Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper presented her book “Prayer and Pen” at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, which is a collection of her grandfather Carl J. Murphy’s prayers, paired with period photographs and archival headlines, to provide a devotional and historical record of the AFRO-American Newspapers’ legacy.
Author Archives: Ericka Alston Buck
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Still swimming: A love story rooted in faith, legacy and the AFRO
By Ericka Alston BuckSpecial to the AFROealstonbuck@afro.com In the summer of 1954, two young AFRO News carriers from Baltimore met for the first time during a beach trip for newspaper boys and girls. That moment, shared at Carr’s Beach, a popular resort for African Americans along the Chesapeake Bay, was the beginning of a lifelong […]
Posted inAfro Newspaper
Mobile mural unveiled at future AFRO headquarters site, celebrating Black legacy, art and community
A vibrant new mural celebrating Black legacy and community was unveiled outside Jubilee Arts in West Baltimore, created through a collaboration between Creative Nomads and Afro Charities. Featuring historic AFRO imagery, interactive AR elements, and community-driven design, the mural now surrounds the future site of the AFRO’s new headquarters at Upton Mansion.
Posted inBaltimore News
Carmelo Anthony comes home with a legacy-fueled vision for Baltimore
NBA legend Carmelo Anthony returned to Baltimore to announce a citywide cultural initiative that honors his legacy while empowering local youth through storytelling, mentorship and community programming. Centered on an upcoming exhibit at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, the project aims to inspire the next generation by celebrating Baltimore’s resilience and potential.
Posted inBaltimore News
‘Trailblazer:’ Carol Moseley Braun reflects on legacy, loss and leadership during Enoch Pratt event
Former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun reflected on her historic career, personal struggles, and lasting legacy during a June 30 conversation at Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library, where she discussed her new memoir “Trailblazer.” Sharing lessons on resilience, faith, and public service, Moseley Braun offered an unfiltered look at the triumphs and pain behind her groundbreaking journey as the first Black woman in the U.S. Senate.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Single in the City: A look at love after the tassel
With change on the horizon, clear communication, mutual growth and intentional effort become the pillars of post-grad relationships. This week, Ericka Alston Buck speaks on love and life after commencement.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore’s creative pulse takes center stage at inaugural Scout Art Fair
The inaugural Scout Art Fair, part of Baltimore’s revitalized Artscape and curated by Derrick Adams and Teri Henderson, showcases over 40 local artists in a landmark cultural moment that affirms the city’s arrival as a major force in the contemporary art world.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Jazzy Summer Nights opens 25th and final season at Hopkins Plaza
More than 1,000 people pack Hopkins Plaza on May 1 for the kickoff of the 25th and final season of Jazzy Summer Nights, a beloved Baltimore tradition since 2000. With high-energy DJ sets, live percussion and a vibrant, joyful crowd, the opening night celebrates the legacy of music, community and culture in the heart of the city.
Posted inArts & Culture
Gospel Fest brings church to the Symphony Hall
In a time when divisions often feel louder than unity, Gospel Fest was a moment of communion—a reminder of the beauty that emerges when tradition, excellence, and faith share the same stage. The event, held at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore on April 3, featured the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Pastor Smokie Norful, and three of the nation’s most distinguished HBCU choirs, Bowie State University Choir, Howard Gospel Choir and Morgan State University Choir.
Posted inBaltimore Events
Six regional HBCUs receive scholarships at the Presidents’ Roundtable 2025 Scholarship Awards Gala
By Ericka Alston BuckSpecial to the AFRO On Friday, March 21, 2025, the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront transformed into a vibrant celebration of excellence and opportunity as the Presidents’ RoundTable (PRT) and the PRT Reach Foundation hosted the 2025 Scholarship Awards Gala. The evening’s spotlight was on higher education, honoring institutions with over $250,000 to date […]