Vibrant paintings, created by the residents of Asbury Dwellings’ senior citizen complex in Northwest D.C., were showcased at the “Jamboree of Contemporary Art,” held at the apartment community on March 18. The event, which brought together many local residents, honored the senior citizens who participated in recreational art sessions at the complex in January. The […]
Author Archives: Gregory Dale
AFRO News Editor
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
District Native’s ‘Isaiah Wait’ Featured in D.C.’s Independent Film Festival
When an e-mail from the D.C. Independent Film Festival appeared in filmmaker David Lee Roberts’ inbox, he initially disregarded it. “I thought it was junk e-mail,” Roberts told the AFRO in a recent interview. But to his surprise, it was a message to inform him that his film Isaiah Wait had been selected for entry […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Black Female Jockey’s Success and Struggle With Bipolar Disorder Detailed in New Memoir
Sylvia Harris had reached rock bottom. She was homeless, she had lost custody of one of her children, and above all, she was battling mental illness. At her emotional peak, she needed an escape. When a twist of fate elicited a fond childhood pastime−horseback riding−she finally found the answer to her whirlwind of despair. After […]
Posted inNational News
Kweisi Mfume Stepping Down As CEO of National Medical Association
Kweisi Mfume, former U.S. Congressman and current chief executive officer of the National Medical Association (NMA), recently announced that he was stepping down from the position, effective in June. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with a great number of very talented physicians and scientists, as their chief administrator who runs the ship day in […]
Posted inHealth
Debate Continues over Bone Marrow Compensation
The Institute for Justice, a civil liberties law firm, continues their fight to lift the ban against compensating bone marrow donors amid a heated debate on the issue. The firm appeared in court on Feb. 15 and argued their suit, brought against the U.S. attorney general that seeks to amend a restriction on compensating bone […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Locals Welcome Metro’s Proposed Student Restrictions
District students are cutting classes at alarming rates, but a proposed plan by the Metro Transit Authority would monitor their whereabouts with an eye to cutting down on student-related crimes while they use the rail system. This school year, police have picked up over 3,700 truant students and delivered them to school, according to Councilmember […]
Posted inMusic Reviews
Guitarist of Legendary Go-go Band Talks New Career in Pop, Rock
Go-go music may have been what originally spurred guitarist Valentino Jackson’s career, but his distinct versatility didn’t allow him to stay moored to the genre for long. After picking up a guitar at just 4 years old, the Maryland native got his start playing with local bands across the Washington, D.C. region before he even […]
Posted inHealth
Hungry? Road Kill Becoming Dinner for Some
It’s dead, it used to be furry and it’s finding its way onto some Americans’ dinner plates. Though consuming road kill may seem like a surefire way to induce nausea among most individuals, some people are finding creative ways to turn these highway animal casualties into delectable dishes. In recent times, there’s been quite an […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
New Hotel Project Aims to Hire D.C. Residents, Black Contractors
Beyond encompassing well over 1,100 rooms, lush terraces and hip retail shops, developers of the new Washington Convention Center Hotel claim the establishment will give District residents what they need most jobs. After breaking ground in November, construction of the new $520 million, four-star Marriott Marquis Hotel on Ninth Street and Massachusetts Avenue is now […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Fairview Park, Black Pa. Amusement Park Added to National Register of Historic Places
A Black Pennsylvania amusement park that was constructed during the era of racial segregation was recently added to the National Historic Registry. According to the Associated Press, Fairview Park in Delmont, Pa. was given the designation and was named an historical landmark by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. “Places like Fairmont Park are important […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Gray Joins D.C. Employees in Furlough
Mayor Vincent Gray signed a waiver on Feb. 4, allowing him to be furloughed on various holidays throughout the year. Under the terms, Gray will join 32,000 other District government employees in forgoing pay during scheduled time off in an attempt to cut down on city costs. Gray’s move comes after the Feb. 1 approval […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
“Worst Case” Housing Increases 20 Percent
The number of Americans whose income, housing, and even their lifestyle, is so dire that the federal government labels them the “worst case” dramatically increased in just two years, the Department of Housing and Urban Development said Feb. 1. The study found that the number of worst case housing needs grew to nearly 1.2 million […]