Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the City Council have paused a scheduled minimum wage increase for tipped workers under Initiative 82, citing concerns about economic strain on local businesses and the city’s reliance on federal funding. While business advocates argue the law accelerates restaurant closures, many tipped workers and supporters believe the voter-approved measure is essential for fair compensation and should be upheld.
Author Archives: D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the NNPA from The Miami Times
Posted inNational News
Ten years later: Charleston remembers slain parishioners as push for gun reform gains urgency
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO Ten years ago, on June 17, 2015, a group of worshipers entered Mother Emanuel AME Church for a Bible study, in Charleston, South Carolina. Though they stepped into the oldest AME church in the South to strengthen their walk with God, they were joined by one visitor who […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
100 Fathers, Inc. unites D.C. community to build stronger Black families
100 Fathers, Inc. hosted a conference at Howard University to promote health and wellness, eliminate violence, and develop values and character development, with a focus on empowering Black men and their families to become leaders in their communities.
Posted inMaryland Government
Gov. Wes Moore tells Dems in South Carolina to become the party of ‘Yes’ and ‘Now’
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore urged South Carolina Democrats to be a party of “yes” and “now,” advocating for action and urgency. He condemned the 47th president’s actions, while encouraging his fellow Dems to learn from the president to deliver alternatives quickly.
Posted inStop Killing Us
From tragedy to Trial: Keith Ellison reflects on the fight for accountability
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is the first African American and first Muslim American elected to statewide office in Minnesota. He successfully led a team of attorneys in the rare conviction of an on-duty police officer, Derek Chauvin – the man responsible for the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.
Posted inCivil Rights
Ben Crump, ‘Black America’s Attorney General,’ speaks on George Floyd and the continued fight against injustice
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO Few attorneys are as closely tied to America’s civil rights struggles as Benjamin Crump. Known for representing families in high-profile wrongful death cases, Crump has become a leading legal voice in the fight against police brutality and racial injustice. His clients have included the families of Trayvon Martin […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Acclaimed playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney tackles issue of gay marriage amid recent attacks on LGBTQ rights
Playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney’s new work “We Are Gathered” explores same-sex marriage and Black queer love amid renewed political threats to LGBTQ rights following the 47th president’s return to the White House. Premiering during WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C., the play celebrates love and resilience while underscoring the urgency of preserving hard-won freedoms in a shifting political climate.
Posted inBlack History
100 years on, Malcolm X remembered as an icon, not outcast
As the 100th year of Malcolm X’s birth is recognized, journalist Mark Whitaker’s new book explores how the once-feared activist evolved into a revered cultural icon.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
DC to host historic 50th anniversary Pride and WorldPride 2025 amid rising challenges
Washington, D.C. will celebrate 50 years of Pride with an unprecedented three-week event, coinciding with WorldPride 2025 and themed “The Fabric of Freedom,” highlighting the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and global solidarity. Despite political setbacks and funding withdrawals, organizers remain steadfast in their mission to celebrate progress, amplify visibility, and defend hard-won rights at a pivotal moment for the community.
Posted inBlack History
Black Americans respond to president’s order to remove museum exhibits that promote ‘improper ideology’
Black Americans express deep concern over a recent executive order to overhaul the National Museum of African American History and Culture, fearing it threatens the truthful preservation and inclusive representation of Black history in America.
Posted inMaryland News
Tony Woods, Maryland Veterans and Military Families secretary, to step down and join tech startup
Anthony “Tony” Woods, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom, will step down as the secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families on May 11. He has been in the position since January 2023.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
DC artist Reggie Gillumo creates art that the visually impaired can ‘see’
Reggie Gillumo, a D.C.-based visual artist and sculptor, has spent nearly 30 years perfecting his signature style—vibrant, touchable artworks designed to be experienced by both sighted and visually impaired audiences. Celebrated for his innovative technique and community impact, Gillumo recently opened his own gallery and continues to inspire through mentorship and his deeply personal, inclusive art.
