Protesters gassed to clear the way for a presidential photoshoot (June 1)
Tear gas floats in the air as a line of police move demonstrators away from St.
John’s Church across Lafayette Park from the White House, as they gather to
protest the death of George Floyd, Monday, June 1, 2020, in Washington. Floyd
died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers.
Teleworking becomes the ‘new normal’ (March 2020)
In March, the country was hit hard by COVID-19. While what was supposed to be a temporary furlough turned into permanent unemployment for many Americans, others were thrown into the unchartered waters of working virtually. Teleworking became the new frontier for many who found that their work could be done from home, including the AFRO that operated completely remotely for the first time since its founding in 1892.
D-Nice Throws Biggest Party Ever, Everyone Invited (March 18)
From his living room, legendary disc-jockey Derrick “D-Nice” Jones made history, by throwing the world’s biggest dance party. The world first took notice of D-Nice’s epic celebration when he hosted an extremely successful nine-hour social distancing dance party on March 18 called “Homeschoolin.’” After that popular set, the D.J. called the parties “Homeschool,” and as commonly said in the Black community, “everybody and their mama,” attended the online merriment. The who’s who list of viewers throughout his parties would take up the page, but some include: Michelle Obama, Oprah, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Colin Kaepernick, Joe Biden, Ellen Degeneres, John Legend, Diddy, Will Smith and Gabrielle Union.
Verzuz Battle Brings World Closer (March 24)
When Swizz Beatz and Timbaland set up their first DJ Battle in March 2020, the beginning of what has been 10 months in quarantine, the world that felt oh so distant suddenly brought hundreds of thousands overnight, together for an epic battle of brilliant, musical minds. Since the March 2020 kickoff notable match offs have included Gucci Mane and Jeezy, Brandy and Monica, Teddy Riley and Babyace, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, Ludacris and Nelly and the highly anticipated Ashanti and Keyshia Cole which was postponed to Jan. 9 after Ashanti was diagnosed with COVID-19.
George Floyd Killed By Officer, ‘I Can’t Breathe’ (May 31)
Tear gas floats in the air as a line of police move demonstrators away from St. John’s Church across Lafayette Park from the White House, as they gather to protest the death of George Floyd, Monday, June 1, 2020, in Washington. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The death of the Hon. John Lewis (July 17)
John Robert Lewis, the man known as “the conscience of the Congress,” represented Georgia’s 5th District from 1987, until his death on July 17, at age 80. Yet, he became an immortal figure in the American Civil Rights movement when he risked his life and was beaten and bloodied on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., on March 7, 1965, an infamous event known as “Bloody Sunday.”
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gifts millions to HBCUs (July 28)
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott pledged to donate a portion of her wealth to HBCUs across the country, and in December those checks came rolling in. Three Maryland HBCUs: Bowie State University, Morgan State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore received a combined total of $85 million. The ex-wife of Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos donated more than $4 billion to HBCUs among hundreds of other organizations.
Beyonce reminds us Black is King (July 31)
“Brown skin girl, your skin just like pearls, the best thing in the world, I wouldn’t trade you for anybody else,” Beyonce and her oldest daughter Blue Ivy beautifully sing on one of the songs and videos in the musical film and visual album “Black is King.” Directed, written and produced by Beyonce, with inclusion from performers from across the globe, {Black is King} celebrates the beauty and brilliance Black people and culture all over the world.
Rest in Power King, Chadwick Boseman dies (Aug. 28)
While the world knew him as the actor who played Jackie Robinson, James Brown and most famously the role as King T’Challa in {Black Panther}, they had no idea that the famed actor was suffering in silence. To the surprise of even some of the people who he worked with closely, Boseman died on Aug. 28 after battling colon cancer for four years. He was 43.
Scott, Mosby and Henry lead Baltimore (Dec. 8)
For the first time in the city’s history the three top political offices, Mayor Brandon Scott, City Council President Nick Mosby and Comptroller Bill Henry are occupied by Black men.
Biden Elected President, Harris Vice President (Nov. 7)
In his third presidential campaign, former Obama vice president Joe Biden becomes President-elect and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris becomes the nation’s first woman and first person of color to be Vice-President-elect.