Community members gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of funeral home founder Al P. Wylie on April 10 at Wylie Funeral Homes. Wylie received personal certificates from Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and Baltimore City Police Department Western District’s Major Natalia Preston and a street was renamed in his honor.
Author Archives: Kendra Bryant
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra hosts GospelFest in honor of Richard Smallwood
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra hosted GospelFest on April 9 at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The 2026 installment of the event was a grand tribute to the late Richard Smallwood, the great gospel legend and composer that died Dec. 30, 2025. The concert was conducted by Jonathan Taylor Rush and featured performances by HBCU choirs. Guest artists included Maurette Brown Clark, Tabitha Brooks and Kymberli Joyeragin.
Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office hosts town hall on preventing juvenile crime
The Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office hosted a town hall on March 18 at Digital Harbor High School to discuss juvenile crime and the impact of local smoke shops in Baltimore. Panelists and community members advocated for a fight against the opening of these businesses, as well as providing local resources to attendees.
Associated Black Charities hosts “Community Convos” session and film screening in honor of Cherry Hill
The Associated Black Charities and the Youth Resiliency Institute hosted a “Community Convos” session along with a screening of “Termite: A Baltimore Story” at MedStar Harbor Hospital Baum Auditorium in Cherry Hill on Feb. 19. Community members discussed their dreams for Cherry Hill, paid homage to lives lost and connected residents with free resources to improve literacy and health.
Ashland Community Development Corporation debuts Baltimore Black Excellence Awards
The Ashland Community Development Corporation hosted its inaugural Black Excellence Awards honoring local community leaders at The Forum Caterers on Feb. 22. The ceremony was hosted by Randall Newsome of WMAR-2 News, with awards presented in athletics, business, religion, education, entertainment and public service.
Enoch Pratt Library hosts annual Booklovers’ Breakfast in honor of Black History Month
Enoch Pratt Free Library hosted its annual 38th Black History Month Booklovers’ Breakfast on Feb. 7, featuring award-winning author Angela Flournoy. Flournoy spoke on the inspiration of her latest novel, “The Wilderness” and delivered a sample of the book’s first chapter.
Baltimore transportation employee Gregory Turnipseed honored for a life of service and style
Family, friends, and Baltimore City leaders gathered on Dec. 17 at Morgan State University’s Murphy Fine Arts Auditorium to honor the life and service of Gregory Turnipseed. Turnipseed was a 14-year civil servant with the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT). He died from injuries sustained in a physical assault. Attackers are identified as Kiannah Bonaparte, 49, and her 15-year-old daughter. Bonaparte is facing first- and second-degree assault charges for the case.
Morgan State University celebrates student excellence at the annual MLK Scholarship Breakfast
Morgan State University hosted the 41st annual Martin Luther King, Jr. scholarship breakfast on Jan. 10 at the Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom. The event focused on a theme of “empowering the dream of growing our future,” and featured a keynote address by the Rev. Dr. Robert Richard Allen Turner of The Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.
HBCUs honor fall graduates with messages of resilience, legacy and community
Maryland’s HBCUs celebrated fall 2025 commencements at Morgan State University, Bowie State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, honoring student achievement, resilience and community. Graduates and speakers highlighted the unique support HBCUs provide amid political and economic uncertainty, urging students to use their degrees to build legacy, uplift others and pursue lifelong learning.
Family and friends gather for celebration of journalist James L. Wright Jr.’s life and legacy
Family, friends, and journalists gathered on Dec. 19 at Hemingway Memorial AME Church to honor the life and legacy of James L. Wright Jr. Wright Jr. was a staff writer for the Washington Informer, and a former writer for the AFRO News and Washington Post. He also was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Associated Black Charities hosts conversation on leadership, authenticity in the workplace at annual “Women on the Move” event
Associated Black Charities (ABC) hosted its annual “Women on the Move” event on Dec. 5 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Black women from all walks of life attended the panel discussion with a theme of “Women at the Top of Their Game.”
Baltimore City celebrates soldiers at annual Veterans Day Parade
By Kendra BryantSpecial to the AFRO The Baltimore City Veterans Day Parade took place on Nov. 8, honoring the men and women who served in the U.S. military. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott, members of the Baltimore Police Department and several Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) from area high school programs participated in […]

