Dillon County, S.C. has some of the worst public education facilities in the nation, facilities so bad that they caught the eye of then-candidate Barack Obama in 2008. Now, President Obama has decided to do something about the horrid state of the buildings, some of which are nearly 115 years old. The county’s schools will […]
Author Archives: AFRO Staff
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Area Mourns the Passage of Civic Activist Rev. Dr. John Wright
The Rev. Dr. John L. Wright, long time pastor of the First Baptist Church of Guilford, died late Jan 28. At the helm of the church for nearly 40 years, Rev. Wright’s service was not limited to his congregation. He had also served as the head of the United Baptist Missionary Convention of Maryland, the […]
Posted inNational News
Missing Fla. Lottery Winner Found Dead
A missing man who won $30 million in the Florida lottery in 2006 was found dead on January 28 after a three-month search. Abraham Shakespeare had not been seen by friends or relatives since April and was officially declared a missing person in November. Authorities found his body buried under a concrete slab in the […]
Posted inNational News
Democrats Not Giving Up on Health Care Reform
Though their hopes of achieving health care reform took a hit with the election of Republican Scott Brown to the Senate in a special Massachusetts election in mid-January, Democrats have vowed to keep fighting until a reform bill is passed. “You go through the gate. If the gate’s closed, you go over the fence,” House […]
Posted inNational News
Lawsuits: Calif. Cops Failing to Protect Blacks
Several pending lawsuits allege northern California police have not taken seriously attacks on Black teens by Latino gang members. The racially-motivated violence resulted in the death of 14-year-old Vernon Eddins, who was shot in front of his Union City, Calif. middle school in December 2007. Eddins’ death is one incident lawyers cite in three pending […]
Posted inNational News
NAACP Supports Pittsburgh Teen in Police Beating
The Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP is calling for the firing of city police officers who allegedly beat Black teenager Jordan Miles during an arrest. The Pittsburgh branch is also calling for charges against Miles to be dropped. “He had robbed no one—no bank, no establishment, hijacked no car or caused anyone any harm. He […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Census 2010: The City Needs You To Be Counted
Every 10 years, the United States is required to count the number of people— citizens and non-citizens—living here and in its territories. This year U.S. residents are being counted again. The census tracks, not just the number of people, but where those people are located. This process is important for a number of reasons, mostly […]
Posted inSports
Former Wrestling Promoter Wants to Start All-White Hoops League
A former pro wrestling promoter has proposed an all-White professional basketball league which he said will begin play this summer. The league, to be called the All-American Basketball Alliance, intends to begin play in June with 12 teams located in various cities across the South, according to a Jan. 17 news release. In addition to […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Donnie Simpson Ends Long Run on WPGC
The relationship between long-time Washington radio personality Donnie Simpson and WPGC 95.5 has ended. Simpson, who made the Washington airwaves his home for 32 years, was also the host of BET’s former music video show, “Video Soul.” “I am filled with mixed emotions. Happy and sad. Happy about tomorrow’s possibilities, but sad about not talking […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Laura Murphy Returns to Head ACLU Washington Legislative Office
NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union today announced the appointment of longtime civil liberties and human rights advocate Laura Murphy as director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. Murphy previously headed the office from 1993-2005. “Laura’s career epitomizes effective, dynamic leadership and advocacy and she is the perfect person to head our legislative […]
Posted inNational News
Yele Haiti Vows Better Accounting
After admitting mistakes involving questionable financial practices, Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti charity foundation announced Jan. 22 that it has hired a new accounting firm to help manage its finances. The announcement was made just hours before a globally-broadcast charity concert called “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief.” The foundation’s finances were […]
Posted inNational News
Conservative Icons Draw Fire over Haiti Statements
Two prominent conservatives came under fire over comments made about the massive earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12. The Rev. Pat Robertson, a televangelist known for controversy as much as being a devout Christian, was the first to weigh in. During a Christian Bible Network telecast, Robertson said the Haitians made a deal with […]
