Harry Black’s appointment as the new director of finance for Baltimore City brings to a close the nationwide search launched to fill the position vacated by Director Edward Gallagher, who retired last year after taking the position in 2005. “We are excited to welcome Mr. Harry Black to City Hall as we work on the […]
Author Archives: Alexis Taylor
AFRO Staff Writer
Posted inNational News
‘Equality’ Lawsuit Continues HBCU Fight
Maryland’s four historical black institutions continued to forge ahead Monday with their $2.1 billion case against the state, claiming injustice in the way of funding and segregated practices. Among the scheduled witnesses for the day was Dr. Sue Blanshan, who currently serves as Director of Planning and Academic Affairs for the Maryland Higher Education Committee […]
Posted inSports
Soccer Game Riot Sets Off Violent Chain Reaction
On Feb. 3, the death toll stood at 79, according to CNN, in the aftermath of the Feb. 1 rioting that erupted in Port Said, Egypt immediately following a soccer game between Al-Ahly, a visiting team from Cairo, and the home team, Al-Masry. Those in attendance described the mayhem and carnage as Al-Masry supporters stormed […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Komen Foundation Reverses Decision to Cut Off Planned Parenthood Funding
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation Feb. 3 reversed its decision to sever funding for Planned Parenthood and issued a public apology for appearing to be driven by politics. Reversal of the decision came amid mounting pressure from pro-choice advocates and reflected reluctance by the breast-cancer awareness organization to bow to anti-abortion pressure. […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Facebook Open to Making More Friends
Following in the footsteps of technology titans such as Google and Microsoft, Facebook has decided to go public and make stock in the social networking company available to those who can afford the hefty price tag. Announcing hopes to raise $5 billion in its initial public offering (IPO), Facebook officially disclosed its financial records late […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
United Airlines Names First African American Region Chief Pilot
Captain James Simons, Jr. was named United Airlines’ first African-American region chief pilot for United Airlines Jan. 20, and will lead the Northeastern Region of the world’s largest airline company. Simons, a United pilot for 22 years, will oversee 1,450 pilots flying for the airline. Beginning in 2007, he served as assistant chief pilot for […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Grayling Williams Selected to Lead New Initiatives by BCPD Commissioner
Intent on rebuilding confidence and instilling new faith in the Baltimore City Police Department, Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III officially announced changes within the ranks of the department last week. Introducing Grayling Williams as chief of the Internal Investigation Division, Police Commissioner Bealefeld said the new civilian commander will bring fresh eyes to a department […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Anthony Lewis Becomes VP of Verizon’s Mid-Atlantic Region
“My job is to make sure that you have an easy life,” said Anthony Lewis from the eighth floor Verizon board room of his Maryland office. Newly named vice president of the Mid-Atlantic Region, Lewis, a native of Norfolk, Va. has big plans for the company he’s been a part of since 1986, known then […]
Posted inNational News
HBCU ‘Equality’ Lawsuit: Black Notables, Former HBCU Presidents and Students Pack Courtroom
Dr. Samuel Myers said it “hurt his heart” as he listened to testimony at the ongoing HBCU Equality trial, Jan. 31. The president emeritus of Bowie State College, one of Maryland’s four HBCUs, said he’s spent his life working in higher education. “And I’ve seen the disparities that exist between funding for Blacks in higher […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Obama Deploys Navy SEALs in Successful Rescue of Somalia Hostages
President Obama on Jan. 23 deployed a Navy SEAL unit to execute the successful rescue of two aid workers held by Somali pirates in a daring nighttime operation. The two hostages, American Jessica Buchanan, 32 and her Danish colleague, Poul Hagen Thisted, 60, were working in the country to assist in the clearing of field […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
United Airlines Names First African American Region Chief Pilot
Captain James Simons, Jr. was named United Airlines’ first African-American region chief pilot for United Airlines Jan. 20, and will lead the Northeastern Region of the world’s largest airline company. Simons, a United pilot for 22 years, will oversee 1,450 pilots flying for the airline. Beginning in 2007, he served as assistant chief pilot for […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Ariz. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Steps Down to Continue Recovery from Shooting
Amid ongoing recovery from severe injuries sustained in a shooting last year, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords announced Jan. 25 that she will step down from her position. One of a dozen injured in a January 2011 shooting spree at a community event sponsored by Giffords in Tucson, the three-term Democratic congresswoman spent five months in a […]