By Deborah Bailey, Special to the AFRO Harriet Tubman’s dreams and visions are an epic part of her story. The abolitionist and underground railroad conductor was said to gain spiritual insight for her multiple travels leading enslaved relatives and friends to freedom, according to Harriet, the 2019 movie biopic about the brave leader’s life. Washington, […]
Author Archives: Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO
Posted inWord In Black
#WordinBlack: Baltimore community members distressed at school closings
By Deborah BaileySpecial to the AFRO Declining enrollment, failing building conditions and the two-year running COVID-19 crisis collided to create the perfect storm as Baltimore City School Board members made the decision to permanently close three Baltimore City Schools this week. Despite pleas from scores of community members in attendance at this week’s virtual board […]
Posted inNEWS
AFRO Exclusive: House Speaker Jones responds to Hogan’s FY 2023 budget proposal
By Deborah Bailey, Special to the AFRO Speaker of the House, Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) says the Governor’s recently issued $58.2 billion FY 2023 budget doesn’t go far enough to support critical needs of Marylanders with respect to K-12 education and infrastructure. Hogan released his final budget as governor this month to the Maryland General […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Receives millions to improve water system
By Deborah Bailey,Special to the AFRO Baltimore recently received $396 million in water infrastructure financing from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fund modernization of the city’s outdated substructure. “Baltimore’s WIFIA funding will enable the city to proactively implement projects improving the reliability and resiliency of more than 37 miles of aging pipes” said […]
Posted inNEWS
Broadband Roundtable
By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO At least $100 million in federal funding for access to quality broadband services is on its way to Maryland, from the $3.1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in December according to Don Graves, deputy secretary of commerce. Graves joined Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Maryland’s HBCU […]
Posted inOPINION
Commentary: Remembering Desmond Mpilo Tutu
By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO Of all the many assignments Bishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu was entrusted to handle on this earth – outspoken opponent of the South African Apartheid system; dedicated advocate of non-violent resistance; Nobel Peace Prize Recipient; principled defender of justice for all people – it was Tutu’s work in chairing the […]
Posted inD.C. Community
Students of the Live Movement prevailed
By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO The AFRO recognizes The Live Movement as Newsmakers of the Year. In Fall 2021, the student-led Live Movement rallied Howard University students in an unprecedented action of waging the most extended student protest in the campus’ 97-year history. “We are not here just to go to class. We […]
Posted inNEWS
Truth, justice and Tutu.
By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO Of all the many assignments Bishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu was entrusted to handle on this earth – outspoken opponent of the South African Apartheid system; dedicated advocate of non-violent resistance; Nobel Peace Prize recipient; principled defender of justice for all people – it was Tutu’s work in chairing the […]
Posted in!Front Page
Saying goodbye to Mr. D.C., Edgar Brookins
By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO The connector…The bridge builder…The architect. Saturday, hundreds connected both in-person and virtually at the Memorial Chapel at Fort Myer base in Arlington Virginia, celebrating Edgar Allen Brookins, a man who befriended, supported, mentored and poured into their lives. Brookins died on Dec. 1. The service, both joyful and […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Mayor, Council maneuvering to put guidelines in place before projected surge
By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and the D.C. City Council have not seen eye to eye on handling the 19-month COVID-19 Pandemic. However, recent moves by the Mayor and City Council signal both are working to put guidelines in place before a possible surge of the pandemic […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Our Black Party hosts forum for Md Dems for governor
By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO A small, but determined group of Black Marylanders have insisted that the upcoming 2022 gubernatorial race will place issues of concern to the state’s 30 percent Black population at the center. Our Black Party hosted the first virtual statewide event recently, introducing Black Marylanders to seven of the […]
Posted inNEWS
Bi-Partisan infrastructure bill passes
By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO A historic list of benefits is on the way to African-American communities after Congress finally passed the bi-partisan infrastructure bill late Friday night. Shortly before midnight, the House of Representatives passed a 1.2 trillion infrastructure package representing the most expansive measure of its kind in almost 70 years. […]