and quarterly performance data from 70 state agencies, and she developed best practices for MBE compliance. 

The AFRO recently connected with Johnson to learn more about her new role. The responses below have been edited for length and clarity. 

Q: What is an ombudsman, and why is it significant that you’ve become Maryland’s first MBE ombudsman?

A: People like to say an ombudsman is a “fixer” or “problem solver.” I love that because I love to help people solve problems they’re having. It’s right up my alley. As the MBE ombudsman and– particularly, as Maryland’s first–I feel this position is very much needed by small, minority- and women-owned businesses. The reason why is because they have been experiencing some issues on state contracts.

Our office receives information from business owners, and we’re often at outreach events. In speaking with business owners, we hear about some of the troubles they’re having. I believe we have done a great job of assisting business owners when they need us to, but this position is specifically targeted to help them. My role primarily will be to work with prime contractors and MBEs to help resolve issues that arise on contracts with MBE goals and to develop policies that can assist state agencies in better implementing the MBE program. 

The other part of my role is helping small business owners navigate state procurement, whether they’re just getting started or they’re looking for resources. I feel very humbled and honored to have this opportunity, and I am excited because I know I can help them maneuver through this system better. 

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges MBEs are facing when it comes to the state procurement system?

A: What we hear often is access to capital. They want to know where the financial resources are and how they can get funding for their businesses. We provide training classes, and we do events where businesses come in and provide information on securing capital. Payment issues on contracts is another challenge. One of my main purposes is to resolve these issues. 

Opportunity is also a challenge. I’ll be collaborating with other state agencies, like the Office of State Procurement, to see what opportunities can be created for MBEs and what information can be gathered and given to business owners to make them aware of the opportunities they didn’t know existed. 

Q: How do you feel your background will shape the work you do in the role? 

A: I feel it gave me a perspective that no matter where you come from, you can do whatever you want as long as you put in the work. Yes, we need opportunity, but I think we’ve all heard the adage that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. That’s something I definitely want to speak to our business owners about. 

I want to make sure they are positioned to capitalize off of opportunities when they are presented. That way they can grow and scale their businesses, which is what we ultimately want our minority and small business owners to do. 

Q: How would you recommend MBEs learn more about state procurement and engage with your office? 

A: I definitely invite business owners to go to our website because we have a wealth of resources. They should also engage with our Training and Insights for Procurement Success Webinar Series. This is an excellent series that provides good information to business owners, like tips on writing a proposal, crafting a capability statement,  how to operate as a subcontractor and MBE rights and responsibilities. All of these trainings and workshops are available from our website.

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

The post Meet Nichelle Johnson, Maryland’s first MBE ombudsman  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The TD Charitable Foundation is awarding $7 million in grants to nonprofits addressing the affordable housing crisis across TD Bank’s Maine-to-Florida footprint and Michigan. This year, the Housing for Everyone grant program is targeting organizations that support marginalized communities members with rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing and transitional housing. 

Applications for the grant program close on Feb. 13, and winners will be announced in May 2024. 

“At the TD Charitable Foundation, we believe having a safe, affordable place to call home is imperative. Families with low- to moderate-incomes are struggling more than ever to pay their rent or to obtain a mortgage without being moderately severely cost-burdened,” said Paige Carlson-Heim, director of the TD Charitable Foundation. “Often, they are forced to choose between paying rent or other critical household needs like food, clothing or healthcare. These impacts are disproportionately felt in Black and Brown communities.” 

The Housing for Everyone grant program was started in 2005. Since then, the TD Charitable Foundation has deployed more than $49 million to affordable housing efforts through the program. This year’s grant awards range from $150,000 to $250,000. 

According to Carlson-Heim, stable housing is fundamental to economic security. 

“The number of unsheltered homeless continues to rise and disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. Adding to this growing challenge is the end of many pandemic-era support programs, which is only exacerbating the financial insecurity of low-income renters, leading to higher eviction rates and increased homelessness in communities,” said Carlson-Heim. “Successful applicants will have a demonstrated history of providing access to affordable housing for low- to moderate-income individuals and families and will demonstrate a strong track record of creating pathways and facilitating placement for those folks into homes they can afford.” 

Last year, HopePHL, a Philadelphia nonprofit that supplies housing, advocacy and trauma-responsive social services to youth and families, was awarded $250,000 from the Housing for Everyone grant program. The organization owns and operates over 200 units of emergency, transitional, supportive and affordable housing. 

Kathy Desmond, president of HopePHL, said the nonprofit has used its winnings to deploy $38,180 in assistance to help families facing homelessness. 

“All families were at risk of eviction, with court involvement or receiving eviction notices. The housing crisis for each of these families was precipitated by the head of households losing their jobs,” said Desmond. “They were unable to work temporarily due to barriers with childcare, health, financial hardship, higher education and some were still recovering from the COVID shutdown. Hope PHL was able to provide up to six months back rent.”  

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CASH) Campaign of Maryland celebrated national Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Day on Jan. 26 by announcing the 2024 sites for the nonprofit’s free tax preparation services. 

Maryland households who made less than $64,000 in 2023 are eligible for the free service. Those who earned less than $63,398 can qualify for the EITC, which puts thousands of dollars in refunds back into the pockets of residents. 

In 2020, nearly 27 percent of Maryland taxpayers qualified for free tax preparation services and the EITC but did not apply, according to the Office of the Comptroller. The CASH Campaign of Maryland seeks to close this gap and ensure residents are aware of these gains. 

“The Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits work for families. We know it lifts families out of poverty, and we know that families know what to do with that money,” said Sara Johnson, co-founder and CEO of the CASH Campaign of Maryland. “They pay their rent, they pay their bills, they buy groceries and, hopefully, they can do something nice for their families with some of that extra money too.” 

In 2024, The CASH Campaign of Maryland’s free tax preparation sites in the Baltimore area include the Central Enoch Pratt Free Library, Bon Secours Community Works, University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Community Engagement Center, Center for Urban Families, Loyola Clinical Center, the Weinberg Y in Waverly,  We Are CASA, Baltimore County Public Library’s Randallstown Branch, University of Maryland Baltimore County and Dundalk Renaissance. 

LaToyia Califf, a fitness trainer at the Weinberg Y in Waverly, discovered the work of the CASH Campaign of Maryland last year. She took advantage of the free tax preparation services and learned that she could claim the EITC and Child Tax Credit during the process.

“I was very happy with my refund, and I was very grateful that it was free and extremely convenient,” said Califf. “With that money, I was able to get my new apartment for my children.” 

Since its inception, the CASH Campaign of Maryland has served more than 266,000 households across the state of Maryland, generating $390 million in refunds and tax credits for taxpayers. Last year in Baltimore City alone, the organization worked with nearly 8,000 families who received $11.6 million in refunds and tax credits. 

Appointments for free tax preparation must be scheduled in advance, and a list of requisite documentation can be found on the CASH Campaign of Maryland’s website. Tax returns must be filed by April 15. 

“The reality is there’s a lot of folks in our community with a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety about tax season. We’re here to say if you qualify for this program, there is absolutely no reason for you not to take advantage of the free services that are provided by the CASH Campaign,” said Baltimore City Council President Nick J. Mosby. 

He continued by urging eligible taxpayers to ensure they capitalize on the EITC, and other tax credits. 

“There’s no reason to support and trust the guy in the Statue of Liberty uniform, spinning a dollar bill, telling you he’ll do your taxes,” said Mosby. “There is no reason to avoid the process because it’s critical that you do it and that you do it in the hands of folks who actually care. That’s why I believe so much in the CASH Campaign.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Baltimore has been one of five federally-designated Workforce Hubs across the United States for eight months now. President Joe Biden created the initiative as part of his Investing in America agenda to develop the requisite workforce for developments spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act. 

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott says the designation stands as an investment in communities that have long been underserved. 

“We know that Blacks in cities across this country have been disinvested in like no other American citizens,” Scott told the AFRO. “This is an opportunity to have them join in working in partnership, learning careers and opportunities that no one can take away from them, especially in neighborhoods like West Baltimore.” 

Baltimore was identified as a Workforce Hub because of its prime position in the Northeast Corridor. The Biden Administration considers the location essential to efforts to upgrade rail infrastructure.  

One major project the designation will bolster is the replacement of the 150-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel, which has become a bottleneck for Amtrak and Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) trains. It’s also grappling with water infiltration, a deteriorating structure and sinking floor. 

The project will become known as the Frederick Douglass Tunnel, in recognition of the Maryland-born abolitionist, and will consist of two new, high-capacity tunnel tubes that will predominantly accommodate electric passenger trains. The Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program will also include the construction of new roadway and rail bridges, new rail systems and a new ADA-accessible MARC station in West Baltimore. 

Scott said the Workforce Hub designation will enable Baltimore to train hundreds of city residents to take on the construction jobs that will be needed to complete and sustain the new tunnel, among other development projects. 

“These are historic things that have been issues in Baltimore for quite some time. Now, we can help these communities, especially those in West Baltimore that have been disinvested in for years,” said Scott. “We can have young women and men who are descendants of people whose families were displaced for the Highway to Nowhere now working on the Frederick Douglass Tunnel.” 

The city of Baltimore has also received $2 million in federal funding to address the damage done by the Highway to Nowhere, which displaced thousands of Black residents during its construction in the 1970s. 

The funds came from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Program, which was created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. They will be used to support the removal of the historical highway in West Baltimore. 

“This is about us undoing historical wrongs,” said Scott. “I think we’re all coming into this work with that understanding and look forward to doing that, while allowing those who were the most directly impacted to benefit from the opportunity.” 

In November 2023, Gov. Wes Moore affirmed his commitment to supporting Baltimore’s Workforce Hub. He announced that Maryland’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) would determine workforce investments and policies, including pre-hire collective bargaining agreements, for all transportation projects totaling more than $20 million in Baltimore. 

This includes the $6-billion Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program. 

“In the state of Maryland, we will work with the Biden Administration to ensure that federal projects in Baltimore operate under the highest possible labor standards, including the Maryland Department of Transportation’s commitment to labor agreements for a number of strategic projects across the agency portfolio,” said Gov. Wes Moore in a statement. “Partnership drives progress, and we are going to keep moving in partnership with our friends in the White House, in Congress and with our unions to create good-paying jobs.”

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sydney Newton, like so many others, found herself out of a job. She had been working as a server at The Capital Grille, but was laid off as restaurants were forced to shut down their dining rooms. 

The Northwood, Baltimore native became an unofficial teacher for her two children, supporting them during virtual learning. In an effort to stave off depression and boredom brought on by the long hours inside and social isolation, Newton began making ice cream with her children. 

“They loved it, and I did too. I loved that you could do so many things with ice cream. You can experiment with flavors, textures, smells and colors,” said Newton. 

“We started delivering the ice cream to my sister and my mom, and they told me I should put it on Instagram to deliver it to more people, and we did.” 

Now, Sydney’s Ice Creams is serving the public two days a week in Northeast Baltimore’s Belair-Edison neighborhood at 3432 Belair Road. A grand opening is being prepared for the brick-and-mortar store in Spring 2024. Newton’s flavors range from birthday cake, to cherry cheesecake to s’mores, and she’s also in the process of finalizing some sorbets. 

Newton hopes the ice cream shop will bring the community together in a positive way. She expects to host a grand opening on April 1, and in the interim she will be hosting ice cream parties and events for testing new flavors. 

“I think something as fun as an ice cream shop where people can come together and enjoy each other’s company is what the neighborhood needs,” said Newton. “I think it’s going to help revitalize the neighborhood, and hopefully it will encourage other business owners to come into the neighborhood.” 

John Watkins, community real estate development manager for Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, met Newton a few years ago while she was searching for a space to open a brick and mortar for Sydney’s Ice Creams. As part of his role, Watkins identifies properties to purchase, renovate and rent to small business owners on the neighborhood’s main street, Belair Road. 

His team executed a $280,000 rehabilitation of 3432 Belair Road to house Sydney’s Ice Creams. They also paid for the installation of a kitchen hood so Newtown can sell baked goods. 

“I think it will definitely impact the neighborhood in a positive way. We have about 50 businesses on Belair Road, and Sydney’s ice cream parlor is the first of its kind,” said Watkins. “A lot of our residents want to be able to spend money in the neighborhood that they live in. I think it’s going to be a great addition.” 

He explained that the Belair-Edison neighborhood has about 18,000 residents, and nearly 65 percent of them are homeowners— a fact he thinks demonstrates the pride residents take in the neighborhood. 

“To be able to go to an ice cream parlor—a brand new facility at that— and get your ice cream or your baked goods is a blessing,” said Watkins. “I think it’s also a great opportunity for employment where she could hire some of the youth to work in the store.” 

Newton noted that an ice cream shop was something she wished she had in her neighborhood while growing up. She recalled that as an elementary student she could go to Eddie’s Market, but the kids from her school, Roland Park Elementary/Middle School, were forced to wait outside in a line, while kids from the area’s private schools could go inside immediately. 

She said she thinks about that memory every day. 

“I’m excited to have my ice cream shop so close to so many schools and to see kids come in after school and be treated fairly,” said Newton.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Associated Black Charities (ABC), in partnership with Pastor Franklin Lance, hosted a Community Convo on “The Vulnerability of Black Women in Professional Spaces” at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church on Jan. 23. The guided dialogue offered Black women a safe space to share their personal challenges in the workplace and invited them to share strategies for the empowerment and support of Black women in professional settings. 

The subject matter was prompted by an influx of communications that ABC received, expressing concern over Claudine Gay’s recent resignation from Harvard University. Gay was the first person of color and second woman to become president at the Ivy League and announced her step down after criticism for her response to the Hamas attack on Israel. 

The backlash devolved into accusations of anti-semitism from Gay and allegations of plagiarism in her doctoral dissertation. 

“As we sit back and watch these things– nationally– happen to other Black people, we feel them very deeply and personally. They help us take a long look at the stability of where we are professionally and how protected or not protected we are as Black women,” said Chrissy Thorntonm, president and CEO of ABC. “We need collaboration around how we can start to change this ongoing circumstance where we feel marginalized.” 

Thornton requested anonymity for the women who shared during the session. 

One attendee said in order to move toward healing Black women in leadership positions must be intentional about supporting their junior colleagues in accessing opportunities. She referenced an article written by behavioral scientist Carey Yazeed titled, “Why Black Women Hurt Each Other in the Workplace.” 

“The one that has access is the chosen one. The chosen one wants to secure her spot so, therefore, does not allow access to other women of color. It’s not always others, sometimes we can bring the hurt and we can stop each other from excelling forward.” 

Attendees also examined why Black women may find it challenging to advocate for a peer who they’ve seen experience unfair treatment. Thornton asked why it’s difficult to hold people accountable when they’ve harmed someone in the workplace. The group’s responses included fear, discomfort and dissociation. 

“We think, she’s over there, and I’m over here, and what does what happened to her have to do with me?” said one attendee. “Until we feel the reverberations and impact of what happens to us as Black women, wherever we are, we’re just going to consider it as another thing that’s going to pass on by in the river of life.” 

One woman who said she worked in corporate America for two decades advised her peers to ensure they interact with their White colleagues—something she wished she did more during her early career. 

“When you’re in corporate America, you can’t gravitate to people that look like you because only 1 percent of us sit in the C-suite,” she said.

Haki Ammi, president of the Teaching Art Institute, attended the event to hear about the challenges facing Black women in their workplaces.

“As a Black man it is important for us to listen and hear these challenges,” said Ammi. “We have wives, mothers, nieces and daughters who experience microaggressions, passive-aggressiveness and sometimes hostility in these career spaces.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Associated Black Charities (ABC) has announced the launch of The Black Leadership Circle. The thought group aims to provide a progressive, inclusive and supportive safe space for African-American nonprofit and corporate executives in the Greater Baltimore area. 

Part of the motivation behind its formation is to create a pipeline for Black professionals to access leadership positions. Although The Black Leadership Circle is not a subsidiary of ABC, the racial equity organization will power the group by providing infrastructure and operational support. 

“Associated Black Charities is already very unapologetically committed to breaking down barriers that present for Black people on the heels of racism,” said Chrissy Thornton, executive director of ABC and founding member of the Black Leadership Circle. “Having accomplished, powerful and committed voices behind that work and having the community see the Black Leadership Circle operate in unity and empowerment while advocating to create new opportunities for Black people is going to be a game changer.” 

The concept for the Black Leadership Circle arose out of brainstorming sessions between Thornton and Robyn Murphy, CEO of JRM Consultancy. As Thornton embarked on her new role at ABC in 2023, she sought the advice of other Black leaders to support her transition. One of the strategic thought partners was Murphy. 

In their conversations, the pair kept returning to the need for an initiative that would unite local Black corporate and nonprofit executives across all sectors. 

“The Black Leadership Circle should exist as a brain trust. It should exist as a peer-networking organization,” said Murphy, founding member of The Black Leadership Circle. “It should have the ability and extension to reach out to other community and elected leaders who are making decisions to see how we can be of support and how we and other Black businesses can be supported.” 

The Black Leadership Circle’s Advisory Council comprises local executives, like Deriece K. Harrington, government affairs director for PepsiCo; Mark Anthony Thomas, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee; and Shelonda Stokes, president of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. 

Chris Simon, founder and CEO of BTST Services and co-owner of BLK Swan, will chair the council. 

“The Black Leadership Circle is not just about gathering professionals, it’s about empowering Black leaders with safe spaces to navigate professional landscapes, leverage their collective voices and drive meaningful change in our community and workplaces,” said Simon in a statement. 

Applications for general membership in The Black Leadership Circle will open in April. 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer

Baltimore City’s Office of Broadband and Digital Equity (BDE) hosted the first in a series of monthly meetings on digital inclusion for 2024 on Jan. 9. The session invited community members to learn more about the resources in Baltimore’s digital ecosystem and to share feedback on technology accessibility and affordability in the city. 

William Honablew, digital equity coordinator for Baltimore, led the meeting and started by addressing the city’s effort to distribute 30,000 Chromebooks to low-income households. 

“One of the challenges that we had at the end of last year was Pratt Library opened just under 20,000 appointments, and they were all taken. That’s a wonderful problem to have because it means people are actually accessing the resources that are available,” said Honablew. “On the flip side, a lot of people wanted more appointments, but they were not available. over the break Pratt pulled together some resources and opened up more appointments. ” 

Residents can schedule appointments to pick up a Chromebook on Enoch Pratt Free Library’s website. To qualify, they must have a photo ID and proof of Baltimore City residency. They must also have an income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, be enrolled in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program or participate in a government assistance program. 

Honablew highlighted Baltimore’s Digital Inclusion Strategy for 2024 to 2029, in which the city is setting out to provide reliable, high-speed internet, technology and device, digital skills training and technical support to residents across the city. 

He also discussed Baltimore’s public Wi-Fi initiative, FreeBmoreWiFi, which Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced in December. BDE will implement the program, which is set to provide residents with free internet access at recreation centers and senior centers across the city. 

He pointed out that 73 percent of White households have wired broadband in Baltimore compared to 50 percent of Black households and 46.4 percent of Hispanic households. 

“In our Digital Inclusion Strategy, we’re very focused on targeting those who are most often left behind in Baltimore,” said Honablew. “Baltimore City has highlighted four communities that we will be focusing the majority of our digital equity efforts on: racial and ethnic communities, individuals who are living with disabilities, older adults and those who are experiencing unstable housing or homelessness.” 

Representatives from NPower, the organization responsible for running Baltimore’s free community tech support desk, also shared resources during the meeting. Diamond Staley, alumni engagement manager for NPower, encouraged young adults, military veterans and their spouses to apply for its tuition-free programs, which encompass tech fundamentals, cybersecurity, cloud computing and IT support. 

“Participants have the opportunity to get paid internships and project-based learning experiences,” said Staley. “They also have the opportunity to gain industry-recognized certifications, such as CompTIA IT Fundamentals Plus and Google IT Support.” 

Craig Addison, national community help desk director for NPower, said residents should contact 

Baltimore’s tech support desk with any technical problems. Even if the desk does not have a solution offhand, he said they will research to resolve the issue. 

“You’ll rarely get a “no” from the help desk. If you have a question, we’re going to find an answer and resolution for you,” said Addison. “We can help you with everything from getting your printer connected to installing Smart TV apps. We have a very robust knowledge-based system.” 

Residents can contact the Baltimore community help desk at 410-724-1101 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. BDE will host the next virtual digital inclusion community meeting on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. 

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

msayles@afro.com

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