By Catherine PughSpecial to the AFRO Rodney Orange Sr., born Aug. 23, 1942, passed away suddenly Feb. 15, 2024. “He had health challenges,” said his wife of 63 years, Catherine Orange, “but this was not expected.” A graduate of Douglass High School, Orange was a notable member of the class of 1960. “He was a […]
Author Archives: Catherine Pugh Special to the AFRO
Posted inCommentary
Commentary: BEYA Conference highlights Black excellence in STEM fields and military
By Catherine Pugh, Special to the AFRO For three days I observed the glorious precision of the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) Conference that occurred in Baltimore Feb. 15 – Feb. 17. People from across the globe filled downtown hotels, many not checking out until the last few waning hours of the weekend. […]
Posted in!Front Page National News
Supreme Court hears Colorado’s challenge to Trump’s candidacy
By Catherine Pugh Special to the AFRO “No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the […]
Posted in!Front Page
Dexter Scott King, son of civil rights legend, dies at 62
By Catherine PughSpecial to the AFRO Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of civil rights leader and icon, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Coretta Scott King, died on Jan. 22 after a battle with prostate cancer. Dexter King lived with his wife of 11 years, Leah King, in Malibu, Calif. “He transitioned peacefully in […]
Posted inCOMMUNITY
Leading the charge: Gun safety advocate Celeste Iroha speaks on making change after loss
By Catherine PughSpecial to the AFRO Celeste Iroha has been a self-proclaimed activist since the age of 15 years old. “I lost one of my cousins when I was 12 in D.C. His funeral was the first I would have to go to,” recalls Iroha. “I am also a survivor of a shooting, resulting from […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland Legislative Black Caucus hosts 28th Annual Legislative Weekend
By Catherine Pugh, Special to the AFRO On Friday, Nov. 17, the 66-member Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, led by its Chairperson Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-Md.-20) held six virtual workshops during the 28th Anniversary Legislative Weekend. Multiple topics at the forefront of Black Marylanders were discussed, such as health in the Black community, higher education opportunities […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland Legislative Black Caucus hosts 28th Annual Legislative Weekend
By Catherine Pugh, Special to the AFRO On Friday, Nov. 17, the 66-member Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, led by its Chairperson Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-Md.-20) held six virtual workshops during the 28th Anniversary Legislative Weekend. Multiple topics at the forefront of Black Marylanders were discussed, such as health in the Black community, higher education opportunities […]
Posted inNational News
Lessons learned: Paul Coates on benefits gained from Army service
By Catherine Pugh, Special to the AFRO Paul Coates dropped out of high school at the age of 17 in 1964 because–as he would say, facetiously– he “was so smart.” He joined the United States Army in a hurry to, as he explained, “get on with life, see the world and afterwards start a business.” […]
Posted inBaltimore News
National Minority Supplier Development Council Annual Conference and Exchange hosted in Baltimore
By Catherine Pugh, Special to the AFRO Governor Wes Moore recently greeted the over 6,000 participants of the National Minority Supplier Development Council Annual Conference and Exchange at the Baltimore Convention Center. The event took place from October 22-25, with the theme of “Closing the Equity Gap.” “Maryland we don’t have to choose between an […]
Posted inBaltimore Community
Bea Gaddy Thanksgiving Dinner to take place at Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center
By Catherine PughSpecial to the AFRO Cynthia Brooks is a woman not easily shaken by a challenge, she takes after her mother, the fearless activist and former Baltimore City Councilwoman, Beatrice “Bea” Gaddy. For the last 21 years Brooks has run the Bea Gaddy Family Center’s Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless, offering a chance for […]
Posted inBaltimore News
MHEC rejects duplication of UMBC and UMES doctoral program by Johns Hopkins and Stevenson Universities
By Catherine Pugh, Special to the AFRO Maryland Gov. Moore recently appointed six new members to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) after two members resigned. The twelve members of MHEC board serve a term of five years. Currently the board is operating with eleven members. The new members found themselves quickly immersed in another […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore native Bishme Cromartie premiers at New York Fashion Week after Project Runway win
By Catherine Pugh, Special to the AFRO Bishme Cromartie, winner of season 20 Project Runway- All Stars debuted his winning collection on Sept. 12 at the main stage of the coveted New York Fashion Week. The title of his winning collection is “Powering Through,” which is a testament to his strength of overcoming adversity and […]