Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell made news headlines back in February after officially dubbing 2012 “the year of the entrepreneur!” And although she was an entrepreneur years before ‘12 arrived, Bowie, Md. native Shanelle Spivey’s life story still reflects the theme behind the governor’s proclamation. At age 28, Spivey is the owner and executive producer of […]
Author Archives: AFRO Staff
Posted inBaltimore Community, Baltimore News
Homeless Dogs Star as Shakespearean Actors
The homeless dogs of Baltimore Humane Society will be starring in Macbeth this month! Premiering Thursday, April 12, The Baltimore Shakespeare Factory’s production of Macbeth will include an adoptable canine as part of its acting troupe. Hopefully the play, known as one of Shakespeare’s biggest tragedies, will result in a very happy ending for the […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Public Says ‘Death Penalty’ for Tulsa Killers
In light of the reported confessions of the alleged shooters that left three dead and two wounded in Tulsa, Okla.’s Black community last week, public outcry is now for the death penalty. Tulsa civil rights leaders, along with the city’s community and elected officials, spent Easter weekend trying to head off Black vigilantes as local […]
Posted inSports
Tiger Struggles through 2012 Masters as Bubba Watson Wins First Green Jacket
Searching for his 15th major tournament victory in pursuit of the Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record of 18 major tour events, Tiger Woods struggled through the 2012 Masters Tournament, turning in the worst performance of his career at the event. Woods, 36, recorded five bogeys in the final round of the Masters April 8, finishing five-over-par […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Five New Orleans Officers Sentenced for Killing Unarmed Citizens in Katrina Aftermath
Justice has been served in the case of the former New Orleans cops who killed unarmed citizens in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. But, according to the sentencing judge, that “justice” was hardly fair, with uneven prison terms handed out to various officers. “Today’s sentencings send a strong message that no one is above the […]
Posted inNational News
Tulsa, Okla. Endures Tense Weekend After Five Black Males Shot While Walking
Tulsa, Okla., civil rights leaders, along with the city’s community and elected officials, spent Easter weekend trying to head off Black vigilantes as local police and FBI searched for a lone gunman, described by witnesses as a White man, wanted for the apparent random shootings April 6 of five Black men, three fatally, while walking […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
U.S. Appeals Court Continues Affirmative Action Ban at Calif. Universities
A federal appeals court upheld California’s ban on using race in admissions at state colleges and universities. “I’m pleased, but not surprised,” Ward Connerly, sponsor of Proposition 209, told The Los Angeles Times. “The country is clearly going to have to move in the direction of treating everybody fairly. Proposition 209 was a 1996 ballot […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. Councilman Barry Blasted for Remarks on Asian-Owned Businesses
Washington, D.C. Councilman Marion Barry has come under fire for comments he made about the Asian business community following his victory in a primary election. According to The Washington Post, at an April 3 rally following his victory in the Ward 8 primary elections, TV cameras caught Barry speak out against Asian-owned businesses in the […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Miss. Bill Could Spell End for State’s only Abortion Clinic
A Mississippi bill placing requirements on doctors who perform abortions may shutter the state’s only abortion clinic. The state senate passed a bill April 4 that would require any doctors performing abortions to be a board-certified OB-GYN with admitting privileges at a local hospital. The owner of the clinic, Diane Derzis, said that all of […]
Posted inNational News
Obama Administration: Supreme Court has Ultimate Authority on Constitutionality of Laws
Obama administration officials heeded a warning from a federal appeals court and provided a letter verifying that the courts had the final say-so on the constitutionality of the president’s health care reform law. In a three-page letter submitted April 5 by Attorney General Eric Holder, the judges’ right to rule on any law passed by […]
Posted inCollege
Howard University Suspends Select Student Athletes
Howard University is conducting an internal investigation of possible NCAA rules violations and has temporarily withheld a number of student-athletes from competition as a self-imposed action. In an e-mail to the AFRO, university spokesperson Kerry-Ann Hamilton said that, despite some reports claiming that Howard’s entire athletics program had been suspended, most teams will continue to […]