By Deborah Bailey
Contributing Editor
AFRO American Newspapers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By AFRO Staff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By AFRO Staff

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

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

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

Question F – FOR: Charter Amendment Inner Harbor Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question H – AGAINST: Reducing Baltimore City Council Districts

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By D. Kevin McNeir 
Special to the AFRO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By AFRO Staff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Melissa Lavigne-Delville,
Jessica Yu C

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

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

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

Pre-Election Stress Levels Across the Country

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

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

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

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

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

DC Was Comparatively Calm, Cool, and Collected

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

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

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

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

Get the data

Tips for Keeping Political Anxiety at Bay

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

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

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

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

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

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

Data and Methodology

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Patricia Merritt
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Exactly Is Praise?

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

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

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

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

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

The Praise and Health Connection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Transition to the Pros

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

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

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

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

For the Love of the Sport

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AFRO: What does your dream exhibit look like ?

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

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

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

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

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

*This article has been edited for clarity.

The post AFRO Spotlight: Meet Deyane Moses– exhibit curator, artistic director, archives extraordinaire appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire

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

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

Forgivable loans and wealth creation

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

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

Pathways to high-demand jobs and expanded education access

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

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

Financial protections in the digital economy

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

Health equity and addressing medical debt

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

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

Criminal justice reform and economic opportunities in legal cannabis

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

Affordable housing, homeownership, and financial literacy

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

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

Community events and outreach

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

In stark contrast to Trump’s agenda

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

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

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

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

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She also acknowledged her students.

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

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

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

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

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By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

With safety concerns and pay raises on the bargaining table, the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) and the District of Columbia Public Schools reached a tentative five-year contract agreement on Sept. 30.

When preliminary contract negotiations began last September, some teachers criticized Dr. Lewis Ferebee, chancellor of D.C. Public Schools, for not attending the initial meetings with WTU officials. However, Ferebee did make his presence known in subsequent meetings. 

During a televised statement, Ferebee pointed out that the previous contract, which was reached during the pandemic, was different from the new contract in that it is forward facing rather than retroactive. He added that his team simply did not have adequate outcomes in the last contract negotiation.

While it took just over a year for both sides to reach an agreement, the Union’s last contract took over three years, and the one preceding that required close to five years in negotiations. 

In a press release from WTU, President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons said that she’s pleased with the contract, and that further details will be made public within the next few weeks after union members have reviewed the tentative agreement. 

“The highlights of the contract include fair and good pay raises but maybe more importantly, educators will be able to work under better conditions that should go a long way to improving recruitment and retention problems that have plagued the District,” she said, adding that her team pushed hard and obtained “decent and fair raises over the course of the five-year contract, despite the District’s contention that it was working in a tight financial environment.” 

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten agreed, describing the tentative agreement as a “real accomplishment.” 

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

National Coalition on Black Civic Participation 

Voting rights

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

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

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

Economic security 

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

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

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

Black Girls Vote

Economic security 

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

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

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

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

Health equity 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Black Voters Matter Fund

Economic security 

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

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

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

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

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

Student loan forgiveness

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

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

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

Education

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

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

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

By Ericka Alston Buck
Special to The AFRO

The James E. Lewis Museum of Art (JELMA) at Morgan State University has opened a landmark exhibition titled, “Keeping the Culture: The Last Twenty-Five Years,” running from Sept. 29 to Dec. 13, 2024. 

Curated by Robin Cherry Howard, this exhibit showcases an extraordinary collection of African American art, highlighting the museum’s acquisitions over the last 25 years. Through an array of paintings, sculptures, photographs and works on paper, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience and cultural identity of Black artists, exploring key themes like history, social justice and the African-American experience.

The exhibit serves as a powerful testament to the evolving narrative of African-American art. Gabriel Tenabe, director of JELMA, emphasized this in his foreword, noting, “Art tells stories, it provokes thought, and it bridges cultures across time. Dr. James E. Lewis understood the power of art to connect us to our shared histories better than anyone.” 

This vision is evident throughout the exhibition, which honors the contributions of African-American artists who have shaped and transformed the creative landscape over the past two-and-a-half decades.

“The artists’ contributions are vibrant and filled with dynamic energy,” said curator Robin Cherry Howard. “These works provoke thought, inspire connection and engage every sense.” 

“Keeping the Culture” features works from master artists like Elizabeth Catlett, Ed Clark, Melvin Edwards, Sam Gilliam, Valerie Maynard and Faith Ringgold, all of whom played critical roles in amplifying African-American voices in the art world. 

Their works in this collection address issues of ancestry, the Middle Passage, slavery, human rights, cultural trauma and civil rights, making their presence in this exhibit both necessary and poignant. These artists’ pieces are more than just displays; they represent movements of resistance, power and identity in a society that often sought to silence them.

Local Baltimore legends also shine in the exhibit, with significant contributions from artists such as Robert Houston and Oletha DeVane. Also included are Alma Roberts and Ernest Shaw, both of whom are alumni of Morgan State University. Their works are complemented by newer voices, such as Schaun Champion and photographer Devin Allen, whose powerful images gained national attention following the 2015 Baltimore Uprising. Allen’s photograph of the protests, which appeared on the cover of Time magazine, depicted a young demonstrator fleeing from a squad of police officers wearing face shields and wielding clubs. The younger artists add an essential part to the exhibit, representing the intersection of art and activism in today’s social landscape.

“This exhibit is so special to me. I am deeply honored to have my work included along with so many giants of the art world. The very focus of the exhibit, ‘Keeping Our Culture,’ is a major focus of my most recent body of work,” said Alma Roberts, one of the contributing artists. 

“To have my artwork hanging in this museum, at my alma mater, makes it that much more special. JELMA is truly a hidden treasure, and this exhibit, including works from the museum’s permanent collection, highlights just how important it is to the continuum of art institutions in this city and this state.” Roberts continued.

This exhibit is an emotional and sensory journey. Visitors walking through the museum will experience a deeply immersive environment. The space is alive with color and emotion, with artworks that provoke reflection and dialogue about past and present struggles and triumphs.

“Keeping the Culture” is an exhibit that  is particularly impactful for the African-American community, as the space feels like a sanctuary for Black voices. The walls are adorned with powerful imagery, from Ernest Shaw’s portrait of a squeegee kid—a figure often emblematic of concentrated poverty and sometimes violence in Baltimore’s streets—to haunting depictions of the lynching of Black ancestors. One standout piece shows Harriet Tubman in all her defiant strength, while another portrays the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a jail cell, highlighting his fight for civil rights. Each piece calls the viewer to reflect on the triumphs and tragedies that define African-American history.

For many, the exhibit is more than a collection of art. It is a celebration of Black identity and culture, housed within a space that feels uniquely designed to honor that heritage. The energy within the exhibit is one of remembrance, reflection and celebration, as the stories told on the walls resonate deeply with the audience.

As visitors move from one piece to the next, they are not merely observing art, they are engaging in a cultural conversation. Whether it’s the raw social commentary in Devin Allen’s photographs or the colorful depictions of history by Elizabeth Catlett, each artist contributes to the rich tapestry of the African-American experience.

“Keeping the Culture: The Last Twenty-Five Years” is a must-see exhibit for anyone looking to connect with the profound beauty and history of African-American art. As JELMA’s latest showcase, it stands as a tribute to both the past and the future of Black artistic expression. The museum is offering free admission for all visitors, and the exhibition will be open until Dec. 13, 2024.

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By Stephen Whyno
AP Sports Writer

BALTIMORE (AP) — Lamar Jackson threw for 323 yards and a touchdown to outshine rookie Jayden Daniels in a showdown between two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks this season, Derrick Henry ran for two TDs and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Washington Commanders 30-23 on Oct. 13 for their fourth consecutive victory.

Jackson found Mark Andrews for the tight end’s first touchdown of the season and completed nine passes to Zay Flowers for 132 yards — all in the first half. Henry had 132 yards and his NFL-leading eighth and ninth TDs as the Ravens (4-2) mixed and matched the pass and run to near perfection.

Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin on two TD passes, but did not get nearly enough help from the backfield in a matchup of the two top rushing offenses in the league. With Brian Robinson Jr. out because of a knee injury, Washington (4-2) got just 52 yards on the ground.

The Commanders’ defense struggled to contain Jackson and Henry, allowing Baltimore to rack up 484 yards, and their winning streak ended at four with a loss at the hands of an opponent that is starting to look like the legitimate Super Bowl contender it was expected to be.

The masterclass by the Ravens included scoring drives of 93 and 94 yards, three sacks of Daniels and enough to overcome an early interception by Jackson when the ball went off Andrews’ hands and was caught by rookie Mike Sainristil for Washington’s first pick of the season. 

Struggles defending against the pass continued, with Daniels going 24 of 35 for 269 yards, but again Baltimore was able to outscore its problems.

Henry became the first player to rush for a TD in each of his first six games since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2005. Andrews tied Todd Heap for the most catches since the team moved to Baltimore with the 41st of his career.

Injuries

Ravens: LB Malik Harrison (groin), CB Arthur Maulet (knee and hamstring) and DE Broderick Washington (knee) were inactive.

Commanders: DT Jonathan Allen was ruled out early in the fourth quarter with a pectoral injury. … DE Dorance Armstrong left in the second with a rib injury. … DE Clelin Ferrell missed a fourth consecutive game with a knee injury.

Up next

Commanders: Host the Carolina Panthers Oct. 20.

Ravens: Visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 21.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She also provided guidance for those looking to donate.

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

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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 Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor 
dbailey@afro.com

So, you’re cleaning up your diet, your exercise routine is finally consistent and you’re thinking now is the time to start adding nutritional supplements, natural herbs and products to take your healthy lifestyle goals to the next level. 

But where do you start?

The Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area (DMV) hosts a wide range of natural health food stores and herbal shops to get started on a natural wellness journey that is right for you. 

The first thing to think about is the kind of store you feel most comfortable exploring. Smaller shops, like D.C.’s Dynamic Health and Wellness, can offer specialized service and an individual connection with experienced staff, who are linked with both the community and herbal health. People like Evette H., one of the specialists at the small store on its H Street location. 

“We’re headed into the cold and flu season. Everybody’s starting to move inside and not getting enough vitamin D3,” said Evette. “So that’s a good place to start, along with the right magnesium.

“Elderberry and vitamin C are also good places to begin,” Evette added. “Most of us are always in need to strengthen the immune system, and good quality, basic supplements offer a good start.”

Evette is a fan of sea moss, a plant she says is one of the healthiest for overall health. 

“People from the Caribbean and other nations have always known about sea moss, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, it began to be more popular with Americans,” she said. Dynamic Health and Wellness has sold the raw plant for more than 15 years but sells the supplements as well. 

The nationally regarded Cleveland Clinic indicates that although sea moss and its supplements have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they are safe for consumption. The Cleveland Clinic considers sea moss as a “superfood,” helpful with immunity, gut health and blood sugar management. 

Blue Nile, located on Georgia Avenue near Howard University, is another dependable Black-owned herbal shop serving D.C.’s Shaw community with natural remedies for close to 50 years. The unassuming yellow and blue sign outside the small row house belies the abundance of herbs, remedies, teas and tinctures inside.  

Blue Nile staff member and health enthusiast Ramon Thompson is especially concerned about lower levels of immunity against illness affecting many Black people.  Like Evette, Thompson agrees that Black Americans usually need higher levels of B3.  He also has other helpful hints for everyone using natural remedies to remain in optimal health while getting ahead of cold and flu season.  

“I normally tell my clients to get started in August, before cold and flu season has set in. But if you are just getting started, supplements or teas like echinacea and pine needles can boost your immune system,” Thompson said.

Thompson also recommends that clients brand new to medicinal herbs stop by between 4-6 p.m. to discuss specific health concerns and wellness goals. 

“There’s a natural way to address most of our health issues. We just need to take the time to prioritize wellness,” he added. 

The DMV is also a great place for health food co-ops, stores owned by members instead of corporate investors. GLUT, a health food co-op in Mt. Rainier, Maryland, just blocks from the northeast D.C. border, is the granddaddy of DMV health food co-ops. 

Anyone who has ever walked up 34th street in tiny Mt. Rainier has seen the huge carrot outside of GLUT’s building. 

“Many people come to us looking for herbal remedies. We want all our co-op members to start their search for herbal remedies by being informed,” said Steve Smallwood, GLUT staffer. Smallwood has been part of the GLUT community for 15 years.  

Smallwood recommends the book “Prescription for Herbal Healing” by Phyllis Balch to co-op members as they begin to explore the world of herbal remedies.  

Although Smallwood is not a licensed herbalist, his years with GLUT have given him experience with many common wellness concerns people come searching for herbal cures to address, including organ cleansing, prostate issues for men and hormone balance for women. 

‘’If you are interested in an organ cleanse, start with the colon,’ Smallwood says to customers asking about cleansing other organs such as the liver and kidney. “A basic colon cleanse will help other cleanses to be more effective.

He added, “Learning to fast is also a basic healthy practice for persons seeking to take their wellness journey to the next level.”

The co-op employee’s final advice was that not all cures fit all.

“Every remedy is individual, based on the client’s health profile,’’ he said. 

The post Growing your health with herbs appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Reginald Williams
Special to the AFRO

Slow-moving showers hovered over Asheville, N.C., on Sept. 25. At the time, Hurricane Helene was a Category 1 hurricane, swelling on Cancun’s eastern Gulf of Mexico. By the evening of Sept. 26, that Category 1 hurricane dumped more than nine inches of rain on Asheville, and by noon Sept. 27, the city, perched 2,134 feet above sea level and 392 miles to the nearest coastal waters, began to feel the unimaginable devastation of being submerged by floodwaters. By the afternoon of Sept. 27, the Category 1 storm grew to a Category 4, causing residents in North Carolina to flee in search of safety.

The breath of Helene’s raging rivers stretched for more than 600 miles through ten states, with the most intense destruction in North Carolina. Meteorologists estimated that between four and five months of rain descended on Asheville in three days. 

“You have entire communities that are gone. They have just washed away,” Janice Royall Garland, who lives approximately 10 minutes outside the city limits of Asheville in Weaverville, told the AFRO. “It is phenomenal. This is scary.”

Janice Royall Garland, her husband Mike, and her mother were without power from Sept 26. to Sept 28. The power outage severed access to water. The Garlands use well water, which has a pump that requires a power source. They, too, had intermittent cell tower access, making it challenging to contact their families. 

“At first, it was disheartening because we didn’t see anything in the way of help coming for days,” Janice Royall Garland said. “Now we see the convoys of power companies from other states coming to help.” 

Mudslides and buried roadways left residents with sparse access to rescue crews. Several ambulances attempting to render aid instead ended up floating in the raging waters, along with the cars and houses of residents. 

The torrential rain floods robbed people of their homes and the memories stored in them. Lives were also lost. Fatalities in Asheville rose above 40 on Oct. 2. Nationwide, more than 160 people are reported dead, according to The Associated Press. Dead bodies were reported to be trapped in trees and floating in rivers of stormwater, resembling the sights and sounds of Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 tropical cyclone that landed in New Orleans. That storm was responsible for 1,392 deaths and an estimated $125 billion in damages.  

In Tallahassee, Fla. residents like Perry Kalip and his mother, Martha Kale, sought shelter at a school in the area. In fear of falling victim to the storm’s rapidly changing conditions, the pair traveled to Fairview Middle School in search of a safe place to wait out the hurricane. 

Before Helene landed in Asheville, it traveled unexpectedly through Augusta, Ga., providing a destructive punch to the Georgians. 

“That storm sat on top of this area for three hours,” declared Mohra Hill-Smith. “We had those 80 mile per hour  high winds and two tornadoes in those three hours. The community has taken a hit.”

Hill-Smith feels blessed while needing a new roof and siding, stating that fallen trees have split a few of her neighbor’s homes in half. Like Asheville, Augusta experienced no power, irregular cellular service, and the inability to find gas. 

“When I left on Saturday, there was no food in the stores. The drug stores were closed. I couldn’t get my medication. Gas stations three hours, and longer waits,” explained Hill-Smith. “It was very dire straits.” 

In an attempt to reach safety, Hill, a cancer patient on oral medication, traveled on Sept. 28 with a friend to Conyers, Ga. While there, a new emergency confronted them. 

“On Sunday, we woke up to an emergency alert in Conyers stating there was a chemical fire in the area. We were put under a mandatory shelter-in-place for two days. So, we left one disaster and went to another disaster,” explained Hill.

Because of Asheville’s climate and its projected safety from severe weather, realtors tabbed the city as a prime living destination. However, the confluence of the Swannanoa River and the French Broad River, which sandwich the city of Asheville, is why the town and neighboring communities fell victim to flood waters. Subsequently, Asheville’s physical infrastructure will take years to rebuild, they’ll also have to repair its social infrastructure. 

There is never a good time to be devastated by a violent rainstorm, but this may be the worst time. Asheville, which rests in the foothills of North Carolina, is a tourist community primarily because of the region’s climate and environment set on the backdrop of the ethereal Blue Ridge Mountains. September through early November is the time of year when the city experiences its most significant economic impact. 

Janice Royall Garland said she found some deliverance despite the storm’s devastation. She says the storm washed away—at least momentarily—the political descent that fractured North Carolina residents before Helene.

“On our little road, we’re seeing a sense of community,” shares Janice Royall Garland. “You can Google people in the area and see how they will vote, but with things like this, those differences are set aside. You see people hauling water, and they ask, ‘Do you need drinking water, flushing water, or both? What do you need? Frankly, I’m over the whole election thing. Since last Thursday, nobody is talking about it. Instead, it’s do you have water? What do you need? Gas? What do you need?’ That’s the shift in thinking when these kinds of things happen.”

According to information released by the White House, “In total, FEMA has shipped over 8.5 million meals, more than 7 million liters of water, 150 generators and over 220,000 tarps to aid response efforts for this historic storm.” 

The Biden Administration also said that “FEMA assistance in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia can include a one-time $750 payment to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies.” 

“After registering for disaster assistance, individuals may also qualify to receive disaster-related financial assistance to repair storm-related damage to homes and replace personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay,” reported information released by White House officials. “Homeowners and renters with damage to their home or personal property from previous disasters, whether they received FEMA funds or not, are still eligible to apply for and receive assistance for Hurricane Helene.” 

The post Residents attempt recovery efforts in devastation of Hurricane Helene appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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 D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

The District’s DC Circulator bus system, which has been a popular mode of transportation for riders throughout the Greater Washington Area, began laying off employees on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Ninety Circulator employees were laid off on Oct. 1. Seventy-eight employees have already secured positions within the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. However, they will lose their seniority, start at lower hourly wages and be assigned different shifts. Circulator drivers also learned that they will not be given preferential treatment in the hiring process. 

During a recent council transportation hearing with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and members of the D.C. City Council, Circulator spokespersons noted that employees who secure jobs with Metro could expect their hourly wages to decline from $40 to $28 while those who have worked their way up in seniority to get nights and weekends off, many of whom are now in their 50s and 60s, could be reassigned to graveyard shifts.  

The layoffs represent part of D.C.’s plan to phase-out the bus system, which has been around for 20 years. Last year, the D.C. Circulator bus system had 1.9 million riders and close to 300 employees. In recent weeks, transit workers and District residents have held rallies criticizing the shutdown, asking Metro to take over the beleaguered bus system to no avail. 

Union representatives, including Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, one of the unions that represents the workers, said it will continue to fight to retain current pay rates. ATU asserts that Circulator employees had five-year contracts that guaranteed job security through 2028. Nonetheless, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser slashed funding for the Circulator from this year’s budget. 

Riders on the Circulator bus system can expect to see changes and cancellations of service beginning in October. 

The post Layoffs begin for Circulator employees in D.C. as phase-out plans continue appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ralph E. Moore Jr.
Special to the AFRO

There are 16 predominantly Black Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, but by Christmas Day 2024, there will only be seven.  

Nine congregations will be removed from their then shuttered church homes and folded into other churches. Under a plan announced earlier this year in May, the number of parishes in Baltimore, sadly, will be reduced from 61 to 23. And unfortunately, the plan entitled obscurely, “Seek the City to Come,” will affect Black Catholic parishes at a greater rate than White or Hispanic parishes. Proportionately speaking, more Black Catholics will be evicted from their church home than any other racial group in the city.

Churches are being merged into other churches because the archdiocese thinks the number of Sunday attendees is too low and the costs of maintaining church buildings are becoming increasingly unaffordable. There is no talk of faith in their calculations– only finance. No talk of the historic racism practiced in Catholic churches for centuries included segregated seating, ushers ignoring Blacks in predominantly White churches and seminaries and convents refusing to admit Blacks. 

African Americans remained faithful to God in the past while waiting for Whites to receive communion first before anyone Black could partake of the Blessed Sacrament– a form of White supremacy even at the highest of Christian religious ceremonies.

Again, Black Catholic churches and schools have routinely been shut down within the Catholic Church in the United States. We have remained faithful through enslavement, segregation, mass incarceration and mass poverty.

And so, church authorities counting on our strong faith in God announced the closing of nine of the 16 Black Catholic churches, surprising members, disappointing and angering most Black Catholics in the oldest Catholic archdiocese in the nation.

The church hierarchy, represented by Urban Vicar Bruse Lewandowski and Archbishop William J. Lori, are treating Black Catholics and others as if pieces on their hierarchical chess board, moving parishioners around while disrupting routine Sunday travel and congregations’ familiar membership and in-house practices.

We are overwhelmingly elderly congregants in the Black churches and most expected to be funeralized from their church home. So, that expectation will itself die. 

The Black Catholic churches that will remain in place are St. Bernadine; St. Ambrose; New All Saints; St. Veronica and St. Francis Xavier. Merged into St. Bernadine will be: St. Edward, St. Gregory, St. Peter Claver and St. Pius V. 

New All Saints Church will absorb St. Cecilia and Immaculate Conception (the church in Baltimore City, not the church of the same name in Towson). Also, Blessed Sacrament Church will be merged into St. Matthew Church along with several others.  Finally, St. Francis Xavier Church will absorb the congregations and incomes of St. Ann and St. Wenceslaus churches, while their buildings will be closed. 

The nine Black Catholic churches will be shut down in the middle of the Thanksgiving to Christmas holiday season. The official date is Dec. 1, 2024. It will make the statement from the archdiocese to Black and other churches: “Merry Christmas, you’re closed!” 

Sounds very heartless, because it is!.

When Baltimore had a majority White population, most Catholic churches in the city were White.  But as white folks moved out of the city to the suburbs following the 1954 Brown decision, which ruled against racial segregation in schools and elsewhere by extension, inner-city church congregations became mostly Black. Even more Whites moved out of the city following the assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968.  Black Catholics (the remnant) remained in Catholic Churches sustaining them for decades. 

Certainly, Black folks moved to the suburbs, too.  But most to this day have returned to their home church traveling distances of three, four, five and six miles to get back to the church in the neighborhood where they grew up and where some attended the church’s local Catholic school.  

The Archdiocesan bishops with their “Seek the City to Come” decrees have done nothing but wreak havoc within the diocese.  Some pastors have already been removed.  Vacant church buildings will be added to neighborhoods already struggling with vacant houses. And congregations of strangers in the past forced together by the bishops have often not been able to get along.

The day St. Ann Church closes is the day I leave Catholicism for good. Dec. 1, 2024 I will say goodbye to 72 years of being Catholic since I was three months old.  Others will leave too, I am told.

The post Multiple Catholic church homes set to permanently close in December appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

Maryland 

Sweeten the Vote

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

Date: Oct. 12

Time: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. 

Location: Sydney’s Ice Creams 

                  3432 Belair Rd. 

                  Baltimore, MD 21213 

Maryland Women’s Small Business Celebration 

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

Date: Oct. 10

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: Montgomery Park 

                 1800 Washington Boulevard 

                 Baltimore, MD 21230 

HUD-approved Foreclosure Prevention Workshop

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

Date: Oct. 10 

Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. 

Location: St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center 

                 321 East 25th St. 

                 Baltimore, MD 21218

D.C. 

Zenith Gallery Presents: We Are Not Going Back

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

Date: Daily through Oct. 12 

Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Location: Zenith Gallery 

                 1429 Iris St. NW 

                 Washington, DC 20012

A Speakeasy Evening 

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

Date: Oct. 10

Time: 6:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Location: National Museum of African American History and Culture 

                 1400 Constitution Ave. NW 

                 Washington, DC 20001

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

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

Date: Oct. 12

Time: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Grounded 

                 1913 Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast 

                 Washington, DC 20020

Atlanta Fine Art Print Fair

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

Date: Oct. 11 – Oct. 13

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

Location: 1201 K Street Northwest 

                 Washington, DC 20005 

2024 Free Women, Wellness and Wealth Conference 

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

Date: Oct. 19 

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: The Harborside Hotel 

                 6400 Oxon Hill Rd. 

                 Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Black on the Block D.C.

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

Date: Oct. 20

Time: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. 

Location: Nationals Park Field Plaza

                 1500 South Capitol Street SE 

                 Washington, DC 20003

Virginia 

Black Maternal Health Legislative Summit

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

Date: Oct. 18

Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Location: Virginia General Assembly 

                 1000 Bank St. 

                 Richmond, VA 23219

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

FREE Fish dinner with “I Voted” Sticker

Date: Sunday, October 27th, 2024 

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Mount Vernon Governmental Center

2511 Parkers Ln

Alexandria, VA 22306

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

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

Date: Oct. 13

Time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: First Baptist Church 

                 229 North King Street 

                 Hampton, VA 23669

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

By AFRO Staff

On Oct. 4, Morgan State University held its 40th annual fundraising gala at Martin’s West, located in Baltimore. The gala is an annual celebration of the historically Black university and supports scholarship funds for current and prospective students. In attendance were Baltimore City Mayor M. Brandon Scott and his new wife, Hana, with baby bump number two; WBAL TV Co-Anchor Jenyne Donaldson and Con. Kwesi Mfume (D-Md.-07), his wife, Tiffany Mfume and a host of community leaders, residents and alumni.

The post Morgan State University hosts 40th Homecoming Gala appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Kemo Cham and Jessica Donati
The Associated Press

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AP) — Companies that bring solar power to some of the poorest homes in Central and West Africa are said to be among the fastest growing on a continent whose governments have long struggled to address some of the world’s worst infrastructure and the complications of climate change.

The often African-owned companies operate in areas where the vast majority of people live disconnected from the electricity grid, and offer products ranging from solar-powered lamps that allow children to study at night to elaborate home systems that power kitchen appliances and plasma televisions. Prices range from less than $20 for a solar-powered lamp to thousands of dollars for home appliances and entertainment systems.

Central and West Africa have some of the world’s lowest electrification rates. In West Africa, where 220 million people live without power, this is as low as 8 percent, according to the World Bank. Many rely on expensive kerosene and other fuels that fill homes and businesses with fumes and risk causing fires.

At the last United Nations climate summit, the world agreed on the goal of tripling the capacity for renewable power generation by 2050. While the African continent is responsible for hardly any carbon emissions relative to its size, solar has become one relatively cost-effective way to provide electricity.

The International Energy Agency, in a report earlier this year, said small and medium-sized solar companies are making rapid progress reaching homes but more needs to be invested to reach all African homes and businesses by 2030.

About 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, it said, out of a population of more than 1.3 billion.

Among the companies that made the Financial Times’ annual ranking of Africa’s fastest growing companies of 2023 was Easy Solar, a locally owned firm that brings solar power to homes and businesses in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The ranking went by compound annual growth rate in revenue.

Co-founder Nthabiseng Mosia grew up in Ghana with frequent power cuts. She became interested in solving energy problems in Africa while at graduate school in the United States. Together with a U.S. classmate, she launched the company in Sierra Leone, whose electrification rates are among the lowest in West Africa.

“There wasn’t really anybody doing solar at scale. And so we thought it was a good opportunity,” Mosia said in an interview.

Since launching in 2016, Easy Solar has brought solar power to over a million people in Sierra Leone and Liberia, which have a combined population of more than 14 million. The company’s network includes agents and shops in all of Sierra Leone’s 16 districts and seven of nine counties in Liberia.

Many communities have been connected to a stable source of power for the first time. “We really want to go to the last mile deep into the rural areas,” Mosia said.

The company began with a pilot project in Songo, a community on the outskirts of Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown. Uptake was slow at first, Mosia said. Villagers worried about the cost of solar-powered appliances, but once they began to see light in their neighbors’ homes at night, more signed on.

“We have long forgotten about kerosene,” said Haroun Patrick Samai, a Songo resident and land surveyor. “Before Easy Solar we lived in constant danger of a fire outbreak from the use of candles and kerosene.”

Altech, a solar power company based in Congo, also ranked as one of Africa’s fastest growing companies. Fewer than 20 percent of the population in Congo has access to electricity, according to the World Bank.

Co-founders Washikala Malango and Iongwa Mashangao fled conflict in Congo’s South Kivu province as children and grew up in Tanzania. They decided to launch the company in 2013 to help solve the power problems they had experienced growing up in a refugee camp, relying on kerosene for power and competing with family members for light to study at night.

Altech now operates in 23 out of 26 provinces in Congo, and the company expects to reach the remaining ones by the end of the year. Its founders say they have sold over 1 million products in Congo in a range of solar-powered solutions for homes and businesses, including lighting, appliances, home systems and generators.

“For the majority of our customers, this is the first time they are connected to a power source,” Malango said.

Repayment rates are over 90 percent, Malango said, helped in part by a system that can turn off power to appliances remotely if people don’t pay.

___

The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

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By David Klepper
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The facts emerging from Hurricane Helene’s destruction are heartrending: Businesses and homes destroyed, whole communities nearly wiped out, hundreds of lives lost, hundreds of people missing.

Yet this devastation and despair is not enough for the extremist groups, disinformation agents, hucksters and politicians who are exploiting the disaster to spread false claims and conspiracy theories about it and the government’s response.

According to former President Donald Trump, the federal government is intentionally withholding aid to Republican disaster victims. Far-right extremist groups warn on social media that officials plan to bulldoze affected communities and seize the land from residents. A tale straight from science fiction asserts that Washington used weather control technology to steer Helene toward Republican voters in order to tilt the presidential election toward Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

The claims, according to experts and local officials dealing with disaster response, say less about the reality of the widespread damage from Helene than they do about America’s fractured politics and the fear and distrust shadowing an election year marked by assassination attempts and escalating global tension.

Debunking conspiracy theories takes time away from recovery efforts

As rescue work continues and authorities try to separate fact from fiction, the conspiracy theories are not helping. 

Elected leaders from both parties have had to set the record straight and urge people not to give into fear and rumor.

“If everyone could maybe please put aside the hate for a bit and pitch in to help, that would be great,” posted Glenn Jacobs, the retired professional wrestler known as Kane, who is now the Republican mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. Jacobs’ post was intended to rebut rumors that workers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency were seizing relief supplies from private citizens.

Many of the conspiracy theories focus on hard-hit North Carolina, a state key to winning the White House. Rumors circulated that FEMA was raiding storm donations and withholding body bags, forcing local hospitals to stack the bodies of victims. One claim suggested federal authorities would condemn the entire town of Chimney Rock and prohibit resettlement in order to commandeer a valuable lithium mine nearby.

False claims of blocked relief flights and aid withheld from Republicans

Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, X and SpaceX, posted that private relief flights to North Carolina were being blocked by the Federal Aviation Administration, a claim dismissed as false by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Despite the tradition of Democrats and Republicans putting aside politics for disaster response, many conspiracy theories suggest Democrats such as President Joe Biden or North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper are intentionally withholding aid from Republicans. Trump has pushed the claim, as has North Carolina’s lieutenant governor, Mark Robinson, the embattled GOP nominee for governor.

“They’re being treated very badly in the Republican areas,” Trump told Fox News, ignoring reports and photo and video evidence of recovery efforts underway throughout the region. “They’re not getting water, they’re not getting anything.”

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones endorsed Trump’s fact-free allegation. Jones, the founder of InfoWars, popularized the idea that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut that killed 20 children in 2012 was faked. “Exclusive: Victims of Hurricane Helene Confirm The Federal Government is Purposely Blocking Rescuers and Stealing Aid In an Attempt to Keep Deep Red Areas From Voting,” Jones posted Ocr. 3 on X.

Disinformation campaigns by China and Russia amplify the misleading claims

State-run media and disinformation campaigns run by China and Russia have amplified false and misleading claims about the response to the storm. Both countries have used social media and state news stories to criticize responses to past U.S. natural disasters, part of a larger effort to stoke division and distrust among Americans.

State and local officials from both parties have condemned the conspiracy theories as rumors, saying the focus should be on recovery, not political division and hearsay. 

Responding to the hoaxes is taking up time that should go toward assisting victims, said North Carolina state Sen. Kevin Corbin, a Republican who urged his constituents not to give into hoaxes.

“Friends can I ask a small favor?” Corbin posted Oct. 3 on Facebook. “Will you all help STOP this conspiracy theory junk that is floating all over Facebook and the internet… Please don’t let these crazy stories consume you.”

After Robinson, the GOP candidate for North Carolina governor, posted that state officials had not prepared for the storm, a spokesman for the governor accused Robinson of mounting “an online disinformation campaign.” North Carolina officials say the response to Helene is the largest in state history, including thousands of members of the National Guard and other recovery workers, millions of meals, dozens of aircraft and more than 1,000 chainsaws.

Trump has tried to tie the hurricane’s aftermath to immigration, a leading issue of his campaign. He falsely claimed that FEMA had run out of money because all of it had gone to programs for undocumented immigrants.

The agency’s funding for disaster aid is stretched, but that is because of the many parts of the country dealing with the effects of hurricanes, wildfires and other calamities. Disaster aid is funded separately from other Department of Homeland Security programs that support immigration-related spending.

Far-out tales of space lasers, fake snow and weather control technology

Bizarre stories proposing that the government used weather control technology to aim the hurricane at Republican voters quickly racked up millions of views on X and other platforms.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., endorsed the idea, posting Oct. 2 on X: “Yes they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.”

Far-out tales of space lasers, fake snow and weather control technology — sometimes tinged with antisemitism — have spread after recent natural disasters, including a snowstorm in Texas and last year’s wildfire in Maui.

Experts who study conspiracy theories say big events like disasters — or the Sept. 11 attacks or the COVID-19 pandemic — create perfect conditions for conspiracy theories to spread because large numbers of anxious people are eager to find explanations for shocking events.

Responding to the volume of false claims about Helene, the Red Cross urged people to consult trustworthy sources of information and to think twice before reposting conspiracy theories.

“Sharing rumors online without first vetting the source and verifying facts ultimately hurts people — people who have just lost their homes, neighborhoods, and, in some cases, loved ones,” the organization wrote in a public plea.

The post After the deluge, the lies: Misinformation and hoaxes about Helene cloud the recovery appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO

Herb Brown turned 100 years of age on Sept. 22 with all of the pomp and circumstance due to a centenarian of his caliber. The Baltimore business giant has been an active member of the Ashburton community for 62 years. 

Brown didn’t celebrate this milestone birthday alone. 

At noon on Saturday, Sept. 21, more than 125 of his friends and family gathered at the Baltimore Inner Harbor for a cruise on the water. The event was organized by his family and friends, who were excited to honor Brown.

“I have had the pleasure and honor of seeing Herb for the last 60 of his 100 years,” said Dan Henson. “It’s easy to think of your own mortality when you look at Herb and see his youthfulness.”

Henson said over the years, he has taken note of Brown’s ability to age with grace and style. 

“Three secrets to his longevity that I have noticed: One, he stopped drinking alcoholic beverages 50 years ago and replaced it with water–every Black bartender in Baltimore knows that. Two, he takes a nap every day and three, he gets dressed and does something daily that stimulates him physically and intellectually. I’m not saying these are the secrets to getting to 100, but they work for Herb and for me so far,” said Henson.

Among the many guests were Maryland Chief Judge Robert Bell, Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07), State Sen. Jill Carter (D-Md.-41), State Del. Samuel “Sandy” Rosenberg (D-Md.-41), Theo Rodgers, co-founder and CEO of A&R Development, and Att. Kenneth L. Thompson.  

“It is rare,” said Bell, “to be able to celebrate the 100^th birthday of someone with such immense importance to the development of our community and to be able to share it with so many of his mentees– including myself. This was really special.”

Carter echoed similar sentiments. “We don’t often get to share a centennial celebration with our living heroes. It was an honor to see him smiling and to show him that his commitment and contributions are appreciated.”

Brown was born in Winnsboro, S.C.  He is the youngest of three sons born to  Lawrence and Willie Mae Brown.  “He was about six months old when his family moved to Baltimore,” says his granddaughter, Erika Bessick, who stays close to her grandfather to spend time with him every day.  

Brown graduated from Douglass High School and from there went into the Army. After two years, he was discharged honorably as a sergeant. 

“They had two lines, one if you wanted to stay in the army and another if you wanted to leave,” says Bessick.  “Grandfather chose the line to leave. He became a salesman,” she tells the AFRO.

And Brown was quite a salesman. 

He spent a number of years in sales, selling everything from mini blinds and floor coverings to beer.  According to Bessick, Brown spent 12 years selling Ballantine Beer until the company was acquired and his position was eliminated.

“Herb was a businessman, but more than that, he is a tremendous human being. It was great seeing one of the legends of the early days of Black entrepreneurship,” said Attorney Ken Thompson.

In 1968, Brown founded the Mondawmin Travel Agency. He was one of only two Black businesses at the time to be located in the West Baltimore mall. The only other Black owned business at the time was the Pauline Brooks women’s dress shop, which had moved to Mondawmin from North Avenue in 1967. 

Brown became among the power brokers in Baltimore and a close friend of the Late Willie Adams. Brown took a special interest in Northwest Baltimore politics and was among the founders of the Vanguard Organization, which helped elect a number of Black politicians going back to Sen. Verda Welcome and Sen. Clarence Blount. 

Chuck Thompson, who turned 100 years old earlier this year, also made his way to the cruise along with Angela Gibson. Thompson served as president of Vanguard while Brown was its long-time treasure. 

“His role as a political power broker helped to build Black power in Northwest Baltimore and shape policies that elevated our community for generations,” said Carter.

Theo Rodgers also weighed in on how Brown’s hard work has impacted the city.

“Herb Brown has always been involved behind the scenes in activities that improved Baltimore’s Black community in business and politics. His positive attitude has been a motivation for me for over 50 years,” he said.

Eventually, Brown moved his office into his Ashburton home, where he continued to host the Vanguard Organization after selling his travel agency.

Today Brown spends most of his time with his family. 

“He loves having his grandchildren around, he likes the noise, and he enjoys watching them. On special occasions like my sister’s baby shower, he’ll put on his suede jacket and strut. He’s steadier on his feet then most people, even me,” said Bessick. 

Lenny Clay remembers Brown as a mentor to many young Black business people.  “He is someone we looked up to–such a snappy dresser,” said Clay, who’s been cutting hair in Baltimore for over 60 years.

“He is up early every day and ready to go. [He] gets dressed a little more casual than the days when he would walk around in his sports coats and suits. Button down shirts [and] sweaters are now the order of the day,” says Bessick.

Brown fathered three children and only his son, Kevin Brown, lives with him in his Ashburton home today. 

Brown and his son Kevin occasionally spend time at C and C’s Lounge watching the football games together. 

“It is a joy to be here and ride this out with him,” said his son.  “He says he is ‘going to 110.’ I laugh and asked him is that all you got?’ I’m overwhelmed to see so many people supporting him and remembering his contributions.”

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

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

Generations of Morgan State University students and alumni flooded the historically Black college’s Northeast Baltimore campus on Oct. 5 to celebrate its homecoming. Highlights of the week included a homecoming concert on Oct. 3, a pep rally on Oct. 4 and the parade and football game on Oct. 5. 

“My favorite part of homecoming for me is seeing the advancement,” said Tara Carter, a two-time graduate of Morgan State University. “We hear a lot about the big schools, but when you see just how much Morgan has been doing as a top research institution for Maryland, it’s amazing for me to see this.”

“I am big on spending time with friends,” said Carter. “We didn’t even make it to the football game, but I still bought tickets to make sure we are supporting our teams.”

Dr. David Wilson, president of Morgan State, in an Oct. 6 letter sent to the Morgan State community, praised those who made the celebration a time to remember. 

“Homecoming 2024 invited our entire community to fully embrace Morgan’s rich and enduring legacy, and I am proud to say we did just that,” said Wilson. “Generations of Morganites converged on our campus, embracing the rites, rituals and traditions that unify us as one family.”

“Of course, the Bears’ victorious football game was the centerpiece of Homecoming. We estimate that more than 25,000 people were on Morgan’s campus…with several thousand tailgating in designated areas,” he continued. “Thanks to our comprehensive security plan and advanced preparation, including a strengthened presence of uniformed officers and security personnel, we were able to effectively manage the challenges posed by the very large crowds.”

Homecoming week for the Morgan State Bears kicked off with a performance by BET Award-nominated artist Sexxy Red on Oct. 3. The following night, Morgan State held a pep rally to highlight all of the varsity teams on campus. 

“Morgan has a rich history,” said Kendra Woolridge, a director for the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and owner of a multi award- winning vegan nail polish company, Janet and Jo. “We have the first HBCU collegiate lacrosse team in the nation. It’s stories like that that need to be amplified.”

On the gridiron, the Morgan State Bears (3-3) dominated the Lincoln University Lions, from Pennsylvania, 41-0. Wide receiver Andre Crawley led the way with 134 total yards, six catches and two total touchdowns. He scored one touchdown receiving as well as passing for a 21-yard touchdown. Running back Myles Miree also contributed with two touchdowns himself, both on the ground. 

“Homecoming has been great for me. It’s my first homecoming. I am a freshman and I’ve been to the pep rally. I also went to the skate and laser tag night that was on Oct. 3,” said Renee Salter, who is studying psychology.

In efforts to ensure the safety of all attendees, Morgan State administration and leadership made significant security enhancements for the 2024 homecoming activities, including over 3,100 camera views for surveillance purposes, AI-supported weapon detection and plate-reading technology. On Oct. 5, the “official Homecoming day,” all campus buildings and dorms closed at 3 p.m. and the campus officially closed at 7 p.m.

While the security measures were bolstered, dirt bikers descended on the area after the game concluded, further complicating traffic when they caused an accident. And Baltimore Police Department officers responded to a shooting that took place around midnight, after all official homecoming activities were finished. 

Wilson acknowledged the incidents in his letter, stating that “illegal dirt bike riders—unaffiliated with Morgan—engaged in reckless behavior along Hillen Road and E. Cold Spring Lane, leading to a serious traffic accident.” 

The university president said that the “off-campus shooting” was “unrelated to Morgan.” 

“While these events are deeply disappointing, I want to be clear: they have no connection to our university other than their proximity,” he wrote. “Rest assured, I have been in contact with Mayor Scott, and members of my team have been in constant communication with the Baltimore Police Department.”

“Today, I am pleased to report that there were NO violent incidents on campus throughout the week. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Chief Lance Hatcher, the MSUPD, and all the security personnel, for their exceptional work in executing the Homecoming Security Plan and ensuring campus safety.”

Overall, the experience was an overwhelmingly positive event– one for the history books. For some Morgan State graduates, the weekend represented their first time back in Baltimore for a homecoming in several years. 

Silver Spring, Md. native, Shantá Reid, now a paralegal in Washington, D.C., was proud to make her 2024 return to her alma mater. 

“This is my first homecoming since 2019,” she said.

This article was updated on Oct. 13. 

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By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO

The Maryland Democratic Party collaborated with members of the Divine Nine (D9) – Black sororities and fraternities – to host a virtual get-out-the-vote rally for Vice President Kamala Harris and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Democratic candidates for the U.S. presidency and Senate, respectively. 

In attendance were members from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,  Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. These organizations have played a pivotal role in politics over the years and hope to help Harris, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Alsobrooks, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, get elected on Nov. 5.

Alsobrooks, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.-4) also made appearances during the virtual rally.

Alsobrooks told attendees that the relationship between D9 fraternities and sororities is “very important.” 

“When we fight together, we’re going to win,” she said. 

That coordinated effort would be needed in what she called “the most consequential election of our time.” 

“We have the real profound obligation to ensure that we build a future that that really befits the dignity of our children and grandchildren and so many of the struggles that we have fought for…. Ensuring that our daughters and granddaughters have the right to enjoy reproductive freedom and that we are also building communities that are safe and affordable,” said the Prince George’s County executive.

“We know we have the power to make a change and we have the power that was instilled in us and passed on to us by our ancestors, the power to make the impossible possible.”

Following Alsobrooks’ remarks, Moore took center stage and told rally attendees that he is “beyond excited” about the upcoming election, adding, “It’s our time.”

He also emphasized the role of Black Greek organizations in ensuring that success. 

“The road to Washington [D.C.], it runs through the D9. The road to the White House, the road to the Senate seat, it runs through the D9,” said Moore. “This is a crew that moves mountains.”

If elected, Harris would make history as the first Black female president of the United States and Alsobrooks would become the first Black woman elected as a U.S. senator from Maryland, however, Moore said it’s not about making history.

“We love it [but] that’s not the assignment,” said the governor. “The reason we are going to make Kamala Harris the next president of the United States is because she is brilliant and she is the best. The reason we are going to make Angela Alsobrooks the next senator for the state of Maryland is because she is brilliant and because she’s the best and we care about our future and we’re going to protect it.”

Jeremiah Pope, the chairman of the African American Leadership Council, delivered remarks and urged fraternity and sorority members to get out and vote.

“I don’t have to say much because as D9 ambassadors, this is what we do. We always get out. We register people to vote. We always stay fired up,” said Pope. “As Michelle Obama says, ‘We always do something.’”

Lamont Riley, a D9 ambassador, said fraternities and sororities are “undeniably influential” and have made history in the past by helping Moore get elected. And, he added, they hope to do it again with Harris and Alsobrooks.  

“Remember we had a Divine Nine brother who started to run for governor of Maryland with just 1 percent name recognition. But what happened? We had the Divine Nine, our network, family, friends and neighbors who became a mobilizing force,” said Riley. “We’re going to do it again…. It’s time to activate and ensure Angela’s vision becomes a reality.”

Dasia Scott, digital director of the Maryland Democratic Party, then led a discussion on ways Divine Nine members can utilize social media to mobilize voters for Harris and Alsobrooks.

“We’ve created for you all different Divine Nine themed frames for you to utilize on your social media accounts and we made them based on the colors of different organizations,” she said.

Rev. Regina Clay, a member of the Maryland Democratic Party’s outreach team, discussed the important role that faith leaders play and why they need to use their platforms to ensure community members have a plan for Nov. 5.

“We have been educating our faith leaders, who sometimes get inhibited about talking about elections. We’ve been sharing with them that they need to have an operation voter turnout, an action plan,” said Clay. “We know that death and life are in the power of the tongue. So, we speak [voter turnout] into existence.”

The Maryland Democratic Party plans to host another event titled “Black Marylanders for Kamala and Angela” on Oct. 6.

The post Divine Nine groups in Maryland host virtual campaign rally supporting VP Harris, Angela Alsobrooks appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Bruce Schreiner
The Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The death toll from Hurricane Helene inched up to 227 on Ocr. 5 as the grim task of recovering bodies continued more than a week after the monster storm ravaged the Southeast and killed people in six states.

Helene came ashore Sept. 26 as a Category 4 hurricane and carved a wide swath of destruction as it moved northward from Florida, washing away homes, destroying roads and knocking out electricity and cellphone service for millions.

The number of deaths stood at 225 on Oct. 4; two more were recorded in South Carolina the following day. It was still unclear how many people were unaccounted for or missing, and the toll could rise even higher.

Helene is the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005. About half the victims were in North Carolina, while dozens more were killed in Georgia and South Carolina.

The city of Asheville, in the western mountains of North Carolina, was particularly battered. A week later workers used brooms and heavy machinery to clean mud and dirt outside of New Belgium Brewing Company, which lies next to the French Broad River and is among thousands of city businesses and households affected.

So far North Carolinians have received more than $27 million in individual assistance approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said MaryAnn Tierney, a regional administrator for the agency. More than 83,000 people have registered for individual assistance, according to the office of Gov. Roy Cooper.

In Buncombe County, where Asheville is located, FEMA-approved assistance has surpassed $12 million for survivors, Tierney said Oct. 5 during a news briefing.

“This is critical assistance that will help people with their immediate needs, as well as displacement assistance that helps them if they can’t stay in their home,” she said.

She encouraged residents impacted by the storm to register for disaster assistance.

“It is the first step in the recovery process,” she said. “We can provide immediate relief in terms of serious needs assistance to replace food, water, medicines, other life safety, critical items, as well as displacement assistance if you cannot stay in your home.”

Helene’s raging floodwaters shocked mountain towns hundreds of miles inland and far from where the storm made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, including in the Tennessee mountains that Dolly Parton calls home.

The country music star has announced a $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing immediate assistance to Hurricane Helene flood victims.

In addition, her East Tennessee businesses as well as the Dollywood Foundation are combining efforts, pledging to match her donation to Mountain Ways with a $1 million contribution.

Parton said she feels a close connection to the storm victims because so many of them “grew up in the mountains just like I did.”

“I can’t stand to see anyone hurting, so I wanted to do what I could to help after these terrible floods,” she said. “I hope we can all be a little bit of light in the world for our friends, our neighbors — even strangers — during this dark time they are experiencing.”

Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner said the company, including Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation, would increase its commitment and donate a total of $10 million to hurricane relief efforts.

In Newport, an eastern Tennessee town of about 7,000, residents continued cleaning up Ocr. 5 from the destruction caused by Helene’s floodwaters.

Mud still clung to the basement walls of one Main Street funeral home. The ground-floor chapel of another nearby was being dried out, a painting of Jesus still hanging on the wall in an otherwise barren room.

Newport City Hall and its police department also took on water from the swollen Pigeon River. Some of the modest, one-story homes along its banks were destroyed, their walls crumbled and rooms exposed.

Farther east in unincorporated Del Rio, along a bend in the French Broad River, residents and volunteers toiled to clean up. The smell of wood hung in the air as people used chainsaws to cut through downed trees, and Bobcats beeped as they moved mangled sheet metal and other debris. Many homes sustained damage, including one that slid off its foundation.

___

Associated Press journalists Jeff Roberson in Newport, Tennessee; Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa; and Denise Lavoie in Richmond, Virginia, contributed.

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

In a continued effort to promote inclusivity, fairness and justice for all residents, the Baltimore Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR) is hosting Civil Rights Week. Taking place from Oct. 4-12, the event serves as a platform for education, advocacy and reflection on the ongoing struggles for equality and justice and other pressing civil rights issues in the city.

OECR, alongside local leaders, activists and community members, has curated a dynamic lineup of events that engages the community in meaningful discussions and actions around the intersections of race, gender, disability and socio-economic status within the framework of civil rights.

“Civil rights can’t be forgotten. I could go on and on about the things that are currently being discussed across the nation in 2024, and so many of them show that these conversations have to continue,” said Caron Watkins, interim director for OECR. “Although we’re delivering this message in a very concentrated way for this week, this is also the work our office is doing year round.”

Watkins continued, “We can look at history. We can look at the current dimension and we can plan for the future by bringing people together that are interested in protecting civil rights and advancing equity.” 

The theme for this year is “From Protest to Progress,” and the week was kicked off on Oct. 4 with “Prayers for the City.” As part of this event, faith leaders representing different denominations across the city were asked to pray for the city during their respective services.

Following that will be the 31st Baltimore City Civil Rights Breakfast on Oct. 7, during which selected community leaders and changemakers will be honored, including Anthony Jenkins, president of Coppin State University; Taylor Branch, author and historian who wrote a Pulitzer Prize-winning trilogy on the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Jamye Wooten, founder of CLLCTIVLY, a Black philanthropy network; Larry Gibson, famed law professor, activist and author; and Wanda Best, executive director of the Upton Planning Committee.

Throughout the week, a series of workshops, panel discussions, trainings and interactive sessions will be held in-person and online centering on civil rights issues, such as racial justice, housing equity and voters rights. Special attention will be given to the current challenges Baltimore faces, including police reform, affordable housing and educational disparities. 

On Oct. 8, a full day of events will be held between two locations: National Federation of the Blind (NFB), located at 200 East Wells St. in Baltimore, and the Morgan State University Student Center, located on the Northeast Baltimore campus at 1700 E. Coldspring Lane. 

At 10 a.m. on Oct. 8, information released by OECR states that NFB programming will engage “Baltimore City children with disabilities and their families or caregivers for a day of enriching programming co-hosted by the OECR and Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success (MOCFS).” Later, from 2:30-4:30 p.m., NFB will also offer “an opportunity to Baltimore City residents, particularly those who are themselves living with disabilities, to make their concerns known” and get answers from city officials. 

That afternoon, in-person events will be held at Morgan State University. At 4 p.m., the ties between Prince Hall Freemasonry and historically Black colleges and universities will be discussed. That will be followed by a 6 p.m. panel session with Marco K. Merrick, founding director of the Community Concert Choir of Baltimore, titled, “Music of Change: Protest, Uplift and Hope.”

The “Future Paths Expo: Beyond College Doors” session will take place at Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center, located at 201 Reedbird Ave., on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The same day, Coppin State University will host two panels: “From Protest to Progress: How the Birthplace of Redlining Turned into the Black Butterfly,” will take place from 4-5:30 p.m., with a focus on redlining in Charm City; and from 6-9:30 p.m., the panel session “Women of Courage: Baltimore’s Civil Rights Trailblazers.” Both events will be located in the Tawes Center Ballroom.

Oct. 10 will feature a conversation on “Immigration and Inclusion: A History of Struggle and Progress” at the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, located in the 1300 block of Division St. The Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Branch Library will host the Civil Rights Week reception at 400 Cathedral St. from 7- 9 p.m. on Oct. 11. And the week closes out on Oct. 12 with the Historic Upton Neighborhood Walk and Resource Fair at St. Peter Claver Church, which is located at 1526 N Fremont Ave. 

The OECR has partnered with various community organizations, advocacy groups and local businesses to ensure the week reflects the diverse needs and interests of Charm City residents. This collaborative approach aims to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose as the city works toward a more equitable future.

Through this programming, along with several others, the Baltimore OECR hopes to inspire tangible changes both within local government and across communities. Civil Rights Week will spotlight the voices and efforts that have long sought to dismantle inequality and encourage every Baltimorean to be an active participant in the continued fight for justice.

For a full list of Civil Rights Week activities, visit this link. 

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(Black PR Wire) Memphis, Tenn. – The National Civil Rights Museum is proud to announce the distinguished honorees for the 33rd Freedom Award, recognizing their exceptional contributions to civil and human rights. The Freedom Award, the Museum’s signature event, pays tribute to individuals who have shown unwavering commitment to promoting equity and justice.

The esteemed honorees for the 33rd Freedom Award are:

XERNONA CLAYTON, civil and human rights activist and producer who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the SCLC, has been a trailblazing leader in civil rights and broadcasting for 60 years. Clayton is renowned as the Founder and President of the Trumpet Awards Foundation. Her pioneering spirit in broadcasting continues to inspire generations.

SHERRILYN IFILL, President and Director-Counsel Emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF), has left an indelible mark on civil rights advocacy. Her tenure as Director-Counsel saw LDF’s increased engagement in civil rights issues, particularly in combatting voter suppression and racial discrimination.

SPIKE LEE, Academy Award-winning filmmaker whose groundbreaking work has reshaped filmmaking and cinema, has inspired national conversations around race, representation and culture. Lee is also a dedicated educator, serving as a tenured professor committed to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers.

The prestigious Freedom Award ceremony will be held October 17, 2024, at 7:00 pm Central at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN. It will be preceded by the Pre-Award Gala and Red Carpet at 5:30 pm at the adjacent Halloran Centre.

This year’s Freedom Award host is MC Lyte, a legend in music and entertainment. She is a pioneering artist and a formidable actress in television and film. The evening of captivating performances also includes Grammy-nominated recording artist, Deborah Cox, whose talent spans music, Broadway, television, film, and fashion.

The celebration extends beyond the evening festivities, as the Museum will hold a hybrid Student Forum on October 17 at 10:30 am Central at FedEx Forum. This inspiring educational forum aims to empower middle and high school students to take action and create positive change in their communities.

The National Civil Rights Museum has a rich legacy of honoring distinguished civil and human rights leaders, including Coretta Scott King, Nelson Mandela, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, Stacey Abrams, Kerry Kennedy, and many more. The Freedom Award signature sponsors are FedEx and Hyde Family Foundation.

Tickets for the evening event are available via Ticketmaster.  Event sponsorships are available. To sponsor, or for further information and updates, visit www.freedomaward.org.

About the National Civil Rights Museum:

Located at the historic Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was tragically assassinated, the National Civil Rights Museum provides an in-depth overview of the American Civil Rights Movement. Since its establishment in 1991, the Museum has attracted millions of visitors from around the world, with a profound mission to preserve the legacy of Dr. King and advocate for ongoing human rights struggles. As a Smithsonian Affiliate and a recipient of the prestigious 2019 National Medal Award, the Museum continues to inspire action and foster positive social change.

Source: National Civil Rights Museum

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By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

On October 3, Morgan State University (MSU) held the grand opening of its state-of-the-art Health and Human Services Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new building is one of several to open in 2024, underscores MSU’s commitment to growth and development for its students and community. 

MSU’s Marching Band, the Magnificent Marching Machine, cheerleaders and ROTC Bear Battalion members welcomed state and city officials, faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community. 

“This is the sixth building this year that we would have cut the ribbon on either brand new or renovated,” Congressman Kwesi Mfume (D-Md.-07), chairman of the Board of Regents said. “It’s important that a center like this will be here for many, many years to drive home the fact that we can overcome disparities if we are providing the correct health and human services to our communities.”  

According to research conducted by Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute, “every single health indicator, including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, childhood asthma, smoking and poor mental health days is higher for African Americans than for White residents” in Baltimore. 

The  208,000-square-foot, six-story $171M project has been in the works since 2019 with construction beginning in 2021. It will serve as an academic and research facility for faculty and students, providing essential resources directly for the Baltimore Community and society.

“I want our students to know that this is indeed for you – we will serve Baltimore, we will serve the larger region,” Dr. David Wilson, president of Morgan State University stated at the ribbon cutting. “We will serve the nation by educating the next generation of health professionals, the next generation of public health leaders, the next generation of social workers and the next generation of scientists.”

According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, in 2023, Black men and women earned only 7 percent of doctoral degrees in science and engineering and just 9 percent of the overall STEM field. 

The center will be the hub for the University’s School of Community Health and Policy and School of Social Work, the University Counseling Center and Prevention Sciences Research Center, and the School of Education and Urban Studies’ Family and Consumer Sciences Department.

The building will give students access to demonstration areas, laboratories, offices, communal areas and more. The Human Services Center is located at the corner of Argonne Drive and Hillen Road in Northeast Baltimore. 

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By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

Early voting began on Friday, Sept. 20 in Virginia – the first state in the nation to allow in-person voting in the 2024 presidential election. Voters can continue to vote through Nov. 2, the Saturday before Election Day, which will arrive on Nov. 5.

Officials advise checking your registration status online or by calling before visiting your local registrar’s office to vote. According to the Virginia Department of Elections, you do not have to have a reason or fill out an application to vote early. However, voters must provide their name, address and show an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement at the registrar’s office before voting. Virginia residents who desire to vote must register by Oct. 15, but even after that deadline they may register. According to information released by the Virginia Department of Elections, “same day registration refers to the ability to register to vote in-person and immediately vote a provisional ballot after the deadline to register and vote a non-provisional ballot has passed.” This is available due to a law passed not long ago.

“Beginning with the 2022 General Election, the General Assembly approved legislation that provides the ability to register at any time, up to and including Election Day,”  according to the Virginia Department of Elections. “Previously, registration was closed for the 21 days before an election; there was no ability to register to vote after this deadline. The new law allows registration, with limitations, during the 21-day period before an election.”

Other states where early voting has started include Minnesota and South Dakota. 

In Washington, D.C., the deadline to register to vote online or by mail is Oct. 15. Those who wish to vote early may do so between Monday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 3. Qualified non-citizen residents of D.C. can vote in D.C. elections for local offices. However, non-citizens cannot vote for federal offices. Check the D.C. Board of Elections website for more information and details on how to register to vote.

In Maryland, early voting will be held from Thursday, Oct. 24 through Thursday, October 31, with early voting centers open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone who is registered to vote or who is eligible to register to vote can vote during early voting. 

While laws differ from state to state, in Maryland, people convicted of a felony can vote if the felony convictions are not for the crime of buying or selling votes and if they have completed their imprisonment. You can vote while on probation unless you were convicted of buying or selling votes. In Virginia, those convicted of a felony permanently lose the right to vote. And in the District, as of July 2020, those who are incarcerated have the right to vote.

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By Mylika Scatliffe
AFRO Women’s Health Writer

Pregnancy and women’s reproductive choices have long been hot button issues in the political arena, even more so in the years since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.

Nearly half of all pregnancies that occur each year around the world each year are unintended. This means roughly 121 pregnancies are not planned, according to the United Nations Fund for Population Activities. 

Abortion and a woman’s right to choose when to bear children–if at all– has been the impetus for numerous protests, legislation and personal, heart wrenching decisions.  What gets lost in the political and moral wrangling is another option: adoption.

Many people think of adoption in terms of a young couple that “got into trouble” or children that have been left in foster care. However, children with medically complex issues don’t immediately come to mind.

Advocates for Children and Families (ACF), a licensed child placement agency based in North Miami, Fl.,  has been advocating for the well-being of children and families since 1992. In addition, their ACF+ program addresses needs specific to the adoption of medically complex children and their families.

“In your typical adoption scenario, you usually have a mom who might be parenting other children on her own, doesn’t have a lot of family or financial support, or the birth father may not be involved,” said Rob Lamarche, executive director of ACF. “Maybe she’s a young woman who is just not at the point in her life where she feels she can take care of a child,  and the stark reality is that there are more and more states where termination is no longer an option. So, she decides to make an adoption plan with ACF.”

ACF+ does not work with children in the foster care system. Instead, they usually work in placing newborns or slightly older children up to the age of about three years old.

“Many of the children whose mothers have made an adoption plan with ACF were intended and parts of families who planned to parent them, but for the discovery of the child having special needs,” said Lamarche.

“They may have learned the baby has Down Syndrome, or had a traumatic birth, or were extremely premature with a three or four level brain bleed, which can have some pretty serious repercussions down the road,” said Lamarche. 

This is where ACF+ comes in. 

“For whatever their personal reasons, they have decided they are not prepared or frankly not interested in parenting a child with very specific and complex needs,” said Lamarche. “We step in to advocate for that child and find a family who is going to be just as thrilled to adopt them as any other family would be to adopt a ‘typical child.’”

Jennifer Kelly, program director for the ACF+, is an expert at navigating adoptions involving children with medically complex issues. She wants to make it clear that while ACF and ACF+ is there to advocate for children and to find them forever homes, they never try to push anyone into adoption.

“We’re here to empower women and families to make the decision that is best for them and their situation. If that means voluntary adoption that’s fine. If in the end they decide they want to parent their baby, that’s fine too,” said Kelly.

Families looking to adopt babies approach ACF as well.  Often families will come forward and say they are open to adopting any child, including one with disabilities or special needs. Others may come forward with limitations such as wanting to only adopt a deaf child because one or both parents are deaf, or they may already be parenting a deaf child.

One of ACF’s biggest current obstacles is letting people know they are out there for both birth  and adoptive families who are looking for a place to go for help to start or expand their families. Kelly also wants to educate them about significant challenges and long-term ramifications of adoption.

“One challenge is to make sure that adoptive families considering placement of a child, that they are not just looking at the adorable, vulnerable infant or toddler in front of them, but that they are being realistic about a child’s medical complexities and the commitment it will entail,” said Kelly.

For example, neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain damage that occurs when a baby’s brain has been deprived of oxygen before or shortly after birth. It affects the central nervous system and babies born with HIE may have neurological or developmental problems.

“A child with severe HIE will continue to grow and become the size of an adult, but their cognitive abilities often will not develop beyond the newborn stage, so you’re eventually going to have to on a daily basis pick up a 120-pound adult and help them bathe and go to the toilet,” said Kelly.

“We have to make sure that families are not just looking at the adorable child in the photo and considering their first few years of life, but they will truly have the ability to meet every need of the next 20 or more years and that they have a realistic view of what that will look like,” said Kelly.

The second biggest challenge is making sure families have access to resources.  In the United States, families who privately adopt medically complex children are eligible for the same benefits available to a family adopting a child from foster care. These benefits include a small stipend and Medicaid until the child reaches adulthood. Very few people in the country understand how to apply for these benefits, or the non-ward adoption subsidy. Kelly is an expert on how to apply for these benefits. After all, she’s been through the process of adopting a medically complex child. Her daughter’s name was Joy.

“When I adopted my daughter,  I didn’t think the adoption subsidy was that important. My ex-husband was a pharmacist, I taught at a university, we had plenty of resources and what I thought was excellent insurance,” said Kelly.

Joy received millions of dollars in health care in the 14 months she lived.

“I was responsible for paying 10 percent which means I had medical debt of about $1,000,000. That’s not sustainable for most families,” continued Kelly.

There are very few people in the country who understand how to apply for the non-ward adoption subsidy benefit, or that it is even available.

“It takes on average about 100-man hours to apply for these benefits, and it’s a daunting task when you have so many other obligations and family to care for. We do the work to get families Medicaid for the child, so they’ll have that stipend to help cover things insurance doesn’t cover. We want to help set families up for permanency, so they’re not facing a financial crisis over trying to provide for their child or children,” said Kelly.

Voluntary adoption is not a challenge just for children with medically complex issues. Children and families in a variety of circumstances often need help. The Cradle is a non-profit, licensed adoption agency headquartered  in Evanston, Ill. The organization has facilitated more than 16,000 domestic and international adoptions since opening in 1923.  The Cradle has been at the forefront of African-American infant adoptions as well as LBGTQ+ placements in the Illinois and Indiana areas.

The Ardythe and Gale Sayers Center for African American Adoption is a program at The Cradle that focuses on adoptive parent recruitment in the Black community. The program began in 1994 and was renamed in 1999 in honor of Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Gale Sayers and his wife Ardythe, who are Cradle adoptive parents.

“It’s really important to us to have a diverse group of families that are prepared to adopt.  Back in the 1990s, we were having women coming to us hoping to place their child with a Black family and we realized we needed more Black families available and willing to adopt,” said Pam Tancredi, vice-president of adoption and family support at The Cradle.

The Sayers Center is one of the only programs in the country that promotes adoption awareness in the African-American community.

“In 2023, 81 percent of Black or multi-racial babies were placed with Black families through the Sayers Center. Since 1953, over 1,000 African-American and multi-racial babies have been placed with adoptive families and over 700 of them are part of the Sayers Center,” said Tancredi.

The Cradle is the only adoption agency in the United States that provides an on-site nursery as a safe, neutral place for infants to stay while their parents decide if voluntary adoption or parenting them is in their baby’s best interest.

“Our team of social workers, counselors, and education and outreach staff offer inclusive, lifelong support to the many people whose lives have been touched by adoption, including birth parents, adopted persons and adoptive parents,” said Tancredi.

The Cradle celebrated its 100-years throughout 2023 and took advantage of the milestone to share its story and build its community of supporters.  

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By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

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

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

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

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

Gun violence 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reproductive rights 

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

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

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

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

Economic goals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

D.C. Councilmember Robert White is on a mission to renovate downtown D.C. 

On the morning of Sept. 24, White, who is chair of the Committee on Housing, welcomed local and national leaders to discuss housing and economic recovery in a public roundtable discussion. Additionally, people from across the nation with experience in revitalizing their communities were in attendance.

“The idea of building communities, the things that support communities, investing and enlarging the arts downtown and creating outdoor markets– that is our future,” said White. “But I want to hear from people who disagree with me. I’m inviting not just people who share my vision, but people who see it differently so we can say, ‘OK, now it’s time. We’ve heard everything. Time to make decisions and move forward.’ “

With hopes of solidifying a plan by the end of the year, White is aiming to get this process started sooner rather than later. 

Mayor Muriel Bowser shared her five-year-plan earlier in the year and she’s looking to see more people come back to in-person work. White, however, doesn’t see that happening. 

The mayor’s plan has multiple foundational elements. Bowser aims to create business space; reestablish downtown as a place to safely live, work and play; build up the residential base and improve transportation. 

“Mayor Bowser and some other groups have plans, and the government has programs, but we don’t yet have an overarching vision or strategy. That’s a dangerous space to linger in for too long,” he said. “We have to know very clearly where we’re going, what it’s going to take to get there, and how we get from where we are now to there. That requires us to keep our foot on the gas.”

Mayor Bowser and President Biden have both sounded off about workers returning to traditional office settings as a way of helping revitalize downtown, but White doesn’t think that’s very likely. 

“It’s not happening. Don’t waste your energy. Workers are demanding flexibility. Talented people are going to drive the market,” he said. “Let’s turn the page and stop looking at yesterday. Let’s go forward.”

Sydney Stewart, an off-campus student at Howard University gave her thoughts on the efforts by local leaders.

 “I appreciate the convenience of working from home, it’s easier, but also downtown can be kind of scary at night,” said “People are living on top of each other and there’s a major crisis going on with the homeless community.”

Stewart noted the growing need for housing in the downtown area, not only as a way of combating homelessness, but for everyday people looking to live near their jobs and within city limits.

“The cost of living overall is insane but especially for housing,” she said. “We need affordable housing downtown. I’m sure it would help make the area more appealing and it would make more people want to come there.”

White emphasized the importance of making living in the downtown area more affordable to those that help keep the businesses in that area afloat. 

“People who work in our restaurants and accommodate tourists– those are the folks who keep our economy revving–but they can’t afford to live in D.C. now,” said White. “We have too much office space and an urgent need for more housing.”

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post AFRO Votes: A new go-to resource for information ahead of Election Day 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.

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By Dr. Frances ‘Toni’ Draper
Word In Black

The lyrics of an old Negro Spiritual poignantly declare, “Everybody talkin’ ’bout Heaven ain’t goin’ there.” Unfortunately, in 2024, despite all the discussion and debate about the presidential election, everybody talking about voting ain’t going there, either.  

It’s one thing to talk about the importance of this year’s presidential election, with Vice President Kamala Harris poised to become the first woman of color to hold the highest office in the land. It’s one thing to talk about the need to register and vote, but it’s another thing to actually register and then go to the polls on Nov. 5, Election Day. 

With all of the chaos, chatter, and confusion surrounding our democracy and our right as Black people to vote, it is more important than ever this election cycle that we not just talk about it but that we “be about it” — be about registering as many people as possible, be about helping people get to the polls, and be about understanding Project 2025, the right-wing blueprint that former President Donald Trump will almost certainly unroll if he wins the election.

We have to “be about” sending money not only to the Harris/Walz campaign but to down-ballot candidates running for the Senate and the House of Representatives whose policies and platforms align with your beliefs. That includes supporting Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County, Md., official who is running to become just the third Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate.

We must “be about” making a voting plan, and sticking to it — a plan that says, “If it rains, I vote; if it snows, I vote.” And if we don’t want to take a chance on something unforeseen happening on Nov. 5, we must “be about” requesting, filling out and submitting a mail-in ballot or voting early, if your state allows it. 

Most importantly, we must “be about” knowing our voter registration status today and making certain we are still eligible to vote.  

According to the Pew Research Center, “Black voters could play an important role in determining the outcome of key 2024 elections,” including the race between Harris and Trump. In Georgia, a closely-watched swing state, Black voters account for a third of all eligible voters in the state. 

The Black college student vote

Another group that plays a pivotal role in the voting landscape is the newly eligible young adult college student voter. 

A 2021 report from the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education said that “the voter turnout among college students jumped to a record high of 66 percent in the 2020 presidential election. And the student “yield” — the percentage at which students who are registered voters actually cast ballots — hit 80 percent. The report called it “an important milestone and signal that they are vested in their own futures and the health of democracy.”

Still, the report did not differentiate between Black and White students, so I decided to do a very informal, albeit extremely limited, poll of my own. I asked a few of our family’s college students who are first-time voters three questions: 

1. What excites you the most about voting in this upcoming presidential election?  

2. What scares you the most about voting in this upcoming election?

3. What’s your voting plan?   

Eva Lee, 19

Freshman, Georgia Southern University 

“I am excited to be a part of history and voting for the first Black woman in the election. I look forward to seeing how positive and hopeful Kamala Harris’ campaign is. I can’t wait to see new voters exercise their right to vote, especially Black teens. We all have a voice, and this is our chance to use it. 

Something that scares me is the hateful side of politics. I feel like it’s normalized to throw insults and spew misinformation and for our country, that is most bothersome. I hope the side that genuinely cares about us, the citizens, is chosen, where our rights will be respected and there’s less hate and more love for improving our livelihoods. I’m registering to vote here in Savannah!”  

Collin McLain, 18,

Freshman, Tuskegee University

“I’m most excited about finally having the chance to vote and to be able to assist towards making a change in this country. With such high stakes, the outcome of this election could significantly shape the future. 

What scares me the most about voting is feeling like my single vote is just one amongst millions and might not make much of a difference on its own. I plan to request and mail in an absentee ballot.”

Lyric Hamilton, 18

Freshman, Louisiana State University

“I am most excited for the experience to be able to vote: walking into the building, waiting in line, actually getting in the booth to vote. It’s a very surreal feeling knowing I can impact all of the U.S., from my singular vote on who helps run the government.  It is such an honor and a privilege to be a part of something that African Americans weren’t always allowed to have — especially at my age. 

What scares me the most is which candidate to choose. Each has their own flaws, and those flaws worry me sometimes. I’m not 100 percent settled on one person because neither of them lives Godly lives. I do know that whatever candidate seems closest to God is the one that I’ll be more than happy to support in this upcoming election. I hope whoever I choose doesn’t let us down, if they win, of course and strengthens America more than ever before. I plan to drive home on Election Day to vote, after my class ends at noon.” 

Blake Evans, 18

Freshman, Baylor University 

What excites me about voting in the upcoming election is voting with my family. As African Americans, it is an honor to be able to vote. Our ancestors fought for this right, and therefore, I will be going to the polls with my parents and my brother! 

I wouldn’t say I’m scared about voting in the upcoming election, but I am worried about my lack of preparation. They don’t talk much about the voting process in schools, nor do they talk about everything we’ll be voting on.  As I mentioned already, I will be going home on Election Day to vote with my family.” 

David Lee, Jr., 22

Senior, Georgia Institute of Technology

“I am excited to drive voter registration and education efforts on campus this election cycle. I am concerned about the level of misinformation that surrounds this election and worried about the long-term repercussions of this intentional falsification of reality within my community.  I go to school in my hometown, so I plan to vote in person on Nov. 5.”

Make a plan to “be about it”

Clearly, these young people have a plan to “be about it” as voters in their first presidential election. They are excited and anxious at the same time. But mostly they are full of optimism about going to the polls or mailing in their ballots.

Still, they also need to be prepared for those who don’t want them — or us — to exercise our right to vote: those who are spreading misinformation, interfering with a free and fair election, name-calling, lie-telling and plotting to overturn the election results. 

There are those who revel in what my cousin Laura Murphy calls “shenanigans.”

A seasoned civil rights and civil liberties lawyer, she reached out to her network for a toolkit of resources and election protection organizations, handy information for voters of any age:

1. Find out if you are registered, how to register and make an election-day plan by checking the Legal Defense Fund website.
2. Keep this number handy: 866-OUR-VOTE. Share it broadly. Use it If you encounter problems or interference at the polls. 
3. Join Win With Black Women to help in this election cycle

All our Word in Black publications have posted voter information on their sites; some even have links to other sites where you can check your voter registration. That includes:

• The Atlanta Voice, Voice Your Vote
• AFRO News, AFRO Votes
• The New York Amsterdam News, Election 2024
• The Seattle Medium, 2024 Elections Center
• The Washington Informer, Vote Your Future 

Let us all “be about it” during this and every election cycle. Check your voter registration status, make an Election Day plan and follow it. Encourage others to vote, utilize the suggested resources and prepare for a grand celebration in November!  

The post On Nov. 5, we must ‘be about’ voting – especially young people appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Keith Boykin
Word In Black

Here we go again. A handful of rappers, celebrities and instigators out here are discouraging Black people from voting or trying to convince us that our vote doesn’t matter because both candidates are the same. Don’t believe them. 

Every four years, a few vocal people — who rarely, if ever, use their voices to mobilize their followers to engage in specific political action — suddenly crawl out of the woodwork to spread misinformation about the next presidential election.

This year is no different. I thought about posting weekly rebuttals, but rather than spending the next two months debunking these voices over and over again, I want to ask two questions. 

First, what’s their strategy to achieve their goals? Assuming you agree with everything they want to do, how do they propose to get it passed through our divided Congress, signed by the President into law and upheld by a Republican-dominated Supreme Court that now considers any race-specific remedy to be illegal or unconstitutional? 

And second, if they had some genius strategy, where were they the last four years when Republican lawmakers and judges:

•Blocked the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

•Blocked the John Lewis Voting Rights Act

• Ended affirmative action

• Halted Black farmers’ relief

• Restricted a venture capital fund for Black women

• Outlawed minority business grants

• Erased Black congressional districts

• Banned Black books

• Banned Black history classes

• Closed DEI offices 

• Refused to indict the officers who killed Breonna Taylor

• Ousted Black lawmakers in Tennessee 

• Arrested Black people for voting in Florida 

• Banned civil rights groups in Georgia from providing food and water to people standing in long voting lines

Many of us have been playing defense without a full bench the last three quarters, and we could have used some help from all the new celebrity players showing up in the fourth quarter who want to change the playbook.

As Malcolm X said, “Show me in the White community where a singer is a White leader.” Yes, celebrities have a valuable supporting role to play, but they don’t get to show up two months before an election, ignore the work of Black thought leaders and demand a meeting with a presidential candidate like they’re some official spokesman for Black America.

So, instead of spending the next eight weeks responding to every lie about Kamala Harris, I propose 10 constructive things we can do to help advance our political agenda well into the future. 

Ten things we can do

1-Get informed. Follow the news. Take a class. Become a critical thinker and more sophisticated consumer of information. I read dozens of news sources every day. You don’t have to read that many, but don’t rely on one source for all your news. Review multiple, credible sources. 

2-Verify the information you share. Learn to spot misinformation. And try not to forward fake news. Fact-checkers like Daniel Dale, Snopes.com, Factcheck.org and Politifact try to debunk misinformation, but sometimes they make mistakes or can’t keep up. That’s why you need to know your sources. Media outlets like Fox News, the New York Post, Newsmax, TownHall, the National Review and the Wall Street Journal editorial page have a distinct right-wing political bias that favors Trump and the Republicans. Also, rappers, athletes and celebrities have every right to share their opinions, but they’re not always the most reliable sources for information about government and politics.

3-Vote. Election Day is November 5, but some states require you to register weeks before then. Go to Vote.org today to find the voter registration deadline in your state. If you think you’re already registered, know that Republicans are trying to challenge and purge inactive voters. So check to make sure your name has not been removed from the rolls.

4-Attend local government meetings. Many of the decisions that affect us, including where liquor stores and pollution sites are built and which books are banned in schools, are made at local public meetings that very few people bother to attend. Go there and speak up.

5-Volunteer. Campaigns are always looking for people to make phone calls and knock on doors. Drop by the local campaign office, sign up to host an event, put up yard signs, or become a poll watcher. This is especially important if you live in one of the seven battleground states that will determine the election: Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada.

6-Donate. If you’re not invested in the presidential election, find a candidate you do support and contribute to their campaign. This year, we have 435 House members, 34 Senators, 11 governors’ races, nine lieutenant governor seats, 10 attorneys general, seven secretaries of state and thousands of lower-level offices up for election in November. Unlike the presidential campaign, many of these candidates never get the attention and resources they need to win. Your money could make all the difference.

7-Don’t Reinvent the Wheel. Support organizations that are already doing the work. Groups like Color of Change and the NAACP are developing important policy goals and working to implement them. 

8-Lobby your elected officials. The president can make some critical unilateral decisions for the country, but most government decisions that affect your day-to-day life are made by Congress, your state legislature, your county commissioners, your city council, your zoning board and your school board. Do you know these officials? Visit their offices. Call them up. Write them letters. Let them know what issues you care about. The phone number for the U.S. Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121. 

9-Run for office. If you’re not satisfied with the people in government, show them how it’s done. Run for school board, town council, state representative or even Congress. Don’t expect somebody else to do it for you. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

10-Start a PAC. This is one of the most difficult tasks on the list, but it can be done. If none of the other steps work for you, you can start your own political action committee to fight for the causes you believe in. You can even create a legislative scorecard to give ratings to members of Congress based on the issues you care about. 

There are dozens of other constructive things you can do, so don’t be limited by this list. But remember this guiding principle. Cynicism is not a strategy, and apathy is not a solution.

This article was originally published by Word in Black.

The post Top 10 ways to be a better Black voter appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Bill Barrow, Zeke Miller and Nicholas Riccardi
The Associated Press

Vice presidential hopefuls Tim Walz and JD Vance focused their criticism on the top of the ticket on Oct 1, as they engaged in a policy-heavy discussion that may be the last debate of the 2024 presidential campaign.

It was the first encounter between Minnesota’s Democratic governor and Ohio’s Republican senator, following last month’s debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. It comes just five weeks before Election Day and as millions of voters are now able to cast early ballots.

The Oct. 1 confrontation played out as the stakes of the contest rose again after Iran fired missiles into Israel, while a devastating hurricane and potentially debilitating port strike roiled the country at home. Over and again, Walz and Vance outlined the policy and character differences between their running mates, while trying to introduce themselves to the country.

Here are some takeaways from the debate.

With Mideast in turmoil, Walz promises ‘steady leadership’ and Vance offers ’peace through strength’

Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel on Oct 1, elicited a contrast between the Democratic and Republican tickets on foreign policy: Walz promised “steady leadership” under Harris while Vance pledged a return to “peace through strength” if Trump is returned to the White House.

The differing visions of what American leadership should look like overshadowed the sharp policy differences between the two tickets.

The Iranian threat to the region and U.S. interests around the world opened the debate, with Walz pivoting the topic to criticism of Trump.

“What’s fundamental here is that steady leadership is going to matter,” Walz said, then referenced the “nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump talking about crowd sizes” and responding to global crises by tweet.

Vance, for his part, promised a return to “effective deterrence” under Trump against Iran, brushing back on Walz’s criticism of Trump by attacking Harris and her role in the Biden administration.

“Who has been the vice president for the last three and a half years and the answer is your running mate, not mine,” he said. He pointedly noted that the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, happened “during the administration of Kamala Harris.”

Vance and Walz punch up rather than at each other

Vance and Walz trained the bulk of their attacks not on their onstage rivals, but on the running mates who weren’t in the room.

Both vice presidential nominees sought to convey a genial mien as they lobbed criticism at Harris and Trump, respectively.

It was a reflection of the fact that most voters don’t cast a ballot based on the vice president, and on a vice presidential nominee’s historic role in serving as the attack dog for their running mates.

Walz pointedly attacked Trump for failing to meet his pledge of building a physical barrier across the entire U.S.-Mexico border at the country’s southern neighbor’s expense.

“Less than 2 percent of that wall got built and Mexico didn’t pay a dime,” Walz said.

Underscoring the focus on the top of the ticket, during a back-and-forth about immigration, Vance said to his opponent, “I think that you want to solve this problem, but I don’t think that Kamala Harris does.”

It was a wonky policy debate, with talk of risk pools, housing regulations and energy policy

In an age of world-class disses optimized for social media, the debate was a detour into substance. Both candidates took a low-key approach and both enthusiastically delved into the minutiae.

Walz dug into the drafting of the Affordable Care Act when he was in the House in 2009, and pushed Vance on the senator’s claim that Trump, who tried to eliminate the law, actually helped preserve it. Vance, defending his claim that illegal immigration pushes up housing prices, cited a Federal Reserve study to back himself up. Walz talked about how Minneapolis tinkered with local regulations to boost the housing supply. Both men talked about the overlap between energy policy, trade and climate change.

It was a very different style than often seen in presidential debates over the past several election cycles.

Vance stays on the defensive on abortion

Walz pounced on Vance repeatedly over abortion access and reproductive rights as the Ohio senator tried to argue that a state-by-state matrix of abortion laws is the ideal approach for the United States. Walz countered that a “basic right” for a woman should not be determined “by geography.”

“This is a very simple proposition: These are women’s decisions,” Walz said. “We trust women. We trust doctors.”

Walz sought to personalize the issue by referencing the death of Amber Thurman, who waited more than 20 hours at the hospital for a routine medical procedure known as a D&C to clear out remaining tissue after taking abortion pills. She developed sepsis and died.

Rather than sidestep the reference, Vance at one point agreed with Walz that “Amber Thurman should still be alive.”

Vance steered the conversation to the GOP ticket’s proposals he said would help women and children economically, thus avoiding the need for terminating pregnancies. But Walz retorted that such policies — tax credits, expanded childcare aid, a more even economy — can be pursued while still allowing women to make their own decisions about abortion.

Both candidates put a domestic spin on climate change

In the wake of the devastation of Hurricane Helene, Vance took a question about climate change and gave an answer about jobs and manufacturing, taking a detour around Trump’s past claims that global warming is a “hoax.”

Vance contended that the best way to fight climate change was to move more manufacturing to the United States, because the country has the world’s cleanest energy economy. It was a distinctly domestic spin on a global crisis, especially after Trump pulled the U.S. out of the international Paris climate accords during his administration.

Walz also kept the climate change focus domestic, touting the Biden administration’s renewable energy investments as well as record levels of oil and natural gas production.

It was a decidedly optimistic take on a pervasive and grim global problem.

Walz, Vance each blame opposing presidential candidate for immigration stalemate

The two running mates agreed that the number of migrants in the U.S. illegally is a problem. But each laid the blame on the opposing presidential nominee.

Vance echoed Trump by repeatedly calling Harris the “border czar” and suggested that she, as vice president, single-handedly rolled back the immigration restrictions Trump had imposed as president. The result, in Vance’s telling, is an unchecked flow of fentanyl, strain on state and local resources and increased housing prices around the country.

In the wake of the devastation of Hurricane Helene, Vance took a question about climate change and gave an answer about jobs and manufacturing, taking a detour around Trump’s past claims that global warming is a “hoax.”

Harris was never asked to be the “border czar” and she was never specifically given the responsibility for security on the border. She was tasked by Biden in March 2021 with tackling the “root causes” of migration from the Central American countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador and pushing leaders there and in Mexico to enforce immigration laws. Harris was not empowered to set U.S. immigration policy — only the president can sign executive orders and Harris was not empowered as Biden’s proxy in negotiations with Congress on immigration law.

Walz advanced Democrats’ arguments that Trump single-handedly killed a bipartisan Senate deal to tighten border security and boost the processing system for immigrants and asylum seekers. Republicans backed off the deal, Walz noted, only after Trump said it wasn’t good enough.

Both candidates leaned on tried-and-true debate tactics — including not answering tough questions

Asked directly whether Trump’s promise to deport millions of illegal immigrants would remove parents of U.S.-born children, Vance never answered the question. Instead, the senator tried to put his best spin on Trump’s plan to use the military to help with deportations and pivot to attacking Harris for a porous border. Asked to respond to Trump’s having called climate change a “hoax,” Vance also avoided a response.

The debate kicked off with Walz being asked if he’d support a preemptive strike by Israel against Iran. Walz praised Harris’ foreign policy leadership but never answered that question, either.

And at the end of the debate, Vance would not answer Walz’s direct question of whether Trump indeed lost the 2020 election.

Walz has stumbles and lands punches in uneven night

Walz had several verbal stumbles on a night in which he admitted to “misspeaking” often. In the debate’s opening moments, he confused Iran and Israel when discussing the Middle East.

At one point he said he had “become friends with school shooters,” and he stumbled through an explanation of inaccurate remarks about whether he was in Hong Kong during the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. (He was not.)

But the governor noticeably put Vance on the defensive over abortion and, near the end of the debate, with a pointed question about whether Trump won the 2020 election.

Vance stays on a limb on Jan. 6 insurrection

The candidates went out of their way to be polite to each other until the very end, when Vance refused to back down from his statements that he wouldn’t have certified Trump’s 2020 election loss.

Vance tried to turn the issue to claims that the “much bigger threat to democracy” was Democrats trying to censor people on social media. But Walz wouldn’t let go.

“This one is troubling to me,” said Walz, noting that he’d just been praising some of Vance’s answers. He rattled off the ways Trump tried to overturn his 2020 loss and noted that the candidate still insists he won that contest. Then Walz asked Vance if Trump actually lost the election.

Vance responded by asking if Harris censored people.

“That is a damning non-answer,” said Walz, noting that Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, wasn’t on the debate stage because he stood up to Trump on Jan. 6, 2021, and presided over Congress’ certification of the former president’s loss.

“America,” Walz concluded, “I think you’ve got a really clear choice on this election of who’s going to honor that democracy and who’s going to honor Donald Trump.”

This article was originally published by The Associated Press.

The post Walz takes on Vance for vice presidency in live debate appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

And

By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Emily Parks
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the PATIENTS Program

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

About the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

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

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By Sandy Arnette
Arnette Media Strategies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This article was originally published by Arnette Media Strategies.

The post Celebration of life to honor Melvin L. Stukes’ legacy of community service and impact appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Mae Anderson and Anne D’innocenzio
The Associated Press

U.S. ports from Maine to Texas shut down Oct.1 when the union representing about 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for the first time since 1977.

Workers began walking picket lines early Oct. 1, picketing near ports all along the East Coast. Workers outside the Port of Philadelphia walked in a circle and chanted, “No work without a fair contract.”

A lengthy shutdown could raise prices on goods around the country and potentially cause shortages and price increases at big and small retailers alike as the holiday shopping season — along with a tight presidential election — approaches.

What are the issues in the dockworkers strike?

The International Longshoremen’s Association is demanding significantly higher wages and a total ban on the automation of cranes, gates and container-moving trucks that are used in the loading or unloading of freight at 36 U.S. ports. Those ports handle roughly half of the nations’ cargo from ships.

The contract between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports, expired Tuesday. Some progress was reported in talks late Monday, but the union went on strike anyway.

The union’s opening offer was for a 77 percent pay raise over the six-year life of the contract, with President Harold Daggett saying it’s necessary to make up for inflation and years of small raises. ILA members make a base salary of about $81,000 per year, but some can pull in over $200,000 annually with large amounts of overtime.

Monday evening, the alliance said it had increased its offer to 50 percent raises over six years, and it pledged to keep limits on automation in place from the old contract. The alliance also said its offer tripled employer contributions to retirement plans and strengthened health care options.

Which ports are affected?

While any port can handle any type of goods, some ports are specialized to handle goods for a particular industry. The ports affected by the shutdown include Baltimore and Brunswick, Georgia, the top two busiest auto ports; Philadelphia, which gives priority to fruits and vegetables; and New Orleans, which handles coffee, mainly from South America and Southeast Asia, various chemicals from Mexico and North Europe, and wood products such as plywood from Asia and South America.

Other major ports affected include Boston; New York/New Jersey; Norfolk, Va.; Wilmington, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; Savannah, Ga.; Tampa, Fla.; Mobile, Ala.; and Houston.

Can the government intervene?

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

But Biden, during an exchange with reporters on Sept 29, said “no” when asked if he planned to intervene to plan a potential work stoppage impacting East Coast ports.

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

How will this affect consumers?

The strike could last weeks — or months. If the strike is resolved within a few weeks, consumers probably wouldn’t notice any major shortages of retail goods. But a strike that persists for more than a month would likely cause a shortage of some consumer products, although most holiday retail goods have already arrived from overseas. Shoppers could see higher prices on a vast array of goods, from fruit and vegetables to cars.

Businesses are making contingency plans

Since the major supply chain disruption in 2021 caused by pandemic bottlenecks, retailers have adapted to supply chain disrupters being “the new norm,” said Rick Haase, owner of a mini-chain of Patina gift shops in and around the Twin Cities in Minnesota.

“The best approach for Patina has been to secure orders early and have the goods in our warehouse and back rooms to ensure we are in stock on key goods,” Haase said.

Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, a Boca Raton, Florida-based maker of such toys as Care Bears and Lincoln Logs, has been monitoring the port situation for months and planned for it by shifting all of its container shipments to the West Coast ports, primarily Los Angeles and Long Beach, away from ports in New York and Newark, New Jersey. But he said the shift added anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent extra costs that his company will have to absorb. He noted that Basic Fun’s prices for the next 10 months are locked in with retailers, but he could see raising prices during the second half of 2025 if the strike is prolonged.

Daniel Vasquez, who owns Dynamic Auto Movers in Miami, which specializes in importing and exporting vehicles, increased inventory, specifically for vehicles that take longer to ship, in anticipation of a strike.

He has also stopped relying on one port or shipping partner and has expanded his relationship with smaller ports and shipping companies that can bypass congested areas.

How will a strike affect holiday shopping?

Jonathan Gold, vice president of the supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, said the strike arrives with the supply network continuing to face challenges from Houthi attacks on commercial shipping that have essentially shut down the use of the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

The uncertainty over the supply chain is taking place at the peak of the holiday shipping season for retailers, which traditionally runs from July through early November. Many big retailers, anticipating a strike, started shipping their goods to U.S. distribution centers in June, and Gold said that the majority of products ordered are already in the U.S.

But retailers will have a hard time replenishing items and are incurring extra warehouse costs to store goods longer. Gold also noted that carriers are already announcing surcharges on containers to address potential disruptions.

Greg Ahearn, president and CEO of The Toy Association, the nation’s leading toy trade group, noted that a strike would happen at an extremely critical time for toy sellers and makers — up to 60 percent of a toy company’s annual sales come during the fourth quarter.

The holiday shipping window for the toy industry is anywhere from six to eight weeks and started in July, though some toy companies tried to ship earlier or add more toys to shipments, Ahearn said.

“It hits many ways,” he said. “From a consumer perspective, it starts with delays in availability and then starts to surface as product shortages within toys. At retail for the toy industry, it results in potentially higher prices based on scarcity and increased costs.”

This article was originally published by The Associated Press.

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Alexis Taylor
AFRO Managing Editor

The Enoch Pratt Free Library (EPFL) announced a new CEO and president on Sept. 30. 

Hailing from Mount Airy, North Carolina, Chad Helton has been selected to lead the organization, which was founded in 1882 by philanthropist Enoch Pratt.

Helton spoke with the AFRO on day one of his time in the new role.

“I’m very excited, said Helton. “I know all of the amazing work that was done before my arrival and I have big shoes to fill.” 

Helton said he’s committed to continuing the work being done by EPFL and also looking to further advance the library and services offered. His first order of business is to make himself available to staff and residents to promote understanding of who he is and the work he plans to do.

“I’m creating partnerships with staff, creating partnerships with elected officials and really creating a strong foundation with people that live in the city,” Helton told the AFRO. “I’m holding office hours and ‘Meet the CEO’ events at each individual branch library once a month, so that I can connect with residents of the city to hear from them directly and see what it is that they want from us. That’s one of the first things on my agenda–looking at some of our infrastructure needs and having conversations about facilities improvements and getting funding for facilities.”

Though Helton is now president and CEO of a major library system, he is clear in how others have played a role in his success, including his mother and father, James and Lillie Helton.

“My parents grew up in segregation,” he said. “The opportunities not afforded to them were afforded to me and my brother. I didn’t really understand that until I got older.” 

Not one to shy away from his past, Helton told the AFRO how, many years ago, his life looked completely different. 

“I dropped out of college for 10 years, and during that time period a lot of things happened,” he said. “My father passed away and I started having conversations with my mom. I started to have conversations with my grandmother, Jettie Mae Helton, who grew up in Jim Crow and lived to be 102 years old. Her grandmother, she remembered, was born into slavery.”

Helton said the poignant conversations put a spotlight on the many opportunities he was “squandering.”

“People really died for the right for me to be able to do anything in this world that I wanted to try and do, and I wasn’t taking advantage of that,” he said. That’s when a friend, Matt Wilburn, stepped in and changed his life. 

“Matt knew that I was chronically underemployed and couch surfing,” said Helton. “When you are chronically underemployed, you don’t have full time jobs. You’re working part-time job after part-time job, and they’re somewhat dead end jobs. Matt saw that I was really, really trying hard. For one of the first times in my life–I was really trying hard. He felt if he got me a job at the library delivering books with this golf cart, it would somehow influence me to go back to college, because I’d be back on campus. And he was right.” 

“I would not be where I’m at right now, had it not been for him taking that opportunity and really taking a chance on his friend. I’m forever grateful for that,” Helton said. “Let’s be honest, there’s so many people out in this world that work very, very hard, and the opportunities just don’t open up. Everything that I am is related to the opportunities and the faith that people had in me, and I wouldn’t be anything without that.” 

Helton is a long way from delivering library books to satellite libraries on the campus of University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He returned to school himself, found a new career path and hasn’t looked back since.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in African-American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he went on to get a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University.

“I really do feel that education is the great equalizer and the only way to make it in this world is to educate yourself,” said Helton, who admits he didn’t know there were degrees for careers related to the library system until he was in his late 20s. 

Helton said it’s important for Black students to see Black faces in leadership within the library systems of America.

“There aren’t a lot of Black men that do this work. At one point, there were less than 20 Black, male directors in public libraries in the United States,” he said. “When you think of all of the libraries that existed in this country, and the fact that there were less than 20, it’s very important to see Black men and Black faces doing this work and being in these roles. It’s really hard to make change when people don’t know that this is something that they can do. Being out there and having people see my face lets kids know that this is something that they themselves can do.” 

“I think it’s very important to be in this role, and be in a position to really start to make some systemic changes related to people getting involved in this particular field,” he added. 

Today, Helton leads a system that, in a different decade, would have scoffed at the notion of a Black man taking the helm. In the Sept. 13, 1930 edition of the AFRO,  the paper detailed how EPFL refused to hire Black employees– telling Black residents it was “needless” for them to apply for training to become employed by the organization. In the May 19, 1934 edition of the paper, the AFRO recorded how EPFL stood by their decision to segregate their bathrooms, upon receiving complaints from White patrons who thought African-American visitors should use a different restroom. 

Decades later, Helton joins a short list of EPFL directors. Since its founding more than a century ago, there have only been 13 EPFL presidents, including Helton. According to information released by the library, a total of three African Americans have led the organization. Anna Curry took the helm in 1981. After Curry, Dr. Carla Hayden, another African-American woman, took on the role in 1993. Helton now joins as the third Black director for EPFL, which boasts 21 branches throughout Charm City, in addition to a Central Branch, located at 400 Cathedral St.

“Chad Helton is the right leader for the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s next chapter,” said Christine Espenshade, chair of the Pratt Library’s Board of Directors, in a statement. “His deep industry experience and creative approach to addressing infrastructure needs will be invaluable as we work toward a bold future for the Pratt Library. We are confident that his leadership, coupled with a commitment to community, will ensure that the Pratt Library continues to thrive as a cornerstone of Baltimore. Chad’s expertise will help us build on the momentum we’ve already gained, including record-high library cardholders and circulation, as well as securing funding for ongoing infrastructure improvements.”

Prior to taking the EPFL position, Helton served as a library consultant and as a director in more than one library system. In Minnesota, he directed the 41 branches of the Hennepin County Library as they took on the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, he led Branch Library Services at the Los Angeles Public Library, which included oversight of 70 branches. In California, Helton served Contra Costa County Library as a deputy county librarian, and in Palo Alto he was the library services manager. 

“The Board of Directors is eager to support Chad as he leads the organization into a future defined by innovation and service,” Espenshade added. “Under his leadership, the Pratt Library will continue to be a welcoming and essential resource, empowering Baltimore’s residents through free access to critical resources and opportunities. On behalf of the entire Board, I also want to extend our deepest gratitude to Darcell Graham for her exceptional leadership as Interim CEO during this transitional period.”

Helton is looking forward to expanding EPFL’s capacity to deliver programming needed in the communities of Baltimore while also improving access to digital literacy programs and wellness resources. When asked about the role libraries play in addressing the needs of society, Helton said they are crucial.

“The library is a government entity that people willingly want to come to, and people are generally excited to come to. We have a responsibility to assist people with whatever their needs may be,” said Helton. “I think the work that we’re doing is foundational– being that we are strategically placed throughout the city to address needs for each individual community that we serve.”

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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. 

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By Tim Reynolds
The Associated Press

Dikembe Mutombo, a Basketball Hall of Famer who was one of the best defensive players in NBA history and a longtime global ambassador for the game, died Sept.30 from brain cancer, the league announced. He was 58.

His family revealed two years ago that he was undergoing treatment in Atlanta for a brain tumor. The NBA said he died surrounded by his family.

“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.”

Mutombo was distinctive in so many ways — the playful finger wag at opponents after blocking their shots, his height, his deep and gravelly voice, his massive smile. Players of this generation were always drawn to him and Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, looked to Mutombo as an inspiration.

“It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans, and really the whole world,” Embiid said Monday. “Other than what he’s accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court. He’s one of the guys that I look up to, as far as having an impact, not just on the court, but off the court. He’s done a lot of great things. He did a lot of great things for a lot of people. He was a role model of mine. It is a sad day.”

Mutombo spent 18 seasons in the NBA, playing for Denver, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and the then-New Jersey Nets. The 7-foot-2 center out of Georgetown was an eight-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection and went into the Hall of Fame in 2015 after averaging 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for his career.

He also was part of one of the league’s most iconic playoff moments, helping eighth-seeded Denver oust top-seeded Seattle in the first round of the 1994 Western Conference playoffs. That best-of-five series marked the first time a No. 8 beat a No. 1 in NBA history.

“It’s really hard to believe,” Toronto President Masai Ujiri said Monday, pausing several times because he was overcome with emotion shortly after hearing the news of Mutombo’s death. “It’s hard for us to be without that guy. You have no idea what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me. … That guy, he made us who we are. That guy is a giant, an incredible person.”

Mutombo last played during the 2008-09 season, devoting his time after retirement to charitable and humanitarian causes. He spoke nine languages and founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, concentrating on improving health, education and quality of life for the people in the Congo.

And on occasion, LeBron James pointed out with a laugh on Monday, Mutombo didn’t necessarily improve the health of others.

“My fondest memory of Dikembe Mutombo? He fractured my face on my birthday in Cleveland with an elbow,” James, the Los Angeles Lakers’ star, said while taking several minutes Monday to pay tribute to Mutombo’s life. “I never even got an opportunity to tell him about that. But yeah. I don’t remember how old … I was in Cleveland, my first stint, and I think I was turning 22 maybe?

“I went to the hole and caught one of those Dikembe elbows, and if anybody know about the Dikembe elbows, they do not feel good. He fractured my face, and I went to the hospital that night, and I wore a mask for a little bit. That is my memory of Dikembe,” James said.

James was close on the details: Dec. 29, 2004, was when that play happened, late in the first half, one day before his 20th birthday.

Mutombo told reporters that night he wasn’t sure how James got hurt. “He was laying there and I was like, ‘What happened, what happened?’” Mutombo told the Houston Chronicle after that game. “All I know, I was running to the basket. … LeBron turned around to stop me going to the basket. The collision happened.”

Ryan Mutombo, the Hall of Famer’s son, said in a tribute posted on social media that his father “loved others with every ounce of his being.”

“My dad is my hero because he simply cared,” Ryan Mutombo wrote. “He remains the purest heart I have ever known.”

Mutombo served on the boards of many organizations, including Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

“There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador,” Silver said. “He was a humanitarian at his core. He loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the continent of Africa.”

Mutombo is one of three players to win the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year four times. The others: reigning DPOY winner Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Hall of Famer Ben Wallace.

“He was always there to talk to me and advise me on how to approach the season and take care of my body and icing after games and stretching and trying different things like yoga,” Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “He will be always remembered and may his soul rest in peace.”

This article was originally published by The Associated Press. 

AP Sports Writers Steve Megargee in Milwaukee, Greg Beacham in Los Angeles and Dan Gelston in Camden, New Jersey, and Associated Press writer Ian Harrison in Toronto contributed to this report.

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By Tom Krisher and Wyatte Grantham-Philips
Associated Press

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This article was originally published by the Associated Press.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Keith Dobbins
Special to the AFRO

Through the hustle of daily life comes the story of Brian R., which serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of proactive health awareness, especially within the Black community. 

A close friend of mine from Ohio, Brian has always been a picture of health, maintaining a slim physique well into his late 40s and early 50s. However, a gradual weight gain went unnoticed until he participated in the Black Men’s Wellness Day and 5K Race in Atlanta. 

Encouraged to undergo a series of health screenings, Brian discovered alarming spikes in his wellness numbers, revealing the hidden fragility of his heart. The onsite doctors’ urgent advice led him to seek further medical evaluation, ultimately resulting in life-saving heart bypass surgery. 

Brian’s journey underscores not only the critical need for regular health check-ups but also the vital role community events play in fostering awareness and preventive care among Black men. His transformation is a testament to the power of knowledge and the impact of prioritizing health, a message that resonates deeply in discussions about Black men’s health.

In the realm of health and wellness, the mantra “prevention is better than cure” resonates profoundly, especially when we examine the alarming health disparities faced by Black men in the United States. 

The statistics are stark: approximately 70 percenr of the diseases that lead to premature death among Black men are preventable. This reality not only underscores the urgent need for proactive health measures but also highlights the critical importance of education and community engagement in fostering a healthier future.

Persistent disparities
Black men face a significant health crisis, living 12 to 20 years shorter than their White counterparts. The reasons behind this disparity are complex, involving a mix of socioeconomic factors, systemic inequities, and limited access to quality health care. Moreover, the statistics surrounding kidney health are particularly troubling. Black men are more than three times as likely to experience kidney failure compared to White Americans.

According to The JAMA Network, Black men in the U.S. have the highest lifetime risk of kidney failure, accounting for 16.6 percent of all kidney failure patients in 2018, despite representing only 6.4 percent of the overall U.S. population. These figures are not merely numbers; they represent lives lost and families devastated by preventable conditions.

As a health care advocate, it is my mission to provide access to health resources for Black men, a demographic that has historically been underserved and overlooked. Education is paramount in this mission. By equipping our communities with knowledge about health risks, preventive measures and available health care resources, we empower individuals to take control of their health. 

Understanding the link between education and activation is crucial; informed individuals are more likely to engage in preventive health behaviors, seek regular check-ups, and adhere to treatment protocols.

Combatting disparities through prevention
Preventive health measures can significantly reduce the incidence of diseases that disproportionately affect Black men. Regular screenings for hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease can catch health issues early, when they are most manageable. 

Additionally, lifestyle changes such as improved diet, increased physical activity, and smoking cessation can dramatically lower the risk of chronic diseases. Yet, many Black men are unaware of these risks or lack the resources to make these changes.

To combat these disparities, we must foster a culture of health within our communities. This can be achieved through targeted health education programs that address the specific needs and concerns of Black men. 

Community health workshops, partnerships with local organizations and outreach initiatives can help disseminate vital health information. Moreover, we should promote the importance of regular health care visits and encourage discussions about health within families and social circles.

A call to arms
The health disparities faced by Black men are a pressing public health issue that demands our attention and action. Preventable diseases continue to claim lives, and the statistics are a call to arms for all of us. As we work towards a healthier future, let us remember that prevention is indeed better than cure. 

By prioritizing education, improving access to health care and fostering a culture of health within our communities, we can make significant strides in bridging the health gap. Together, we can create a future where Black men not only live longer but live healthier lives, free from the shackles of preventable diseases. The time for action is now!  Let us rise to the challenge and ensure that health equity becomes a reality for all.

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By Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor
Dbailey@afro.com

Rev. Al Sharpton and recording artist Albert “Al B. Sure!” Brown don’t seem like the most likely partners in the fight for civil rights. While Sharpton, head of the National Action Network, is known for historic civil rights campaigns on behalf of Black Americans, Brown is best known for his series of top 40 and R&B hits, and more recently as host of “Love and R&B” on Urban One’s Reach Media. 

But together, these men with a national coalition of health advocates, have scored a major win for transplant patients across the U.S. Working through the Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition (HEiTC), health advocates across the nation have successfully fought for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reverse a rule banning coverage of a crucial blood test taken by transplant patients to detect the life-threatening condition of organ rejection.   

Close to 100,000 people are waiting for major body organs and more than a million transplants have already been performed in the U.S. That means the Medicare reversal on post-transplant tests is a life-altering win, especially for Black and Latino transplant patients, said Sharpton. 

Black organ transplant patients represent close to 30 percent of all transplant candidates on the waiting list, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH). The most frequently donated organs in order of transplant frequency are kidneys, livers, hearts and lungs, according to OMH. 

‘’Our involvement in this major health issue is long overdue,” Sharpton said. “Life starts with our health. We (Black people) are getting ill earlier and earlier. This is a civil rights issue, so as a civil rights organization we had to get involved.”

Beginning in 2017, Medicare covered two tests that transplant surgeons use to monitor patients for organ rejection. Surgeons like Dr. Steven Potter, a Georgetown University kidney and pancreas transplant specialist and professor of surgery, use these tests on a routine basis to monitor patients for organ damage and rejection.

But in 2023, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced significant reductions in coverage for the post-transplant blood tests. Contractors who supply the tests to CMS, called Medicare administrative contractors or MAC’s, have the right to restrict access to the tests by Medicare recipients via a rule recognized by CMS called a local coverage determination or LDS, according to a spokesperson for CMS.

‘’The blood tests check for organ rejection [and] prevent patients from undergoing painful surgical biopsies to determine whether a transplanted organ is rejected by the body,” said Potter, who also supports the HEiTC Coalition. “These tests can detect possible problems long before patients have major symptoms.” 

On a practical level, the tests can be administered at home. 

“The tests save patients from losing a day of work or missing other essential commitments,” said Dr. Marsha Harris, New York University Langone Health colorectal surgeon and a HEiTC coalition member. 

Sharpton, Brown and other health organization partners got to work this summer, forming a bi-partisan response to the CMS decision. Sharpton and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich testified on Capitol Hill supporting Medicare coverage for the tests. 

Brown, who underwent a liver transplant in summer 2022, is the executive chair of HEiTC and brings a new face to the disproportionate burdens Black transplant patients face. He embodies an urgency for Medicare to get back in the business of covering the costs of noninvasive post-transplant tests. 

“Any organ transplant recipient will tell you the path to recovery is a steep, uphill and daily battle,” said Brown about his experience.

According to University of Virginia Health, acute organ rejection happens in the months following a transplant while chronic organ rejection can happen any time after a year. 

In addition to HEiTC’s Capitol Hill testimony, 14 members of Congress and 24 leading transplant surgeons sent a letter to CMS administrator Chiquita Brooks LaSure urging her to restore Medicare coverage of the post-transplant tests. 

“What’s less known is that this journey poses even greater risks for Black Americans because we are biologically more likely to experience organ rejection, and are disproportionately represented in the transplant population,” Brown said at a Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) event celebrating Medicare’s pending restoration of coverage for the tests.

On Aug. 16, CMS issued a statement announcing the decision to withhold Medicare coverage for post-transplant tests would not be finalized. In part the statement read, “In response to public comments and upon further review of the evidence, the MACs are not finalizing the proposed LCD issued on August 10, 2023.” 

At a recent CBC event, Sharpton, Brown and other transplant supporters nationwide gathered to proclaim the fight is not over. 

Once the Medicare decision is finalized, HEiTC is poised to begin a campaign targeting the root causes of the gross inequities between Black, Latino and White patients when it comes to the chronic diseases that lead to transplantation in the first place. 

Poorly controlled diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, a condition impacting Black Americans at a rate three times greater than White Americans, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Kidneys are the number one organ on the transplant waiting list, where close to 30 percent of the waiting candidates are Black, according to the HHS – OMH. 

Reporting on this story is through the support of a journalism fellowship from the Gerontology Society of America, The Journalists’ Network on Generations, and the Commonwealth Fund.

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By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO

On Sept. 24, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.-8), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.-5), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.-33) and members of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee held a discussion about Project 2025 at the U.S. Capitol to warn voters of what is at stake if former President Donald Trump is reelected.

During the discussion, representatives touched on several key issues that Project 2025 proposes, which includes criminalizing abortion nationwide, increasing the cost of living and slashing Social Security and Medicare programs.

Clark told reporters that Project 2025 is “devastating.”

“Less freedom for you, more control for them. Less money in your pocket, more tax breaks for their rich friends,” said Clark.

“They have done us one favor: they’ve warned us,” added the Democratic lawmaker. “So when they tell us that Donald Trump’s second term will be even worse than his first, we need to believe them.”

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas-30) attended the hearing and told the AFRO that the most vulnerable will be impacted if Project 2025 is implemented.

“It’s about getting rid of the Department of Education and the Department of Justice. It’s meant to destroy us and democracy and also looks at consolidating power at the hands of the president,” said Crockett. “When we look at what the U.S. Supreme Court did when they decided they were going to crown him king Trump and give him immunity, that has never been warranted in this country.”

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.-7) told reporters that matters will worsen under a Trump presidency.

“Republicans will not stop until abortion is criminalized nationwide,” said Pressley. “After all, just six pages into the more than 900 pages of Trump’s Project 2025 it says, ‘The Dobbs decision is just the beginning,’ and we just saw how they celebrated the Dobbs decision.”

Jeffries told reporters that House Democrats have vowed to work with House Republicans on “any issue…in order to make life better for the American people.”

“At the same time, we’ve also made clear that we will push back against Republican extremism whenever necessary and we have repeatedly been called upon to do just that,” said Jeffries.

The House minority leader told the AFRO that “Project 2025 will end American life as we know it.”

The hearing also featured testimony from U.S. citizens working in health care, including Gracie Ladd, a nurse located in Milwaukee, Wisc.; Suki O., an ultrasound technician who works at an abortion clinic in Georgia and Vicki Gonzalez, a nurse stationed at a local hospital in Miami, Fla. During each testimony, the witnesses discussed how they all felt the impacts of Trump-enacted policies and urged voters to cast their ballots in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to avoid the implementation of Project 2025.

In recent months, Trump has denied that he has any ties to Project 2025 and some House Republicans have come to his defense.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.-14) told the AFRO that Project 2025 is simply a talking point for Democrats.

“I think the biggest concern if [Democrats] stay in office, they’re going to keep our borders open, inflation will continue to be high,” said Greene, “senior citizens in my district are having to choose between paying rent and being able to afford their medications.”

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.-19) told the AFRO voters should not be concerned with Project 2025.

“This is the typical political gaslighting that happens when you start getting close to the elections,” said Donalds. “The RNC released their plan, that’s the overall framework that President Trump is going to move his agenda through.”

Despite Trump and House Republicans’ efforts to distance the former president from Project 2025, Jeffries told reporters and voters that, “Republicans don’t simply have concepts, they have a plan.”

“It’s a detailed plan. It’s a 922-page plan,” said Jeffries. “It’s a dangerous, diabolical and dastardly plan that if implemented would destroy our democracy as we know it.”

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

As the D.C. Circulator’s impending shutdown grows near, circulator employees and unions are taking to the streets to voice their concerns about how the shutdown has been handled.

“We’re going to get some answers,” said Darryl Hairston, D.C. Circulator supervisor, at a rally on Aug. 29.

Initially, circulator employees were assured that a five-year contract, finalized last year, would supply job security through 2028. However, after Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) suddenly cut Circulator funding from this year’s budget, workers were left scrambling to figure out what they were going to do.

The AFRO reached out to the mayor’s office and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) for comment, but did not receive a timely response.

The impact of the sudden change grew when the Circulator shutdown moved up from March 2025 to December 2024.

“I went out on sick leave. I returned on July 19 and on July 29 I received a letter saying I’ll be one of the people being laid off on Sept. 30,” said Natarsha Guest, a D.C. Circulator employee. “How are we supposed to rearrange our lives in 60 days and start over?”

Employees are demanding the city and RATP Dev, Circulator operator, ensure all D.C. Circulator employees retain their current pay rates if transitioned into the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Workers also want a five-year financial plan to support Circulator employees and a seat at the table during shutdown discussions.

Unions, including the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, have joined the call for better employee support and the absorption of the Circulator routes.

Since the announcement of the Circulator shutdown on July 29, the union has been vocal about the need for a transition plan, urging the mayor and DDOT to transition the services to WMATA.

DDOT has previously indicated that RATP Dev has had discussions with workers about their employment options since the announcement. Workers say those offers just aren’t enough.

“It be a tremendous pay cut for us because we have to start off from the beginning,” said Glynda Dansby, a D.C. Circulator dispatcher and supervisor. “Even if the Circulator has to leave, bring us in wherever we go, at our pay or close to it.”

Guest said some employees could lose around $10 to $12 an hour due to their positions not being directly absorbed into WMATA.

“If we’ve already been established at the job that we’ve had…why do we have to go back now and try to do two or three jobs to make ends meet?” questioned Dansby.

Though circulator employees have not yet gotten the responses they are looking for from the mayor’s office and DDOT, workers have received support from the D.C. Council.

“The employees who work for the D.C. Circulator have every right to demand better from D.C. government on how the end of the Circulator has been handled,” said Erik Salmi, deputy chief of staff for D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6). “DDOT has known this was a likely outcome for more than a year as budget constraints and improved WMATA operations made the end of the D.C. Circulator an attractive cut for the mayor. There are staff who have faithfully served D.C. residents for many years at the Circulator, and they don’t feel they are getting the support they deserve at this challenging time in their careers.”

As the official phasedown begins on Oct. 1, workers and unions show no sign of slowing down.

Phase one will include ending the Rosslyn-Dupont Circle route, altering bus arrival times to every 20 minutes instead of every 10 minutes and ending late-night service on the Woodley Park-Adams Morgan and Georgetown-Union Station routes.

By Dec. 31, all Circulator operations and employment will end.

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By Milbert O. Brown Jr.
Special to the AFRO

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo’s National Rodeo Finals was held Sept. 21 at the Show Place Area in Upper Marlboro, Md. 

Often referred to as the “Greatest Show on Dirt, ” the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) began in 1984 and this year celebrates its 40th anniversary of highlighting the Black cowboys and cowgirls and the rodeo culture that helped build the western part of the United States. 

The BPIR is more than just a rodeo; it’s a platform that reintroduces an essential aspect of Black western heritage into contemporary society. The BPIR also serves as a cultural event and opportunity for families to enjoy and embrace the cowboy culture while being educated and entertained with reenactments, history highlights and western adventure.

In 2024, the BPIR will feature four rodeos in Fort Worth, Texas; Denver, Co.; Memphis, Tenn.; Oakland, Calif.; Los Angeles, Calif. and Atlanta, Ga. 

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By Reginald Williams
Special to the AFRO

Barbering was one of the first professions that provided a means for Black men to purchase their freedom from slavery. Historically, the Black barber shop has served as the pillar of the community. It was one of two spaces—the church being the other—where Black men gathered to socialize and strategize for community events, including hosting voter registration drives. 

On the opening night of the Democratic National Convention, Stan Dorsey, owner of Ultimate DeZigns Barber & Beauty Salon in southeast Raleigh, N.C.., hosted “Black Men, Black Voices, Black Votes, & Black Victors.” In the way Black men gathered at the barber shop in the 1940s, ‘50s, and ‘60s, men from neighboring communities gathered to discuss the importance of having their voices and votes counted. 

“My vote makes me accountable, not just to myself, but to my family, to my community. It also allows me to hold elected officials accountable because I have that voice,” said Richard Redding, higher education coordinator of the Minority Male Program at Wake Technical Community College. 

As in days of the past, Black barber shops like Ultimate DeZigns are resurging as places that offer more than haircuts. Vibrant political conversations on topics like Project 25 often accompany the haircuts. 

“Last Saturday, I had a young lady here who has three kids. She knew nothing about Project 25,” explained Dorsey. “We (men in the shop) got to talking to her about it. I told her to read just the first paragraph. When she did, she broke out crying.”

Project 2025 is the Republican Presidential Transition Project proposed to uproot the tenets and fabric of democracy.

The ominous political chatter regarding Black men either choosing against voting in the forthcoming presidential election or deciding to vote for the Republican nominee aroused David Baker’s curiosity. Baker, a district judge for Juvenile Court in Raleigh, called his longtime friend Tim Grubbs and engaged in what he thought was a personal conversation between friends. Grubbs listened and allowed his buddy the space to air his thoughts. About two weeks later, Grubbs called Baker and inquired what he planned to do regarding his concerns. With the Republican presidential candidate campaigning on the promise to give “police immunity so that they can do their jobs,” and promising Christians, “If they vote this one last time, they’ll never have to worry about voting again,” Baker wanted to coordinate a bipartisan, multi-generational group of men to discuss today’s political landscape, and what it means for democracy.

Before starting the discussion, the men grabbed their folding chairs and connected them to four barber chairs to make a circle. “What is a vote? What is it supposed to do? What is it that we think it’s supposed to do,” was the question placed on the debate floor by the moderator to unlock the evening’s conversation. 

Antoine Marshall, a former candidate for the N.C. House of Representatives’s District 33, eloquently provided the historical content and context for the vote. 

“The government is run by a democracy. We choose our leaders to represent us on our issue. This country is a big place. It has a very complicated system. It’s a large system—$4 trillion every year. We can’t vote on all of the issues that we all individually have; we would get nothing done. So, we elect people to speak for our interests. When you go to the ballot box, you vote on the various offices and what they represent. You’re saying this is the person I want to serve in that position to represent my values,” explained Marshall.

On the heels of Marshall’s definition, the men began intimately describing what the vote meant specifically to them. 

“From my perspective, a vote is my capital. It’s my way of first acknowledging that someone did something for me to even have the right to participate in the process,” said Brandon Alexander, a real estate developer and community advocate. “If I don’t use my vote, then in my mind, I’m doing something to disgrace those people who sacrificed whatever those things were. It’s more of my way of first, acknowledging, but secondly, thanking them for the sacrifice they gave for me. So, for me, there’s no way that I’m never not going to vote.” 

Frankie McInnis, a member of Men of Southeast Raleigh, an organization that supports families and community agencies in achieving their missions, echoed Alexander’s sentiment that he would never stop voting even if his candidate fails to win.  

“There’s something that keeps you wanting to vote,” said McInnis, who believes people should not have their voices marginalized. “We tell ourselves that we have a voice. I think one of the worst things you can do to anybody is to ignore them. That’s one of the worst insults. My vote is saying to the whole world, ‘I’m not being ignored.’ Voting keeps me going to the ballot box because of the way it makes me feel. I may never get the candidate that I want, but I’m going to keep pulling the lever because of how it makes me feel.” 

Redding said his vote kept him accountable. However, he had another reason for voting, which brought laughter to the circle. 

“Another part of me is I never wanted to be that person who didn’t vote, and the candidate lost by one. In the back of my mind, I’m always thinking, ‘What if that candidate lost by one and I didn’t vote?’” said Redding. 

As Grubbs and Baker intended, the age diversity (from 18 to 70-plus) represented a bridging of generations. 

“I loved the diversity of age in the room,” said Redding, 57. “I believe everyone felt heard and affirmed. I felt connected and safe and excited that this place was created. It is needed.”

Javon Bell, 24, who arrived in tow with his dad, Jamie Bell, and cousin DeCota Butler, 22, agreed with Redding. 

Various individuals from different generations “provided critical pieces of knowledge that can help everyone grow,” Javon Bell said. “The voice of the room was very strong and powerful. It impacted me because of the variety of opinions.” 

The energy and spirit in the room were so palpable that the men decided to have a second discussion on Sept. 16. That made Dorsey happy, since he earlier expressed his hope that they could make the conversations a “big thing.”

“The evening affirmed my belief that when we come together with the intention to listen to one another, along with a willingness to share from our lived experiences, together we can solve any problem and transform our communities,” Baker said.

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WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will award more than $4.3 million in cooperative agreements to states and territories to help fund and provide technical assistance to suicide mortality review committees, which aim to identify and characterize local suicide deaths to better inform Veteran suicide prevention strategies.

This fiscal year’s cooperative agreements will support 10 states and two territories in establishing local understanding of Veteran suicide, identifying populations or locations of special concern, and informing data-informed suicide prevention strategies for Veterans. These awards advance VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, the Biden-Harris Administration’s strategy to reduce military and Veteran suicide, and the newly published National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Federal Action Plan.

“It is our responsibility to be at the forefront of researching the drivers of Veteran suicide, all with the goal of ensuring no Veteran is lost to suicide,” said Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D. “We are working with our intergovernmental partners to establish suicide mortality review committees, which will tailor our efforts to the unique and diverse needs of all Veterans.”

These agreements help advance President Biden’s Unity Agenda for the nation and are part of VA’s broader efforts to prevent Veteran suicide, and contribute to the objectives of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families — an effort between VA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to create enhanced suicide prevention action plans across 50 states and five U.S. territories. This month, VA awarded another $52.5 million in grants to community organizations implementing tailored suicide prevention programs and services for Veterans and their families. VA has also launched a new webpage with resources for suicide loss survivors.

VA intends to award up to an additional $10 million through the Suicide Mortality Review Cooperative Agreements program in FY 2025. Learn more about the program and the Governor’s Challenge.

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

(NNPA Newswire) – New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty Sept. 27 to charges of bribery, wire fraud, soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals and conspiracy.  The charges mark a pivotal moment in Adams’ tumultuous tenure, which high-level resignations and a series of federal investigations have plagued, NBC News reported. 

“I am not guilty, your honor,” Adams told 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker.

Federal prosecutors announced the 57-page criminal indictment late Sept. 26, marking the first time a sitting mayor in the city’s history has faced such charges.

Adams allegedly sought and accepted illegal “nominee” or “straw” contributions. By “smuggling their contributions” to Adams’ campaign through the straw donors and actors from overseas, Adams “defeated federal laws that serve to prevent foreign influence on U.S. elections,” according to the indictment.

In 2018, when Adams had announced his plans to run for New York City mayor, he allegedly accepted and sought illegal campaign contributions to his upcoming mayoral campaign, the indictment says.

Businesses also circumvented the city’s ban on corporate contributions “by funneling their donations through multiple employees,” according to the indictment.

In a video statement posted online, Adams fiercely denied the allegations, calling the charges “entirely false” and “based on lies.” He asserted that federal authorities had targeted him because of his commitment to standing up for New Yorkers. Adams vowed to fight the charges in court. He made it clear he had no plans to resign.

The indictment follows months of escalating federal scrutiny. Earlier this month, federal agents searched the homes of several of Adams’s top officials and seized phones, including that of Police Commissioner Edward Caban, who resigned on Sept. 12. Authorities also confiscated the phone of Caban’s twin brother, James Caban, a former police officer who now runs a nightclub security business. Investigators reportedly are looking into whether bars and clubs in Manhattan and Queens paid James Caban to act as a police liaison and if those establishments received special treatment from local precincts.

The indictment adds to a series of ongoing federal probes into Adams’ administration, which has already seen numerous high-ranking officials come under investigation. These probes began last year when federal agents seized the mayor’s electronic devices after searching the home of his chief fundraiser.

Calls for Adams to step down have intensified after the charges. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and New York State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who have launched campaigns for next year’s mayoral race, have publicly called for the mayor to resign.

“The hardworking people of New York City deserve a government and leadership they can trust. Right now, they don’t have it,” Lander posted on X.

The New York Working Families Party, a major progressive group, also demanded Adams’ resignation, stating that “he has lost the trust of the everyday New Yorkers he was elected to serve.”

Adams, a former NYPD captain, was elected in 2021 on promises to restore public safety and reinvigorate the city post-COVID-19. His administration, however, has been criticized for the handling of issues like the migrant crisis and subway safety, as well as for his late-night socializing and disputes over city spending, particularly on education. Despite these challenges, Adams has maintained a defiant stance, denying all wrongdoing.

In his video statement, Adams remained resolute: “I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers, I would be a target—and a target I became. If I am charged, I am innocent, and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”

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By Stephen Smith, Kate Payne and Heather Hollingsworth
The Associated Press

PERRY, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the southeastern U.S. on Sept. 27, killing at least 44 people, snapping towering oaks like twigs and tearing apart homes as rescue crews launched desperate missions to save people from floodwaters.

Among those killed were three firefighters, a woman and her 1-month-old twins, and an 89-year-old woman whose house was struck by a falling tree. According to an Associated Press tally, the deaths occurred in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

The Category 4 hurricane knocked out power to some hospitals in southern Georgia, and Gov. Brian Kemp said authorities had to use chainsaws to clear debris and open up roads. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph) when it made landfall late Sept. 26 in a sparsely populated region in Florida’s rural Big Bend area, home to fishing villages and vacation hideaways where the state’s panhandle and peninsula meet.

Moody’s Analytics said it expects $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage.

The wreckage extended hundreds of miles northward to northeast Tennessee, where a “dangerous rescue situation” by helicopter unfolded after 54 people were moved to the roof of the Unicoi County Hospital as water rapidly flooded the facility. Everyone was rescued and no one was left at the hospital as of late Sept. 27, Ballad Health said.

In North Carolina, a lake featured in the movie “Dirty Dancing” overtopped a dam and surrounding neighborhoods were evacuated, although there were no immediate concerns it would fail. People also were evacuated from Newport, Tennessee, a city of about 7,000 people, amid concerns about a dam near there, although officials later said the structure had not failed.

Tornadoes hit some areas, including one in Nash County, North Carolina, that critically injured four people.

Atlanta received a record 11.12 inches (28.24 centimeters) of rain in 48 hours, the most the city has seen in a two-day period since record keeping began in 1878, Georgia’s Office of the State Climatologist said on the social platform X. The previous mark of 9.59 inches (24.36 cm) was set in 1886. Some neighborhoods were so badly flooded that only car roofs could be seen poking above the water.

Climate change has exacerbated conditions that allow such storms to thrive, rapidly intensifying in warming waters and turning into powerful cyclones sometimes in a matter of hours.

When Laurie Lilliott pulled onto her street in Dekle Beach, Florida, after Helene plowed through, she couldn’t see the roofline of her home beyond the palm trees. It had collapsed, torn apart by the pounding storm surge, one corner still precariously propped up by a piling.

“It took me a long time to breathe,” Lilliott said.

As she surveyed the damage, her name and phone number were still inked on her arm in permanent marker, an admonition by Taylor County officials to help identify recovered bodies in the storm’s aftermath. The community has taken direct hits from three hurricanes since August 2023.

All five who died in one Florida county were in neighborhoods where residents were told to evacuate, said Bob Gualtieri, the sheriff in Pinellas County in the St. Petersburg area. Some who stayed ended up having to hide in their attics to escape the rising water. He said the death toll could rise as crews go door-to-door in flooded areas.

More deaths were reported in Georgia and the Carolinas, including two South Carolina firefighters and a Georgia firefighter who died when trees struck their trucks.

Video on social media showed sheets of rain and siding coming off buildings in Perry, Florida, near where the storm hit land. A news station showed a home that was overturned, and many communities established curfews.

Also in Perry, the hurricane peeled off the new roof of a church that was replaced after Hurricane Idalia last year.

When the water hit knee-level in Kera O’Neil’s home in Hudson, Florida, she knew it was time to escape.

“There’s a moment where you are thinking, ‘If this water rises above the level of the stove, we are not going to have not much room to breathe,'” she said, recalling how she and her sister waded through chest-deep water with one cat in a plastic carrier and another in a cardboard box.

President Joe Biden said he was praying for survivors, and the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency headed to the area. The agency deployed more than 1,500 workers, and they helped with 400 rescues by late morning.

In Tampa, some areas could be reached only by boat.

Officials urged people who were trapped to call for rescuers and not tread floodwaters, warning they can be dangerous due to live wires, sewage, sharp objects and other debris.

More than 3 million homes and businesses were without power in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas as of late Sept. 27, according to poweroutage.us. The site also showed outages as far north as Ohio and Indiana due to Helene’s rapid northward movement throughout the day.

In Georgia, an electrical utility group warned of “catastrophic” damage to utility infrastructure, with more than 100 high voltage transmission lines damaged. And officials in South Carolina, where more than 40 percent of customers were without power, said crews had to cut their way through debris just to determine what was still standing in some places.

The hurricane came ashore near the mouth of the Aucilla River, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) northwest of where Idalia hit last year at nearly the same ferocity. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the damage from Helene appears to be greater than the combined effects of Idalia and Hurricane Debby in August.

“It’s tough, and we understand that. We also understand that this is a resilient state,” DeSantis said at a news conference in storm-damaged St. Pete Beach.

Soon after it crossed over land, Helene weakened to a tropical storm and later a post-tropical cyclone. Forecasters said it continued to produce catastrophic flooding, and some areas received more than a foot of rain.

A mudslide in the Appalachian Mountains washed out part of an interstate highway at the North Carolina-Tennessee state line.

Another slide hit homes in North Carolina and occupants had to wait more than four hours to be rescued, said Ryan Cole, the emergency services assistant director in Buncombe County. His 911 center received more than 3,300 calls in eight hours Sept. 27.

“This is something that we’re going to be dealing with for many days and weeks to come,” Cole said.

Forecasters warned of flooding in North Carolina that could be worse than anything seen in the past century. Evacuations were underway and around 300 roads were closed statewide. The Connecticut Army National Guard sent a helicopter to help.

School districts and universities canceled classes. Florida airports that closed due to the storm reopened Sept. 27. Inspectors were examining bridges and causeways along the Gulf Coast, the state’s transportation secretary said.

Helene was the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average season this year because of record-warm ocean temperatures.

___

Payne reported from Tallahassee, Florida, and Hollingsworth reported from Kansas City, Missouri. Associated Press journalists Seth Borenstein in New York; Jeff Amy in Atlanta; Russ Bynum in Valdosta, Georgia; Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Andrea Rodríguez in Havana; Mark Stevenson and María Verza in Mexico City; and Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon, contributed.

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By Ryan Coleman 

The Baltimore Beltway was first planned in 1949 by Baltimore County. The state eventually took over the project, becoming part of the Interstate Highway System planned in 1956. The length of the route from MD 2 south of Baltimore clockwise to U.S. Route 40 (US 40) northeast of the city opened in stages from 1955 to 1962, providing an Interstate bypass of Baltimore. It was the first beltway in the United States to be built as part of the Interstate Highway System. 

The Global Traffic Scorecard for 2023 rated Baltimore as the 14th worst city in the nation for traffic delays. That ranking is up from 16th place, in 2022. Baltimore commuters lost 44 hours in traffic in 2023, compared to 35 hours in 2022. That amount of time led to drivers spending an extra $762 in commuting costs. The city lost $905 million as a result of the delays, the study found.

The Maryland State Mobility Report rates roadway segments that experience the highest levels of congestion throughout the state: 

1. I-695 MD 139 to MD 45 Inner Loop 4.02 

2. I-695 MD 45 to MD 146 Inner Loop 3.70 4 -2 

3. I-495 Cabin John Pkwy to MD 190 Inner Loop 3.59 1 2 

4. I-695 @ MD 146 Inner Loop 3.38 7 -3 

5. I-695 @ I-70 3.16 5 0 

Four out of the five of the most congested points are on 695. MDOT must start to invest money to ease the congestion on 695. 

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board ranked the top ten bottlenecks in the region. The most congested areas are: 

1. I-695 IL @ Security Blvd/ Exit 17 

2. I-695 IL @ MD-542/ Loch Raven Blvd/Exit 29 

3. I-95 N @ Fort Mchenry Tunnel 

4. I-695 IL @ I-83/MD-25/Exit 23 

5. I-695 OL @ MD-144/FREDERICK RD/EXIT 13 

6. I-695 OL @ Edmondson Ave/Exit 14 

The number one delay is the I-695 and I-70 interchange. Afternoon congestion on the inner loop of the beltway with the greatest delays are between MD 144 and the lane drop at I-70. High-volume ramps from Security Blvd, I-70 and US 40 contributed to the congestion. Five of the six bottlenecks are on I-695. 

The main issue on 695 is that it has only three lanes at I-70 and MD Route 45. This structure can not handle the traffic coming from I-70 and I-83. At the I-695 N (Arbutus) interchange at I-95 goes from seven lanes to four, which can’t handle the traffic. 

MDOT’s plan would convert 19 miles of the fast lane shoulders in both directions on I-695 into new travel lanes between I-70 and Parkville, a move state officials said would cut about 15 minutes off rush hour delays that can stretch an hour or more. The Triple Bridges project would alleviate congestion at I-695 and I-70. 

These projects must continue and still more must be done! MDOT must add two additional lanes in both directions to alleviate the three major choke points on 695. 

MDOT has prioritized adding lanes to I-495 and I-270. Doesn’t the Baltimore Beltway deserve the same type of investment. Doesn’t the Baltimore region deserve a world class beltway? 

The post Baltimore County residents want the state to address the congestion on the Baltimore Beltway appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

The Washington Commanders are calling all artists to show their artistic creativity and participate in their t-shirt design competition for their 4th annual HBCU-themed game.

Those interested must submit their application by the Sept. 29 deadline. The winner’s design will be part of group ticketing packages and will be featured during their HBCU Game Night on Dec. 1, when they play against the Tennessee Titans. 

Designs must incorporate HBCU culture and aspects of the Washington Commanders. 

For more information on the application, visit Commanders.com.

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By D. Kevin McNeir 
Special to the AFRO

In 1984, Sally Michel, a philanthropist and an avid advocate for Baltimore and causes in support of the city, joined then Baltimore City Mayor William Donald Schaefer for dinner. 

The two longtime friends frequently dined together but, on that occasion, something was different. 

Schaefer suggested the idea of enhancing the City’s parks so that public spaces would be more inviting – allowing adults, children and their families greater opportunities to rest, observe, reflect and play together. He asked Michel to develop a private-public partnership to facilitate those goals and from that dinner, Parks and People took its first breath. 

Michel, inspired by Schaefer’s idea, would go on to develop the Gwynns Falls Trail, establish an Outward-Bound operation in Baltimore and create SuperKids Camp, which allowed Baltimore City’s children the opportunity to witness and experience the beauty and serenity of the outdoors. 

Now, 40 years later, Parks and People has revitalized Baltimore’s communities by building parks, transforming green spaces and offering a wide range of educational programs for youth. In celebration of its four decades of service, Parks and People, under the direction of Dr. Frank Lance, president and CEO of Parks and People, held its annual fundraiser on Friday, Sept. 20, on the organization’s beautiful nine-acre green campus in West Baltimore. 

The evening’s festivities showcased live entertainment from Sac Au Lait; sumptuous food from local vendors including Eleven Courses, Ekiben, Hue Café, Brick N Fire and Taharka Brothers Ice Cream. There was also dancing and plenty of opportunities for networking. Under the direction of staff members from Kreative Print Shop, attendees even got a chance to screen print a tote bag as a keepsake while the Twilighters Marching Band stepped lively throughout the crowd of more than 225 people. 

While it served as the organization’s annual signature event, Lance, along with the rest of his staff and the members of the board of directors, also honored three local individuals whose efforts have been integral both to the success of Parks and People and the thousands of children who have benefited from the collective vision of Michel and Lance. 

“Funds raised from Picnic in the Park will help Parks and People continue to revitalize historically disinvested communities, bringing hope and environmental justice to the neighborhoods and residents of the “Black Butterfly” through green spaces and youth programming,” said Lance. 

The “Black Butterfly” of Baltimore refers to the shape that appears on a map when one begins to mark the places with disparities in health, food options and internet access. Many of the disparities are concentrated in areas of the city that are predominantly Black.

Lance added that those who received awards during the evening represent community members who have made a significant impact on the well-being of Baltimore City. 

The three awardees included the following:

NaTasha Norton, who serves as senior vice president and regional community development manager for Truist, received The Sally Michel Award. The award, named after Parks and People Foundation’s founder, goes to an individual who had made a significant impact in Baltimore out of his or her love for Baltimore. 

Reginald Moore, executive director of Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, received The Parks Award – given to someone committed to making green space, parks, playgrounds and trails a staple in Baltimore. 

Cristina Saenz de Tejada, U.S. director of the community partnership program for Friends School of Baltimore, received The People Award. The recognition is reserved for an individual who has displayed unwavering dedication to promoting Parks and People’s mission of improving Baltimore through green space and education. While Michel died on August 16, 2018, her vision and her dreams for a Baltimore where everyone is connected to their community and each other through vibrant parks and green spaces have lived on. Since the founding of Parks and People, more than 31,000 children have graduated from SuperKids Camp while thousands of teens have been introduced to nature’s splendor through their Branches internship program.

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By Ariyana Griffin 
AFRO Staff Writer 
agriffin@afro.com

The Enoch Pratt Free Library held a ribbon cutting on Sept. 25 for its Pratt Free Market at the Southeast Anchor Branch in Highlandtown.

The Pratt Free Market will hold various items such as produce, non-perishable items, snacks and other household necessities like laundry detergent. 

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott expressed the importance of libraries worldwide and especially the impact that the Pratt Free Library has directly on the Baltimore community. 

“Pratt is always showing up for Baltimoreans no matter their circumstance, no matter what neighborhood they come from and no matter what brings them to the door,” Scott said. “This is yet another example of how the Pratt continues their long legacy of partnering with other groups looking to do good work in our communities to help meet a need wherever it may be.” 

According to research by the Johns Hopkins 21st Century Cities Initiative, “roughly one in five Baltimore-area respondents experiences hunger because they don’t always have enough money for food; two in five worry about running out of food.” The study also found that “half of Black respondents suffer from food insecurity compared to 15 percent of White respondents.”

The market will be open to all Baltimoreans as a way to help aid the food insecurity issue in the city. 

“Across the nation, one in every eight people face hunger, and libraries are increasingly on the front lines assisting in this struggle,”  Darcell Graham, interim CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, said in a statement. “We hope the Pratt Free Market will serve as a hub for food and nutrition-based programming for our community.” 

The space will be more than a market; it will also serve as a place for community members to learn about food and nutrition. Dwayne Benbow, of Benbow Concession Services, said he is excited to curate programming for the community. 

“We will be doing a substantial amount of meal planning so individuals will be able to come in, grab a meal out of the refrigerator and feed their family,” said Benbow. “I’m going to be in here showing them different creative ways to cook – I want to be able to cater to those individuals who may only have a microwave.”

Community members can utilize the free market every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Each person will be allotted to fill one bag, which is supplied by the library. Every fourth Friday of the month, the market collaborates with the Maryland Food Bank and serves as a Pantry on the Go!, a free produce giveaway. 

The Pratt Free Market will also receive food from accredited partners, including Plantation Park Heights, Leftover Love, Benbow Concession Services, Moon Valley Farms and Black Butterfly Farms.

The Pratt Free Market will officially open to the public on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m.. A free family day celebration will take place, complete with music, face painting, food demonstrations and more.

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By Mylika Scatliffe
AFRO Women’s Health Writer

Relatives have been taking care of sick family members since the beginning of time, even if they aren’t recognized as caregivers. 

Founded in 1993, the Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a mission is to bring awareness, garner respect and offer support for people whose daily work is caring for family members who cannot take care of themselves.

“The main reason for our research and existence is that when we started there was not a concept of a caregiver outside of those that provided paid care in a congregate setting. There are so many individuals who put their heart and soul into caring for loved ones every day, and are doing it for zero pay,” said Marvell Adams Jr., CEO of CAN.

Adams is one of a team of nine at CAN, and each of them has a personal story that fuels their passion for the work that family caregivers do. Each member of the team, including the board members, have a unique perspective on what it takes to put your all into being a caregiver and the difficulties that come with it.

Adams’ journey began as a teenager when his mother had a stroke and he, along with his father,  was responsible for caring for her at home. 

“My mother was not able to work of course, so my dad had to, and I would support her at home when she was doing physical therapy. Once I was able to drive, I took her to appointments and attended to whatever she needed during her recovery,” said Adams.  He had a second opportunity to care for his mother when she had major surgery after she sustained a shoulder injury after a fall on the job.

The catalyst for Adams’ passion for caregiving was, in part, witnessing how his mother was treated in the hospital during shoulder surgery recovery.

“She was in the hospital for a few days, and I remember having to ask the nurse– who seemed perfectly capable of coming to help–  several times to bring my mother pain medication. The delay was so bad that it got to the point that she was crying from the pain,” Adams recalled. 

“Once I grew up, I learned there are protocols around this type of thing and what happened to my mother should not have happened,” Adams continued. “But we recognize the needs of  people of color and women of color are often not heard in acute care situations, which leads to poor health outcomes.”

Lack of insurance or funding and distrust in medical facilities or health providers are just a couple of many reasons family members take on caregiving. Societal and cultural pressures and expectations give more cause to step into the role.

Adams was a caregiver several times during his youth. 

“My older brothers moved out by the time I was in middle school, so I was essentially an only child by about age 11. Both my parents worked and during the time between middle school and leaving for college, my mom had three major health events,” said Adams. “I helped my mother throughout middle school and only since joining CAN, as its CEO, have I come to understand it was more than just doing what a son should do,” said Adams. “I was a family caregiver, and it was not easy.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “of the 37.1 million eldercare providers in the U.S. age 15 and over, the majority (59 percent) are women. In terms of age, people 45 to 54 (20 percent) and 55 to 64 (21 percent) are the most likely to provide eldercare, followed by those ages 65 and older (15 percent). Sixty-one percent of eldercare providers are employed.”

Terri Buchanan, 59, of Forest Hill, Md. has been caring for her sister since she began experiencing complications from cancer treatments three years ago. 

“She began experiencing side effects including memory loss, disorientation and balance problems that increased her risk of falling,” said Buchanan.

Buchanan, like Adams, began her journey with caregiving when her mother had a stroke when she was a teenager, just as she was graduating high school. As the youngest of eight children, when her mother became ill she was the last and only child living at home. Buchanan cared for her mother for 19 years, while going to college and then working full time until her mother passed away in 2007. 

“All of my other siblings had gotten married or moved out and had children of their own. They would come in and assist if I had to go away for work or went out of town, and there was never really a discussion of her living anywhere else.  I was the only one at home, so it kind of automatically fell to me,” said Buchanan. 

Today, Buchanan currently works from home so she has more capacity and flexibility than her brothers and sisters to take on her sister’s care, but she is frank about the challenge and sacrifice involved.  

Her sister is currently in a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, but there are still appointments, phone calls, taking care of her sister’s home and bills, and visits to the rehabilitation facility at least every other day, all in addition to Buchanan’s own full-time job and personal life.

She says she doesn’t regret anything she has done for her mother or sister, but she sometimes has to deal with feelings of resentment. 

“I actually have two full time jobs. My paid day job and taking care of my sister. And while my siblings have always been helpful, I don’t think they don’t truly understand what truly goes into taking care of my sister, or what it took to take care of my mother. Anything that had to be done, was viewed as just one more thing I can handle because it always got done,” said Buchanan. “Sacrifices are involved. I’ve never lived alone. Many days I don’t have time to go to the gym, cook for myself, or get a full night’s sleep.”

Whether it is a cultural expectation of “family takes care of family,” or a practical matter of not being able to afford care any other way, it is work that should be recognized as such.

Adams shared the following tips for people responsible for the care of family members:

• Recognize yourself as a caregiver. You are not just a son or daughter, sibling or spouse. Even if you’re not working in a facility, you are a caregiver and should recognize and identify yourself and be respected as such.
• Know what you are up against and know your limitations. The difficulty is not always in the task of caregiving. It’s often in everything that goes along with it.
• Give yourself grace. Sometimes you might be late for events or gatherings. And that’s okay.
• Research resources that are appropriate for your situation. Caregiving does not happen in a vacuum and each situation is unique. There are other people to connect with through support groups, employee resource groups and organizations like the Caregiver Action Network.
• Remember that caregiving is often cyclical and episodic. Someone with a disease like cancer may go into remission and caregiving is not needed for a while. If it comes back, caregiving is needed again.
• Be prepared. Always have information you may need at hand. You can’t always control what happens from day to day, and it helps to prepare in advance for whatever you can.
• Recognize that if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be good to anyone else. Schedule things for yourself, whether it’s doctor appointments, workouts, manicures or time with friends or significant others. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
• Create a routine and stick to a schedule as much as possible.
• Remember, superheroes are fictional. Heroic behavior is not expected every day. We are not meant to work ourselves into an early grave.
• Be on the lookout for signs of depression. Solo caregiving can be isolating.
• Take care of your mental health. Seek therapy or whatever constructive, legal outlet is helpful.

“Caregiver guilt can be significant and inescapable. As a caregiver, you may feel frustration, anger, or resentment about taking care of  someone who might have given you life or is responsible for helping to get where you are, but you must make space for yourself,” said Adams. “You can’t give what you don’t have.”

For more Information and resources, visit caregiveraction.org or call 1-855-227-3640. The website has a chat feature and family caregiver’s toolbox.

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

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

Maryland

A Black Souliloquy

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

Date: Sept. 28

Time: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. 

Location: Cahill Recreation Center

     4001 Clifton Avenue 

     Baltimore, MD 21216

DMV Black Student Leadership Conference

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

Date: Oct. 4

Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Morgan State University

    1700 East Cold Spring Lane

    Baltimore, MD 21251

Prostate Cancer Health Matters in Montgomery County

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

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

Date: Oct. 5

Time: 12  – 3 p.m. 

Location: 51 Mannakee St. (Science Building)

     Rockville, MD 2085

Black Wall Street Renaissance Pop-Up Shops

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

Date: Oct. 5 

Time: 11 – 5 p.m.

Location: Everlasting Life Restaurant and Lounge

     9185 Central Avenue 

     Capitol Heights, MD 20743

Unbought and Unbossed: Shirley Watch Party and Panel Discussion

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

Date: Oct. 6

Time: 3 – 6 p.m. 

Location: Colesville United Methodist

     52 Randolph Road 

     Silver Spring, MD 20904

Bear Witness to Our Story

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

Date: Oct.10 

Time: 6 – 8:30 p.m. 

Location: Morgan State University

     1700 East Cold Spring Lane 

     Baltimore, MD 21251

Washington D.C. 

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

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

Date: Sept. 27

Time: 6 – 12 a.m.

Location: Penn Branch Center

     3202 Pennsylvania Avenue

     Southeast Washington, D.C. 20020

Below the Surface: A History in African American Printmaking

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

Date: Sept. 27- Nov. 2

Time:11 – 6 p.m. 

Location: 1201 K Street Northwest 

     Washington, D.C. 20005

A Right Proper Block Party 2024

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

Date: Sept. 28

Time: 5 – 12 a.m. 

Location: 624 T Street Northwest 

     Washington, D.C. 20001

A FORGOTTEN MIGRATION |  Busboys and Poets 

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

Date: Oct. 9

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Busboys and Poets 14th and V

      2021 14th St 

      NW Washington, D.C. 20009

Virginia 

Walking Tour: Black Heritage Fort Monroe 

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

Date: Oct. 1 – Nov. 8

Time: 1 – 2 p.m.

Location: 30 Ingalls Road

     Fort Monroe, VA

Improving Birth Outcomes: Health Disparities and Black Birthing People 

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

Date: Oct. 2

Time: 12 – 4:30 p.m.

Location: 800 E Broad St

     Richmond, VA 23219

*All events listed are free to attend.

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By Nicky Forster
The Associated Press

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A healthy start in Tulsa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coles smiled. “My body can do it!”

Improving medical care

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A community perspective

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This article was originally published by the Associated Press.

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that they are awarding the Maryland Technology Development (TEDCO), an instrument of the state, $10 million to support small businesses.

With the funding, Maryland will create the Business Resource Information, Development and Guidance Ecosystem (BRIDGE) program. BRIDGE will provide specialized accounting, financial and legal advisory services to small businesses throughout the region.

During a Sept. 9 press call, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) acknowledged that it can be “difficult to become a successful entrepreneur.”

“When you start out, there are often more questions than answers,” said Moore. “How do you scale up a business model? How do you access the legal services that you need?”

He went on to emphasize that this initiative would help tackle those questions.

“It’s going to help us to create pathways for work, wages and wealth,” said Moore.

According to a 2023 Maryland small business profile by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, there are 639,789 small businesses in the state. Around 99 percent of Maryland businesses are small.

TEDCO plans to work with the University of Maryland to help the state develop and implement the new program. Both have already pledged to match almost $2.2 million to help support the initiative.

Troy LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO’s chief executive officer, emphasized how the BRIDGE program will help entrepreneurs throughout the region.

“It will give them back a minute. It will give them access to talent that they need to grow and scale their enterprises,” said LeMaile-Stovall. “The whole TEDCO team and this ecosystem is excited about this opportunity to put these resources to work, to help make this region the economic powerhouse it can and should be.”

Though Maryland will lead BRIDGE, it will be done in partnership with Delaware, Virginia and Washington D.C.

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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.”

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By Kristen Wegrzyn

The world has faced a dissemblance of normal life in recent years, and whether you have been directly or indirectly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, chances are high your stress levels are increased. You may feel like you lack control of this situation, and to some extent, that’s true; however, there are strategies you can try to relieve the stress you are experiencing day to day.

One approach is to limit your exposure to your own stress triggers. If having the news on all day or habitually scrolling through headlines or social media on your phone is causing you emotional distress, it is okay to take a step back. You can stay informed while also taking care of your mental health by limiting the number of times you check the news in a day and making sure to only follow reputable sources. One Johns Hopkins Medicine psychologist also recommends getting news about the new coronavirus from credible sources, not social media posts.

Another approach to relieving stress is to actively participate in activities that are known by researchers and medical professionals to reduce stress. Stacker looked through scientific journals and news reports to research scientifically supported ways to relieve stress. The activities people often partake in to reduce these feelings may be off the table right now, such as a trip to the gym, attending church service, or even spending time in-person with friends and family, but each of the suggestions in this slideshow can be done from the comfort of your home. And it’s likely at least one of these stress-reducing activities is already something you take part in.

From drinking tea to reading and gardening, here is a list of strategies you can try to help lessen the weight on your shoulders.

Breathing exercises

Inhale for five seconds, exhale for five seconds, and repeat the pattern for a few minutes—you’ve just practiced what is known as resonant breathing. When your heart and mind are racing and you need a quick way to destress, breathing exercises can help bring your body to a relaxed state in seconds. The University of Michigan Health System recommends several breathing techniques for managing stress: belly breathing, 4-7-8 breathing, roll breathing and morning breathing.

Chewing gum

Experts often recommend chewing gum to help with focus or alertness, such as in the case of taking an exam. Researchers have also wondered whether chewing gum can help reduce stress: In a 2016 review of studies exploring the connection between gum chewing and stress reduction, Andrew P. Smith of Cardiff University’s School of Psychology suggested chewing gum could be “a simple, cost-effective method of reducing stress and improving quality of life and well-being.”

Drinking tea

While people around the world have long believed drinking tea brings a myriad of health benefits, both mental and physical, scientists are still trying to figure out exactly why and how. Researchers have discovered drinking tea can reduce cortisol levels—a stress hormone—and also believe an antioxidant present in tea, epigallocatechin gallate, could be responsible for the drink’s calming effects.

Napping

Fatigue is a common symptom of stress, which can also be an obstacle to getting enough sleep in the first place. Taking a 30-minute midday nap could be enough to restore stress-related hormones and proteins after a bad night of sleep, according to a 2015 study published in the journal Endocrine Society. The Sleep Foundation warns against taking naps too late in the day, as it could interfere with getting a restful night.

Laughing

The Mayo Clinic reports that laughing activates and relieves a person’s response to stress, while also lessening physical stress symptoms by boosting circulation and relaxing muscles. Laughter can also deliver long-term health benefits, including mood improvement, pain relief and even increasing one’s immunity.

Kissing

Kissing the right person can lower cortisol levels. Smooching can even protect participants from the physiological impact of stress, according to a 2009 Santa Clara University study about kissing in cohabiting and married relationships. Affection exchange theory asserts that people receive stress-ameliorating effects from communicating affectionate behavior in close relationships. This method, and the next one, are of course not accessible or recommended to those living on their own during the current pandemic.

Watching television

Full disclosure, this tip may be more effective for women than men: A study published in a 2016 issue of the journal Health Communications found that a woman’s cortisol levels became lower with the more television she watched—though this was the case for some genres more than others. The study’s lead author Robin L. Nabi suggests stress levels may drop since watching TV is usually a passive activity.

Music

Listening to music positively impacts the psychobiological stress system, according to a study published in 2013 in the journal PLOS One. Stanford University researchers also reported in 2006 that brain functioning can be altered just as much by listening to rhythmic music as it can be by taking medication. While certain types of music are thought to lessen stress more than others—rhythmic drumming, classical, light jazz and nature sounds, to name a few—a person’s music preference does come into play. If the sound of an approaching thunderstorm stresses you out, listening to music depicting thunder is not going to have calming effects.

Reading

Reading is proven to reduce stress by as much as 68 percent, according to a frequently cited 2009 study by researchers at the University of Sussex. Regular book reading over a long period of time might even be able to extend your lifespan by up to two years, according to researchers involved in the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal panel study of an estimated 20,000 Americans over age 50. When choosing a book to read in order to reduce your stress levels, avoid anything that might upset you.

Religion and spirituality

While slightly less tangible than other strategies on this list, the Mayo Clinic reports that religion and spirituality may help people relieve stress by offering a sense of purpose and a community for support. Religion and spirituality can also allow people to accept the lack of control they have in some aspects of their lives.

Cooking and baking

Cooking when you must isn’t always fun; however, if you have some time to spare and find cooking or baking to be a therapeutic activity, it could be just what you need to reduce stress. Cooking and baking, which can be categorized as creative activities, may be able to increase feelings of relaxation and happiness, according to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology.

Healthy eating

The COVID-19 crisis has tossed many schedules right out the window and that lack of structure may be preventing you from eating nutritious meals. Nutrition doesn’t just affect your weight and your immune system: A healthy diet can help the body deal with physiological changes brought on by stress. Foods that may be able to decrease stress and anxiety include fatty fish, eggs, yogurt, turmeric, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts and dark chocolate, according to a medically reviewed article published by Medical News Today.

Exercise

Exercise can reduce stress and increase relaxation, according to an article by Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Publishing. Clinical trials have shown aerobic activity such as walking, running, swimming or cycling is capable of treating clinical depression and anxiety disorders because it decreases adrenaline and cortisol, while also stimulating endorphin production.

Yoga

Researchers at the University of Utah reported that “the holistic science of yoga is the best method for prevention as well as management of stress and stress-induced disorders,” in a 2012 article published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine. There are countless free and paid-for online yoga classes for every age and ability, including the popular YouTube channel Yoga With Adriene and Glo, which allows for personalized practice.

Massage

Research suggests the benefits of massage are more than simply physical, with the Mayo Clinic noting that anxiety and insomnia related to stress are two conditions massage may improve. Though in most parts of the world, making an appointment at a spa is not an option right now, if you live with a partner, learn some massage techniques online and treat each other to an at-home session. There are also products available to improve self-massage, such as balls and rollers.

Mindful meditation

Mindfulness may come off as a buzzword, but in practice, it means to be present, aware, and to avoid becoming overwhelmed. It is a practice inspired by the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program created by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979 at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Over the course of decades, the program’s research showed how this practice could be used to reduce pain from chronic disease and can lessen the occurrence of stress-related illness. And clearly it works: Institutions from Harvard to the U.S. Army have adopted mindfulness programs to help people cope with stress. Typing “mindful meditation” into a search engine will offer endless guides and resources to getting started.

Guided imagery

Guided imagery is a learning process in which you engage your senses to take part in imagination. It may seem a bit abstract at first, but according to the Mayo Clinic via ScienceDaily, guided imagery has been shown to help people manage stress, sending “a message to the emotional control center of the brain.” Meditation app Headspace offers guided imagery, or there are countless free resources online that can help you get started.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can be an effective tool to manage stress, according to the Cleveland Clinic, as well as many other scientific studies. Psychology Today recommends lavender, lemon, bergamot, ylang ylang, clary sage and jasmine essential oils to alleviate stress. Use a carrier oil like olive, jojoba or avocado oil to topically apply essential oils to your skin (some may be too strong to be directly applied), or add drops of your favorite scents into a diffuser.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a widely misunderstood tool in the mental health field, and while it won’t work for everyone, this technique can help with stress reduction. A hypnotist, or a recording of one, will guide you into a focused, but deeply relaxed state, which will help you to subconsciously accept something (i.e. to be happy or to not be afraid). Healthline provides a brief guide to self-hypnosis to achieve calmness.

Cleaning

Being in a messy, unorganized environment can make some people feel more anxious and stressed, so it makes sense why for some people, cleaning can be calming. Control comes into play here, too, which may be all too relatable with the threat of COVID-19: Cleaning can be a self-soothing technique. Cleaning also has the benefit of being a light form of exercise, which is known to relieve stress on its own.

Petting dogs and cats

Relieving your stress might be as easy as petting your dog or cat for just 10 minutes, according to a 2019 study by Washington State University. A common practice for universities across the country is to bring cats and dogs to campuses to offer a stress-reducing activity for students. A study published in a 2018 issue of Social Development, reported there is clear evidence that having a pet dog helps children respond better to stress.

Crafts

Experts believe crafting can be an aid for those dealing with chronic pain, anxiety or depression. The phenomenon of getting enthralled in a craft such as crocheting can be described as “flow,” a term coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who suggests flow is the secret to being happy.

Gardening

Time in nature has been shown to reduce heart rates, blood pressure, and cortisol levels. While that may be difficult for the many currently in quarantine, gardening may offer a similar benefit. Gardening, or “therapeutic horticulture,” was found to decrease the severity of clinical depression in a 2009 study published by Research and Theory for Nursing Practice. If you don’t have access to outdoor space, indoor plants in pots can bring all the benefits of gardening inside.

This article was originally published by Stacker.

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

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

But here’s what I learned:

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

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

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

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

Do you try your best to avoid your offender?

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

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

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

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

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

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By Vanessa Quirk

Hate your commute? You’re not alone. According to a survey of 1,400 commuters that Lyft conducted this month, 21 percent of Americans slightly or strongly dislike their commutes. 

Research shows that long commutes, particularly those conducted behind the wheel, can negatively impact physical and mental health. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, a properly designed commute can even be good for you. Here’s what the research shows about what makes the perfect ride to work.  

Good commutes enable transitions 

Remote work may have its advantages, but one drawback is that it removes the barrier between your office and your home. Switching between them, known as “boundary work,” can cause distress, and, over time, lead to burnout. 

But commuting between home and office creates a clear boundary. It also gives the mind time to adjust and transition between roles. “Commutes can give us a more refreshed mindset,” Dr. Clifton Berwise, a psychologist at Modern Health, told Lyft, “so that we can do a better job the next time. It’s like when you exercise, your muscles need time to recharge to refresh, so you can lift harder the next day.”

Berwise notes that it’s not just your workplace that will see the benefits, in terms of your productivity and energy, but also your home life. “If I just logged off, and I’m still in problem-solving mode with my partner, it shifts the relationship, especially if that becomes a pattern,” says Berwise. “The commute gives you the opportunity to better connect, to be fully in that moment.”

But not all commutes are created equal—their capacity to help people disconnect from work and recharge depends on the quality of the commute itself. 

Good commutes are relaxing and passive 

You may assume that the number one determinant of a good or bad commute is length, but, according to a 2022 study in Organizational Psychology Review, the most important characteristic is actually how relaxing the commute is. If workers could use their commuting time for “personally fulfilling uses … such as listening to music or podcasts, or calling a friend,” they reported being more able to create healthy, psychological boundaries between their work and home lives. However, if they spent their time being stressed, the benefits weren’t experienced. 

Similarly, another 2023 study that surveyed 294 Spanish commuters found that those who drive—who have to actively pay attention to the road and navigate challenges like traffic—found that their commute made them feel more “under pressure, less happy, and their sleep quality [was] affected.” Researchers at the University of Sheffield found in 2011 that the negative psychological effects of driving particularly impact women commuters. 

Dr. Berwise recommends that people who do not have to drive their own personal vehicle to work, who can take public transportation or rideshare, take the opportunity to practice mindfulness: “If you don’t have to worry about your

physical safety, you can just be aware of what’s going on around you, you can take in the scenery, you could listen to guided meditations.” 

For those who find disconnecting or relaxing particularly challenging, Dr. Berwise recommends using the time to make a to-do list or contemplate the day. The latter approach can be particularly helpful: A 2017 experiment at Microsoft found that workers who took surveys at the beginning of the day, to prepare them for work, and at the end of the day, to reflect and detach from work, resulted in “fewer after-hours emails,” helping them set boundaries between their work and personal lives.

Good commutes offer structure—and even create good habits

Another benefit of a commute is that it can create a ritual—a consistent, repeated activity that creates a sense of stability and certainty, mitigating anxiety. If you drive your own vehicle, try to leave around the same time every day, but also try to listen to a radio program or audiobook that you will look forward to. 

Because it’s so structured, commuting can also provide an opportunity to create and maintain a healthy habit. Many of Dr. Berwise’s clients mention that they wish to improve their personal relationships but feel they don’t have time: “I’m like, ‘Well, on your commute, can you use the time to talk to someone?’ And that builds a pattern for them.” Others decide to even extend their commute by going for a walk or to the gym before entering the office or returning home—another tactic Berwise recommends because the physical movement facilitates the “reset” people need to transition into or out of work mode.

Five ways to optimize your commute

So how can you optimize your commute to maximize the benefits for your mental health? 

Try to avoid commutes where you must be active and aware. Whenever possible, take public transportation or rideshare, so you can be passive and have more control over your commute experience. 

Use your commuting time to relax: Listen to an audiobook or guided meditation, call a friend, or just look out the window.

If you’re anxious, use your commute to prepare for or reflect on your day or write a to-do list.

Try out different tactics each week (relaxing, to-do lists, walking, talking, etc.) to see what makes you feel better healthy—and turn that into your routine.

Be intentional: Use your commute as a time and space to disconnect, recharge, and transition to and from “work mode” or “home mode.”

This research was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll from August 22 through August 26, 2024. A representative sample of 1,404 respondents aged 18+ completed the survey. All respondents had to regularly commute to work (via personal driving, carpool, public transportation, rideshare, etc.) to qualify.

This article was originally published by Stacker Media.

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By J. Pamela Stills
Special to the AFRO

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

Thirteen centenarians made the roll in 2024:

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

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

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

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

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

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By Sharon Johnson
The Associated Press

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Relaxed,” one student said.

Aniyah raised her hand.

“It made me feel peaceful,” she said.

This article was originally published by The Associated Press.

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By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

A free clinic open to basketball coaches of all levels in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area will be sponsored by the Washington Wizards on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Entertainment and Sports Arena, home of the Washington Mystics and Capital City Go-Go, in Southeast, Washington, D.C. 

The clinic will be led by Coach Brian Keefe, head coach of the Wizards, with special guest coaches Ed Cooley of Georgetown, Kenny Blakeney of Howard, and Duane Simpkins, a coach for American University. 

According to a Wizards spokesperson, the clinic aims to strengthen the local coaching community and provide valuable insights that can be taken back to schools and teams across the region. The clinic represents the Wizards’ longtime commitment to empowering local talent. 

John Thompson III, former head coach, Georgetown University, now entering his second season as senior vice president of Monumental Basketball, continues to focus on exploring and implementing best practices for the Wizards, Mystics and Go-Go while ensuring accountability for excellence across the organization. 

He spoke with the AFRO about the upcoming clinic and noted why he thinks it’s a “win-win opportunity.” 

“This is for coaches from all levels – college, high school, summer leagues– you name it,” said Thompson, who has long been an ardent supporter of the Greater Washington Area and who, in 2007, established the John Thompson III Foundation to create a positive and lasting impact on the city that he cherishes. 

“This is about coaches helping coaches,” he said. “I’ve said many times that the basketball players in the DMV are among the best in the country – part of that is because of the outstanding coaching in this area. We have some great coaches leading the clinic. But this is only the beginning.” 

“Next year, we’ll rotate with other coaches,” Thompson continue. “The bottom line is the talented group of coaches in this region will be able to share with one another, to teach one another and to learn from one another.” 

Thompson said the credit for the clinic goes to Wizards Head Coach Brian Keefe. 

“Coach Keefe walked up to me and said he wanted to hold a clinic for local coaches and asked me if we could put something together,” Thompson said. “I told him of course. This is his first year as head coach but he’s been in the NBA for a long time. He understands every position on the bench and he’s built to help players and others in the profession.”

Thompson said he feels fortunate to be part of the Monumental Basketball family. 

“I loved coaching at Georgetown but I am also really enjoying the journey that I am on today. I still have daily interactions with players and coaches and I’m involved in most aspects of the game. But I am also learning and contributing to the business side of the sport,” he said. “It’s complex for sure. But above all, it’s a people business. This clinic is another opportunity for us to bring people out, get them involved and unify them.”

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Williamson also views swimming as beneficial in teaching “balance and about relaxation.” 

Disconnecting from technology

Hayes said making sure he takes time away from his phone, laptop and the internet helps him enjoy the life in front of him.

“I find that when I tend to disconnect from those items, I’m able to reset my mind,” said Hayes. “I’m able to put things in better perspective and my stress level tends to go down.”

Hayes recognized that in a technological world this can be challenging, but it’s worth it.

“To be able to disconnect from them at least an hour before you lay down for bed is critical,” said Hayes. “You’re allowing your body to truly rest. You have to know when to turn it off so you can actually get that rest time.”

Connecting with others

Though taking a break from technology is encouraged, Williamson said connecting with others is an important aspect of self-care.

“People are very disconnected,” said Williamson. “Right now everyone is connected through phones, but very disconnected interpersonally. They don’t have proximity to one another.”

According to the Army Resilience Directorate, feeling connected with others can help prevent suicide and increase quality of life.

On the flipside of connecting with others, Hayes said making sure he has alone time to journal is important to him because it can be “humbling and restful.”

“Journaling allows me the opportunity to write my thoughts down. Put down things like goals and aspirations,” said Hayes. “I’m able to go back in my journal and see the things that I’ve written and see some of the things I’ve been able to accomplish.”

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By Jacquelyn Clemmons-Muhammed

When exploring the nourishment and nurturing of America’s foundation, you will inevitably find it was built upon Black mothers. From caregiving to wet nursing, our foremothers nourished this soil and it is countrymen. The ability to focus on healing themselves after birth was eclipsed by their primary task to nourish those around them. Sadly, the aftermath of this burden has resulted in generations of Black mothers who haven’t focused on allowing themselves to heal and rest postpartum.

The immediate postpartum period can be a challenging time, both physically and emotionally for new mothers. It is important to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being as you navigate the transition into motherhood. Here are three crucial steps that you can take to nurture your mind and spirit after giving birth.

Give yourself grace

The first and most crucial step in caring for your mental and emotional well-being after birth is to give yourself grace. Understand that it is normal to experience a wide range of emotions during this time, including joy, sadness and anxiety. The pressure to conform to societal expectations of motherhood can be overwhelming, but it is important to remember that there is no “right” way to be a mother. Embrace the journey and allow yourself the space to make mistakes and learn from them.

It is essential to be kind to yourself, particularly in moments when you feel overwhelmed or inadequate. Practicing self-compassion can help alleviate the pressure of new motherhood and help foster a positive mental state. It may be tempting to compare yourself to other family or community members, but be reminded that it is ok to take time to figure out what works best for you.

No matter how small they seem, take the time to acknowledge your accomplishments, and celebrate them. Remember that it is okay to ask for help and take breaks when needed. By giving yourself grace, you are nurturing and giving yourself an opportunity to lay a strong foundation for your motherhood journey.

Create healthy boundaries

Another vital aspect of caring for your mind and spirit after giving birth is to create healthy boundaries. Motherhood often comes with a myriad of responsibilities and expectations, and it is easy to feel pressured to meet everyone’s needs while neglecting your own. Setting boundaries is essential for preserving your mental and emotional energy and preventing burnout.

Establishing boundaries can involve communicating your needs to your support system, including your spouse, partner, family and friends. Clearly articulating your boundaries regarding visitors, responsibilities and personal time will help create a supportive and nurturing environment for both you, your baby and immediate family. It’s okay to prioritize your well-being and establish limits on what you can handle, without feeling guilty about it. By creating healthy boundaries, you are fostering a space that allows you to prioritize healing and self-care while maintaining a sense of balance and control in your home.

Plan and accept support

Lastly, it is so important for Black mothers to plan and accept support during the postpartum period. Being a new mother, no matter how many children you have, can be overwhelming. It is crucial to have a strong support system in place to help you navigate the challenges that come with motherhood. This support can come from a variety of sources, including local postpartum doulas, your spouse or partner, family, friends and healthcare providers.

When considering the type of support you will need, assess the existing needs of your family. Some families may need more hands-on support with older sibling care, others meal planning and preparation, while newborn care support may provide much needed rest and respite in other family dynamics.

Plan for support by reaching out to your loved ones or a professional and discuss specific ways in which they can assist you during this time. Whether it is through help with household chores, caring for the baby, or simply providing emotional support, it is important to communicate your needs and accept help when it’s offered, rather than trying to handle everything on your own.

Additionally, seeking professional support, such as therapy or counseling, can provide invaluable guidance and emotional support as you adjust to motherhood. There are mental health providers with specific training and tools to support postpartum families and their unique challenges. 

It is important to recognize that it is okay to prioritize your mental health and seek help when needed. When mothers are doing well mentally, physically and emotionally, their families thrive. By planning and accepting support, you are creating a strong network of care and habits that will uplift and sustain you during the transformative journey of motherhood.

What fathers can do

Fathers play a crucial role in supporting their partners’ healing after childbirth. During the immediate postpartum period they become the gatekeepers of the health and well-being of mom and baby. By ensuring you receive adequate rest, food and emotional support they can help guard the rhythm of the household.

Listening attentively, offering words of encouragement and showing empathy are important ways new fathers can contribute to their partner’s wellbeing. Taking on practical tasks such as preparing nutritious meals, managing visitors and organizing appointments can alleviate the burden on the new mother. By being actively involved in the postpartum recovery process, he can establish and deepen a healthy bond with both mom and his baby. How a couple navigates pregnancy, birth, and postpartum has strong implications to the longevity and health of their relationship. Mindful support in this season is a father’s investment in a strong foundation for his family.

You’re worth it

Prioritizing mental and emotional well-being after giving birth is essential for Black mothers and their families. By giving yourself grace, creating healthy boundaries and planning and accepting support, you can nurture your mind and spirit during this vulnerable and transformative time. Ultimately, investing in your well-being and seeking supportive care will empower you to thrive and embrace the joys and challenges of motherhood while building a resilient and nurturing foundation for yourself and your family.

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By Sen. Cory V. McCray

Malcolm X once said, “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman.” His words resonate deeply today, particularly when we reflect on how often Black women have been left out of the historical narrative. Despite their enormous contributions, women like Harriet Tubman, Maggie Lena Walker—the first African-American woman to charter a bank in the United States—and so many others have often been sidelined in history books, overshadowed by their male counterparts. This erasure has had profound consequences on how we remember our past and who we honor in our present.

In recent years, states have passed laws that censor or limit the teaching of Black history in schools. Framed as curriculum reform or anti-divisive measures, these laws do far more than adjust content—they distort history. Even locally, we see attempts to revise African-American studies, such as the recent effort in Harford County, Md., to remove critical parts of African-American history from the curriculum. By reducing or erasing the contributions of Black Americans, and particularly Black women, from textbooks and classrooms, this sanitization deprives future generations of a complete American history—one that includes the struggles, resilience, innovation and triumphs of women who fought against systemic oppression.

This erasure inspired me to take on a legislative effort initiated by Chanel Compton, executive director of the Banneker-Douglass Museum, and Del. Shaneka Henson (D-Md.-30A), who asked me to lead the charge in the Maryland State Senate. Together, we sought to honor the legacy of Dorchester County native Harriet Tubman during the 2024 Legislative Session with Senate Bill 341. 

Tubman’s name has long been synonymous with Black history and American history. The legislation renames the “Banneker-Douglass Museum” in Annapolis to the “Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum.” Just a few blocks from the State House, the museum is dedicated to documenting, interpreting, and promoting African-American history and culture. The change is a deliberate recognition of the profound contributions Tubman made, alongside those of Benjamin Banneker and Frederick Douglass, to the fight for freedom, equality and justice in American history.

The debate over including Tubman’s name isn’t new. When the museum opened in 1984, there was extensive discussion about adding her name to the marquee. The fact that her name was omitted underscores the broader issue of Black women’s historical contributions being overlooked. I learned that this conversation spanned over five years, reflecting the persistent challenges in fully acknowledging the role of women in shaping our history. The decision to finally include Tubman’s name is a step toward rectifying that omission and ensuring that future generations understand the full scope of her contributions.

For me, the fight to pass this legislation was made meaningful by the phenomenal women who dedicated their time, voice and advocacy to SB 341. Chanel Compton, whose leadership in initiating the bill was instrumental, and Maya Davis, vice chair of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, both played critical roles in this journey. It was an honor to have them by my side as we testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. Through the efforts of Chairman Brian Feldman (D-Md.-15) and Vice Chair Cheryl Kagan (D-Md.-17), the committee voted the legislation out immediately after their compelling words, delivered on the first day of Black History Month, which highlighted Tubman’s leadership during the Civil War and her freeing of 700 enslaved people.

On the House side, Del. Henson, of Anne Arundel County, cross-filed the legislation as House Bill 390, working tirelessly to ensure its passage. The bill was ultimately signed by Gov. Moore on April 9. Including Tubman’s name invites us to remember the full scope of her contributions—just as schools should strive to present a comprehensive history that includes all voices, especially those often marginalized. Both museums and schools serve as custodians of the collective memory. The decision to include Tubman’s name in the museum reflects the same responsibility we bear in our educational curricula. What stories do we highlight? Whose contributions do we emphasize?

In the end, what’s in a name? Everything. It’s our past and our future. It’s our history, identity, and commitment to telling the whole story. By honoring Harriet Tubman with this renaming, we are celebrating her incredible life and making a statement about who we are and who we strive to be—a nation that acknowledges and learns from its full history. Because if we don’t know where we’ve come from, how can we ever know where we’re going?

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By Ryan Coleman

The Baltimore Beltway was first planned in 1949 by Baltimore County. The state eventually took over the project, becoming part of the Interstate Highway System planned in 1956. The length of the route from MD 2 south of Baltimore clockwise to U.S. Route 40 (US 40) northeast of the city opened in stages from 1955 to 1962, providing an Interstate bypass of Baltimore. It was the first beltway in the United States to be built as part of the Interstate Highway System. 

The Global Traffic Scorecard for 2023 rated Baltimore as the 14th worst city in the nation for traffic delays. That ranking is up from 16th place, in 2022. Baltimore commuters lost 44 hours in traffic in 2023, compared to 35 hours in 2022. That amount of time led to drivers spending an extra $762 in commuting costs. The city lost $905 million as a result of the delays, the study found.

The Maryland State Mobility Report rates roadway segments that experience the highest levels of congestion throughout the state: 

1. I-695 MD 139 to MD 45 Inner Loop 4.02 

2. I-695 MD 45 to MD 146 Inner Loop 3.70 4 -2 

3. I-495 Cabin John Pkwy to MD 190 Inner Loop 3.59 1 2 

4. I-695 @ MD 146 Inner Loop 3.38 7 -3 

5. I-695 @ I-70 3.16 5 0 

Four out of the five of the most congested points are on 695. MDOT must start to invest money to ease the congestion on 695. 

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board ranked the top ten bottlenecks in the region. The most congested areas are: 

1. I-695 IL @ Security Blvd/ Exit 17 

2. I-695 IL @ MD-542/ Loch Raven Blvd/Exit 29 

3. I-95 N @ Fort Mchenry Tunnel 

4. I-695 IL @ I-83/MD-25/Exit 23 

5. I-695 OL @ MD-144/FREDERICK RD/EXIT 13 

6. I-695 OL @ Edmondson Ave/Exit 14 

The number one delay is the I-695 and I-70 interchange. Afternoon congestion on the inner loop of the beltway with the greatest delays are between MD 144 and the lane drop at I-70. High-volume ramps from Security Blvd, I-70 and US 40 contributed to the congestion. Five of the six bottlenecks are on I-695. 

The main issue on 695 is that it has only three lanes at I-70 and MD Route 45. This structure can not handle the traffic coming from I-70 and I-83. At the I-695 N (Arbutus) interchange at I-95 goes from seven lanes to four, which can’t handle the traffic. 

MDOT’s plan would convert 19 miles of the fast lane shoulders in both directions on I-695 into new travel lanes between I-70 and Parkville, a move state officials said would cut about 15 minutes off rush hour delays that can stretch an hour or more. The Triple Bridges project would alleviate congestion at I-695 and I-70. 

These projects must continue and still more must be done! MDOT must add two additional lanes in both directions to alleviate the three major choke points on 695. 

MDOT has prioritized adding lanes to I-495 and I-270. Doesn’t the Baltimore Beltway deserve the same type of investment. Doesn’t the Baltimore region deserve a world class beltway? 

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By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Baltimore Comic-Con welcomed thousands of enthusiastic fans to the Baltimore Convention Center from Sept. 20-22. The three-day event highlighted comics, anime, cosplay, book lovers and gamers.

This year was a memorable one. The convention celebrated its 25th anniversary of bringing people together in downtown Baltimore. Each day was jam-packed with activities and panel discussions, during which attendees could hear from some of their favorite artists and authors in the industry.

T.L. Price, an author, shared that she created the “Exiled Elementals Series” to provide representation of Black people in the urban fantasy space.

“I have three sons, and it was very important to me to have a fantasy book series that features African Americans, including females and strong male characters,” Price told the AFRO. 

The convention center’s main floor was separated into several sections, including an area to get comic books and artwork signed, a fantasy book alley, a gaming area and plenty more.

Cosplayers from Charm City and beyond arrived in detailed, creative costumes ranging from anime characters to superheroes. Each day, there were cosplay competitions for adults and children.

Farrah Jones and Michael Thurston attended the Baltimore Comic-Con in cosplay. Jones shared that this was her first time at a Comic Convention, but she was excited. 

“I’m a cosplay geek,” Thurston said. He explained that he was excited to bring Jones into his world. “This is her first time, and she’s super excited. She bedazzled everything herself, and I am excited for her,” Thurston told the AFRO.  

Retro games were a hit at the conference and are only becoming more popular. While some fans collect and store the games, others use them to relive memories. 

Alex Thomas reunited with one of his favorite childhood games, Pokémon Crystal, for the Nintendo Game Boy Color, released in 2001. 

“Finding this game feels amazing,” he said. “I can’t wait for my Game Boy Color to come back out. I bought one, but I didn’t buy any games for it—I was waiting for this.”

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By Aria Brent
AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder that affects over 100,000 people in the United States, according to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, of that number, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that “90 percent are non-Hispanic Black or African American, and an estimated 3–9 percent are Hispanic or Latino.” 

Although there is no way of preventing the disease, being educated about your chances of carrying the sickle trait is extremely important– especially for people who are planning families. 

Dr. Regina Crawford, a hematologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center recently spoke with the AFRO to explain how the disease works, how to get tested for it and why it affects the Black community at such a high rate.

AFRO: What is sickle cell disease and how does it affect the body ?

RC: Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder. It’s not one that you acquire later in life or due to any other reason. You get one affected gene from each parent and that’s why there are folks who are carriers that have this disorder. It affects the body because of the mutation that happens at the genetic level. The red blood cells that carry oxygen in the body become very sticky where they normally are flexible– like a jelly bean. And while the normal red blood cells carry oxygen to different tissues, the sickle cell can get trapped in very small vessels like in the lungs, kidneys and the eyes. And because of them being trapped it can cut off the blood supply, causing damage to the surrounding tissues in that organ. Particular areas like the back, the pelvis, the arms and shoulders can deal with a cut off of blood supply, causing a lot of pain.

AFRO: Why does this disease affect Black people at such a disproportionate rate, as opposed to their White counterparts ? 

RC: Sickle cell came about as a defense against malaria and the highest regions and concentrations of this are in Mediterranean and African areas, along with areas in the Middle East where malaria is still pretty rampant. It was nature’s way of adapting to it in an attempt to not die off as easily. However, as people migrate to different areas of the world that genetic condition goes with them and if two people who are carriers happen to marry or meet up, their children can have the disease.

AFRO: Can you explain the genetic biology of sickle cell disease ? If my partner and I were to both carry the gene, but neither of us have sickle cell disease, how does our child end up with it ?

RC: If both parents are carriers of genes, there is a certain percentage chance that with each pregnancy the child has a chance of not having the disease, being a carrier or ending up with the disease. And that’s with each child and that’s why one person can be affected with sickle cell disease in the family, but everybody else is okay; or everyone can have the disease and it’s one person that doesn’t have it, or is a carrier. 

The chances are there with each pregnancy and so that’s how the parents don’t have the symptoms of the disease, because they’re carriers. 

AFRO: How vital is blood testing when trying to make yourself more aware of you or your child’s likelihood of having sickle cell ?
RC: Blood testing is very vital. Here in the U.S., most states do newborn screenings of all infants and that’s how it’s usually picked up. Either that or shortly after birth. Some are done in the prenatal testing panel and that’s how it’s picked up in early childhood or newborn periods. If you’ve come from overseas or don’t remember testing as an adult, the ideal test to get when you’re older is a hemoglobin electrophoresis. It’s a type of test that separates out the different blood hemoglobins and that can tell you if you’re normal, have the sickle cell trait or have one of the variants. Some of the tests can pick up other variant hemoglobin at that time. There are other blood tests as well that are helpful in picking up just sickle cell, but it doesn’t tell you what variant you have. And that’s why it’s actually very important that hemoglobin electrophoresis is done– they’ll tell you exactly what you have.

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By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

On Tuesday, Sept. 3, a Superior Court jury returned guilty verdicts against two men charged in the murder of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson and an associate who obstructed justice in the case. 

The verdicts were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The jury found Mark Price, 30, and Antonio Murchison, 31, guilty of first-degree murder while armed; conspiracy to commit a crime of violence; participation in a criminal street gang; obstruction of justice; multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and other related firearms offenses. Both men are members of the “Wellington Park Crew.” 

Additionally, the jury found Quanisha Ramsuer, 31, guilty of obstruction of justice in connection with the investigation into the murder of Makiyah Wilson.

Sentencing hearings are scheduled for Dec. 13, 2024.

On July 16, 2018, Price, Murchison, and three other individuals who have already been convicted, drove to the Clay Terrace neighborhood armed with guns. 

Price, the driver, stopped briefly to allow the other defendants to exit the vehicle. Then, they decided to open fire on the Clay Terrace courtyard, firing more than 50 shots, indiscriminately. 

Makiyah Wilson, who was sitting on the front stoop of her home, was killed. 

Several other people were wounded. Still, witnesses were unwilling to identify the shooters. 

The government presented forensic evidence, statements the defendants made over social media and motive evidence in presenting its case. Ramseur lived in or hung out in the Wellington Park neighborhood most of her life and knew most of the defendants, one of whom she identified as her cousin. She was observed on video surveillance interacting with the defendants as they loaded into the vehicles to drive to Clay Terrace to commit the shooting. She was also observed on video closely engaging with one of the defendants who orchestrated the attack, but who remained behind. 

Ramseur steadfastly refused to identify the individuals with whom she was interacting in the video, resulting in the charge of obstruction of justice. 

The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It was prosecuted and tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Bach and Natalie Hynum.

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By Nijiama Smalls
The Black Girl’s Guide to Healing Emotional Wounds

I was meeting with the two IT guys who help me keep my virtual space intact when one of them began to share his mental health journey. The meeting then turned into a healing session. Both of these Black men shared that they have suffered from panic attacks and experienced bouts of anger. The stress of putting on a facade regarding their feelings and emotions began to have an impact on their mental health.

Black men have not always had the space to share their feelings. Not only has it been frowned upon, but it has been weaponized. Let me keep it 100 and say that I have done this myself. I have proudly boasted about the fact that my husband was emotionless. I put his ability to compartmentalize on a pedestal as if it made him superior to men who showed their emotions. I referred to men who did show emotions by demeaning names (sissy, weak, b@#$%made). I was a toxic hot mess. Then, my husband began to suffer from panic attacks.

I realize that I had been conditioned to believe that, in essence, a man who stuffs his emotions is the picture of masculinity. Truth is, the behavior I was celebrating is harmful.

Suffering in silence leads to stress and depression which are linked to hypertension and heart disease. Our attitude towards Black men sharing emotions is literally killing them.

Moreover, instead of healing, many men learn to mask their internal pain by hiding behind anger and they learn to cope with their trauma by grasping onto vices such as sexual addiction. Womanizing is a behavior embraced by men who are attempting to drown unhealed emotional wounds or to gain a sense of self-worth.

We can all be the change for the men in our lives by encouraging our fathers, brothers, husbands, and colleagues to take the journey to heal. Let’s celebrate when they turn to therapy and display and share their emotions (in a healthy way).

This article was originally published by The Black Girl’s Guide to Healing Emotional Wounds. For more on this topic, read The Black Family’s Guide to Healing Emotional Wounds. Brother circles will be coming soon.

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By 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.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) – Recently, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus released its new corporate accountability report, “What Good Looks Like”: A Corporate Accountability Report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – a first-of-its-kind report to hold Fortune 500 companies — across all sectors — accountable to their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments and racial equity investments post-George Floyd.

The new report commissioned by the CBC finds that the majority of Fortune 500 companies that responded to a survey by the CBC remain committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace despite right wing attacks in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action in the landmark Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard in June 2023. Since the ruling, diversity initiatives have come under attack in corporate America, on college campuses in nearly 30 states, and in federal programs and venture capital firms for Black and minority businesses, despite research from institutions such as the Black Economic Alliance Foundation, which proves that 78 percent of Americans agree that corporate America should reflect the racial diversity of the American population, and McKinsey & Company showing that companies with racially diverse executive teams outperform their peers in profitability by 39 percent.

The report analyzes corporate diversity practices based on data shared with the CBC aggregated by industry according to the Global Industry Classification Standard  (GICS) and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Of the Fortune 500 companies reflected in the GICS data, a majority have made progress to their commitments to workplace diversity and racial equity.

The report further outlines 12 Best Practices and innovative approaches (or “What Good Looks Like”), taken by companies across various industries to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplaces and beyond, which the CBC hopes corporations will use as a standardized tool to strengthen, magnify, and expand diversity, equity, and inclusion practices across industries

The report comes nearly 10 months after the CBC issued its corporate accountability letter in December 2023 in response to the ongoing attacks on diversity initiatives in the private sector. The letter urged corporate America, particularly those in the Fortune 500 who made public pledges to diversity and racial equity post-George Floyd, to stand firm in their commitments and to update congressional members on the progress of their commitments.

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford offered the following quote:

“The CBC commends corporate leaders who have overwhelmingly reaffirmed their company’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in their business practices and operations, and those who believe, like most Americans, that diversity is a business and talent imperative. We cannot allow a handful of right-wing agitators to bully corporations, and this report offers corporate America a guide to strengthening their diversity practices. This report is the initial step in a strategic effort to ensure the tools of economic opportunity are protected as we work to advance our Black wealth and economic prosperity agenda in the next Congress to close the Black-white wealth gap in America.”

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By Ngala Killian Chimtom
The Associated Press

MAYOS, Cameroon (AP) — The morning sun filtered through the forest canopy, casting dappled light on this village in Cameroon. For the Baka Indigenous community, it was a timeless image.

But a passing truck broke the silence and stirred up billows of dust, a reminder that the Baka now live an uneasy life along roadsides after being forced from their traditional homes.

The Baka and fellow Indigenous Bagyieli have lived in harmony with the forests of central Africa for generations. But mining and logging activities are encroaching, along with conservation areas, and government policy aims to integrate the ethnic groups into mainstream society.

Lives “were better when we were in the forest,” said Rebecca Gwampiel, a 78-year-old Baka. She prepared yam porridge in front of a traditional hut constructed with arched saplings. In the dusty courtyard, children played football using bound banana leaves.

Among them was Francis, an 11-year-old who has quickly adapted to the new life and has aspirations. “I want to become a nurse,” he declared. “I want to be able to treat my grandmother when she is sick.”

But for many Baka children, such dreams go unfulfilled. Their lack of birth certificates poses a significant barrier — part of a wider global problem. They never saw the need for birth certificates when they barely interacted with the world beyond the forest. Even now, they live far from administrative centers and can rarely afford the transport to reach them.

“Without a birth certificate, he is stuck with me here in the village,” said Francis’ 61-year-old father, Bertrand Akomi. He himself was denied employment by a lumber company because he didn’t have a birth certificate.

The document remains elusive for the more than 120,000 members of Cameroon’s Baka and Bagyieli communities. Without birth certificates, they cannot obtain national identity documents and are excluded from the full benefits of citizenship.

“When births are not registered, how can you identify yourself as Cameroonian?” asked Banmi Emmanuel Dingha, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Cameroon’s National Assembly, calling the document crucial for accessing education, health care and employment opportunities.

There is hope for change. Earlier this summer, Dingha and colleagues in the Cameroon parliament passed a bill allowing the country to accede to two United Nations conventions relating to the recognition of stateless people.

That would “help to significantly reduce discrimination against persons who often are only victims of circumstances,” the government said at the time.

Cameroon’s actions are part of a commitment by African nations earlier this year to address the right to nationality and eradicate statelessness on the continent of more than 1.3 billion people.

The Indigenous people of Cameroon are mostly hunters and gatherers who are long used to easily crossing lightly guarded international borders in search of food and game.

“The Bakas are not only in Cameroon. You find them in Congo, you find them in the Central African Republic, you find them in Gabon and you find them in Equatorial Guinea. And many of them move across forests that straddle all these countries,” Dingha said.

Sebastian Bissolababa, a teacher at a government school in Mayos, emphasized the urgency. Many Baka students can’t move on to secondary education or beyond, and companies often require identification papers, closing another route to integration into society.

The Indigenous Bagyieli, who live some 590 kilometers away in the southern Campo region, face similar challenges.

There, Henri Lema of Nazareth village was returning from hunting, with a porcupine dangling from his spear. He joined his wife, Bilore Marie, in preparing the evening meal.

As he sliced the porcupine, he expressed frustration with the lack of identification documents and the trouble it causes with paramilitary forces and other authorities.

“Each time I have to travel to Kribi (the district administrative headquarters), gendarmes disturb me because I don’t have an ID card,” he said. “I have to pay a bribe each time. And that’s money I don’t even have.”

Simplice Nguiamba is a senior government official in charge of, among other things, ensuring that the Bagyelis in Campo have access to nationality documents.

“In concrete terms, our actions are based on raising awareness, doing advocacy, monitoring and support for Bagyelis,” he said.

Several other groups of Cameroonians also have risked statelessness.The ongoing separatist crisis in the country’s English-speaking North West and South West regions, and the Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North region, have triggered internal displacement, resulting in the loss of birth certificates and national identity cards for many people.

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For more news on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse

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The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

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By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

Despite the lofty ideas and goals that the founding fathers and their colleagues espoused after the 13 colonies declared their independence from England and created both an alternative form of government and a new country, Americans have always wrestled with the paradox of claiming to be “the land of the free” while only guaranteeing its rights and privileges to a limited few. In its early years, that meant White, property-owning men. As time evolved and perspectives changed, others would gain access to similar rights, regardless of race, religion, economic status or gender. However, while numerous ceilings have been shattered, either resolved within the U.S. judicial system or in the court of public opinion, one “ceiling” has remained intact: America has never had a woman serve as president. 

In contrast, many of the world’s leading countries, including Argentina, Iceland, the United Kingdom, India, Israel and the Philippines, have elected a woman to lead their nation in the role of president or prime minister. 

Meanwhile, America has held fast to its centuries-old tradition in which only White men have occupied the White House. That is, until voters – Blacks in particular – showed up at the polls in record numbers, securing Barack Obama’s bid to become America’s first Black president. 

Now, with fewer than 50 days remaining until the General Election, and with early voting already occurring in some states, Americans are faced with the possibility of a woman, Vice President Kamala Harris, being elected as commander in chief. 

Harris, who has rarely commented on the historic first she would achieve with a victory in November, unquestionably stands on the shoulders of women who have chipped away at America’s political glass ceilings, including Jill Stein, Carol Moseley Braun, Geraldine Ferraro and Sarah Palin, to name a few. 

Two women, in particular, stand out as having paved the way for Harris as she continues to shock the naysayers in her bid for the White House: Shirley Chisholm, the first woman in Congress (1968) as well as the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for president from one of the two major political parties, (1972) and Hillary Clinton, who in 2016, became the first woman major-party presidential nominee. 

But have Americans overcome long-standing views based on racial, ethnic and gender prejudices, biases and stereotypes to such an extent that one can realistically imagine America choosing a woman of color to ascend to the office of president? 

The AFRO asked Black voters in Washington, D.C., Maryland and two battleground states, Michigan and Georgia, what issues are among their greatest concerns and if they believe America is ready to vote for a woman of color for president. 

Cyril Mayes, 64, an information systems solutions architect who lives just outside of Atlanta in Snellville, Georgia, said he’s worried about the fragile state of the union – a fear which has solidified Harris as his choice for president.

“It seems that Trump has his Supreme Court appointees, most of the Republicans in Congress and a number of state governors who endorse his policies and views that, while often in his best interests, are not in step with those voiced by many Americans – they’re Donald Trump’s lackeys,” said Mayes, who, as a man of faith and a leader in both the AME church and his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha, said he has long been committed to political activism. 

“I’m a husband, father and grandfather and for the sake of future generations, we cannot allow a candidate who has pledged to gut the Department of Education and to overhaul the Department of Justice, presumably to his benefit. I believe Trump would destroy our country’s democratic process so that the voice and vote of everyday Americans no longer matter. If we don’t vote for Harris, that’s what the future holds with Trump.” 

Melanie L. Campbell, president/CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable, led a press conference on Sept. 11 to announce the release of NCBCP’s 11^th Annual Black Women’s Roundtable Report and to highlight both disparities and recommended solutions for the issues which many Black women face. She spoke to the AFRO following the press conference to further illuminate her concerns. 

“Some of the most intellectually powerful Black women in the country are represented in this year’s annual report and we all agree that our theme for the report is one which all Americans should claim: ‘Owning Our Power in 2024: Now is the Time to Participate, Protect, Preserve and Promote,’” Campbell said. 

“From a political standpoint, we are witnessing an historical moment that we cannot ignore with Black women stepping forward as nominees for U.S. Senate in three states: California (Rep. Barbara Lee), Maryland (Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks) and Delaware (Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester). We must leverage that power in this new political era as we continue to highlight the most pressing issues facing women of color: the economy and the high cost of living, the right to maintain control over our own bodies including reproduction and our freedom and right to vote. 

“As for the two presidential candidates, we find it grossly unfair that within many circles of the media, Harris is expected to almost walk on water while all Donald Trump has to do is show up. Throughout the current election cycle, we have seen women candidates facing bias at alarming rates by the press, including Harris. This is the reality they face which we must vigorously denounce,” Campbell said. 

Only 12 Blacks have served in the U.S. Senate since it was established in 1789. Three have been Black women (including Harris in 2017), none of whom served together. 

For Loretta Myers, 61, a caregiver for the sick and elderly who lives in Olney, Maryland, Harris stands as the only candidate “qualified for the job.” 

“With Harris, we will be okay,” she said, adding that her major concern is improving America’s health care system. 

“There are too many roadblocks that people must face when they’re in need of medical attention, particularly when the issues are long term. Too many Americans must choose between eating and paying their rent or getting the medical care they require. We can and must do better.” 

Husband and wife Lamar and Iris Davis, both 64, from Houston, agreed that women’s rights, including reproductive rights, top their list of concerns as they go to the polls. 

“The government needs to protect the rights of its citizens and stop trying to take away or limit those rights,” Lamar Davis said. 

“It should be a woman’s decision whether she wants to have an abortion or not. It should also be a gay couple’s right to enter into marriage, if they chose and all citizens should be able to vote without the suppressive tactics we’re seeing in many states. At first, I doubted whether America was ready for a woman to be elected president. But given the kind of support she’s received, even from some of the nation’s most influential Republicans, and with the assault on our democracy from the right, it’s clear to me. While one may differ with Harris on certain policies, there’s just no way we can allow Trump to return to office,” he continued. 

“America’s been ready for a woman president – we were ready 10 years ago,” Iris Davis said. “There’s no logical reason to justify why America lags behind other leading nations in putting their support and votes behind a woman. Just as Trump asked Blacks during his 2016 campaign, ‘What do you have to lose?’ Harris can reasonably pose the same question.

“Harris is far and away the superior candidate, the right person for right now and if people stop swallowing false narrative and conspiracy theories promoted by Trump and his cronies, they will realize that,” she concluded. 

Roy Daggs III, 64, who lives in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Michigan, said he’s worried that with corporations providing so much money in support of candidates who favor their policies, the voices of ordinary people, and the importance of their vote, have been sidelined by corporate donors who operate more like people than businesses.  

“People feel like their vote doesn’t matter anymore, that’s why a lot of youth don’t vote. And in truth, I often cannot blame them,” Daggs said. “We’ve been asking for improvements in America’s health care system for decades but only Barack Obama put any real effort into addressing that concern. Since then, there have been nothing but efforts by Republicans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Trump says he wants to get rid of it but he still doesn’t have a plan to replace and improve it. 

“I am excited because I believe the state of America today resembles what we faced when Obama ran for president and won and when Clinton, despite a valiant effort, fell short. Given the emphasis on women’s reproductive rights and the obvious differences between Harris and Trump on abortion and in vitro fertilization, I give the edge to Harris. Yes, she could win,” Daggs said.  

The economy tops the list for Frederick Ingram, 50, who lives in Upper Marlboro, Maryland and serves as secretary/treasurer for the Washington, D.C.-based American Federation of Teachers. However, he adds that there are a lot of other issues which could easily be added, most notably the need for more affordable housing, the job market and the need to provide more training for Blacks who chose to secure skills as laborers rather than to invest in college degrees. 

Like Daggs, he believes America needs a person like Obama – “the last president we’ve had who was committed to dealing with the many challenges and concerns which Americans faced in a holistic manner,” Ingram said.

“Before Obama, Blacks, especially those with pre-existing conditions, were forced to rely on emergency rooms as their primary source of healthcare,” Ingram said. “Even with the Affordable Care Act, Blacks remain far too familiar with the reality that we’re only one sickness away from financial ruin. So, the economy remains our No. 1 concern. 

“Is America ready for a woman president? I guess we’ll find out in less than two months. But for the record, over the past few decades, Black women have saved America from itself. Black women have been the foundation of America’s moral fiber. And Black women, since the days of slavery, have been on the right side of history,” he continued. 

“Blacks have always been aware that we must be 10 times better than Whites just to be considered regular or average – perhaps even competent. Harris faces enormous pressure as a woman, as a woman of color and as the first candidate to rightfully check all those boxes and be elected as president. The story of Blacks in America illustrates our ability to persevere no matter what the odds. So, I have no doubt that Kamala Harris will win.” 

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By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO

Melvin Stukes, the former Baltimore City Councilman and member of the Maryland House of Delegates died peacefully at his home in Pikesville on Saturday, September 21. Stukes was 76 years-old.  

Born March 15, 1948, Stukes was known for his work in the community and the church. 

He married his companion of sixteen years, Catherine DeFord Stukes, a retired principal, on December 31, 2022. 

“Because he heard God’s call to him, he willingly made his transition with a smile on his face,” said Mrs. Stukes. “It was an honor and privilege to be a part of his life for sixteen years. Melvin followed the footsteps that God provided for him.  He will be missed by all his family and friends. ‘Working together works’ was his theme,” she said.  

Former Baltimore City Mayor Kurt Schmoke, now president of the University of Baltimore, also recalled Stukes’ famous words.

“He lived by the philosophy that “working together works,” said Schmoke, speaking of Stukes, who was a member of the Baltimore City Council from 1991-2004 for District 6. 

Elected officials, community leaders, former constituents and friends were all saddened to learn of Stukes’ death. 

Sheila Dixon, former Baltimore City mayor and former president of the City Council, spoke to Stukes’ heart for the community.

“Melvin loved the people he served,” she said. “He was a true public servant who only wanted the best for the people of Baltimore and for the state of Maryland.  He fought hard for those who had challenges and was a superhero who was their biggest cheerleader.  He was a man of God.”

Former Comptroller for the City of Baltimore Joan Pratt agreed.

“Councilmember Stukes’ leadership was always about his constituency and he represented himself and his district well.  He was a pioneer.”

For eight years Melvin Stukes served in the Maryland House of Delegates, from 2007-2015.  

Retired State Senator Verna Jones, who served with Stukes, spoke with the AFRO about his time in office.

“Melvin was an authentic team player, committed to the economic stability of Baltimore and a fearless fighter for the City and the residents of our 44th District.  I am so honored to have served with him.” 

Stukes served three years in the United States Air Force from 1965-68 and was a member of the Prince Hall Masons Enterprise Lodge Number 3 in Baltimore.

A 1975 graduate of Morgan State University, Stukes worked for the State of Maryland from 1975 until his retirement holding positions in the Comptroller of the Treasury office and the Department of Transportation.

Even after retirement, he continued to serve the community and remained on numerous boards and commissions including the Cherry Hill Improvement Association where he was a founding member and president, the advisory board of the South Baltimore Learning Center and the Baltimore Education and Cultural Institute.  Stukes also stayed involved with the Leon Day Foundation, named in honor of Leon Day, who played for the Baltimore Black Sox in the Negro Baseball League.

“Melvin Stukes was a man for these times… a brother who exceeded the boundaries of devotion and service to  others throughout his life! Well done our good and faithful servant!  Rest in peace,” said Kwame Abayomi, the former Baltimore City Councilman known as Dr. Norman Handy Sr.

“Arrangements are currently being made,” said Catherine DeFord Stukes, adding that arrangements are being made with Wiley Funeral Home.  “There will be a day of tributes and we will inform the AFRO as we complete them.” 

Melvin Stukes is survived by his wife, Catherine DeFord Stukes, two daughters Tauraine and Marian, three sisters, Joan Stukes-Maurice, Sandra Chipungu and Mercedes Eugenia; Two stepchildren, Kevin DeFord and Sheila Cofield, and three grandchildren Dominique Pierre, Kenyetta and Andre Cofield.

Funeral Arrangements:

Viewing:

Monday, October 7, 2024, from 5-8 p.m. (Tributes begin at 7 p.m.)
Wylie Funeral Home
9200 Liberty Road
Randallstown, MD 21133

Funeral Service:

Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Wake: 10 a.m.
Funeral: 11 a.m.
Union Bethel A.M.E. Church
8615 Church Lane
Randallstown, MD 21133

Livestream: https://unionbethelamec.org/media/livestream

Burial:

Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Immediately following the funeral service
Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery
11501 Garrison Forest Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117

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By AFRO Staff

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson spoke in Baltimore about her new book, “Lovely One,” inside of the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Branch on Sept. 21. 

Those able to secure one of the hottest tickets in town on Saturday night were able to hear the first Black woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court speak about not only her new book, but her own personal origin story and the people who put her on the path to success in the law field. 

“My father went back to law school when I was three years old. We lived on the campus of the University of Miami Law School,” said Justice Jackson. “My earliest memories are of my dad’s education table with his law books.”

The title of her book, “Lovely One,” is a nod to the name given to her at birth by an aunt who worked in West Africa, “Ketanji Onyika,” which means “lovely one” in English. 

Jackson noted that while the book is about her life, history and the impact of crucial moments in America are also woven through the pages.

“I start the book with my grandparents and then my parents. I’m trying to emphasize the great good fortune of my birth –the timing of my birth,” said Jackson. “I am a member of the first generation post-Civil Rights Era. And the significance of that I just don’t want anyone to miss. I was born in 1970, which was within five or six years of the Civil Rights Act, the Voting rights Act, and the end of civil pro-segregation.” 

Jackson said that while her parents were born during a time of segregation, her birth came during a “new opening of society to African Americans,” and filled them with hope. 

“They were like, ‘here’s our shot,’” said Jackson, of her parent’s determination to have their daughter take advantage of every opportunity they themselves were denied. 

“If there were swimming lessons, I was in the swimming lessons. If there were music lessons, I was doing the music lessons,” said Jackson. “When I was five-years-old, 6-years-old, my mother had me memorizing poems…I wrote the book as sort of a tribute to the people and circumstances that I felt were most responsible for my being in a position to take advantage of this.” 

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Onyika Brown born to two public school teachers, Johnny and Ellery Brown, in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 14, 1970. After the pair moved to Miami, Jackson’s father eventually became a Miami-Dade school board attorney, while her mother worked her way to become a school principal.

It was in Miami that Jackson’s start began to shine. She was elected class president while attending Miami Palmetto Senior High School and by 1988 she was studying at Harvard University. There, she crossed paths with another Harvard student, Patrick Jackson. After graduating from Harvard in 1992, the future judge went on to Harvard Law School and both graduated and married in 1996. 

After completing clerkships for three different judges, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Jackson worked with private law firms and in government for a number of years. In 2012, after working with the U.S. Sentencing Commission and serving as a prosecutor, Jackson was selected by then President Barack Obamato serve on the federal District Court of Washington, D.C.  His nomination didn’t receive a vote, so he nominated Jackson again the next year. In 2013 she was successfully confirmed. Years later, in April 2021, President Joe Biden asked that Jackson be appointed to the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In a 53 to 44 vote, she was confirmed into the role on June 14, 2021, paving the way for her name to be put forth when an opening came up on the Supreme Court the very next year.

The mother of two spoke on the changes she experienced as she ascended through the ranks and took on different types of judgeships.

“I was a trial judge for the longest period of time in my career. I was seven and a half– eight years– in a courtroom where I controlled everything. I was one judge,” she told the packed room of attendees. “Appellate decision making is very challenging when you have to actually work with other judges, like voting on the outcomes.”

During the Charm City leg of her book tour, Justice Jackson spoke about the moment her journey from law student to clerk to judge and finally, a member of the U.S. Supreme Court was fully realized.

“I think the moment that hit me– the first moment–was the day I was confirmed. I actually went to the White House for the vote call, and it was really overwhelming to watch the votes come in,” said Jackson, of that historic April day in 2022.

Jackson said that her book highlights core values taught to her and passed down to her daughter.

“On the day of my divestiture as a district court judge, my first judicial appointment, I gave a speech in my daughter’s middle school: ‘Work hard, be kind, have faith, and believe that anything is possible,’” Jackson told the audience. “I think those values – you’ll see from my story of the book– are things that I try to live by.”

This article has been adjusted to reflect the correct title of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s book, “Lovely One.”

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By Kim Chandler
The Associated Press

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A mass shooting killed four people and wounded 18 others in a popular nightlife area in Birmingham, Alabama, with many of the victims caught in the crossfire, police said early Sept. 22. Authorities asked the public for tips as they searched for the shooters.

The shooting happened shortly after 11 p.m. Sept. 21 in Five Points South, a district filled with entertainment venues, restaurants and bars that is often crowded on weekend nights.

Multiple suspects pulled up in a vehicle, got out, fired shots, got back in the vehicle and fled, Police Chief Scott Thurmond said at a news conference early Sept. 22. He described the shooting as possibly “a hit” conducted in exchange for payment.

Officers found two men and a woman on a sidewalk with gunshot wounds, and they were pronounced dead there. An additional male gunshot victim was pronounced dead at a hospital, police said.

Authorities believe the intended target was among the dead, Thurmond said at the news conference, where he was joined by Mayor Randall Woodfin and officials from the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Investigators believe other victims were caught in the crossfire.

By early Sept. 22, after victims began showing up at hospitals, police had identified 18 people with injuries, some of them life-threatening, Officer Truman Fitzgerald said in an email.

There were no immediate arrests. Anyone with information was asked to contact authorities.

___

Associated Press writer Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed to this report.

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By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

(NNPA Newswire) – The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into Rankin County, Mississippi, and the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD). The probe will determine whether the RCSD engages in unconstitutional practices, including excessive force, unlawful stops and racially discriminatory policing. Rankin County, which has a population of about 160,000, is located 30 minutes east of Jackson, the state capital.

The investigation follows the highly publicized case involving the so-called “Goon Squad,” a group of five former Rankin County deputies convicted for the brutal assault of two Black men, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, in January 2023. Those deputies were sentenced to federal prison, but the Justice Department is now examining whether the issues within the department are more widespread.

“We are launching this investigation to examine serious allegations that the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department systematically violates people’s constitutional rights through excessive use of force, unlawful stops and arrests, and discriminatory policing,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

The investigation will scrutinize the RCSD’s use of force, including deadly force, and evaluate whether officers have engaged in unlawful searches, stops, and arrests in violation of the Fourth Amendment. The Justice Department will also assess claims of discriminatory policing practices that could violate the 14th Amendment, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Safe Streets Act.

Rankin County officials have pledged their cooperation with the investigation. The DOJ said it would review the sheriff department’s policies, training, and oversight systems. Investigators will gather information by meeting with community members, law enforcement officers and department leadership.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division referenced the Goon Squad case in remarks about the investigation, stating, “Although the Goon Squad deputies are now serving time, we have received numerous reports that their actions were part of a broader pattern of misconduct that persists within the sheriff’s department.”

Officials said the investigation is being conducted under the authority of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which allows the Justice Department to address law enforcement misconduct through civil litigation. This marks the 12th such investigation into law enforcement practices opened by the Justice Department during the Biden administration. Recent investigations into departments in Phoenix and Louisville have led to significant reforms.

“The pursuit of justice is not just about punishing individual officers; it’s about ensuring that the culture of policing reflects the values of our Constitution,” Garland said. “No community should live in fear of those sworn to protect them.”

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By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware
Word in Black

It’s no secret Black people in the United States disproportionately occupy Death Row — making up about 14 percent of the populace but 40.05 percent of people awaiting execution. And given that men are nearly 98 percent of the people facing capital punishment, incarcerated Black men are more likely to face death by the state than any other group.

Marcellus Williams, 55, is one of those men, and he’s scheduled to be executed Sept. 24 in Missouri. The prosecutor in his case filed a motion to vacate his conviction due to “overwhelming evidence that Marcellus Williams’ trial was constitutionally unfair, including revelations that the State contaminated the most critical evidence in the case—the murder weapon,” said Williams’ attorney, Tricia Rojo Bushnell. The courts, however, denied the motion.

As such, the case has reignited heated debates about racial injustice and the death penalty — and now faith leaders in the state are joining the fight to get clemency for Williams.

Life instead of death

On Sept. 19, in a letter to Missouri Gov. Michael Parson, 69 faith leaders from Christian, Jewish and Muslim backgrounds asked for mercy for Williams.

“We are advocating for life without parole and that Marcellus will remain in prison, with the message that his life can remain open to redemption, mercy, and the healing power of God and that he will continue to serve the Muslim community,” the faith leaders wrote.

The group pointed out that Williams himself is a faith leader at Potosi Correctional Center, where he is incarcerated. Now known as Khalirfah ibn Rayford Daniels, Williams became an imam and serves his fellow Muslim prisoners at the facility.

“With lifetime imprisonment, Marcellus will have a chance to continue his service to the religious community that he leads as an Imam,” wrote the faith leaders. 

They pointed out that Williams works with “a group of men, many of whom have been abandoned by society and in desperate need of guidance and strength,” and provides “a vital network of support for the prisoners.” 

Members of the Mid Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation (Mid-MO FOR) a nonprofit organization for “people from many faiths, and no particular faith — all coming together to support nonviolence and justice,” have also advocated for clemency for Williams.

On Sept. 18, they hosted a gathering at the University of Missouri School of Law to discuss the Williams case. One of the speakers was Michelle Smith, co-director of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, who said, “Killing someone is final. We should make sure, as a state, as a community, as a government, that there are no questions.” 

The NAACP is also calling on Parson to halt Williams’ execution, noting that the death penalty has been “historically applied in a racially disparate manner,” particularly in Missouri. 

“Killing Mr. Williams, a Black man who was wrongfully convicted of killing a White woman, would amount to a horrible miscarriage of justice and a perpetuation of the worst of Missouri’s past,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and Missouri State Conference President Nimrod Chapel Jr. wrote in an open letter to Parson.

“Put simply, Mr. Williams did not commit the murder for which he was convicted. The prosecutor knows it, and the citizens of Missouri know it,” they wrote.

Accusations of corruption

In 2001, Williams was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, a former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter. 

The prosecution’s case hinged on witness testimonies and circumstantial evidence. However, DNA found on the murder weapon did not match Williams — a fact that has cast significant doubt on his conviction.

Despite these findings, Missouri courts have repeatedly upheld his conviction and death sentence.

According to the Innocence Project, “The State destroyed or corrupted the evidence that could conclusively prove his innocence and the available DNA and other forensic crime-scene evidence does not match him.” The organization notes, “There is far too much uncertainty in this case to allow Mr. Williams to be executed, particularly when the victim’s family believes life without parole is the appropriate sentence.” 

In January 2024, after an independent review of Williams’ case, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell moved to vacate his conviction. However, the circuit court denied the motion, stating there was insufficient evidence of innocence and that claims of racial bias in jury selection and ineffective assistance of counsel had been previously adjudicated. Bell is now appealing the decision to the Missouri Supreme Court, according to Williams’ filing for a stay of execution in the U.S. Supreme Court.

“We will continue pursuing every possible option to prevent Mr. Williams’ wrongful execution,” Bushnell, his lawyer, said. “There is still time for the courts or Governor Parson to ensure that Missouri does not commit the irreparable injustice of executing an innocent person.” 

This article was originally published on WordinBlack.com.

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By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the first Black woman to hold statewide office in the Commonwealth of Virginia, has officially entered the race for governor. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, the Virginia Department of Elections accepted the necessary documents for Earle-Sears to run for governor in the 2025 election season. 

Earle-Sears is the first Republican to officially enter the race for the party’s nomination in 2025 and hopes to take Youngkin’s seat. Youngkin cannot seek reelection because Virginia is the only state that does not allow governors to run for consecutive terms.

Earle-Sears, a Marine veteran who immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica as a child, defeated Democrat Hala Ayala to become the second woman in Virginia to serve in a statewide office. Attorney Gen. Mary Sue Terry, elected in 1985, was the first.

The first Black Republican woman elected to the House of Delegates, Earle-Sears has also served on the State Board of Education and considers herself a staunch conservative. She recently served as the national chair of an organization dedicated to reelecting former President Donald Trump. She has also led a men’s prison ministry, served as director of a women’s homeless shelter and run a plumbing and electrical supply company.

U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger stands as the only Democrat currently seeking her party’s nomination to run for governor.

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By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

Overcast skies and unseasonably cool temperatures were not enough to keep several hundred people from the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area (DMV) from attending the 15^th Annual D.C. State Fair on Saturday, Sept. 7. 

Held this year at Franklin Park in Northwest, Washington, D.C., the event featured musical performances from local entertainers and contests – from pie eating to pie making– along with activities such as hand dance demonstrations from the National Hand Dance Association. 

The free event, inspired by decades-old state fair traditions, showcased more than 15 food vendors and more than 75 artists, makers, local small businesses, nonprofit organizations and sponsors. But the real goal of the event, according to leading sponsors, was to celebrate the people and things that make the District of Columbia unique. 

Brian Americus, 40, a self-described military brat who now lives in Southeast, Washington, D.C. was on site to sell his V-neck shirts as a fair vendor. 

“I came up with these shirts because I wanted to give men something that was both stylish and casual – a shirt they could wear to work and then to happy hour or a dinner date,” he said. “I’ve been doing well with my website (BrianAmericus.com) and with pop-ups but the best way to convince men, and now women, to buy my shirts is for them to see them in person and feel the product. Once that happens, at least 85 percent of folks are sold.” 

Native Washingtonian Dancer Sze, 28, first attended the state fair in 2021 when she took second place in a contest for creating the best pickle. This year, she set her sights on the Best Jam contest – and she took the blue ribbon for first place. 

“During the pandemic, because we were forced to stay indoors, I started spending more time in the kitchen and began to create some new items in my repertoire– including pickling and making jams,” Sze said. “I can’t express how excited and happy I am to have won first place for my blueberry balsamic jam. One day I want to have my own business and this has given me the encouragement I needed. What’s even better is having my two best friends here to help me enjoy my victory.” 

Sze’s friends, Helen Abraha, 28, and Sophie Miyoshi, 26, both from Northeast, Washington, D.C., said this year was their first time attending the state fair, but certainly not their last. 

“I grew up in Ohio, so I am used to attending state fairs,” Abraha said. “And after seeing Dancer win a ribbon, I will be back next year with some of my fabulous cakes.” 

Miyoshi hopes to return with some of her own recipes in the future. 

“I’m coming back next year to support the fair and I’m going to enter my vegan macaroni and cheese in one of the contests. It’s the bomb!” she said. 

While she enjoyed the event, Miyoshi spoke to some of the issues lurking in the background of the fun filled weekend event.

“D.C. isn’t a state but it should be,” she said.

In support of D.C. statehood and voters rights, Anne Stauffer from Northwest, representing the League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia, collaborated with members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Their goal was to encourage voter engagement and to advocate for D.C. statehood. 

“D.C. statehood is crucial because we deserve the same rights as other Americans – one person, one vote,” Stauffer said. 

Lucille Brewer, from Northwest, Washington, D.C. was joined in her efforts to educate the public on voter registration and calls for D.C. statehood by her sorors, Novella Bridges and Nyisha Williams, both from the Southeast area of the District. It was their first time volunteering at the state fair.  

“We are here to promote and encourage social action,” said Brewer. “That’s what we do.”

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By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO

While the U.S. faces an ongoing mental health crisis, several members of the Congressional Black Caucus have introduced legislation to combat it.

In April 2024, U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.-16) introduced the Access in Mental Health Act to strengthen the mental health workforce.

“As an educator for 20 years, I saw firsthand how the lack of mental health professionals and culturally responsive care impacted my students and their families,” Bowman told the AFRO. “Not only do we need more mental health professionals in our communities and schools, but we need more Black and Brown mental health professionals who are equipped to provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed care.”

If enacted into law, the Access in Mental Health Act would provide grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to improve graduate programs that focus on mental health such as psychology, counseling, social work and psychiatry. The statute would also provide $10,000 grants per year to cover the cost of attendance for students who are pursuing graduate degrees in the mental health field.

“My would rectify the lack of diversity in the mental health workforce by providing grants to HBCUs…to create and expand programs and to support tuition costs,” said Bowman. “We’ve been facing a national mental health crisis over the last few years and Congress must begin to take action by strengthening our mental health workforce and investing in opportunities for young people from all communities.”

At this time, the New York congressman’s statute has only been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, given Bowman’s status as an outgoing Democratic lawmaker, it is unclear if and when the bill will be brought to the House floor for a vote.

U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), the first Black and openly LGBTQ+ senator, also introduced the Pride in Mental Health Act to Support LGBTQ+ Youth in Mar. 2024 to help combat the nation’s mental health crisis.

“Accessing mental health care and support has become increasingly difficult in nearly every state in the country,” Butler told reporters. “Barriers get even more difficult if you are a young person who lacks a supportive community or is fearful of being outed, harassed, or threatened.”

If passed, the statute would provide mental health and crisis intervention resources for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth through federal grants. In addition, the act would require lawmakers to provide a report on the mental health outcomes and care of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care and other federal social services programs.

Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), a cosponsor of the Pride in Mental Health Act believes the legislation is the solution to the mental health crisis plaguing children and teens across the nation.

“Mental health care is health care and for some LGBTQ+ youth, receiving access to the mental health care they need can mean the difference between living in safety and dignity, and suffering alone through discrimination, bullying and even violence,” Smith told reporters.

The Minnesota senator added, “The data shows what many parents and educators see every day. An epidemic of students in classrooms dealing with anxiety, depression and other serious mental health conditions, with nowhere to turn.”

At this time, the bill has only been introduced in the U.S. Senate. It is unclear when it will be taken up for a vote.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) told reporters that this act is “a crucial step” towards breaking barriers to mental health care for the youth.

“It’s time to pass this bill…to build a more just future for all children and teens,” said Merkley.

In order for both bills to pass in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, they will need bipartisan support.

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