Dr. Frances ‘Toni’ Draper, CEO and publisher of the AFRO American Newspapers, emphasizes the importance of having an Election Day plan and the importance of the youth voice as we move closer to Nov. 5.
Author Archives: Frances Toni Draper AFRO Publisher
Posted inCommentary
A good marriage equals good mental health: It works if you work it!
Andre and Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper celebrate 50 years of marriage and offer ten tips for maintaining a healthy marriage, including putting God first, not using sex as a weapon, and not discussing disagreements with anyone other than your spouse.
Posted inBUSINESS
From the publisher’s desk: Never despise small beginnings
Frances Murphy “Toni” Draper, CEO and Publisher of the AFRO-American Newspaper, reflects on her early experiences as an entrepreneur and the importance of entrepreneurship for Black-owned businesses.
Posted inNational News
A time to reflect: Why Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a national holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in Confederate states, acknowledges the pain of slavery and the joy of freedom, and enriches the cultural fabric of the nation.
Posted inEducation
If you can read this, thank a teacher today
By Frances Murphy DraperAFRO CEO and Publisher In my family, like so many of yours, good grades were expected–no, required. Failing a class, talking back to teachers, disrupting class or any other behavior that caused a teacher to even think about calling your parents was enough to make you do as Nat King Cole sang, […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Investing is key to financial freedom–but why do so few know how?
Frances “Toni” Draper discusses the financial disparity between Black and White families, which can be addressed through education, financial literacy, and policies to ensure equal access to investment opportunities.
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO salute: the women behind the 6888th keep pushing
Maryland House Bill 0370, sponsored by Delegate Mike Rogers, would require the governor to proclaim March 9 as 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day, honoring the brave service of 855 predominantly Black women who served in WWII.
Posted inCommentary
A time to act: Celebrating the activists who impact the future by honoring the past
By Dr. Frances “Toni” DraperAFRO Publisher and CEO “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give […]
Posted inNational News
A time to remember: ‘This is Our War’
By Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher When my grandfather, Carl J. Murphy, Ph. D., wrote of World War II as “our war,” it was an acknowledgement of how near the global conflict was to the Black community. This book was originally published in 1945, just months after the Allied victory, when the ripple […]
Posted inBUSINESS
A time to support: the importance of Black Business Month
By Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher Nearly 20 years ago, historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. declared August as National Black Business Month to “drive the policy agenda affecting the 2.6 million African American businesses.” Today, according to the latest data, there are more than three million Black- […]
Posted inNEWS
Affirmative action, student loans and transparency in government: a note from the desk of AFRO Publisher Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper
On SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling: “The Supreme Court majority’s ruling is a shameful step backwards for equality, education, and the pursuit of prosperity for Black students in particular. This outcome reaffirms the importance of teaching and understanding Black history, rather than ignore it, as the majority justices are keen to do. The decision to reject […]
Posted inNational News
Celebrating Juneteenth
By Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO Publisher and CEO CORRECTION: This article has been updated to reflect that June 19, 2023 is the 158th anniversary of Juneteenth. This year we celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day for the 158th time, and the third time as a national federal holiday. Many Americans are still learning about Juneteenth’s […]