By Ashleigh Fields AFRO Assistant Editor Members of the U.S. Marine Corps gathered in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 29 to support veterans and honor members of the community at the 48th annual Marine Corps Marathon (MCM). The mission of the MCM is to promote physical fitness, generate goodwill and showcase the organizational skills of the […]
Author Archives: Ashleigh Fields
A fresh perspective has arrived at The AFRO-American Newspapers. Ashleigh Fields has been named the new assistant editor, bringing new ideas to the oldest Black-owned business in Maryland.
Fields’ passion for Black media is one she’s been pursuing throughout her entire college tenure. The North Carolina native is a graduating senior at Howard University, majoring in journalism with a minor in Afro-American studies. The young writer has served as the editor for “The Hilltop,” the nation’s oldest Black collegiate newspaper founded at Howard, and has previously been featured in Rolling Stone magazine.
“Knowing that there are people across the globe and across the nation that care about what happens to Black students is important to me and I was happy to be able to uplift that during my time at Howard,” Fields stated.
She is a second generation journalist, and noted that seeing her mother interact with the people in their community always inspired her. These interactions showed her that she can make a difference through journalism and that’s exactly what she plans to do at the AFRO.
“I’m hoping to bring a millennial audience to the AFRO and help grow our outreach in the D.C area. I really want to focus on telling human stories, featuring people who are living and working in all aspects of life,” exclaimed Fields when explaining some of the goals she’s looking to accomplish while working at the AFRO. “I also want to include more collegiate writers who are eager to get their work published and eager to learn more about journalism.They have a valuable voice to add to the many conversations we’re having in minority communities.”
Fields explained that she thinks Black media is currently under assault that people both inside and outside of the Black community are beginning to value the Black perspective less. Despite this, Fields noted that Black media and the influence it has is still very essential.
Giving recognition to journalism moguls such as Oprah Winfrey and Cathy Hughes, she’s eager to learn more from the many women who work at the AFRO.
“I’m really excited to learn from Black women in leadership within the media realm,” said Fields. “My goal is to combat the misinformation and disinformation targeted at the Black community via social media and elsewhere.”
Posted inPrince George's County News
Prince George’s County breaks ground on new state of the art health facility set to open in 2025
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com Executives in Prince George’s County are expanding access to medical resources through a new state of the art health center set to open in 2025. The property located at 9001 Edmonston Road off Kenilworth Avenue in Greenbelt will be renovated and remodeled to replace the County Health Department’s […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Silence and stillness: achieving serenity in a world of distractions
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor A sound mind and a sound body comes from a sound soul. To achieve the highest form of serenity, I believe it takes a multitude of silence and solitude. Sometimes your thoughts can be your greatest detriment and the voices around you can be a deterrent to your success. […]
Posted inBUSINESS
How JA Biztown is teaching financial literacy to students
Ashleigh FieldsAFRO Assistant Editorafields@afro.com Parents across the country often wonder what they can do to educate their children about finances in the early stages of life. While many rely on books, online saving games and budgeting spreadsheets few are aware that there are other options. The Junior Achievement non-profit organization’s finance park and “JA Biztown” […]
Posted inNational News
Crisis temporarily averted, Congress reaches short-term funding agreement
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com With the threat of a government shutdown looming, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) finally caved on the Democrats’ demands to drop large spending cuts from a temporary funding bill and the Senate signed off on the measure in order to successfully pass a 45-day continuing resolution. “It has […]
Posted in!Front Page
The effects of a potential government shutdown
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com Government officials are tracking a potential shutdown in less than 48 hours if Congress does not pass the 12 necessary appropriations bill to fund federal operations. Democrats and Republicans have struggled to reach common ground on spending levels ahead of the 11:59 p.m. deadline on Sept. 30 ahead […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority inducts 2023 honorary members
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com A sea of blue and white ascended onto the campus of Howard University as members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority welcomed the newest and largest class of honorary members. Their 2023 induction took place in the Blackburn building on Sept. 19 with the objective to honor their five […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Washingtonian George Curtis seeks success in ‘Face of Horror’ contest
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com As the Halloween holiday approaches, D.C. native Curtis George is stepping out of his shell into a shocking and suspenseful season as he vies to become the next “Face of Horror.” The multifaceted creative has passionately blazed a trail for himself as an accomplished actor and film aficionado. […]
Posted inUncategorized
AFRO spotlight on Black excellence: a look at the new generation of Black tennis stars
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor Cori “CoCo” Gauff is the youngest athlete to lead the new wave of Black tennis players and captivate the American sports scene. At 19 years old, she is the most youthful challenger to reach the elite stage of semifinals at the US Open since Serena Williams in 2001. The […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Congressman Steny Hoyer hosts 21st annual Women’s Equality Day Luncheon
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com Women’s Equality Day occurs every year on Aug. 26 to commemorate the adoption of the 19th amendment which prevents federal and local governments from discriminating against voters based on their gender. In Prince George’s County, Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD-5) carved out time to intentionally recognize women in politics […]
Posted inNational News
Harriet Tubman honored by the U.S. Army posthumously
By Ashleigh FieldsAFRO Assistant Editorafields@afro.com Historians often reference Harriet Tubman as a social activist who made the brutal journey to the South repeatedly to free those who were enslaved; although among her many accomplishments lies a career as a spy and nurse for the Union during the Civil War. It’s a piece of her story […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Fatal shootings leave D.C. police searching for answers
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com Pain is piercing through the hearts of residents in Southeast D.C. as they reckon with losing five lives to fatal shootings on Aug. 5 and 6. Tymea Cook, 27, Jamal Morgan, 30, Reginald Gilbert, 34, James Morgan, 34 and Vincent Martin, 42 were all pronounced dead by Monday […]