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.
Author Archives: Kendra Bryant
Posted inBaltimore Community
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.
Posted inBaltimore News
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.
Posted inBaltimore News
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.
Posted inHBCU
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.
Posted inBlack Press
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.
Posted inBaltimore News
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.”
Posted inBaltimore News
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 […]
Posted inCivil Rights
2025 Civil Rights Week breakfast sparks conversation on justice and equity
The Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR) hosted the 32nd Civil Rights Breakfast on Oct. 17, kicking off the 2025 Civil Rights Week. The program, led by WMAR 2 News reporter Ja Nai Wright, sparked conversations amongst city leaders, lawmakers and activists to take action against today’s democracy.
Posted inBaltimore Community
Bank of America hosts three-day financial literacy event in West Baltimore
Bank of America recently held a three-day event, educating locals on financial literacy and wellness programs. The event took place at the Bon Secours Community Resource Center from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.
Posted inBlack Press
The 50-year legacy of Black Classic Press
Paul Coates, a former Black Panther Party member, founded Black Classic Press in 1978 as a program to provide books for incarcerated African American people. From chicken dinners to book drives, the business has now become a publishing and printing house where a few of his children and grandchildren work to continue the mission of sharing Black narratives.
Posted inBaltimore Community
Sunni Gilliam closes Teavolve after 20 years of success
Kendra BryantSpecial to the AFRO Teavolve Cafe, a Harbor East Black-owned restaurant known for tea, closed on Sept. 19 after 20 years in business. Over the past two decades the establishment has made a name for itself as much more than just a trendy spot to enjoy a hot beverage and connect with friends. Founder […]
