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.
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 inHealth
Training tomorrow’s nurses today: Inside a Baltimore high school’s health care pipeline
At Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy, students are getting a head start on nursing careers by earning professional certifications before they graduate. Through hands-on experience and early exposure, they’re preparing to meet the urgent demand for compassionate health care workers.
Posted inMental Health
Anti-trans policies fuel mental health crisis, advocates warn
Transgender youth are facing a growing mental health crisis as a wave of state and federal laws undermine their identities and access to care. Advocates warn that affirming support systems are more critical than ever, especially as suicide rates continue to rise.
Posted inMental Health
Behind the bet: The mental toll of problem gambling
Problem gambling doesn’t just impact a person’s wallet — it can deeply affect their mental health, often co-occurring with or intensifying conditions like depression, anxiety and substance use disorder. Experts say the growing accessibility of betting, especially online, raises serious concerns about how quietly and quickly gambling-related harms can take hold.
Posted inBaltimore Events
Baltimore Together update highlights equity, apprenticeships and industry growth plans
During a fireside chat at the Baltimore Together spring update, Baltimore Development Corp. President Colin Tarbert and Maryland Commerce Secretary Harry Coker Jr. outlined a shared vision for inclusive economic growth. The two leaders emphasized that equity isn’t just a social good—it’s a smart, strategic driver of long-term prosperity.
Posted inFood
Divergent Donuts is redefining baked goods with bold flavors and community spirit
Ewuraesi Richetts opened Divergent Donuts in Havre de Grace, Md., to reimagine what a donut shop could be—offering bold flavors like pizza and crème brûlée alongside a community-centered space for events and connection. Rooted in family and inspired by her Ghanaian upbringing, Richetts sees the shop as both a tribute to her late father’s entrepreneurial dreams and a launchpad for others.
Posted inWord In Black
Divided reactions: Executive order on school discipline sparks debate on equity and safety in the classroom
The 47th president’s latest executive order on school discipline has sparked divided reactions, with supporters arguing it will restore fairness and safety, while critics warn it could deepen racial inequities in education. Advocates for racial justice fear the rollback of federal guidelines will exacerbate the school-to-prison pipeline, particularly for Black and Brown students.
Posted inHealth
Answering the call: How Southern University’s School of Nursing prepares future leaders
At a time when the U.S. faces both a national nursing shortage and persistent racial disparities in healthcare, Southern University School of Nursing (SUSON) is answering the call. SUSON is transforming lives by training a new generation of diverse, community-focused nurses
Posted inMaryland News
Local residents receive skills training for workforce participation and economic mobility
Digital skills are now essential for nearly every job, yet many Marylanders—particularly those in underserved communities—still lack access to the training and tools they need. As federal funding hangs in the balance, local organizations are stepping up to bridge the digital divide and empower residents with the skills to thrive in today’s workforce.
Posted inBUSINESS
E3 Business Group hosts resource fair to aid workers hit by federal cuts
Anthony Butler, founder of E3 Business Group, hosted Fed Day 2025 in Waldorf, Md., offering resources to federal workers impacted by the ongoing cuts under the 47th presidential administration. The event provided support ranging from resume assistance to financial advice, with a focus on helping workers navigate the uncertainty surrounding their jobs and retirement benefits.
Posted inBUSINESS
‘Legends, Leaders, Legacy’: Monumental City Bar Association to celebrate 90th anniversary
The Monumental City Bar Association is celebrating 90 years of championing Black attorneys and African-American communities in Baltimore. Its milestone gala on May 2 will honor past pioneers, present leaders and the next generation shaping the future.
Posted inCOMMUNITY
A decade after Freddie Gray’s death, Associated Black Charities holds dialogue on justice and community healing
Associated Black Charities brought Baltimore residents together on April 22 for a powerful conversation in Sandtown-Winchester to mark the 10th anniversary of Freddie Gray’s death. The event offered a space to reflect on the uprising spurred by Gray’s death, assess the city’s progress and confront the trauma and inequities that still persist.