Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first female bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, delivered a searing sermon at The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., calling the faithful to “put feet to their prayers” and reflecting on the cultural wars and book bans in the U.S.
Author Archives: Dr. Deborah Bailey AFRO Contributing Editor
Hometown hero ‘Mama’ Wanda Durant inspires Bowie State University grads
Wanda Durant, mother of NBA star Kevin Durant, delivered an inspiring commencement speech to Bowie State University’s 659 spring graduates, encouraging them to live for more than their own success and to vote.
Internet access may end for 23M Americans if Congress fails to extend Affordable Connectivity Program
The Dominican Republic is experiencing an increase in racist deportations and harassment of black-skinned people due to the election year, with the current president and leading presidential candidate Luis Abinader promoting anti-Haitianismo and empowering the police to round up and investigate any Haitian or Haitian-looking person for possible detention and deportation.
Connecting through science: Bowie State University brings solar eclipse viewing to HBCU community
Bowie State University hosted a family reunion, homecoming-style celebration of the 2024 solar eclipse on April 8 with hundreds of students, faculty and staff, alumni and community members gathering at Bulldog Football Stadium to witness the event.
Biden and members of Congress work to reduce cost of diabetes medication for all
By Deborah Bailey, AFRO Contributing Editor Diabetes remains at the top of the list as the White House and members of Congress fight to lower prescription drug costs for all diabetic patients. For the second year in a row, President Joseph Biden used this month’s State of The Union address to emphasize his administration’s vow […]
Medicaid postpartum coverage extended to 12 months in most U.S. states
By Deborah Bailey, AFRO Contributing Editor, dbailey@afro.com The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is on a mission to spread the news about Medicaid postpartum coverage expansion, a topic of discussion at the agency’s second annual Black Health Forum. The Feb. 27 meeting was a check-in for health care providers, advocates, policy makers […]
Closing arguments made, Mosby’s trial goes to jury
By Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor dbailey@afro.com At the end of the longest day of the Marilyn Mosby vs. the United States at the District Court House in Greenbelt, Md., the former Baltimore State’s Attorney’s fate now rests in the hands of the jury. Closing arguments on Feb. 5 extended well into the afternoon with U.S. government […]
Marilyn Mosby’s second federal trial comes down to the jury
By Deborah BaileyContributing Editor Marilyn Mosby, a former Baltimore City state’s attorney, will soon face a verdict in the second of two federal trials that will change the trajectory of her life. The 44-year-old rose to power as the youngest state’s attorney of a major city in 2015. Just months later, Mosby was thrust into […]
Andrew Young reflects on Civil Rights Movement at Washington National Cathedral
By Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor dbailey@afro.com Seated humbly in a chair on the platform of the Washington National Cathedral, former United Nations Ambassador and Congressman Andrew Young preached extemporaneously Jan. 14. King confidante, friend, collaborator and fellow pastor, Young is among a dwindling number of activists who worked and served full time in the Civil Rights […]
CNN’s Abby Phillip encourages Bowie State graduates to expect adversity
By Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor Cable network anchor and Bowie High School graduate Abby Phillip reminded Bowie State University winter graduates Dec. 23 of the power of failure in life. Phillip, anchor of “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip,” a Harvard graduate and a member of Bowie High School’s class of 2006, told the 405 graduates […]
Councilwoman Jolene Ivey takes helm of Prince George’s County Council
By Deborah Bailey AFRO Contributing Editor dbailey@afro.com Veteran Prince George’s County Councilwoman Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George’s County- District 5) is now head of the County Council. Ivey took the gavel with the unanimous support of 11 council members, all of whom were in attendance at the gavel exchange ceremony inside of Largo’s County Council hearing […]
Prince George’s Police Officer acquitted after shooting death of William Green
By Deborah Bailey AFRO Contributing Editor dbailey@afro.com A Prince George’s County Police Officer has been acquitted in the Jan. 27, 2020 death of William Green, a resident of Southeast D.C. who was shot while in handcuffs. Michael Owen Jr. was found not guilty of four charges filed against him in a Prince George’s County Circuit […]

