Harold “Hal” Jackson, co-founder of Inner City Broadcasting Corporation, one of the first Black-owned broadcasting companies and the parent company of WBLS in New York, and the first African American to be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame died May 23 in a New York hospital. He was 96. Paul Heine, senior editor […]
Author Archives: AFRO Staff
Posted inObituaries - Baltimore
Ivanhoe Bradshaw Higgins Jr. M.D.
Ivanhoe B. Higgins, 67, an orthopedic surgeon who was widely loved and respected, died May 3, at his home in Portland, Oregon. He faced cancer with characteristic grace, courage and resilience, and lived until his body could not contain his brilliant spirit a minute longer. Born into a prominent Baltimore family he was the son […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Twelve Deltas Recognized for Their Service to Prince George’s County Residents
On April 29 at the newly renovated Ridgeley Rosenwald School in Capitol Heights, Md., twelve members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority were recognized for their outstanding service in the areas of education and government in Prince George’s County. Through their efforts, many county residents have cleared numerous accomplishments. The Deltas who were recognized are […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Former Morgan State Coach/Administrator Jesse Thomas Dies at 84
Former Morgan State football coach and administrator Jesse Thomas, who served more than 40 years at MSU, died on May 16. He was 84-years-old. Thomas’ coaching career dates back to the “glory days” of Morgan State’s football team. He served as the defensive coordinator under the legendary head coach Earl Banks, the winningest coach in […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Go-Go Pioneer Chuck Brown ‘Will be Missed’
When news spread that Washington, D.C. legend Chuck Brown died, May 16, of pneumonia at the age of 75, it didn’t take long for just about everyone familiar with the area to express their respect and condolences for the “godfather of Go-Go.” Famous musicians, actors, comedians and even politicians; they all took to Twitter to […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Tenn. Man Seeks Help With Child Support for 30 Kids by 11 Different Mothers
A Tennessee man is seeking public assistance to help pay support for his 30 children, fathered with 11 separate women. The children of Desmond Hatchett, 33, range in age from toddlers to 14 years old, according to Memphis, Tenn. CBS affiliate WREG. Nine of those children were born in the last three years, despite Hatchett […]
Posted inCollege
Morgan State Mourns Death of Former Basketball Player Gene Johnson
Former Morgan State basketball player Gene Johnson died in his sleep on May 16 while at his home in Hagerstown, Md., according to school officials. Johnson was 24. The exact cause of Johnson’s death has not yet been confirmed, according to Morgan State’s Sports Information Office. Reports said emergency medical officials were called to his […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Gray, Brown Announce Plan to Renovate DC Playgrounds
Mayor Vincent C. Gray and D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown announced May 15 that a deal had been worked out in the city’s budget negotiations which would fund renovations for 24 playgrounds in the District. “Every child in the District should have a safe and inviting place to play,” Gray said. “Working together, Chairman Brown […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Ex-Gray Aide Succeeds Thomas in Ward 5 Race
Kenyan McDuffie, a former aide to Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, triumphed over a crowded field in a special election May 15 to replace scandal-plagued Harry Thomas Jr. as Ward 5 Council member. McDuffie won convincingly, claiming 10 of the ward’s 18 precincts and finishing no lower than second place in the precincts he did […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Rev. Marion C. Bascom Pastor Emeritus of Baltimore’s Douglas Memorial Community Church Passes Away at 87
The Rev. Marion C. Bascom, one of Baltimore’s major civil rights voices for the past 60 years and pastor emeritus of Baltimore’s Douglas Memorial Community Church, has passed away. He was 87. Bascom was recognized for his role in the desegregation of area parks and eateries. He was born March 14, 1925, in Pensacola, Fla. […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Racially Charged Attack Ad Aimed at Obama Canned
A racially-charged attack ad targeting President Obama’s affiliation with controversial Chicago preacher Rev. Jeremiah Wright has been scrapped after details of the spot were reported by The New York Times and Republican front-runner Mitt Romney denounced it. “I hope campaigns can be about the future and issues,” Romney said at a campaign stop in Jacksonville, […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
District Employment Program Nets 3,000 Jobs
Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced May 17 that his One City, One Hire program had connected 3,000 District residents with jobs; nearly a third of the way to the program’s goal of finding employment for 10,000 previously unemployed District residents . Approximately 40 percent of the hires are from Wards 5, 7 and 8, where […]