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 […]
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 inWashington D.C. News
Mayor Muriel Bowser selects Pamela Smith to serve as the acting police chief for MPD
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com Composed. Compassionate. Courageous. These are just a few of the adjectives used to describe D.C.’s new police chief, Pamela Smith. She is the second woman in this role and the first Black woman to permanently run the force since its founding in 1861. D.C. Council swore Smith in […]
Posted inNational News
Lieutenant General Raymond Scott Dingle set to retire as U.S. Army Surgeon General
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com Lieutenant General Raymond Scott Dingle is set to retire from his post as the 45th U.S. Army Surgeon General, a role dedicated to serving the American military by providing crucial information to healthcare professionals and patrons. Dingle’s tenure required extreme tenacity as he established pandemic protocols and practices […]
Posted inNational News
Emmett Till and Mamie Till Mobley honored with national monuments
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com Emmett Till’s and Mamie Till Mobley’s family members, legislators and civil rights advocates gathered in the Indian Treaty Room on July 25 to watch as President Biden signed a national proclamation to erect three national monuments in Till’s honor. “I spent my early years as a sharecropper and […]
Posted inHBCU
White House announces 2023 HBCU Scholars
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com The White House recently selected 102 students to join the ninth cohort of HBCU scholars, the largest cohort since its inception in 2014. Undergraduate, graduate and professional leaders were identified through the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity. “Our Eagles chosen to represent […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Ubiquitous Women’s Expo commences in D.C.
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com High achieving leaders and ambitious executives are set to cross paths at the ninth annual Ubiquitous Women’s Expo taking place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from July 21 to July 23. Their theme, “The Power of Us,” is dedicated to helping women reach the next level […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Biden administration pledges $27 billion investment in renewable energy projects
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com Vice President Kamala Harris announced a $20 billion investment in renewable energy projects at Coppin State University in Baltimore today at 3:15 p.m. The Biden administration will offer two programs valued at $14 billion and $6 billion, respectively for competitive grants to private businesses and non-profit organizations alike. The money which stems from […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Howard University establishes 14th Amendment Center for Law and Democracy
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action in college admissions shattered fifty years of legal precedent, citing the policy as a violation of the 14th Amendment which provides “equal protection under the law.” As the nation reacted with outrage, Howard University announced plans to launch the 14th […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee retires from Metropolitan Police Department
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com After 30 plus years of service, D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee III effectively retired on June 3. As a native to the District, he shared that his experiences in the Carver Langston neighborhood inspired him to become a cadet at 17 years old. Contee became a member of […]
Posted inReligion
Bishop Vashti Mckenzie jumpstarts NCC leadership with a call to action
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor Members of Kingdom Fellowship AME Church welcomed leaders from the National Council of Churches (NCC) during their impact week for “A Call to Action” reception on June 15. Amidst shape shifting conversations with narratives that furthered the faith perspective in politics, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie was duly recognized for […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Public safety a top issue for Maryland legislators at federal priority meeting with Governor Moore
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor Governor Wes Moore and members of his cabinet met with Maryland legislators at the U.S. Capitol to discuss top priorities for the state on June 12. Although future plans for transportation, regulation and funding were discussed, gun violence was a major topic with the recent mass shooting in Annapolis. […]
Posted inNational News
Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVII Champions visit White House
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor The White House welcomed the Kansas City Chiefs for the first time ever on June 5. The visit came after the professional football team’s 38-35 Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 12. The team has earned the title of Super Bowl champions a total of three […]