By Frances Murphy “Toni” Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher Let me say from the outset that I love technology. Some might even call me an early adopter, as I’ve been told by my Gen X children and Gen Z grands that I’m tech-savvy. But, make no mistake about it, I am a digital immigrant (more […]
Author Archives: Frances Toni Draper AFRO Publisher
Posted inNational News
Continuing the legacy of John Henry Murphy Sr.: it may not be easy, but it’s worth it
By Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper, AFRO Publisher and CEO A few months ago, in preparation for its 130th anniversary, the AFRO embarked on an ambitious quest to identify the direct descendants of my great grandfather AFRO founder, John Henry Murphy Sr. We knew that he and Great Grandmother Murphy (nee Martha Elizabeth Howard) had 11 […]
Posted inNational News
We’re still here: the AFRO highlights the importance of Black homeownership, Black realtors and housing policy
By Frances Murphy “Toni” Draper, AFRO Publisher When I was a young child, my mother, my brother, my sister, and I made weekly trips to the “country,” as we called our grandparents’ home. It took nearly an hour to travel from our West Baltimore home, near Elgin Avenue and Poplar Grove Street, to the end […]
Posted inNational News
The AFRO at 130: a word from Publisher Frances “Toni” Draper
The not-so secret of success: “Believe in yourself, in God and the present generation.” “A newspaper succeeds because its management believes in itself, in God and in the present generation. It must always ask itself: whether it has kept faith with the common people; whether it has no other goal except to see that their liberties […]
Posted inNational News
The Mis-Education of the Negro
By Frances Murphy (Toni) Draper, AFRO Publisher In 1933, Dr. Carter Goodwin Woodson wrote his seminal, albeit controversial, book The Mis-Education of the Negro. A weekly columnist for the AFRO and other Black publications, Dr. Woodson argued that the education systems of his day were designed to oppress rather than uplift Black children teaching them […]
Posted inNational News
AFRO Exclusive: George Johnson and Madeline Rabb: Finding love late in life — a magical love story
As told to Frances Murphy (Toni) DraperAFRO Publisher He was a widower of two years who had been married for 70 years. He was a devoted caregiver for his late wife for more than 12 years. She was a widow of 17 years who had been married for 39 years. She was fiercely independent, happy […]
Posted inNational News
Black health is Black wealth
By Frances Murphy (Toni) Draper, AFRO Publisher As we reflect on Black wealth during financial literacy month, I’m often reminded that wealth means different things to different people. To some it’s inconsequential. To others, it’s fleeting. And still others express a desire to be wealthy but are uncertain of how and where to start. Unfortunately, […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Frances L. Murphy, II – A remarkable winner in life and in death
By Frances (Toni) Murphy Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher My mother, Frances L. Murphy II, was a winner and a role model to many- especially aspiring Black journalists. For most of her life she enjoyed two professions: working at the AFRO founded by her grandfather, John H. Murphy Sr., and teaching. She began her newspaper […]
Posted inBaltimore News
A little celebrated first: Dr. Francis Marion Wood
By Frances M. Draper, AFRO CEO and Publisher Tall. Dark. Handsome. Family man. No nonsense, but fair. Philanthropist. Ph.D. Farm Owner. Founder of a camp for children. Community leader. Beloved by students and teachers alike. These are just some of the words and phrases I’ve heard to describe my paternal grandfather, Francis Marion Wood. My […]
Posted in!Front Page
Vashti Turley Murphy: A freedom fighter in her own right
By Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper AFRO CEO and Publisher There is also a wonderful story about my maternal grandfather, Carl James Greenbury Murphy, long-time AFRO publisher and editor (1922-1967). A prolific writer of hard-hitting editorials, as well as inspirational prayers, Carl Murphy was small in stature, but stood tall and fought hard for civil and […]
Posted in!Front Page
Someday at Christmas: A look into how the world celebrates
By Frances Murphy (Toni) Draper CEO and Publisher One of my all-time favorite Christmas albums is Stevie Wonder’s first Christmas album (1967) Someday at Christmas. Someday at Christmas men won’t be boys Playing with bombs like kids play with toys One warm December our hearts will see A world where men are free Someday at […]
Posted in!Front Page
This digital immigrant loves technology
By Frances Murphy (Toni) Draper CEO and Publisher Let me say from the outset that I love technology. Some might even call me an early adopter, and I’ve been told by my Gen X children and Gen Z grands that I’m tech-savvy. But, make no mistake about it, I am a digital immigrant (more about […]
