Justin Combs, son of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, took to Twitter this week to defend his full scholarship to UCLA, which the school confirmed this week. Many in cyberspace are questioning whether the multimillionaire’s son should have accepted the $54,000 football scholarship, given the school’s economic troubles. But the 18-year-old said he earned the […]
Author Archives: AFRO Staff
Posted inHealth
Howard University Hospital & U.S.-Based Haitians Responding to Haiti’s Continuing Struggle
Haiti, still struggling two years after a devastating earthquake, is getting needed health care assistance from Howard University and U.S.-based Haitian immigrants, the university medical school announced June 1. A team of 25 physicians, dentists and medical students and 75 non-physician volunteers are heading to the island nation to provide medical care and clinical training […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. Public Library to Add a Chuck Brown Collection to Special Archives
The D.C. Public Library wants to create an archive devoted to Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go, and D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray said it would appreciate a little help from the public. “Chuck Brown captured the hearts and rhythm of District residents for over 30 years,” Gray said in a May 29 statement. “As you […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland Lawmakers Create Task Force to Review Pit Bull Ruling
The Maryland legislature has created a task force to review a state Court of Appeals ruling that labeled pit bulls an “inherently dangerous” dog breed. Five members from each chamber were selected to scrutinize the April ruling that victims of pit bull attacks no longer have to prove they knew the dog was dangerous, only […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
HUD Awards District $2.9 Million to Remove Lead-Based Paint Hazards
D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray has announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded the city more than $2.9 million to help homeowners and landlords protect children and families from potentially dangerous lead-based paint. The D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will apply the funds to the city’s Lead Safe […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Liberian Despot Charles Taylor Sentenced to 50 Years for War Crimes
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor was sentenced to 50 years in prison by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his role in atrocities during Sierra Leone’s civil war, including receiving blood diamonds in exchange for arming Sierra Leone rebels in the 1990’s. In a sentence handed down May 30 by the ICC’s Special Court for […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Jackson, Miss. Schools Agree to Limit Handcuffing of Unruly Students
Jackson, Miss. public school officials have agreed to ban the use of handcuffs for all but teenage criminal suspects and to revise the school system’s discipline and restraint policy to include better training for handling unruly children. The agreement, approved by a federal judge May 25, settles a suit filed a year ago by the […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Federal Defense of Marriage Act Struck Down
The U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals, located in Boston, Mass., May 31 ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional as it discriminates against same-sex couples. In particular, the three-judge appeals panel struck down the 1996 federal law that denied tax, Social Security or any other federal benefits due to gay couples […]
Posted inCollege
MEAC Unveils New Executive Committee
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) recently announced changes for its executive committee and delegate assembly. According to MEAC media relations, Norfolk State University Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Carray Banks was named president of the MEAC Delegate Assembly, and will be a member of the executive committee from 2012-2014. Banks will be joined by Morgan State […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Happy Birthday Washington AFRO!
120 years ago, the convergence of the dreams of three men created a publication that has served an important purpose in the African-American community, The Afro-American Newspapers. The Afro-American has crusaded for racial equality and economic advancement for Black Americans since its humble beginnings. In existence since August 13, 1892, John Henry Murphy Sr., a […]
Posted inNational News
Saying Farewell
Countless fans gathered at the Howard Theater in the District on May 29 to say farewell to late go-go pioneer Chuck Brown at a public viewing. At the 11-hour event, locals reflected on the musician’s legacy and wrote personal condolences on this massive banner. Brown, 75, died on May 16. A three-hour public memorial service […]