By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO Legendary photographer Irving H. Phillips Jr. died Dec. 22 of end-stage renal failure at Loch Raven VA Medical Center in Baltimore. He was 79 years old. Phillips was born in Baltimore to I. Henry Phillips Sr. and Laura Mackay Phillips. He got his start in photography through the […]
Author Archives: Kara Thompson Special to the AFRO
Posted inBooks
Becoming a better you: seven self-help books you should read in 2023
By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO Baltimore has long been known as the “City that reads,” and now is the perfect time to snuggle up with a good book. While biographies, mysteries and science-fiction texts all have their place on the reading list for 2023, this month, the AFRO spoke with mental health professionals […]
Posted inNational News
Moses Newson: Black journalist extraordinaire and AFRO all star speaks at 95
By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO When the Freedom Riders risked their lives in 1961 to protest the segregated bus system in the American south, Moses Newson was there. When the University of Mississippi, a segregated college, admitted its first male Black student in 1962, Moses Newson was there. And when Martin Luther King […]
Posted inWord In Black
Mason Makes Money Fund allows children the opportunity to be entrepreneurs
By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO When Candace Okin was laid off from her job in 2019, it was a hard financial time for her. But she wanted to make sure she rose to the occasion to the best of her ability, in order to be a role model for her son. Through this […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Local artists and activists among 2022 Weaver Award recipients
By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO Twenty Baltimoreans were recently named as recipients of a $5,000 Weaver Award for their projects, which all help connect community residents in a positive way. Weave: The Social Fabric Project, is a program created by the Aspen Institute that encourages people to build connections in their communities and […]
Posted inBaltimore News
New report shows 50 percent of Marylanders with disabilities face financial hardships
By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) residents who also have a disability are experiencing financial hardships at a rate much higher than what the federal poverty data reports. According to a new report from United Way of Central Maryland and United for ALICE, only 16 percent of Maryland […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland Food Bank report: one-third of Marylanders are facing food insecurity
By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO The Maryland Food Bank released a special report on July 14 regarding food insecurity in Maryland, and how residents experience food hardships. The goal of this report is to look at data from a variety of resources to see how factors such as housing and wages have an […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Chadwick Boseman to be honored in Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO Black America is reveling in the recent release of Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer. Emotions are almost as high as the view count on the preview, which has garnered over 103 million views between Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The two minute preview pays a stunning tribute […]
Posted inArts & Culture
New musical honors Frederick Douglass’ life and writings
By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO Frederick Douglass is famous in history for being an abolitionist leader and visionary. Although his life and writings are often taught about, his journey to becoming the icon that he was is not often discussed or shown. The new musical at Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage, “American Prophet: Frederick […]
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO featured in new exhibition for NMAAHC’s Searchable Museum
By Kara Thompson, AFRO MDDC Intern The National Museum of African American History and Culture highlights the AFRO in their newest online exhibit, “Making a Way Out of No Way.” The exhibit studies the way Black people have navigated and overcome racism and discrimination while also seeking the freedom to have control over their lives […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Diane Bell-McKoy, CEO of Associated Black Charities, steps down from role
By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO On July 1, Diane Bell-McKoy announced that she will be stepping down as president and chief executive officer of Associated Black Charities (ABC). She has served in these roles for the past 16 years. “At that time 30 some years ago there was a […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Vernon Simms, seasoned advisor and chief of staff for the late Elijah Cummings dies
By Kara Thompson, Special to the AFRO Vernon L. Simms, longtime advisor and chief of staff to the late Elijah Cummings, passed away on July 16. “Vernon loved the AFRO and the AFRO loved him,” said Diane Hocker, director of the Community & Public Relations for the AFRO. “He would open doors and use his […]