Today, the title for the fastest African-American man to compete on a track would probably go to Olympic Gold medal sprinter Tyson Gay, who holds the American record in the 100 meter dash with a time 9.69 seconds. But more than a century ago—long before Gay was born, it was John Baxter Taylor who held […]
Author Archives: AFRO Staff
Posted inCollege
Morgan State Prime for 2012 Football Season
Morgan State University head football coach Donald Hill-Eley will soon enter his 11th season as the head coach of the Bears’ football team, and with veteran-filled roster, there’s a good chance his 11th year may be the most successful. According to Morgan State Sports Information Director Leonard Haynes, the Bears’ roster contains 24 seniors, the […]
Posted inSports
“Gabby” Douglas Becomes Second Black Gymnast to Win Olympic Gold
African-American gymnast Gabrielle Douglas won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the U.S. national women’s gymnastic team July 31. It was the first gold medal won by a USA gymnastics team since the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Tagged by sports commentators as the “Fierce Five,” Douglas, along with teammates, Jordan Wieber, Kyla Ross, […]
Posted inSports
Opening Ceremony Jumpstarts 2012 Summer Olympics in London
The 2012 Summer Olympics kicked off July 27 with an Opening Ceremony in Olympic Stadium in London, England. The Opening Ceremony was highlighted by a theatre show directed by Danny Boyle, who won an Oscar for directing “Slumdog Millionaire.” Boyle’s show, titled Isles of Wonder, illustrated the Jarrow Crusade of 1936, a protest march against […]
Posted inSports
USA Women’s Basketball Blows out Croatia in First Match of 2012 Olympics, 81-56
Tina Charles posted a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the U.S. National women’s basketball team over Croatia, 81-56, in their opening game of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Croatia gave USA a tough time, keeping the score close throughout the first three quarters of the game. USA tried to press […]
Posted inSports
All Eyes on Griffin as Redskins Open Camp
As expected, all eyes were on rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III as the Washington Redskins opened training camp on July 26 in Ashburn, Va. After winning just 11 games in the last two seasons, the Redskins hope Griffin, the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft, will lead them to future success. Crowds of fans […]
Posted inSports
Durant Leads USA to First Win in Quest for Gold, Beating France 98-71
Kevin Durant scored 22 points to go with nine rebounds as the U.S. men’s basketball team beat France, 98-71, in their opening round matchup at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. USA began the game with some sloppy errors, including several turnovers and costly fouls; they would finish the game with 14 total turnovers and […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Casino Group Adds Four Black Partners
The development group seeking to develop and build a Baltimore City casino announced Friday it had added four Black partners to the $310 million initiative. The announcement came the same day that Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley detailed plans for a special session of the state’s general assembly to allow table games, a move he said […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Mother of Cal Ripken Jr. Found Safe After Abduction
Violet Ripken, mother of Hall of Fame Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., was found safe by police July 25 following her abduction a day earlier from her Aberdeen, Md. home. Aberdeen police said Ripken, 74, was taken from her home at gunpoint between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. July 24 by an unknown man. […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Killer of Singer Jennifer Hudson’s Family Sentenced to Life in Prison
The man convicted of killing Jennifer Hudson’s family has been sentenced to life in prison by an Illinois judge. Cook County, Ill. Judge Charles Patrick Burns had harsh words for William Balfour before sentencing him to three life sentences in addition to 120 years for aggravated kidnapping and home invasion in the 2008 murders of […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Justice Department Investigates Pennsylvania Voter ID Law
The Department of Justice has entered the political fray, opening an investigation into Pennsylvania’s voter ID law. According to reports, a three-page letter was sent to Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele asking that the state release a complete voter registration list including race and voting history, as well as a listing people […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
FBI Investigating Calif. Shooting Which Triggered Days of Riots
The FBI has opened an investigation into the police-involved fatal shooting in Anaheim, Calif. that sparked days of unrest on the city’s streets. The Orange County, Calif. District Attorney’s Office is also probing the July 21 incident, in which police shot and killed Manuel Diaz, who appeared to be unarmed at the time of the […]