The U.S. Justice Department is suing Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Group for more than $100 million for their container ship’s collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which resulted in six deaths and significant disruption to economic activity.

Author Archives: Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer
Megan Sayles is a business reporter for The Baltimore Afro-American paper. Before this, Sayles interned with Baltimore Magazine, where she wrote feature stories about the city’s residents, nonprofits and initiatives. Her love of music inspired her to be a writer. At a young age she realized it was not the melody that she was so infatuated with, but the lyrics that made up the song and connected with listeners. Sayles grew up in Pasadena, Maryland, and is a 2021 graduate of the University of Maryland, where for her senior capstone project she reported on how the coronavirus and inequality intersected in Baltimore. She also worked as a staff writer and copy editor for campus publications, including Stories Beneath the Shell and The Black Explosion. Sayles teamed up with a partner to report on how the pandemic had put many more responsibilities on the oldest child in families. The Associated Press and other news organizations picked up her story.
Sinclair sends cease and desist letter to Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle
Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle has received a cease and desist letter from Sinclair Broadcast Group after accusing the media conglomerate of promoting ballot initiatives that aim to diminish Black political power in a recent event posting.
Black health experts talk Black infertility and family building at legislative conference
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation discussed the challenges, opportunities and policies related to reproductive health for Black women, who disproportionately experience maternal mortality, infertility and miscarriages, and the role of doulas and midwives in addressing these issues.
Afro-Caribbean-inspired restaurant, Dōgon, opens in D.C.’s Salamander Hotel
Chef Kwame Onwuachi has opened Dōgon, an upscale Afro-Caribbean restaurant in Washington, D.C., with the support of Sheila Johnson and the Salamander Hotel, as part of his mission to celebrate his culture and heritage through food.
Breaking the silence: Raising awareness on suicide prevention
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and around the world, with more than 49,000 people dying by suicide in 2022, and September marks World Suicide Prevention Day and National Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness and share vital resources.
City agencies team up to equip older adults with digital literacy
Baltimore City Office of Information and Technology, the Enoch Pratt Free Library, and the Baltimore City Health Department’s Division of Aging have teamed up to offer free digital literacy training to older adults, focusing on computer fundamentals, internet safety, and accessing online services.
Meet Alan Henderson, the D.C. content creator working with Snapchat
Alan Henderson, a content creator and entrepreneur, has been selected for Snapchat’s 523 program, which supports diverse creators and small, minority-owned companies, and is set to receive $120,000 and resources to enhance his content and monetize it on Snapchat.
Local orgs open grant program for businesses impacted by Key Bridge Bridge collapse
The Greater Baltimore Committee and the Baltimore Community Foundation have announced a $5 million grant program to provide assistance to small businesses impacted by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Public Works employees, community members rally at Western Sanitation Yard for safer conditions
Baltimore City officials and workers gathered at the Western Sanitation Yard to demand safer labor conditions for DPW employees, following the death of DPW worker Ronald Silver II due to hyperthermia, and to criticize the city’s response to the tragedy.
Bowie State University honors late student with image in new MLK center
Bowie State University celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the $166-million Martin Luther King Jr. Center, which features a two-story image of late BSU student 1st Lt. Richard W. Collins III, who was killed in 2017, as well as a new sociology course and a fitness center for ROTC students.
Jason Billingsley pleads guilty to attempted murder of West Baltimore couple
Jason Billingsley pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder tied to home invasion and arson, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, 16 of which were suspended, for the brutal attack on April Hurley and Jonte Gilmore.
Small Business Administration preps entrepreneurs for natural disasters with resilience guide
The Small Business Administration has released a new Business Resilience Guide to help entrepreneurs prepare for natural disasters, providing best practices and templates to help businesses curb and bounce back from crises.