For the first time in the history of Prince George’s County’s government, Greenbelt, a town that grew out of the post-Depression New Deal era, has a Black mayor. On Nov. 11, former councilman and former mayor pro tem, Emmett V. Jordan, 56, was sworn in as mayor of Greenbelt. “I want to express my gratitude […]
Author Archives: Blair Adams
AFRO Staff Writer
Posted inAfro Briefs
Outrage Follows Shotgun Death of Black Teenage Accident Victim
The NAACP in Detroit is calling for a full and comprehensive investigation of the death of Renisha McBride, 19, who was shot in the head Nov. 2 after seeking help from a homeowner who said his shotgun went off accidentally. The NAACP demand, claiming another fatal instance of racial profiling, came on the eve of […]
Posted inNational News
Shirley Chisholm, First African American Female in Congress
Amid the observances of historic milestones for African Americans in 2013, a signal moment came and went with little fanfare. But next year her image will grace a U.S. Postal Service stamp as part of the USPS’s Black Heritage Series, the postal service has announced. It was on Nov. 5, 1968 that Shirley Chisholm became […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
What’s in a Name? Ask Kylie, Formerly Known as Keisha
For some teenagers, being multicultural can be daunting enough, but to be teased for having what some call a “Black” name was too much for Keisha Austin, 19, of Kansas City, Mo. who now goes by Kylie Austin. The name change was made official by her mother, who went to court to change it as […]
Posted inBaltimore News
City Officials Want to Put the Brakes on Panhandlers
The Baltimore City Council, confronted by the people who confront their constituents—panhandlers–voted Nov. 4 to take no action on a proposed revision of legislation to control panhandling. The law would be revised to require beggars to stand no closer than 10 feet from restaurants and shops, while remaining 5 feet from parking meters. “It’s a […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Police Supervisor Transferred Amid Questions About Separate Fatalities
The Baltimore City Police lieutenant who supervised officers who were involved in two recent fatal actions, one involving an innocent civilian, has been reassigned while his role in the actions of his officers is being scrutinized. Lt. Parker Elliott was reassigned from the northeastern district to a different patrol division until the department completes an […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Balto. Mayor Finds Private Funds to Ease Food Stamp Cut Impact
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has forged what she calls “Bonus Bucks” to take some of the sting out of the federal food stamp spending slash that went into effect Nov. 1. With $10,000 from two major local foundations, Rawlings-Blake’s program will allow Baltimore’s estimated 190,000 food stamp users to maximize their spending at farmers’ markets. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Morgan State Frat Causes Stir over Alleged Barring of Gay Pledge
The Alpha Iota chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at Morgan State University is under fire for allegedly denying a pledge admission to the predominately Black Greek fraternity because of his sexual orientation. Brian Stewart, 20, said he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi because his pastor, a mentor to him as a young adult, was a part […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Kerry Washington, Star of Scandal, is Pregnant
Rumors are flying around the entertainment industry that Kerry Washington, star of the hit ABC series “Scandal”, is pregnant with her first child. Sources told E News, US Weekly and People that they thought Washington was pregnant at the Emmys in September, when she wore an empire-waisted gown that “hid her tiny figure.” “She’s about […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore City Officials Host Halloween Party, “Thriller” Dance
A group of East Baltimore youths were in for a Halloween treat when Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Council President Bernard “Jack” Young spent the evening reenacting Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance during their 2013 Boo Bash. Nearly 100 children appeared in costume at the Rita R. Church Community Center for the free bash. “Halloween is a […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Baltimore Boy Advances in Dancing Competition at N.Y. Apollo Theater
A three-hour wait in line for a July 27 open audition at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia paid off for 10-year-old Baltimore native Divine Wilson. Wilson impressed the audience with his dance moves and advanced to the next round of auditions at the historic Apollo Theater in New York City on […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Refugee of Religious Cult Tells Her Story
When Elle Benet looks back on her childhood, the memories are almost unbearable. For 18 years she lived in a world defined by verbal abuse and was part of a church that forced its members to live a life so austere that the outside world was held in disdain. Benet, 30, grew up in the […]