By Alexis Taylor Special to the AFRO Baltimore and the theatre world at-large is mourning the death of Dr. Shirley Basfield Dunlap, legendary stage director, producer and professor at Morgan State University (MSU). News of the passing came to former students and coworkers late Monday night and immediately sparked an outpouring of love for the […]
Author Archives: Alexis Taylor
AFRO Staff Writer
Posted inBaltimore Community, Baltimore Government, Baltimore News, NEWS, POLITICS
City Council Responds to Protests with $22 Million in Cuts to Baltimore Police Department
By Alexis Taylor, Special to the AFRO Days after Baltimore residents painted “defund police” on Gay Street across from City Hall, an answer. The Baltimore City Council responded loud and clear June 15, presenting a $3.8 billion dollar budget for the 2021 fiscal year with over $22 million in proposed cuts to the Baltimore Police […]
Posted inHealth, National News, NEWS
Amidst Unrest, Mental Health Professionals Report Increased Anxiety Among Black Youth
By Alexis Taylor Special to the AFRO #AFROcoversCOVID Eric Garner. Walter Scott. George Floyd. The names are interchangeable but the story is the same: Black body brutalized by police. Outrage. A calming. Repeat. America is conducting business as usual, but members of the mental health community warn that -for younger generations- this cycle of unnatural […]
Posted inBaltimore News, NEWS
Peaceful Youth Demonstration Followed by Unrest in Downtown Baltimore
By Alexis Taylor Special to the AFRO Thousands marched through the streets of Baltimore City Monday afternoon to protest the May 25 death of George Floyd and demand an end to the police brutality plaguing Black America. Led by Baltimore City youth, the first part of the rally kicked off at 4 p.m. with words […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Putting the Black Back in the Baltimore Black Beauty Industry
Most Black women don’t make it to adulthood without stepping foot into a beauty supply store. Kinks, curls, and clippers have sent Black folk from every walk of life into these hair havens for decades. Megan and Quentin Lathan became Black beauty supply store owners on Apr. 16, 2016. They have been open every day […]
Posted inHealth
Baltimore 5K Aims to Raise Awareness about Sickle Cell Disease
Charm City won’t wait until September to put a spotlight on sickle cell disease. On Aug. 26 hundreds are expected to join the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) in Baltimore to bring attention to the disease, educate the public, and raise money for research. “This is an awareness event,” said Sonja L. Banks, […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore’s 40th Legislative District Up for Grabs
(Updated-8/22/2017) Whether you believe the next state senator should have senatorial experience or a fresh pair of eyes to address the many issues facing Baltimore, the choices leave little to be desired—but the topics of concern are many. Whoever is elected to the seat formerly held by Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh will have to hit […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Elks Hold National Convention in Baltimore
Parts of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor were draped in purple and white over the Aug. 5 weekend. The Elks were in town for their Grand Lodge and Grand Temple National Convention. With 500,000 members worldwide, chances are that if you aren’t a member of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW), […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Elks Hold National Convention in Baltimore
Don’t be surprised if you noticed parts of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor draped in purple and white. The Elks have come to town for their Grand Lodge and Grand Temple National Convention. With 500,000 members worldwide, chances are that if you aren’t a member of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World […]
Posted inNational News
Baltimore Conference Highlights Need for Criminal Justice Reform, Voter Rights
Healthcare, voter identification laws, environmental injustice and prison and bail reform were all topics that took the spotlight during the 108th NAACP Conference in Baltimore, which concluded July 26. Lawmakers joined with activists and concerned citizens from around the country to discuss the state of Black America and actions needed to make progress on the […]
Posted inNational News
‘We Have A Lot of Work to Do’
Healthcare, criminal justice, and civic engagement are among the most pressing issues to be focused on during the NAACP’s 108th National Convention taking place in Baltimore this year. The conference, at the Baltimore Convention Center July 22-26, will include a host of celebrity speakers, panel discussions, movie screenings, and work sessions focused on improving life […]
Posted inNational News
Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Take Over Downtown Baltimore
A sea of black and gold is washing over Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and each wave is bringing more and more men of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. The group is hosting its 94th General Convention in Charm City July 12-16. Hundreds of members and guests from around the country and beyond have swarmed the Baltimore […]
