(June 20, 2013) A six-member jury was set June 20 for the second-degree murder trial of George Zimmerman, the 29-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer who is charged with the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old. When the trial of Zimmerman begins June 24 in a Florida Circuit Court he will face […]
Author Archives: Courtney Jacobs
AFRO Staff Writer
Posted inPrince George's County News
Three New Members Sworn into Prince George’s County School Board
The Prince George’s County Board of Education is at authorized strength with the June 17 swearing-in of three new members—all veteran educators—to create a 14-member board. Former University of the District of Columbia provost Beverly Anderson and former public school teacher Dan Kaufman, executive vice president of a New York City communications consultant firm, were […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Kanye West Reveals New Album Name, Claims Role as “Nucleus” of Culture
Rapper Kanye West raised eyebrows recently, revealing that his new album will be called “Yeezus” and comparing himself to a god and Steve Jobs while claiming a role as the “nucleus” of culture. At a recent listening party for his new album, due June 18, West said the album bears the title because, “West was […]
Posted inSports
Tim Tebow Finds New Home with Patriots
Quarterback Tim Tebow has extended his stay in the NFL, finding a new home with the New England Patriots under a two-year contract. Tebow won the Heisman Trophy at the University of Florida, and last year led the Denver Broncos to their first playoff appearance in six years, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers before falling to […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Next Generation of Gaming Consoles Set For November Release
Gamers will have a tough choice this holiday season, with the highly-anticipated next generation of game consoles, Xbox One and PlayStation 4, set for release in November. It’s no coincidence that Sony and Microsoft decided to release their competing systems at nearly the same time, and although the consoles are different, they do have similarities. […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Melwood Celebrates a Half-Century of Helping
Melwood, a non-profit organization that creates jobs and opportunities to improve the lives of people with disabilities, is ready to celebrate this summer. For their 50th anniversary, the group is turning its Upper Marlboro campus into play space June 15 from noon to 4 p.m.with food vendors, a festival of arts and crafts, music, wine […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
Union Bethel AME Celebrates Ownership by Burning Mortgage
Union Bethel AME Church’s 11 a.m. service was more special than usual June 9. The congregation celebrated 27 years of Rev. Dr. Harry L. Seawright’s leadership but the highlight of the day was burning the mortgage for the massive church building in Brandywine, Md. and 38 of the 55 acres the church sits on. Amid […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Gospel Group Takes Family’s Story to Reality TV
A new reality TV show is being launched focusing on “Forever Jones,” a gospel group that has been nominated several times for Grammy awards. The show, to be called “Forever Jones,” began airing June 5 on Bounce TV and chronicles life in the gospel group since the success of the close-knit, faith-based group’s hit single […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
A Football Player’s Life Turns Around
Brian Banks–arrested, falsely accused and convicted of rape as a teenager in 2002, released in 2007– in 2013 at the age of 27, is on the verge of making his dream of playing in the National Football League a reality. Banks was one of the top linebackers in the nation at age 17. He had […]
Posted inSports
Jason Kidd & Grant Hill Announce their Retirement
New York Knicks guard Jason Kidd and Los Angeles Clippers forward Grant Hill have both decided to hang up their jerseys for good. Hill retired from the National Basketball Association on June 1 and Kidd followed suit retiring two days later on June 3. “My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but […]
Posted inSports
Black Athletes Score Big Among Forbes’ List of 100 Top Earners in Sports
African American athletes, including several from Baltimore, are among the top 34 earners on the Forbes list of the world’s 100 highest paid athletes. The magazine’s annual list compiles the athletes’ earnings from salary or winnings and endorsements since last June. The list does not include agent fees, taxes or investment gains or losses. At […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Paris Jackson in Recovery From Suicide Attempt Amid AEG Lawsuit Trial
As the 15-year-old daughter of Michael Jackson recovers from an apparent suicide attempt, Jackson family attorney Perry R. Sanders Jr. issued a call for the public to not intrude. “Being a sensitive 15-year-old is difficult no matter who you are. It is especially difficult when you lose the person closest to you,” Sanders said in […]