Ronda Brunson, the “Credit Queen,” advises people to take a comprehensive approach to credit repair, emphasizing the importance of facing their financial reality and addressing emotional spending behaviors. She highlights the significance of timely payments, avoiding disputes on credit reports and using credit responsibly, while also recommending credit monitoring services to protect against identity theft and keep track of financial progress.
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
World Autism Month sparks call for broader inclusion and acceptance
As World Autism Month calls for greater awareness and acceptance, advocates and creatives alike are pushing for more inclusive narratives. In Baltimore, Donte Lewis uses music and media to build community, while Taya Dunn Johnson challenges biases that delay diagnoses and deny dignity to individuals with autism.
Posted inBaltimore Government
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott boasts progress during 2025 State of the City address
In his 2025 State of the City address, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott highlighted significant reductions in violent crime and outlined ambitious goals for education and housing, including plans to lower property tax rates and rehabilitate vacant homes. He also criticized federal policies, emphasizing Baltimore’s commitment to progress despite national challenges.
Posted inBaltimore Government
Mayor Brandon M. Scott to deliver 2025 State of the City address
Mayor Brandon M. Scott will deliver his 2025 State of the City address on April 21 at 6 p.m., outlining progress on public safety and housing while unveiling new goals around literacy, property tax relief and the arts. Framed by the theme “Built Different, Building Different,” the speech aims to chart a steady course for Baltimore amid national uncertainty.
Posted inNational News
Not all debt is created equal: Understanding the difference between good and bad debt
By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com Debt is often treated as a bad word though taking out loans and swiping credit cards is commonplace and unavoidable for most households across the country. However, not all debt is “bad” debt. At times, taking on debt may be a necessary stepping stone in achieving a financial goal. The […]
Posted inMaryland News
Fight over return of wrongfully deported Maryland man heats up
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said in an April 14 news conference that he will not return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father wrongly deported to a notorious El Salvador prison last month. The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the government to facilitate his return, but officials in both countries continue to pass off responsibility on who should initiate Abrego Garcia’s trip back to America.
Posted inMaryland News
Testimonies at Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final hearing call for reparations, healing and accountability
The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission (MLTRC) held its final public hearing to examine the enduring legacy of racial terror lynchings, with testimonies advocating for reparations and police accountability. Experts, advocates, and community members emphasized the need for radical reparations and a shift in how law enforcement engages with Black communities, urging both acknowledgment and concrete action to repair historical harms.
Posted inBaltimore News
Empowering teens: A guide to budgeting and saving for the future
Tammira Lucas, an assistant professor of business at Coppin State University, believes that teaching high school students about money management is essential for their long-term success. She outlined a year-by-year financial plan for teens, encouraging them to start saving early, set clear financial goals and eventually explore investment opportunities as they approach adulthood.
Posted inBUSINESS
Money matters: How to be smart about saving
Certified financial planner Nicolas Abrams advises savers to be strategic by aligning their savings with specific goals rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. This week, he emphasizes the importance of choosing the right accounts—whether for retirement, homeownership or education—to ensure their money is working efficiently.
Posted inTechnology
AI application tackles literacy challenges with audio summaries
Husband and wife team K.C. and Jayne Hopson created ZingFrog.ai to transform long-form content into short, accessible audio summaries called “zings.” Their goal is to reach busy audiences—and those facing literacy or vision challenges—through technology that makes information easier to understand and engage with.
Posted inBaltimore Uprising
10 years later: Leaders speak on death of Freddie Gray and Baltimore’s struggle for change
Ten years after Freddie Gray’s tragic death in 2015, Baltimore’s faith and community leaders continue to reflect on the enduring impact of his death and the subsequent protests. While progress in police reform and accountability has been made, advocates emphasize that the fight for racial justice and the dismantling of systemic inequalities in Baltimore is far from over.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Soulful country duo, The War and Treaty, set to hit Howard Theatre stage
War and Treaty will bring their genre-blending mix of soul, country and rock to Washington, D.C.’s Howard Theatre on April 11 as part of their Plus One Tour. Known for their emotionally-charged performances, the husband-and-wife team says the show is a space for healing, joy and connection—”a family reunion” where fans will “leave lighter than you came