By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com Food is a vital part of any culture, but the rich history behind many of the foods enjoyed and created by Black people is what makes it one-of-a-kind. Remembering and passing down the recipes for Black food has long been crucial to preserving Black culture and Black history. […]
Author Archives: Aria Brent
Posted inBaltimore News
Commission on African American History and Culture names new chair
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com The Commission on African American History and Culture (CAAHC) has a new chair in charge. Edwin T. Johnson, Ph.D stepped into his role as chair of the CAAHC on July 1. Johnson also serves as the university historian and special assistant to the provost at Morgan State University. […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Entertainment, ENTERTAINMENT, Music
Annual Lake Arbor Jazz Festival returns to Maryland
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com The 13th annual Lake Arbor Jazz Festival is taking place July 12-16 in Prince George’s County, Md. This year’s festival is full of fun events to accompany the lineup of artists and musicians who will be taking the stage. The festival is the cornerstone fundraising event of The […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. opioid crisis disproportionately affecting Black residents
By Aria Brent, AFRO News Writer, abrent@afro.com In the first six months of 2023, D.C. already leads the nation in the number of overdoses from overall drug use according to the Center for Disease Control. This year, health advocates called for Mayor Muriel Bowser to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency urging her […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Renovations to former public school of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, P.S. #103, set for completion in late 2023
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com Henry Highland Garnet school served as a launch pad for a range of local legends from the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings to Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Garnet, also known as Public School (P.S.) #103, began undergoing major renovations in July of last year. The school was […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Unhealthy air quality levels return to Northeastern region due to Canadian wildfires
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com Residents in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area once again experienced unhealthy air quality on June 29 due to wildfires rage in Canada. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) issued an alarming air quality alert. “Northwest winds have pushed smoke from the Great Lakes region into […]
Posted inBaltimore News
The AFRO hosts Juneteenth breakfast honoring community leaders
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com The Juneteenth holiday was a day spent celebrating Black freedom and liberation all across the nation. The Black media authority joined in the festivities by hosting a breakfast where some of Charm City’s most impactful faith leaders were honored. Rev. Dr. A.C.D Vaughn was posthumously recognized for his […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Telling our stories: afros, cornrows and more
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com The Black community has truly mastered the art of storytelling. Using art as a form of communication and documentation is nothing new— we tell our stories with the written word, songs, dance— and yes, even via the very hair on our heads. Whether it be a voluminous Afro, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Telling our stories: How the African griot tradition continues through modern art and media
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com Black history is more than oppression and suffering. Throughout Black history we have seen moments of joy, liberation and innovation. Though traditional, White media may not have accurately recorded Black history, griots have been protecting and telling the stories of African people and their descendants— long before 1619. […]
Posted inFood
Making room at the table: exploring the intersection of soul food and veganism
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer Black culinary culture is sacred and rich. The dishes passed down since the first Juneteenth have inspired a nation and yes— even the international culinary arts scene. We honor our ancestors by making the very recipes they created to sustain themselves as they forged through the deepest bowels of […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Center Stage celebrates 60th anniversary with annual gala
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer Baltimore Center Stage (BCS) celebrates 60 years in operation this year. On June 3, elected officials, community members and Charm City creatives came out to party in true thespian style at the theater house, located in the 700 block of Calvert street. The anniversary celebration went above and beyond, […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland legislators call for more recognition of Black soldiers killed in action
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer Congressman Kweisi Mfume, veterans and community members gathered at the War Memorial Plaza on May 29 to honor those they’ve lost to war. The Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training(MCVET) was given a $3,000,000 dollar check presented by Mfume, and representatives from MCVET spoke along with former Maryland […]