The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum will host its annual “Voices of History” Street Fair on June 28, a celebration of Black history, East Baltimore pride and the power of arts and culture to promote healing. The festival, which will spotlight local youth and community joy, reflects the museum’s broader mission to tell the uncompromising truth about Black history and preserve it through education, creativity and celebration.
Author Archives: Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer
Megan Sayles is a business reporter for The Baltimore Afro-American paper. Before this, Sayles interned with Baltimore Magazine, where she wrote feature stories about the city’s residents, nonprofits and initiatives. Her love of music inspired her to be a writer. At a young age she realized it was not the melody that she was so infatuated with, but the lyrics that made up the song and connected with listeners. Sayles grew up in Pasadena, Maryland, and is a 2021 graduate of the University of Maryland, where for her senior capstone project she reported on how the coronavirus and inequality intersected in Baltimore. She also worked as a staff writer and copy editor for campus publications, including Stories Beneath the Shell and The Black Explosion. Sayles teamed up with a partner to report on how the pandemic had put many more responsibilities on the oldest child in families. The Associated Press and other news organizations picked up her story.
Posted inBaltimore News
Harbor East diesel spill sparks concern as impact to wildlife examined
Baltimore officials have confirmed that a diesel spill in Harbor East released 5,000 gallons of fuel—more than double the original estimate. Cleanup efforts are underway to contain the spill near the South Central Avenue Bridge, with officials closely monitoring potential impacts on local wildlife and the environment.
Posted inPOLITICS
Education advocates sound the alarm as student loan overhaul moves through the Senate
Education advocates warn the Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan could burden low-income students with higher costs and reduced aid. They say the proposal risks limiting college access for those who need help the most
Posted inBaltimore News
Clean-up underway after 2,000-gallon fuel spill in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor
A coordinated response is underway following a 2,000-gallon diesel spill in Harbor East, caused by the overfilling of fuel tanks at a Johns Hopkins Hospital facility. Officials from Baltimore City, Maryland and the U.S. Coast Guard are working with environmental contractors to contain and clean the spill, which is currently confined to a marina near the South Central Avenue Bridge.
Posted inPrince George's County News
Twanna Carter fought imposter syndrome— now she coaches others to overcome it
U.S. Army veteran Twanna Carter became a career coach to help Black women overcome imposter syndrome and workplace pressures that are often ignored. Drawing from her own battles with social anxiety and self-doubt, she now guides others toward confidence, clarity and career advancement.
Posted inAFRO CHARITIES
Afro Charities set to host ‘Wildest Dreams’ fundraiser
Afro Charities will host its annual “Wildest Dreams” fundraiser on June 7 in Baltimore to support the preservation of the AFRO’s more than 130-year-old archival collection. The event reflects the organization’s ongoing work to honor Black legacy, expand public access to historical records and invest in community memory.
Posted inBaltimore Community
What police training gets right and where it falls short
Retired Maj. Neill Franklin says while police academies provide solid legal instruction, much of that training is lost once officers hit the streets. He believes stronger supervision and ongoing education are key to preventing civil rights violations.
Posted inCivil Rights
The true cost of police violence: Trauma, trust and taxpayer burdens
Police brutality inflicts deep, lasting trauma on families and communities, while cities across the U.S. face mounting financial burdens from costly misconduct settlements. Advocates say adopting insurance and risk management strategies could help ease the strain on public funds and promote accountability.
Posted inBaltimore Community
State of the Market highlights Greater Baltimore’s push for growth and revitalization
At the Greater Baltimore State of the Market event, city leaders, investors and developers emphasized the region’s momentum. Mayor Brandon M. Scott and others pointed to major projects, like Harborplace’s transformation and the Gateway innovation district in Howard County, as signs of greater Baltimore’s evolving economic landscape.
Posted inMaryland News
Sister of Tyrone West speaks out after audit finds 36 misclassified deaths in Maryland
A statewide audit revealed that dozens of deaths involving police restraint—including Tyrone West’s—were wrongly classified as accidental, natural, or undetermined instead of homicide. West’s family, who has long sought justice, now has their claims validated by the report exposing this critical misclassification.
Posted inReligion
Supporting the mind and spirit in places of worship
Black churches have long served as hubs for more than worship—offering political, social and emotional support to their communities. Now, many are stepping into a new role: helping congregants care for their mental health alongside their spiritual well-being.
Posted inEducation
Proposed D.C. charter school could let teens graduate college a year after high school
NewU University is proposing a tuition-free charter high school that would let students earn up to 80 college credits before graduation. The goal is to save time and money while expanding access to a bachelor’s degree—especially for students who might otherwise be priced out.