By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to The AFRO The Board of Directors of the Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL) recently appointed Dr. Faith Gibson Hubbard as interim president and CEO. Hubbard replaces George Lambert, who retired earlier this year after 10 years of stellar service to the organization. Under Lambert’s tenure, GWUL expanded education and empowerment […]
Author Archives: D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the NNPA from The Miami Times
Posted inReligion
Reverend Nontombi Tutu speaks at Asbury UMC’s annual Women’s Day Service
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to The AFRO By her own admission, the Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, daughter of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, struggled against accepting the call to ministry for most of her life. But you couldn’t tell, based on the reactions of worshipers at Asbury United Methodist Church (UMC) on Sunday, April 2, […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott named president of African American Mayors Association
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott is now president of the African American Mayors Association. Read more about the selection and the organization’s recent conference in Washington, D.C. on AFRO.com.
Posted inArts & Culture
Ruby red slippers, a mean old lion, and Black folk adorned in emerald green can only mean one thing – ‘The Wiz’ is coming back to DC
The Tony Award-winning musical “The Wiz” returns to Washington, D.C., for a limited run at the National Theatre from April 7–12, showcasing a new generation of talent in the beloved all-Black reimagining of “The Wizard of Oz.” Cast member Cal Mitchell, who stars as The Lion, highlights the production’s enduring cultural impact, its celebration of Black joy and artistry, and its continued ability to inspire audiences across generations.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Tempers flare between District’s mayoral frontrunners Kenyan McDuffie and Janeese Lewis George during Free D.C. candidate forum
A Free D.C. candidate forum turned contentious when mayoral frontrunners Kenyan McDuffie and Janeese Lewis George clashed on stage, highlighting growing tensions in a competitive race as voters weigh leadership and trust ahead of the primary election.
Posted inHealth
Brain tumor survivor reclaims her life, reshapes art and advocacy beyond disability
After surviving a life-altering brain tumor, Zazel-Chavah O’Garra refused to let disability or societal prejudice define her future. Once a successful dancer and model, she rebuilt her life through resilience, community support and faith—eventually becoming a licensed social worker and founding an inclusive dance company for disabled performers. Alongside mentor Dr. Donna R. Walton, O’Garra highlights the challenges disabled women face, while demonstrating the power of perseverance, representation and self-determination.
Posted inBlack Press
NNPA Fund hosts Black Press Day 2026 at Howard University, celebrating the past and looking ahead to the future
The NNPA Fund’s Black Press Day 2026 at Howard University brought together journalists, students and supporters to honor the legacy and future of the Black Press. The event featured discussions on innovation, including AI in newsrooms, ongoing digitization efforts, and the importance of intergenerational leadership, while also enshrining the late publisher Bernal E. Smith II for his lasting contributions to Black journalism.
Posted inBUSINESS
Rev. Jamal Bryant’s announcement ending Target boycott met with fierce criticism
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO It lasted more than 400 days, but on March 11, the nationwide boycott of Target initiated by Black leaders was brought to an end. During a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the Rev. Jamal Bryant, along with former Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner […]
Posted inObituaries - Washington D.C.
Prophetic D.C. minister, the Rev. Graylan S. Hagler, laid to rest
Rev. Graylan S. Hagler, a longtime Washington, D.C. pastor and civil rights advocate, was remembered at his funeral service for his commitment to justice and his powerful oratory, as he was laid to rest after a long battle with cancer.
Posted inBlack History
D.C. Mayor Bowser, National Capital Parks – East and Congress honor ‘The Lion of Anacostia’
Frederick Douglass, the most important leader in the struggle for Black civil rights in the 19th century, was honored in Washington, D.C. with the groundbreaking of a new community center in his name, the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, and the renaming of the U.S. House press gallery.
Posted inBlack Press
Black Press Week to kick off with annual Sunday service
Black Press Sunday is celebrated annually to honor the 199th anniversary of the Black Press in America and the heroic Black leaders who founded it, with the goal of promoting the importance of Black media and journalists.
Posted inBlack History
Woman’s search for family’s roots leads to ancestor John T. Ward – a successful entrepreneur and conductor on the Underground Railroad
After more than a decade researching her ancestry, Shanna Ward published a book about her forefather John T. Ward, a formerly enslaved man who became an Underground Railroad conductor, abolitionist and founder of one of the nation’s oldest Black-owned businesses. Her work highlights the power of genealogy to reclaim lost histories and honor the resilience of enslaved Africans and their descendants.
